Just driven Z4 3.0 - questions

I

itguy

Member
 Melton Mowbray, Leics
Hi Everyone

I'm a noob in here although come with a clear intention to want to be owning a Z4 in the near future.

Having had a good range of sports cars in my histroy (elise/exige/s2000/996 TT etc etc) I'm now looking for something that I can use every day and enjoy specifically for our (my wife and I) first proper europe trip in summer - over the alps to rome and back via a load of places!

Current daily driver is a Mini Clubman Cooper D. Also have a Duke 848 that i play with.

So - intro over, onto the Z4.

I've test driven a 3.0 Z4 manual today (05 plate) with most options fitted (nav/xenons/heated seats/bmw ipod connector etc) and 47k miles.

It was nice, engine sounds fantastic and the gearbox was good and tight. Didn't feel scary fast by any means, but maybe thats just my car history and bike riding that alter my perceptions these days. It felt enough though, don't get me wrong.

The hood seemed to make quite a bit of noise where it fitted - is this normal / any adjustment or lube to make it quieter?

Anyone driven across europe and back in one? I know they are meant to be good on fuel (anywhere between 30 and 40mpg on the run) but how about seat comfort? Are they all-day comfy? I didn't see a lumber adjustment?

Can auto-dim wing mirrors be retro-fitted? I have these on the mini and had them before on a RR and 996TT and they are excellent - a real bonus for my wife too who hates driving at night

The steering also felt a bit 'dead', in a way that i'm not sure id be able to easily tell how much grip there is left when pushing on - is this normal or something that is able to be sorted with the right geometry settings dialled in / tyres? It was running on Potenzas I think - not sure if RFT or not.

It sounded v quiet inside even at wide open throttle - i presume a simple remove of one of the foams in the noise generator would fix this easily for no cost?

Any other tips for a noob looking at the Z4? I've read about the hood motors etc but anything else?

Thanks all - now to convince the wife :)
 
Hi there....

Quite a few members have done Euro trips in their zed, can't recall any comfort issues. You're right there is no lumbar support adjustment. If you have sports seats there are more supportive, if slightly less comfortable.

Steering will feel better with sport mode engaged, but it's a common complaint that the electric power steering lacks "feel".

Ditch the Potenza run flats, and it will transform the ride. And yes, removing the sound generator foam is a 2 min job and sounds great.

Plenty of good reading in the Form FAQ, and lots of useful stuff if you can invest the time to search the forum.

Good luck convincing the wife 8) :thumbsup:
 
not had mine long enough to comment on the seat comfort

but the sound generator mod will definitely leave you very happy indeed!
 
Brill, thanks - I'm going with the 'you only live once' tactic with the wife (plus the fact that tonight an old V70 T5 is being sold and putting nearly £2k in my pocket towards it).

Trouble is i've used that excuse before :cry:
 
Hello and Welcome! Can't really add much to what's been said, but intrigued on what noise you thought the roof was making...
 
It was a bit of a creaking noise I'd say. It may well be that the sales chap in the passenger seat had the seat back hard against the back meaning it was making noise but i'm not sure.

It may well be nothing but i'm not the type of person to just buy the first one i see anyway (and it was a bit pricey for me).
 
I am impressed, an ITguy with a wife.
It does not compute.the_it_crowd_moss.jpg
Well done. :thumbsup:



Personally I would just buy one, it's a car. They are well enough made. There was one that had done 250k+ miles on one of the forums so I wouldn't be over fussed about mileage (if it had been looked after).

Good luck with your search.

EDIT
passenger seat hard against the back. We get this one too. It makes a creaking noise.
 
Well I'm not your average ITguy :D

Yes, I'm thinking the same really - jfdi.

I'm taking the wife out to dinner tonight to start the conversation...

Wish me luck (might take a few meals out, but this year is HER year - 10yr wedding anni with eternity ring, her dream rome trip etc etc). Now for my side of the bargain ;)
 
Try the 3.0Si Auto with paddles on the steering wheel, much better then the manual :fuelfire: Furthermore get the Coupe!

Not that I'm bias! :wink:
 
It's a money thing really - £6k is where I'm at, so looking around I should hopefully get a tidy 3.0 roadster with a couple of toys at between 60k and 70k miles.

That's the plan anyway
 
Wow - that was easier than expected. She said yes!

Do all 3.0ltr cars have the sport button?
 
Well this 'zeditis' must be very catching as I've found myself this morning waking up at 5:30 (much earlier than usual) thinking Z.

Have been on the sofa for 20 mins now and have already found a potential example for me to view only in the next town! Bargain!
 
Hi and welcome to the Forum. Much has already been said especially about ditching the RFTs for conventional - will transform the ride and handling. Not sure if the retrofit wing mirror question has been asked but not really practical or possible - others have looked into it and I think was cost prohibitive. If the hood is noisy then there is a fitting issue OR and indication of previous accident damage.

There is a link to a check list in my signature which you may find useful when looking at pre owner - GOOD LUCK :thumbsup:
 
Thanks Alan - very helpful to have the purchase checks list. :thumbsup:

Just trying to cram my head full of Z related stuff so when I go viewing cars I know what's in the 'easy/cheap fix' category and what is in the 'walk away/negotiate heavy' list.

Although, I don't want to over think this purchase because I'll end up searching for something that just doesn't exist!
 
To be honest, when I first got mine the seats killed me. I drove back from Lincoln to London which was only a couple of hours and by the end of it I was ready to get out.

I initially though oh dear, this doesn't feel good. I'm relatively young (26) but do sometimes get a bad back.

After a while, I don't notice it anymore and I can happily drive to Cornwall in one without getting out or arriving in pain. I think my body needed to adjust to the hard seats from my previous car. I find it generally very comfortable now.

Only one answer to your steering issue: M (But for god sakes don't drive one if you can't get one) :evil:
 
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