Just wanted to introduce myself...

S

spayne1969

New member
Hi all, Simon, 45yrs in the Bath/Bristol area. Just joined the forum as I am hoping to buy my first ever BMW Z4 so the starting point is to gather the correct information for a while to make an informed choice. Your advice and opinions would be most welcome. Not sure of my budget yet, perhaps around £8,000. Have no idea what models to start considering! It is the shape and aesthetics that I love about the Z4 so engine power is probably not that important. Am I correct that the 2.0 sport is a good choice? I am sure I read that somewhere earlier.

Not in any rush. Would like to take my time to find out what choice would be the best one in terms of reliability mostly, since it will be my everyday car commuting to work and visiting clients. I am keen to get as much reliability and mpg out of the car (as possible with a sports 2 seater) while enjoying the luxury of having a great car top down for the summer. Thanks in advance.

All the best,
Simon.
 
Welcome to the forum
There is an English/Welsh meet next Sunday which will be close to you. Might be a good opportunity to see a few in the flesh. There are lots of people so I'd check if there is a space/time to have a look round (possibly the morning at the bmw garage)

Check it out: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=71345
 
Hi and welcome.

There are lots of threads about the relative merits, and otherwise, of the 2 litre. The overall consensus seems to be to go for a 6 cylinder. Certainly based on my own experience my better half's 2 litre 3 series was a huge disappointment.

Good idea from previous post about hooking up with the meet on 12 April - look at this thread for details:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=71345&hilit=English+Welsh

Note that the meet is on 12 April (I.e. A week on Sunday).

Good luck!
 
Hi and welcome to the forum :thumbsup:
Take a look at AlanJ's buying thread it my be of help - http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21281
 
Hi and welcome. Personally I would get a 6 cyl of any model for the much smoother engine and better noise. The biggest problem with the 2.0 is the EML and cracked manifolds, just ask AndySat.
 
Hi Spayne, welcome to the Forum.

I've had a 2 litre 4 and now, a 3 litre 6. From your post you mention mpg and daily driver, liking the aesthetics and looks rather than performance. My fuel bill went up significantly when I went with another 2 cylinders (seems obvious really - less mpg by a third). My 3.0si still returns good mpg when being transited at a steady throttle (up to 38mpg with great restraint) but use the performance and it's low 20s.

You also highlighted reliability. Well both of my Zeds have remained reliable but there is a history of cracked manifolds and Engine Management lights on the 2 litre - probably due to over sensitive sensors.

At your price point you should be able to buy a 2 litre Authorised Used Car from BMW with a years Warranty which should give you some piece of mind. The 3 litres start below your price point for an excellent pre-facelift (pre 2006) 3.0i. For £8K you will be able to afford a 3.0si face-lifted model. Zeds are getting to an age where a good independent specialist garage will be able to keep your Zed on the road for a lot less than using dealers (Known as stealers on the forum) so running costs are reasonable given the performance and brand. (Quality tyres can be expensive though - especially staggered sports fitment.)

Do take a look at the buying guide link in the previous post as all Zeds across the range have issues with roof motors and rear springs (roof £500+ to fix, springs relatively cheap)

I'm not certain that the Zed is suited to a daily driver - harsh suspension and ride, tram-lining steering. I think the engines respond best to being well used rather than chugged around. Just my thoughts of course - there are many that will tell you different no doubt - my Zeds mostly used for fun and enjoyment on the open back roads of Northumberland. The Zed will commute if you can put up with these characteristics. I love driving my Zed and don't find it a great problem in traffic but you should try one and have a good road test to see if it suits your needs. The SE versions with smaller wheels 17inch and higher side walls plus less sporty set up might be the best choice for a daily driver.

They are very special cars and there is a real sense of occasion whenever I get in mine to head out on the road - every trip is an event.

Good luck with your search - there's lots of advice on the forum.

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
I'd say Get a 3.0Si just as economical as any other 6 cylinder. And if you don't you will all ways wish you had. Ask Johnny Essex if you don't believe me!
 
Agree with the guys above go for the 3 litre or the 3.0si. Both are fairly nippy and still bring back good mpg and sound nicer than a 4pot too. :thumbsup:
 
Buy an Audi tt 3.2
No sorry only kidding Mr Wilks told me to say it.
Take your time find the right one test drive the different variants .
Then you will know what fits your requirements
Welcome along and happy hunting. :D
 
the 2 litre cars do have their fans, but imho the 6cylinder engines enhance the driving experience, the sound,torque, smoothness.
All these things make it worth sacrificing a few mpg, careful drivers can still get good economy from 3litre cars.
Try both types & see what you think.
regards
 
Good morning all and many thanks to those who have replied to my introductory post. Its great to get such helpful feedback so early on. Thanks also for the links which I shall read with great interest and as for the meeting in Wales, well that sounds fantastic and I shall look forward to attending that if I can. Cheers, Simon.
 
Hi Simon,

Welcome to the forum. Lots of information here about the particular models and what to look for.
By mentioning the 2.0 I assume you will be choosing the much more appealing and all round better roadster version? :poke:

If so, I echo what the others have said, a 6cyl is a good choice. The 3.0si is the best one to go for and is economical for what it is. A 2.5Si is a good choice as well but for the extra grunt and even slightly better economy the 3.0 would be the one to go for.

We're a friendly bunch here so ask away with any questions you may have. :thumbsup:
 
I drive the 2.0 Sport and have to say its a lot of fun. How I ended up with the 2.0 engine is a long story (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=74449). I came from an Audi A4 2.0 turbo and have to say that my Z4 has nowhere near the acceleration, which is hardly surprising as the Audi was 220bhp and the Z4 is around 168 bhp (I've had it remapped which pushes it up from 150). If you keep the revs high its immensely rewarding to drive on country lanes, but if it's raw outright power and acceleration that you are used to then consider a 3.0si. I love the car but am already considering my next Zed in 2 or 3 yrs time and it will probably be a 2006/08 facelift 3.0si.
 
May I enquire what is meant by a facelift car? Does this mean a Z4 that has been customised in some way? Much as I love looking at and driving cars I know little about them mechanically, so I would be interested in purchasing an original BMW Z4 that has not been tampered with in any way and is, as BMW intended. I would keep it serviced regularly and look after it as best I can though hopefully through an independent garage around the Bath/Bristol area if I can find a good one, as opposed to a main dealer. Thanks again...
 
Face lift. The car was changed by BMW in 2006, The lights are the most obvious things to look for and the ginger indicators had been removed.

2004 http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/BMW/2004_bmw_z4_silver_convertible_01.jpg
2006 http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/z4/roadster/2006/allfacts/_shared/img/design_folding.jpg
 
Here's a link to a topic with the main differences between the two.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11229
 
spayne1969 said:
May I enquire what is meant by a facelift car? Does this mean a Z4 that has been customised in some way? Much as I love looking at and driving cars I know little about them mechanically, so I would be interested in purchasing an original BMW Z4 that has not been tampered with in any way and is, as BMW intended. I would keep it serviced regularly and look after it as best I can though hopefully through an independent garage around the Bath/Bristol area if I can find a good one, as opposed to a main dealer. Thanks again...
Click to expand...

I too loved the looks of the Z4 & thought a 2l would be fine. It was a lovely car but I soon hankered after a 6 cylinder version & am so glad I made the change. I have used both as a daily drive & found them fine.
If you're looking for a good independent garage in Bristol take a trip to Redish Motorsport, they really know their BMWs.
 
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