Hello from me.

1

1000rr

Senior member
Hi guys,

I'm on the lookout for Z4 (I think). Bought the missus a new car the other day, so that'll do for ferrying the kids around (18 and 15, mum and dads taxi) and so leaves me to have a but of a toy. I want a 2 door drop top, not that interested in out right power and bhp (got my bike for that) and last week took out an 2011 mx5.. epic handling and a right giggle after I took off the tc...but seemed a bit small and noisy, it was a 2.0 Sportech with hard folding roof.
So, I'm after a bit of refinement... the Z4, it seems, floats my boat.
Now forgive me the newb questions, but can you answer them for me please?

Firstly, what to go for? The 3.0 and 2.0 seems the best as far as reliability goes according to a BMW tech that my brother knows, either of which are £275 fully comp for the 2.0 and £201 fir the 3.0 ( how does that work???). Fuel consumption is a factor as the bike already costs a mint with it being sorted, engine wise, so don't want huge bills regarding this. Both seem light cars, the 2.0 more so.

Secondly, is it best getting the roof motor relocated to the boot as soon as I buy it to future proof the motor? What are the inherent problems of either cars? It will be used for 18 miles per day for work, and the odd blast out at weekends. Looking at 60,000 miler or under on a 2008 or 2007 plate... want leather heated seats etc... what trim is best ? Ideally want black with cream leather, the deep blue is an option too. Is the z4 refined and quite-ish with the roof up? I will ditch the run flats asap as I don't want them, and yes, I'm used to tyre weld etc :D

Finally, in the 2.0, I hear manifolds are prone to cracking? Would a SS manifold correct this or does the exhaust suffer from excess movement?
I'm going to look at one on Sunday and take it out ( dealer) and will be buying from a dealer for piece of mind or maybe the classifieds here as you guys seem to have some mint cars and look after them.

Sorry for the questions, and cheers! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
Go for the 3.0si sport. This will give you the M Sport seats which are a must have IMO. Also you will get the M Sport steering wheel and M Sport suspension (these trim level are available in the 2.0 Sport too btw).
The difference in running cost between the 2.0 and the 3.0si are minimal - however the 3.0si is more expensive to buy as they are more sort after. I went from a 2006 2.0 Sport to a 2008 3.0si so I know what I'm talking about. The 2.0 is prone to dashboard warning lights - I had an intermittent engine warning light on mine that I never got to the bottom of. The jump from the 2.0 150bhp to the 3.0si 265bhp is quite something.
With the roof up it its very refined, even with it down you can still hold a conversation at a steady 50 or 60 (helps if you have the factory fitted wind deflector).
Relocating roof motor to the boot is a good preventive measure - I had mine done by Durham Dave who's charging only £80.
From your questions it seems like you have already done your home work, lets see what others have to say.

Welcome along btw :thumbsup:
 
Welcome to the forum. :) Clearly been lurking and learning. General wisdom here is that the 3ltr cars offer the best compromise between economy use ability reliability and performance. Though every ones requirements vary . Enjoy the hunt and as with all older vehicles as the E85-6 are now. buy on condition.
 
Whilst I have never driven the 2.0l or the 3.0l it seems a no brainer to me to go for the latter. With the discount on the insurance and extra petrol for the 3.0 l you'll Be about the same cost wise. The 6 pot is the way to go.

Hope to be seeing pics of your new acquisition very soon.

Good luck!
 
Hi, the 2litre cars are not as reliable a design as the 6cylinder cars-this fact combined with the negligible difference in running costs would make most people discount the smaller 4cylinder cars. Speaking as a petrolhead the sound is nowhere near as good either :driving:
Rob
 
Hi and welcome.
My advice would be to focus on the mechanical health and integrity of any car you decide on buying as well as toys, bodywork etc.
I recently bought a 3.0i with a couple of issues that have developed post-purchase, but after a 'spirited' 1000 miles driven by me. Swings and roundabouts perhaps - I could have exacerbated those issues.
For the earlier 3.0 litre engines look for evidence of oil leaks, rough idle, DISA or VANOS rattle and any strange whistling noises- these will be leaks in the intake route most probably. Apart from that M54 engines are pretty bullet proof.
I would strongly suggest a BMW-specific OBD scan on any potential purchase which would show up any fault codes, squaring this with the seller beforehand. I did a basic scan but wish I had done a detailed one as it could have helped me identify a potential throttle body issue.

Good luck and keep us posted re your eventual purchase.
 
