Looking for a Z4 Newbie

E

Ed.Straker

Member
 Hertfordshire
Hello, been lurking here for a while.

Looking to buy a Z4 having driven and rejected a number of other marques...

Recently retired, looking for a new toy and hoping to enjoy some meetings and road trips.
 
You will have to start and narrow the field a bit!

ie. what do you want to spend, 6cyl / 4cy, Auto /Manual etc etc
 
Hello ronk..yes a bit cryptic. I tried to post a long first post but it was rejected for some reason.

I’ve got up to 35k to spend, courtesy of a recent divorce, don’t have to explain any longer what I’m buying.

I’m a recently retired medical professional, several of my work colleagues and friends have Boxsters, 911, Jaguars and Audis of various vintages.

Over the last 6 months I’ve driven most of them.

I really like the lols of the early Z4s, I drove a 30i which I loved but I’m well appointed so found it a bit of a tight fit and also the interior was lacking many gadgets.

I’ve taken out a Z4 40Mi for the weekend from our local BMW dealer in Watford..lovely colour blue and lots of gadgets, it seemed pretty fast and sure footed...the looks don’t float my boat.

My dream car would be a Ferrari 308/328 but there are not many for 35k.

So I have seen quite a few of another Z4 which seems age wise between the two I’ve driven..

I like the looks of them either top up or down. The other Z4s look great top down but not so good top up.

Around where I live the security of a proper roof is a plus point.

Although I can spend more 15k seems to get you a nice spec one of these if it’s not a 3.5.

So I think a 2.8 or 3.0 may be in my sweet spot.

I took a 3.0 out for a short drive from a local private seller..it seemed to go ok, a bit top end biased compared to the newer Z4.

I prefer automatics, the new Z4 had a great box, the 3.0 auto was not as good.
 
You have a healthy budget and healthy experience - there are several members on the forum who’ve had multiple Z4 so they can’t be a all that bad!

My current Z4 is a 35is with a load of toys and can’t see what the extras I need - it does the job quite nicely
It has sufficient torque to make a relaxing drive / Bumbling about and enough power to get a fella into serious trouble.

Enjoy the search :thumbsup:
 
Hello and welcome.

I’ve also got a fully loaded 35iS and with your available budget I’d definitely be trying one before deciding on a 28i/30i.

One huge difference is the 35iS has a DCT box which is a totally different animal over the 30i auto you’ve driven.

It’s also running 340 bhp rather than 258 :driving:
 
Hi Ed and welcome to the forum.
don’t get confused by the Z4 numbering the 18, 20 and 28 are all 4 cylinder 2.0l turbos, the 23 is a 6 cylinder 2.5l none turbo, the 30 is a 3.0l none turbo and the 35 is a 3.0l twin turbo.
I have a 35is (and absolutely love it)which only comes with the duel clutch option, so you can put it in drive and use it like an auto or use the paddle shifters to drive like a manual but without a clutch, there’s also a sport and sport+ button and knocking the gear shift to the left also alters the performance, the 35i comes with either a manual or dual clutch, it has slightly less horsepower but can be easily remapped. The 18,20 and 28 have different BHP but can all be remapped to the same.
A top of the range 35is should be well within your budget starting at around £14000 and going up to around £25000
 
Welcome to the forum Ed. :thumbsup:

When I was reading your 2nd post I was thinking a Z4M Coupe might have suited you, then I got to the last line where you say you prefer automatics!

It sounds like a 35is might suit you best. It would certainly be worth trying one before you make a final choice.

Happy hunting anyway!
 
Thank you gentlemen for your thoughts. I’ve spent an interesting evening with a couple of glasses of Shiraz digesting your comments and studying AT to see in more detail how the market looks.

I notice that it seems to be the 35 fan club posting...no comments from the other model fraternity?

I’m not really into the dull some people might called subdued colours....did they not make them in some brighter more cheerful colours?

I’m not sure where you suggest I look, there don’t appear to be many 35 models..and those that exist seem to be relatively expensive, larger mileages and not as many gadgets?

Mr. Tidy judging by your signature I detect some small bias to fixed heads..?

I’ve had several coupes and relatively fast GTs but fancy the wind in the hair feeling...well that is if I had any..

When I had drop heads in the past I really loved the top down heater on the feet effect..I need a cap now to keep the head warm..-:)

I’m really looking forward to doing some big trips, I see you have what seems a surprising number of trips planned for Scotland and non for Wales or anywhere else it seems?

Nothing wrong with Scotland I hasten to add..
 
Welcome to the forum!

