Hello from a convert !

R

RobW

New member
Hi All,

Just a quick hello and a little history.

Completely new to the concept of driving quick cars for fun, but stay with it.

I am or have been into motorcycles all my life and got my kicks from dirt, drag or road bikes until last Sept. Having visited the Alps on several occasions on bikes I decided to take the wife for a long weekend, flying into Munich getting a hire car, visiting a few of the more popular Alpine roads.
The hire car was a BMW Z4 3.5s-drive and it had a M on the inside door sill.

As iv'e never been into cars i had no idea what i was in for, it was great :D , i didn't stop laughing, smiling, shouting like a little child not the 48 year old man i'm supposed to be. It was a life changing experience, my cheeks ached from smiling and my ribs from laughing, yes i want one and i want one now :), new toy please Mr Santa.

But that fickle finger of fate had a little say, October a chap takes me of the road at high speed and writes my 4x4 off, then work gives me my notice, but hey ho still want a Z4. Ok so now we are in March, insurance company has paid out and i have a little run around, got a new job, and last week sold the road bikes to make space in the garage for the Z4.

Which brings me here, where to get some advice and guidance. A friend at work who loves his motors (into drifting) suggests your forum, he tells me its the most informative and friendly out there.

So chaps i'm looking for a weekend toy, probably the 3 liter si any comments or thoughts?

Cheers

Rob
 
welcome on board…. well almost.

If you had the 35i Z4 than except for the s version of the Z4 its the most powerful. The hollering and smiling is a natural byproduct to roof down and exposure to sunshine and fresh air so don't worry too much about this, It won't pass!

For my 2P worth, get the biggest engine you can afford. The 35i you drove does sound epic at full chat in the mountains.

Good luck with your purchase, and try finding one on the BMW ACU website (approved used cars).

If it a 35i then it was an E89 - latest model. this is a step on from the older E85

I love my E89 35I Z4
 
Hi Rob

Brilliant intro, love the sound of your Alps trip.

Sounds like you've had an "interesting" end and beginning to the year, glad it is back on track.

Z4s are great fun, and the 3.0si is superb in roadster and coupe form. A really good toy, daily drive, and I'm sure tourer if you took it on a trip!

3.0si all the way, I'm sure you won't regret it. Have a look at the check list that is about on here (I'm sure somebody will have the link) for what to look for in a new purchase!

Tom

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 
Hello Rob,and welcome, sure you will be in good hands here,and a lot safer on four wheels than two.
Happy Z hunting :driving: :)
 
Hi rob, i brought a 3litre si 10days ago :thumbsup:
Brilliant cars that seem very versatile for a sports model-away in ours this weekend :driving:
regards
 
Hi Rob,

Welcome - there's quite a few bikers and ex bikers on this forum.

My mate told me to get a top down sports car to replace my motorcycling some years ago and he was right. As you've found there's some great times to be had in a Zed. I part/ex'd my 2 litre for a 2008 3.0si over Christmas and it's a terrific car - got some 'lift' and is a terrific overtaking tool. Suggest you take a test ride if possible as it will be a different experience to the model you had on holiday - nevertheless - it's replaced motorcycling for me and - like you found out - my 3.0si makes me grin every time I take it out.

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
Hi, Great write up, glad things are going better for you now.

Have a look on the for sale section in here , and on pistonheads and autotrader.

If your budget allows, 13k should get you a very well looked after, below average miles Z4M Roadster.

If you want to spend 10k, then you will be looking at late 3.0 Si in great nick, or an early M roadster in average condition.

The M and the 3.0 are quite different, so have a read, and see what you think and try and drive both. if it's a weekend car, then the M may suit better, or not!

The 3.0 is fitted with runflat tyres which are reported by many to spoil the ride - you can change them to normal tyres. Just noted that you've had an accident, - if you have any back issues.
The M is quite a harsh ride on urban roads and bumpy country lanes. Both can have aftermarket suspension fitted to sort this though.
Good luck with the search.
 
Hi Guys

Thanks for the comments and feedback, i'm looking for the E85, 3litre si in black, just seems to tick all the box's for me :)
 
RobW said:
Hi Guys

Thanks for the comments and feedback, i'm looking for the E85, 3litre si in black, just seems to tick all the box's for me :)
Click to expand...

Drive one first before you set your heart on it! its a completely different car to the one you drove.
 