Nobody has mentioned 2.5's... They're 6 cylinder too and offer a good buy at slightly lower prices than the 3.0's but can be equal in spec. Not to be discounted if the right one comes along, especially the 2006 onwards 2.5si, which features the 6th gear (unlike the 2003-2005 2.5 models)
 
Thanks guys.... going to have a look at one tomorrow, take it out for a test drive etc...

I'll post my thoughts up. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
Welcome. The Z is a great car easy to work on and bullet proof engines :thumbsup: This is the right time to pick up a good car at a great price.
 
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I want one!

This was the 2.0 basic model, 2008....although not what I'm after spec wise, it gave me a few tastes of what the z4 drives like. Compared to 2.0 mx5 sportech, it doesn't handle as good and doesn't connect you to the road like the mx5 does....the mx5 is more raw, go cart like, faster steering and more planted on the corners, it's also more compliant on the road, the mx5 is better controlling the potholes and doesn't crash about as much. However, the z4 is more refined, quieter and better built and the boot is larger, and the overall feel is better. It's bettter with the roof down as far as buffeting goes. I am mightily impressed with the z4, so now I'm on the lookout for a mint car. I am also impressed with the 2.0, it's a very smooth engine isn't it?? it just may be what I'm after, but if a 3.0 comes my way in the right colour and trim, then that's what I'll go for.

I'll keep an eye on the classifieds here and also auto trader for the right car.

One last question though, does the 2.0 have the mechanical water pump, the 3.0 the electric one??

Thanks!
 
Hi 3 litre cars after 06 (si models) have the electronic pump, pre 06 (pre facelift) cars have a mechanical one
2 litre cars are mechanical as well as far as I know.
Rob
 
You're right about the 4 pot engine, I found it very smooth and free revving. For blasting about on the back lanes of Northumberland I couldn't fault it - so much so I agonised over moving up to a 3 litre. However, eventually I couldn't ignore what everyone said on the forumabout the 3 litre engines. 200 yards and a couple of roundabouts of a test drive and I wanted the 3.0si Sport - fabulous engine. :thumbsup: Tyres cost the same but fuel costs do rise by a third (4 to 6 pots - see how that works out :lol: )
but the interesting thing about the 3.0si is that it is capable of high 30's (even 40mpg) if you want to drive like Miss Daisy and short change up gears with gentle acceleration. Drive like that and you'll be surprised how economical such a relatively large engine can be BUT start to use the throttle and the mpg dives! Mid to low 20s if you enjoy it! Having said that, if you use a good independent specialist, the servicing and maintenance costs can be very reasonable.

I had a Mk2 MX5 for 5 years and loved that. The change to a 2.0i Sport Z4 was a shock and at first I didn't like it - loved the looks, the leather and the noise (I think the 4 pot sounds good :o ) and every drive was an occasion but the steering was diving all over the road imperfections and the gearing especially 2nd to 3rd felt wrong. Nevertheless I persevered and grew to really enjoy it. It was a sports car that I had to learn to enjoy and make the most of - all brilliant fun and felt a step up from the MX. The move to the 3 litre provided more performance and amazed me initially. I was shocked by the mpg, 21mpg!! But that was because I was driving it like the 2 litre and revving it unnecessarily. The 3 litre has a lot more torque and power down the rev range meaning I didn't have to be up the red line as much as I was in the 2 litre (which being a biker I loved anyway, hence my hesitation in moving from the 2 litre). The great thing about the 3 litre is that ability to be both things, a cruiser with relatively good mpg and a blaster with that amazing engine.

I've moved onto the Z4M and that is a very different experience but you'll need a whole day to read up on them! I have a many paged agony thread where I bought my M and still had my 3.0si which was fabulous - which to keep!!!! I'll leave you to search that out one day - suffice to say have the M but the 3.0si is presently in France with mr wilks piling in more miles - a brilliant Zed!

So I don't know if this has been of help to you but it would make sense to go facelift post 2006 3.0si Sport which comes with desirable specs (there is an SE version with higher suspension and a slightly softer ride if one can be found and preferred) for the reasons outlined above. Many 2 litres were sold to the end of the E85 run and some with very nice extras and spec - there are many about and you can be picky. If the exhaust splits my specialist said he'd simply weld it . . .I too had engine lights which can drive you mad trying to sort out).

Lots more can be discussed so just keep listening to folk on here and reading previous posts. Take care choosing your Zed and you'll find every drive an event and the ownership experience very special. There's also a lot of bikers and ex bikers run Zeds so that should tell you something. :D

all the best with your search :thumbsup:
 
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