I've actually just today bought a different Z4, so i'm selling my existing one. It's a 3 litre automatic, e85 model if you are interested. Black, 2003, full service history. A lot less than your budget :D at £3500 if you want something cheaper to get into Z4 ownership. I'll be posted an ad on here shortly.

James
 
Ed.Straker said:
I’m really looking forward to doing some big trips, I see you have what seems a surprising number of trips planned for Scotland and non for Wales or anywhere else it seems?
Click to expand...

There are normally lots of meets/road trips throughout the country but with all the Covid uncertainty I think people are holding back on any plans at the moment, once we get into spring I’m sure there will be plenty to choose from
 
Hiya, I've a 2010 3.0 auto and am happy with it.
Not really overly concerned about speed as being a biker you're very hard pushed to find a car that compares imho.
Only got mine 12 months ago and with lockdown I've only done around 1000 miles.
It does seem to go fairly well for a car : :poke:
Love the roads in Wales but again not had chance to explore in the Z4.
I also have matlock etc in my playground.
I would imagine your budget is over the top for a 3.0 which could be why not many have responded.
I bought my fully loaded one with 1 former owner and 35k miles for £12500.
Really helpful forum for gathering information and advice.
 
Ed.Straker said:
I notice that it seems to be the 35 fan club posting...no comments from the other model fraternity?
Click to expand...

At your budget and not wanting to get into a G29 M40i the 35iS is the logical choice imo. If you’re looking for power/fun other models, particularly the 18/20/28’s, are all the same engine and very tuneable if that’s your thing

Ed.Straker said:
’m not really into the dull some people might called subdued colours....did they not make them in some brighter more cheerful colours?
Click to expand...

Pictures of mine below, not what I’d call subdued or dull. They also do a bright yellow the same as @PBondar

Ed.Straker said:
I’m not sure where you suggest I look, there don’t appear to be many 35 models
Click to expand...

I bought mine in September from BMW as an approved used car. It’s been discussed on here a few times and BMW dealers are buying privately and retailing as AUC’s I think there’s a few on their site just now. For a well spec’d 2014 40k miles expected to pay upwards of £20/21k.
 

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Owdgit said:
Hiya, I've a 2010 3.0 auto and am happy with it.
Not really overly concerned about speed as being a biker you're very hard pushed to find a car that compares imho.
Only got mine 12 months ago and with lockdown I've only done around 1000 miles.
It does seem to go fairly well for a car : :poke:
Love the roads in Wales but again not had chance to explore in the Z4.
I also have matlock etc in my playground.
I would imagine your budget is over the top for a 3.0 which could be why not many have responded.
I bought my fully loaded one with 1 former owner and 35k miles for £12500.
Really helpful forum for gathering information and advice.
Click to expand...

Many thanks..I did drive an auto 30 version...it was nice and I liked the balance and it seemed to ride very well despite the state of roads around here. The auto box was ok but not as good as the newer 40Mi I test drove. Didn’t like the shape and style of the latest model.

I had various fast for their day bikes so outright acceleration in most cars is pretty pathetic compared to bikes plus you can’t squeeze down the outside of a queue in a car. I did consider getting a modern rocket ship but can’t be bothered with all the protective gear, plus I don’t think my body will bounce as well now.

Is there a wiki that allows you to see how weights/performance/features varied over time?
 
Argyll Andy..yes that’s a much better colour..not seen one like that..

I see pbonar has a bright yellow one on his signatures..not seen one like that either.

Thanks for the feedback on locations and probable prices.

I’ll look at the used BMW site.
 
Not sure if there's a site detailing all the specs but I'm certain someone will be along soon enough to advise.
Can't say much about the auto box, not had anything similar to compare with.
It does seem to make a big difference using the sports modes though.
I still ride bikes while I'm able, as the saying goes "you don't stop riding because you get old, you get old cause you stop riding"
Riding a bike is a great stress buster as you have to fully concentrate on what you're doing whereas in a car it's easier to be distracted by radio, mobiles, satnav and so on. Plus you get looked at strangely if you wear leathers in a car :D
Have you thought about an atom or similar?
 
Fully agree in terms of attention when riding...you need to know what the plonker in the car playing with his phone is going to do before he even thinks about it.

I went for a road tour with friends in Caterhams and Westfields..very nippy, great handling but I think I’m too fond of creature comforts now.

Only one 35 car on BMWs used car site. I was expecting quite a lot of off loaded summer stock. I thought people were having a hard time. Maybe they are all mature citizens with excess cash in their pockets.
 
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