Hello and help please?!

B

Broonster

Member
 Out in the sticks - Scotland
Hi all, nice looking forum and it has been helpful so far in my quest in finding out about the Z4.

I'm off Z4 hunting tomorrow and have 3 lined up at different dealers for viewing and, hopefully, test driving :thumbsup:

The problem that I have, but is likely to be semi-sorted after the test drives, is what engine size to go for. I'm seeing 2.0, 2.5 & 3.0 litre models, all within the same kind of price/mileage bracket. I recently got rid of my 3.2 Audi TT and I'm thinking anything less that the 3.0 Z4 will be a bit of a let down. But, at the same time, the Z4 is only going to be a fun weekend car so as long as I have fun in it, I'll be happy! Cost of running will be an issue for me (my wallet isn't bottomless!) so I'll be considering that carefully. I'm swaying towards the 2.0 so far, in terms of looks, mileage (on the particular one I've seen), age and cost, but that could all change after I've driven it tomorrow.

So, I know everyone will have different recommendations and experiences from each of the models, but I wanted some general feedback about what to expect and what to look out for.

Help?! :driving:

Cheers in advance!
 
IMHO given you say they are all similar price, you're used to a 3.2TT and it's only a weekend fun car, then it has to be the 3.0

The 2.0 I'd discount as a 4 cyl engine and the 2.5 and 3.0 are similar. The bigger engine It will cost more in tax, no real difference in fuel (given lowish mileage) but acres more performance, smiles and you'll regret the smaller engine from the day you buy it.

Others will of course disagree....

Not mentioned, but look carefully at the spec. The higher models have a lot of subtle differences like headlight colour, grilles, wheels, but look for what you want from sports seats, to Xenon, auto/manual. etc. etc.
 
If my memory serves me correctly the 2003 to 2005 model 3.0i's got slightly better gas mileage than the 2.5i's. I don't have any info on the 2.0 but I would suggest the 3.0i in any case.
 
cj10jeeper said:
IMHO given you say they are all similar price, you're used to a 3.2TT and it's only a weekend fun car, then it has to be the 3.0

The 2.0 I'd discount as a 4 cyl engine and the 2.5 and 3.0 are similar. The bigger engine It will cost more in tax, no real difference in fuel (given lowish mileage) but acres more performance, smiles and you'll regret the smaller engine from the day you buy it.

Others will of course disagree....

Not mentioned, but look carefully at the spec. The higher models have a lot of subtle differences like headlight colour, grilles, wheels, but look for what you want from sports seats, to Xenon, auto/manual. etc. etc.
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Cool, thanks for the reply. And I was kinda hoping someone would say go for the 3.0! I thought I was just being sensible considering the others really. But, as I say, it will really come down to some thinking after I've had a drive of them all.

The 3.0 model isn't at a BMW dealer, which isn't the end of the world, but I was thinking about the warranty (I'd get a 12-month warranty from a BMW dealer). But maybe I could get it for a better price as a result....
 
Well, you could always go for the 3.2 model...... :evil:

I am speaking of the //M version of course, but that would ruin your planned budget :D
 
Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

I would say 3.0 :D but then I haven't driven the other engines... coming from a 3.2TT I would think youd miss the power in the lower cars...

let us know what you go for :)
 
WLH said:
Broonster, let us know what you decide and welcome to the forum.... :thumbsup:
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Many thanks for the welcome! :thumbsup:

Okay, so the deed has been done. And the winner is.......

*opens the golden envelope*

... a silver '55' plate Z4 2.0 SE! :driving:

I actually ended up NOT test driving the 3.0. I felt that it was too risky and that I'd want it too much! The 3.0 wasn't at a BMW dealer and I was a bit weary of buying from them anyway. I also went to see a 2.5 at another non-BMW dealer, but they looked a bit shifty, and the car wasn't up to much, so I left it.

In the end, I got a pretty good deal from the dealer I went to (Eastern BMW in Edinburgh), plus I got the usual 12-month warranty, 12 months road tax, MOT etc. so I was more than happy with the deal (I wasn't trading in either).

