Help me decide on the Zed!

the first one without a doubt !. the wood in the second one makes it look like a boat. the second one looks a bit dated.
 
ah, one more bit - the 1st has no multifunction steering wheel. this is definatley something that will bug me - is it hard to upgrade on 2004, is it pricey? Mind i was thinking of the M steering wheel anyway so wonder how easy is the swap with the buttons and if the non multifuntion wheel is prepped. Dealer will know probably?
 
kartman said:
ah, one more bit - the 1st has no multifunction steering wheel. this is definatley something that will bug me - is it hard to upgrade on 2004, is it pricey? Mind i was thinking of the M steering wheel anyway so wonder how easy is the swap with the buttons and if the non multifuntion wheel is prepped. Dealer will know probably?

Because its sooo difficult to reach 6" to the left of the steering wheel to turn the radio up?

Seriously, the wheel looks much nicer without those buttons on it, i think it detracts from the interior a fair bit.
 
Fair game but I think you are distracted more if move eyes from road to change station. I have it on my car, and its probably one of the nicest things to have.
BUt' im pretty much set on buying the Msport steering wheel sooner or later anyway so i guess i can let it go.

btw, wasn't it here someone saying that 2004 builds suffered from poor reliability? ANyone can weigh in on that?
 
kartman said:
I can't decide....
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This one.
 
Mine's like the second one and it looks good. Though I'd have liked the sports seats of the first one, I find the grey very dull. it can look good but it can also look like a dirty wet road.

Afraid I don't get the retirement spec issue re the wood, when apparently Z4 owners' favourite option is keeping their botty warm. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14848 Maybe have a rug around your knees too :poke:

:D
 
Sticks said:
Afraid I don't get the retirement spec issue re the wood, when apparently Z4 owners' favourite option is keeping their botty warm. http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14848 Maybe have a rug around your knees too :poke:

:D

:lol:

It also comes with fitted luggage... well, a fetching wicker picnic hamper and BMW shooting stick!
 
Here you go. And note, no sign of a tartan rug or thermos :P

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To be serious for a moment. It's lasted 5 years pretty well but then I don't use it daily so I guess it would take a lot to keep it looking good. Spare mats perhaps. I think the plastics used in the door liners look a bit cheap, though I don't kow if that;s made worse because of the colour.

When I bought it I was returning to sports cars after a break and was looking back to my old TVR, but I'm not sure I'd go for it again tbh. It does feel less claustrophibic than a black one when the roof's up though.

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Tastefull :thumbsup:

I am a bit surprised about the two cars though, as for me the discussion would stop on whether I would want a manual or auto box.
 
Choices are limited and I'm not SURE if i wanted the manual. I like that manuals are quicker and more frugal but after being spoiled for 2 years with an auto box I'm wondering if that's what i want. They are same engines and transmission choice is 50/50 for me. I'm deciding. :S
 
IMHO, for what its worth, as its a convertible, and if you aren't doing track days and stuff like that, automatic would be absolutely the way to go. Still plenty enough power when you need it but more comfortable to drive as well.

Coupe would be different answer.

I went back to a manual in one of my other cars and regretted it ever since - if you prefer the auto experience, stick with it. :thumbsup:

If anything, try and use it as a negative when negotiating over the price LOL...not so desirable as a manual box, worse fuel consumption, "not really what I was looking for" etc..
 
Today i've had a much longer test drive in the dark gray Z4. Near freezing temperature, summer Falken tyres on 18 in wheels.. a bit hairy but .... I gotta say, shifting gears was fun. May be its' just this time but it sort of makes sense to do this in this kind of car. on highway i went and noise was pretty ok so I can drive this over long distances.

I discovered that the light warning won't light up if the window washer fluid is low. The car needs new break pads at the rear. It doesn't play Mp3 (surprise surprise) and there is no auto climate control, just air con. Not sure if it's gonna be a big issue - the lack of auto aircon. In my car it's nice to have - never any foggy windows (well... :)) . I basically think this is the car I would be willing to bid on but my sh.t luck have it that 3 buyers i've had for my car - all fell through so I'm not able to buy this car until I sell mine. which means it may not happen very soon that i get my zed..:(

But all in all, im pleased to have driven the Manual a bit more - now I know it's a choice I'll be happy with, plus the car looked damn solid but will require to retrofit at least new CD player. the 10 speaker system it had sounded nice. Not sure if retrofit of auto climate control is an easy option though so I might ask for discount based on that.

One more thing: i later was driving behind this car and i noticed that only 1 of the exhaust pipes was open while other looked to be closed. Is it normal? Does the 2nd one open up at higher revs?
 
I've read that the E46 3.0, i.e. same engine had a vacuum operated valve in the exhaust, and it was inclined to stick. Prob designed to open at higher revs. Could be that.

Glad you had a drive. Going to try the other one?
 
It was 2.5, not 3.0. But it is same engine as in 325 E46. I will have this car up on the ramps if he doesn't sell it soon. It actually has been garaged for past 2 winters and driven only in summer and previously owned by salesman from BMW dealer, he imported it form Germany. Supposedly was fully repaired by him at dealership as well once he took it in so its ok on story. I'm kinda wondering about the retrofit of the climate control unit and if its at all financially sensible. I like Auto climate control. But i suspect it's not gonna be that easy, just switching the control panel. :roll:

Sticks said:
I've read that the E46 3.0, i.e. same engine had a vacuum operated valve in the exhaust, and it was inclined to stick. Prob designed to open at higher revs. Could be that.

Glad you had a drive. Going to try the other one?


I tried the other one. They have polished it now and moved it into showroom hoping it would sell better. I came to the window of dealership to take another look after testing the manual and noticed a frigin meter long scratch along the bottom of the side skirt. LIke noticable. I didnt see this before. Gonna love hearing the explanation of the manager. "ooh wooptie wotsie we deedly doo it here hmm".
 
I'd guess changing to auto climate control would be tricky but I'm no tech. Thought it was standard tbh.

As a rule of thumb I'd always buy the biggest engine there was.

Maybe you've just got to be patient and keep looking. :(
 
Sticks said:
I'd guess changing to auto climate control would be tricky but I'm no tech. Thought it was standard tbh.
As a rule of thumb I'd always buy the biggest engine there was.
Maybe you've just got to be patient and keep looking. :(

Can always order something from Germany I guess. But need to shift my car first. Despite the vacuum in used car market, my car has no leather so this is apparently hurting me. I'm not sure if I should install leather and see if it helps sale (hike price by thousand euro) or just let it be and hope a customer comes along. I don't know. Definately will take months to get this sorted. Good thing though that after all the test drives I'm confirmed that i like z4. :oops: :?
 
Agree with Sticks; I'm sure the aircon has an auto option right back to first marque....? Can anyone with a pre-facelift confirm?
 
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