Looking for a 2.0i Z4 and related advice!

A

adammuncey

Member
Hi all,

I am currently looking into the Z4 as my potential first car (driven a few cars over the last 6 years - I am 24, but never owned one!).

Due to mpg/insurance reasons I am primarily looking at the 2.0i, are there any big reasons as to why I should avoid this?

Hard-top hoods - are these a good buy and what happens when it rains and yours is stored at home - I assume the soft top is completely removed before installing this?

Lastly with regards to servicing and costs, what services (inspection 1/2) do I want to ensure are carried out on a potential used car & can the run-flats be replaced by regular tyres or is this a no-no?

Any other useful first-time-buy tips would be greatly received!

Many thanks in advance with any useful tips!
 
I got my 3.0i at 25 and it wasn't too expensive to insure - Certainly under 1k... You really ought to test drive a few as you may want for more down the line!
 
Read this http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/bmw-z4-2.0i-1004447.html

and this http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/bmw/z4-open/full-review/23762-1

I went for a 2.0 litre with it's inherent cheaper running costs - because I am an elderly gentleman on a pension. :lol:
 
Hi all,

Many thanks for you replies. The yahoo article is great and I had read the what car review before. Both head towards the 2.0i. Its interesting that the insurance isn't much higher - I will try a comparison quote. Strangely there seem to be few 2.0i models on autotrader/ebay/parkers for sale. Unless they are outside my cost range. The 2.2i seems to crop up often, perhaps this is a good alternative to.

Does anyone have an opinion on non-run flat tyres, the hard-top hood and services that I should look for on a used model?

Cheers
 
imo you need to test drive them and phone around for insurance... you may be suprised how little would be in it between the bigger engines. Also depends on where you'll be driving.. stuck in the city then a 2.0 is more then adequate.. if you do A roads/ motorways then the bigger the engine the better!

In terms of the hardtop..... you do not remove the soft top to fit the hard top.. you lower the soft top and then the hard top sits on top of it.

Its a two man job to remove the hard top though.. i have had convertible through many winters without a hard top... no issues without one.
 
aquazi said:
Also depends on where you'll be driving.. stuck in the city then a 2.0 is more then adequate.. if you do A roads/ motorways then the bigger the engine the better!.
Click to expand...

So there you have it!
Buy a 3.0 and you'll get to the national speed limit 2 seconds faster than a 2.0 - and you'll wear out your bigger/more expensive tyres quicker.
 
Welcome Adam - as others have said the 6cyl engine is much the better choice. Here's a useful link to all the various Z4 specs:

http://www.bmwz4roadster.net/
 
you won't be dissapointed with whichever version of the zed you buy! they are great cars.

me personally... i live in London, use the zed for daily commute and am 27... 2.0i was an obvious choice and coming from an astra 1.7cdi the difference was huge!! i'll upgrade when i hit 30, when i'm earning more and insurance drops...

good luck with your choice :thumbsup:
 
MalcZ4 said:
aquazi said:
Also depends on where you'll be driving.. stuck in the city then a 2.0 is more then adequate.. if you do A roads/ motorways then the bigger the engine the better!.
Click to expand...

So there you have it!
Buy a 3.0 and you'll get to the national speed limit 2 seconds faster than a 2.0 - and you'll wear out your bigger/more expensive tyres quicker.
Click to expand...

:rofl:

I’ve got the 2.0 as I do a fair few miles and was looking for economy. In the real world the performance difference is so marginal between the 2.0 and 2.2 that it’s not worth the higher tax, the increased servicing costs and the lower mpg.

Those that bought the bigger engine cars most likely had completely different buying criteria to you so don’t be fooled!
 
if i was a weekend warrior then i would have definately bought something bigger, 3.0 or maybe even the M. But as a daily commuter in London its 2.0i for me and haven't regretted it at all!! Plus, i'm only 27 so plenty of time in the future to enjoy bigger engine cars.

Having said that though there doesn't seem to be much price difference (Approved Used) between the 2.0i and the 2.5i... (running costs aside)
 
rob davey said:
Those that bought the bigger engine cars most likely had completely different buying criteria to you so don’t be fooled!
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you, my criteria for buying the Z4 was - a soft top with a big boot and climate control. :lol:

I am not being fooled in the slightest, I totally understand what their buying criteria is. :wink:
 
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