Looking at 2003 Z4

B

bigbacon

Member
test drove a 03 Z4 with 66k miles on it at a local BMW dealer. Everything looked pretty darn good, but I wanted to ask if there is anything in particular one should look for.

Car had premium package, sport package, and some other stuff. Has Nav but it looks pretty outdated and my phone can do a better/faster job.

Also, What is the best option for adding the ability to play music from an ipod? FM modulator type thing? Is it best to leave the run flats or do most people change them out? I don't necessarily like them but I assume I could swap them out and just sell the run flats.

After looking at convertibles for 3 weeks now, I think I like the Z4 the best. S2000 was good but is so bare bones and the MX5 has the options I like best but it didn't drive as well as the Z4 to me and just looks kinda plain.

Is maintenance easy to do yourself, like oil changes and what not? Going back tomorrow to look at it again with the wife.

How bout the MPGs for people with the 6 speed 3.0i? I'm sure it all depends on how you drive it but just curious if people are getting better than rated.
 
Hi bigbacon, welcome to the forum.
I have a 04 Z4 3.0i auto with 39k miles. The earlier Z4's (03-04) had "sticky steering" problems, (do a search in this forum on the subject). I had my steering column replaced and problem went away. Be sure to ask if this car was done, BMW is well aware of this problem.
I replaced the original run flats with Michelin PS2 ZP's, (also run flats). The Michelins are far superior to the originals with great ride and no tramlining.
As far as MPG, I get between 26-28 running around the rural city area.
 
I wouldn't worry about it, unless you are located in a hot climate, or have your footwell heater on full blast for extended periods.

I have a 2003 and have not experienced this, and at a guess most other <2006 forum owners haven't.



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Ditto what ranski says, only worry about the sticky steering if you live in a hot climate. If you ever experience it, run the aircon into the footwells for 5 mins on full cooling, and it will go away.
 
My 3.0i has had no problems with steering.

Average 30mpg ish. You can get more if you try.

Make sure the one you're looking at has had inspection 2 service done


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bigshurv said:
Ditto what ranski says, only worry about the sticky steering if you live in a hot climate. If you ever experience it, run the aircon into the footwells for 5 mins on full cooling, and it will go away.
Click to expand...
I have experienced it and it's not a good feeling, of course I live in an area where 90 degrees and above is normal most of the summer. When I brought this problem up to the BMW Service Reps attention, he did say that it was a problem BMW knew about. BMW will not do anything about it unless you keep on their case about it. As I see it, it's a defect and should be corrected. In my case...it was.
 
it should be in the cars service book.For uk cars the service intervals are every 15,000 miles or 2 years whichever comes first. It should go , oil service, Inspection 1, oil service, Inspection 2, oil service, Inspection 1 etc......
 
Thanks ill look at it. Planning again to look at the car tomorrow. Hoping theyll dealsince its been on the lot for over 2 weeks and it has been 2 weeks sine i first looked at it. They keep calling me like every few days so there must not be much interest.
 
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