Looked at 2.5 Z4 - Several Questions

J

jborchel

Member
My wife and I looked at a 2003 2.5Z4 with only 16,500 miles yesterday. It was our first look at this car after deciding that we wanted a convertible back in our lives. Unfortunately, she was turned off by the harsh ride that was enough to overshadow all of the neat things that I liked about it. We're in our 60's and ride is more important than super handling. The Z4 fit like a glove, drove beautifully, and sounded great. But the ride was pretty bad.

After browsing this forum I have determined that a change to non run flat tires will make a big difference. But will it be enough? Does the 3.0 ride better as I assume it is slightly heavier? Are there any suspension mods that could be applied to make it softer. I can buy a used one for around $15K so adding $1-2K for a softer suspension kit wouldn't be a bad idea.

Also, I had these questions:

1. What is a face-lifted car?
2. What is tramlining?
3. When we left the owner was unscrewing the radio antenna. Do you do this every time you want to cover the car?
4. On the freeway the Z4 oscillated out of sync with the surface of the road. This can happen in the US if the suspension rates of rise and fall don't match up with the concrete sections of the road. This is not a problem caused by RFTs. Any thoughts about this?

Everything else about this car was fantastic. I can see why most of you all love your cars. Any advice and answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated.

Jack
 
1. Have a look in the gallery, the facelift cars had different front / rear lights, although most other stuff like the interior was similar. They also added new engines, a 2.5si and 3.0si which had extra hp and economy.
2. tramlining is where a car kind of drags you in a particular direction because of irregularites in the road.. again sorted massively by ridding of the runflats.
3. I guess if you're going to use a car cover then yes, thats why it unscrews.
4. Not sure about the US specific question, again could be down to hard ride. I would guess you could fit softer springs, depends on whether the car was the "Sport" spec which I think in the US had harder springs..

If the car was at a dealer you should be ok, but I would consider checking the springs as failure is fairly common on older cars and this could have contributed to the harder ride.

Good luck and I hope you find what you're after!
 
Thanks for the quick reply.

What year is the face-lifted car? Do these face-lifted cars have a softer ride as I think I read?

Jack
 
I used to own a 2003 2.5i, I now own a 2008 3.0Si... I don't recall much difference in the smoothness of the ride between the two, sorry. I wish I could say there was for you.

Tramlining - the tires gripping the road and "dragging" the car along the contours of the road. Most prominent contributing factors (from my experience in the Z4), uneven pavement mixed with RFT tires that are not properly inflated. The RFT's do this because of the harness of the rubber mixed with the shape of the rubber that contacts the surface of the road. When there are "grooves" in the road or like on black asphalt when a really heavy truck drives over it on a really hot day and mashes it down and creates those "ruts", the tires will follow those ruts and you will find yourself fighting it with the steering wheel. Ensure your RFT's are properly inflated and the effects of this are greatly reduced, or just get rid of the RFT's and you will very rarely experience this. Not a problem on the roads here in Vegas, but on the crappy roads of Dirty Jersey it was a huge annoyance.

I personally don't know anything about suspension.

Best of luck to you! Hope you find a way to compromise with the wife. You will absolutely love this car!
 
Hello Jack. I m a new boy myself both to Z4 s and this forum but an old boy when it comes to roadsters (Mk 1 MX% or Miata as you call it...MR2 Roadster...Mk3 MX 5... Boxsters X 3..Oh ! and a lancia Beta Spider)
I can helpyou with a couple of points because I got issues with them myself at the moment. Tramlining is a cars propensity to wander or follow longitudinal irregularities on a road surface resulting in a noticable tug on the steering wheel in one direction or another. I personally think this is due in part at least to these run flats that BMW will fit. I am no expert but I have never experienced it with any other car I have ever owned. The complrxities of unsprung mass, geometry.bush type/condition,suspension settings must all play their part . all i know is tomorrow i m ditching the run flats for convetionals.
Facelifted car? 2006 sam minor revisions to front bumper, rear lights and one or two other bits and pieces(others could probably tell you more)
I have to take my aeriel off when I put the genuine BM cocer on (had thoght of getting the mrs to stich a little eyelet in Let us know how you get on
Mike
 
Tramling almost non existant with nonRFT's and the ride is somewhat better, reduced banging sensation on concrete freeway expansion joints etc. as the the tire sidewalls have more flex.
My cover came with a plastic Grommet that I installed exactly where my antenna contacted the cover..no need to remove it to cover the car.
 
By design, the Z4 has a very firm ride. Switching to non-RFTs will help, but they will not turn it into a boulevard cruiser. Personally, I love the ride, but it's not for everyone. Z4s are wonderful cars, and loads of fun, but If you are looking for a smooth riding top down cruiser it may not be your best choice. If you are looking for an honest to goodness roadster, then it's hard to beat. :D

Good luck and happy hunting!
 
Sounds like most of your questions have been answered. I do have a few thoughts for you though.

The 2003 until the 04/04 build will not have some of the features that every car after has. Pre 04/04 build did not have the passenger window one touch feature, only the drivers side had one touch operation. I have been reading that the same car build dates did not have the airbag disable key operated lock out on the passenger side for car seats ( grandkids? ) Not much was different IMHO beyond those differences. 2005 had all the clear lights and no orange colored plastic ( turn signals, third brakelight was clear, headlights did not have the orange plastic either).

Just an FYI for you. I know , more choices. :rofl:
 
I just received an email from the owner. I had asked him about the tires on the car. They are Bridgestone “Potenza” RE 050 RFT (Run Flat) 225 50R16. I believe these are original issue. Right? One of the threads I read from a couple of years ago were favoring a Fulda tire as being night and day as far as comfort is concerned and affordable. If I look for a set of these Fulda's do I look for the same size? Or when you go to non run flat does the size change?

Jack
 
Brdgestone Potenzas are the OEM tires. The tire size should not matter between run flats and non-run flats. I suggest that you check out Tire Rack.com (Click on the sponsor link in the upper right corner of the forum page). You can enter your make and model and it will spit out the appropriate tire choices for you.
 
I did look at Tire Rack. According to their numerical analysis the Pirelli PZero Nero M&S offer the best ride comfort and lowest noise, my primary need. Anyone use that tire? Others highly rated were the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP, Continental ContiExtremeContact, and Goodyear Eagle GT. All comments are appreciated.

Jack
 
ay8306 said:
Brdgestone Potenzas are the OEM tires. The tire size should not matter between run flats and non-run flats. I suggest that you check out Tire Rack.com (Click on the sponsor link in the upper right corner of the forum page). You can enter your make and model and it will spit out the appropriate tire choices for you.
Click to expand...

Michelin SP2 is more expensive than Bridgestone Potenza RE050A in UK. Does Michelin have better handling and last longer than Bridgestone? I think Bridgestone is the cheapest run-flat for 108 wheel.
 
any joy with zed jack,if you did,you got a steal with those miles on the clock
which part of the states do you liv,as a will be in atlanta in july for 2weeks,


( is that ok mmm-five )

badboy... stevie... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
 
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