RobW said:
Hi Guys

Thanks for the comments and feedback, i'm looking for the E85, 3litre si in black, just seems to tick all the box's for me :)
Click to expand...

The 3.0si is a fine choice sir :thumbsup:

The 3.0si tends to be well sought after in the 2nd hand market, as it offers bags of value and a powerful engine for reasonable money. Have a read through the forum FAQs which will answer lots of potential questions you might have. Then, start checking out the for sale section, as some good cars come up regularly.

Welcome to the forum 8)
 
Hi Rob,
Great intro first of all,& glad your life`s back on track mate.
I have a so very similar story, had bikes all my life, my first a field bike when i was 12 (40 years ago).Had a varied few as well, classics to busa,zx12r,etc etc, & now have a bmw r1200r & a Harley Road king CVO in the garage.
Didnt think i`d use a sports car with having the bikes, and thought that for years.
Last year, i owned pajero 4x4 & having sold it to a mate fancied a change so, had a go in a audi 225tt coupe, thought it was a good car, then a porche boxter 2.7 roadster...mmmm wasnt sure, then a 3.0 E85 roadster manual...Yes...Ooooo yes, thats the one!.
In the end i bought the z4 & have never looked back, the smiles per miles are never ending.The missus says she has never heard me laugh so much whilst driving Ever!!...That`s Fun Big Fun!! laughs.
Also, the tt a couple of months later i got as a daily driver (at a much reduced £price£).
The bikes, well their not depreciating much if any, so it doesent overly bother me as to how little they get used or not.
In fact, i can maybe see in the future them funding my way to an z4 coupe :)
Regards Kev (Also a convert)
 
When I buy my next zed, itll be the 3.0 si again or an M.
Brilliant engines


Do you want a coupe or roadster?
Im guessing roadster?
A nice 3.0 si sport will be £7.5-10k
Try get extended leather if you want a more luxurious feel(standard z4 Interior isn't what id call luxury and the 35i is nicer inside)


On my next purchase ill be looking for extended leather, parking sensors, upgraded hifi and xenons
 
dario said:
RobW said:
Hi Guys

Thanks for the comments and feedback, i'm looking for the E85, 3litre si in black, just seems to tick all the box's for me :)
Click to expand...

Drive one first before you set your heart on it! its a completely different car to the one you drove.
Click to expand...

This was my thought, hence the question.
 
Time for a quick update:

Bought a 3.0 se, the car ticked the box's and the deal felt right.

Two weeks in and just over two thousand miles and i still can't stop smiling, grinning and yes the childish yelps that come straight after wow i got around that corner quick, and bugger me that was childishly funny lets turn around and do it again are still coming.

I'm very lucky in that I live on the edge of the North York Moors :-) and i'm spoilt for great roads :) :driving: I finished my tea tonight about 6:30 looked at the wife and said Whitby she smiled and off we pop, just returned now. This is a huge difference from the bikes, where I would have had to pull the machine out, leathers on etc freeze my nuts off as the sun was starting to loose its warmth and the revelation I can still have fun when its getting dark and stay warm at the same time.

Booked accommodation for the start of May, ( 5 days in Scotland) up to Fort William via Kielder, Peebles, Inveraray then Isle of Sky, Applecross, Ullapool -Cape Wrath Durness, Wick, Inverness- Fort Augustus then back down. Done this route a fair few times on a bike and can't wait to try it in the car :D

I'm a happy chap these days :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Rob
 
Hi Rob and welcome :thumbsup: great choice of car the 3.0 is special isn't it, I am a recent new owner I got a 3.0si and just adore it. Your trip sounds fantastic we love Scotland, we live in Stamford Bridge York and often go across to Sandsend beach with our dog then go to the Lion Inn on Blakey ridge which I am sure you will know, it's rough and ready but they serve a nice ham sandwich and beer :) We love driving on those moors and the trip to the Lion via Hutton-Le-Hole is spectacular on a sunny day foot down 8) Whereabouts are you based?

Andy
 
Hi Andy,

Tried posting a few times and seem to be getting it wrong.

I'm at New Marske near Guisborough, know your neck of the woods quite well, we used to have a static at Tollerton many years ago.

I did the Blakey Ridge road the other night, returned on the Helmsley - Stokesley road, no traffic and the sun was out, doesn't get much better :D

Rob
 
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