The drive? Well, it actually exceeded my expectations. It obviously didn't have the power of the 3.2 TT I had, but it felt MUCH better driving it - the handling was superb. It was also actually my first ever drive of a BMW, of any kind. It felt very light & nimble and I reckon I'll have much more fun in it than the TT to be honest. The TT was a great car, but it was heavy and it didn't have the same nimble handling of the Z4 IMO.

Also, even the practicle side of the car surprised me. I wasn't expecting such a big boot space and the convertible roof - how fast does that go down/up?! Well impressed!

Anyway, I pick it up next Friday and I'm looking forward to it already. And, most importantly, I'm happy! :D
 
GAZA62 said:
Welcome :thumbsup: and congrats on your purchase picked the best colour look forward to the pics
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Indeed, pictures in due course.

Does this mean I get to graduate from the 'Newbie Forum' section now?! :oops:
 
Aha, yep TT Forum is still good, although I don't find myself visiting or posting there too much any more, it always seems to be down recently :thumbsdown:
 
I'm sure you'll be very happy with it - great cars

Take your camera - these guys demand photos on the board real quick...
 
Hi

I traded in my 225BHP TT coupe last Friday and have been driving my Z4 2.0i sport for a week.

I totally agree with you on the handling of the TT - It's exactly what you need on a cold wet January day with the Quattro system sticking your tyres to the tarmac, but in order to enjoy driving the TT you had to travel at 80mph on a twisty road - there was just no feedback; no real feel to the car.

The Z4 in contrast, even with just 150 horses under the bonnet, feels exhilarating. It's the most fun you can have in a car at 50mph and when you need a little bit of oomph you've got it. It doesn't have the turbo packed punch of the TT but delivers the power in a smooth stream of torque. You need to drive it differently to the TT, pushing the revs harder to get the performance.

On the way home last night, travelling 15 miles of rural road with a guy in a black fiesta pootling along in front of me I tried an experiment. I reset the computer, and drove as steadily as I could. When I got home the trip computer said I got 52.3 mpg. OK, I had rolled down a lot of hills and hardly ever needed to touch my brake but I was still startled by the ecomomy coompared to the TT.

So, welcome to the forum! As a newbie myself, I can honestly say that I have been made most welcome :thumbsup:

Oh, and don't forget the pictures. :wink:
 
Andrew_Morris said:
Hi

I traded in my 225BHP TT coupe last Friday and have been driving my Z4 2.0i sport for a week.

I totally agree with you on the handling of the TT - It's exactly what you need on a cold wet January day with the Quattro system sticking your tyres to the tarmac, but in order to enjoy driving the TT you had to travel at 80mph on a twisty road - there was just no feedback; no real feel to the car.

The Z4 in contrast, even with just 150 horses under the bonnet, feels exhilarating. It's the most fun you can have in a car at 50mph and when you need a little bit of oomph you've got it. It doesn't have the turbo packed punch of the TT but delivers the power in a smooth stream of torque. You need to drive it differently to the TT, pushing the revs harder to get the performance.

On the way home last night, travelling 15 miles of rural road with a guy in a black fiesta pootling along in front of me I tried an experiment. I reset the computer, and drove as steadily as I could. When I got home the trip computer said I got 52.3 mpg. OK, I had rolled down a lot of hills and hardly ever needed to touch my brake but I was still startled by the ecomomy coompared to the TT.

So, welcome to the forum! As a newbie myself, I can honestly say that I have been made most welcome :thumbsup:

Oh, and don't forget the pictures. :wink:
Click to expand...

Some nice comparisons there Andrew, many thanks. I live 'out in the sticks' and there are alot of A & B roads, so it's gonna be fun, fun, fun everytime I go home in the Z4! :D Also, the fuel economy sounds impressive too - nice on the wallet, particularly with fuel prices the way they are now.

I am soooo looking forward to picking it up now - I can't wait!

Pictures will be first on my 'to do' list after I pick it up :thumbsup:
 
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