Looking to get my first E89 - any tips or wisdom welcome!

R

RaymondLin

New member
I am looking to get a Z4 as my next car, my current car is a Toyota Yaris SR (1.8L). It suits my requirements in terms of practicality so far in the last 4 years of ownership but it's time for a change. I am looking for something that drives a bit more effortlessly, easy to park with less cabin noise. I am not after Rolls Royce level of sound proofing but anything better than the Yaris is a plus basically.

What quirks or pit falls I should look out for when buying one, is there a known problem with the car? Or any recall in the past?

And When/what mileage, are the Inspection 1 and Inspection 2 service takes place?

Also what optional extras that you regard is a must….I am in England and already have heated seat down as a must. Along with Nav/iDrive on the top of the must have list.

Lastly, what wheel size is best suited to the car?

Thanks !
 
Optional extras. Decent leather interior. Heated seats, yes, and if you plan to use it down down in the autumn-winter-spring then a heated wheel is lovely. Better audio system, the standard one is pants. Xenons. I'm on 17" with runflats, I don't like them but others find them OK, the 18 or 19" wheels look a lot better.

Also once you've got it, go for the aftermarket SmartTop ECU to control the roof "properly", one-shot open/close form the key or button. Etc.
 
Have a good look at the BMW website and cherry pick your musts and wants. Agree with A1GSS, standard stereo is OK if all you do is listen to the news on Radio 4 but a bit underwhelming if you like your choons. And yes, the heated steering wheel makes a big difference. I ended up buying my car new last November and agonised over the satnav media thingy. HOW MUCH??? Stuck it on the list in the end, and it's more than just navigation. Worth having if you can spring for it.

From your post it looks like you're buying used - unsure of your budget but you may find you get perilously close to being able to consider new via a broker like Broadspeed or coast2coast - have a look online. Forget dealer prices - discounts are heavy and there are lots of dealers around. If one won't do it just move on and find one who will - they all want your cash.

Likewise there are lots of used examples around so find one with the extra bits you want, but I'd recommend additional warranty and a service package if you can get it (and if you're buying from a dealer it's probably a good deal breaker if he's really keen). I guess it depends on the age of the car you want to buy.

I've not had my Z4 long enough yet to comment with any authority on reliabilty but like any highly strung steed the cost can be a bit eye watering when you have to take it to the vets. I'd just say buy the newest you can and the BIGGEST ENGINE you can live with. Run Flats are quirky in their handling but you get used to them: they are however noisy and if I ever change my 326's for after market wheels it'll be because of the bloody row at 90mph, sorry 70mph, not the handling.

Six months on, if I were sitting here again with the cash and having to make a decision - I'd order the same car, from the same dealer with the same spec. I think they're that good!

(Oh, and welcome to the forum....)
 
The options have been listed already above, all I'd add is try an E89 for a decent test run before you buy if cabin quietness is high on the list as roof up they're fairly noisey.

Best of luck in your quest.
 
RaymondLin said:
I am looking to get a Z4 as my next car, my current car is a Toyota Yaris SR (1.8L). It suits my requirements in terms of practicality so far in the last 4 years of ownership but it's time for a change. I am looking for something that drives a bit more effortlessly, easy to park with less cabin noise. I am not after Rolls Royce level of sound proofing but anything better than the Yaris is a plus basically.

What quirks or pit falls I should look out for when buying one, is there a known problem with the car? Or any recall in the past?

And When/what mileage, are the Inspection 1 and Inspection 2 service takes place?

Also what optional extras that you regard is a must….I am in England and already have heated seat down as a must. Along with Nav/iDrive on the top of the must have list.

Lastly, what wheel size is best suited to the car?

Thanks !
Click to expand...
First of all, f**k Toyota.

All Bmws have a hard steering so you will have to get used to that.
Z4 is much easier to park, when you look back there isn't much there (especially with the top down) — parking sensors are therefore not required.
Cabin noise is only slightly more than your typical BMW (I think the noise comes from in between the convertible seals/seams) but not really worth mentioning really. I think it mainly depends on your tyres and wind deflector; only buy premium tyres!

I'd personally go for ones in white colour, interior in any colour apart from black or grey as they have less resale value.
Obviously alloys look best when they are bigger, but remember that comfort and risk of alloy cracks goes up when you exceed 18". 18" alloys look great on most other cars but somehow on the Z4 they look small, but it's a compromise.

The car is already very much like a toy car as it is, do not buy one without Satnav, bluetooth, head seats, etc and almost all of the gizmos. Remember that it might cost a few £K extra but you'll be able to sell for a few £K when it comes time to move on.
As others have said, best to buy the newest model you can with the biggest engine, bigger engine might offset some of the cost for a newer model as well.

Things to lookout for:
Water ingress in rear lights! They are LED and the most common fault, any failures means full replacement (around £240-300+ a pair).
Seat damage, especially bolsters on drivers seat obviously. Remember that this is a 2 seater, seats much be almost immaculate otherwise it'll spoil the experience.

Timdon said:
I also recommend the smart top .best money spent ,so many options .
Click to expand...
Is it really that good? Doesn't it have to be removed every time you take it to the $tealers?
 
Re the Smarttop, no - disable takes 10 sec using the indicator stalk. I posted a guide a while back, I'l see if I can find it and repost it
 
SmartTop:

DISABLE:
Ignition off and key out
Push the open button on the key once
Hold indicator stalk down (first pos) till single flash on left green arrow (F1) and one flash on right green arrow (setting for F1 = 1 = ON)
Push indicator stalk up once
You then get one green left flash but no green right flash (setting for F1 = 0 = OFF)
Push key into socket
Get one flash on both green indicators

Done.

ENABLE:
Ignition off and key out
Push the open button on the key once
Hold indicator stalk down (first pos) till single flash on left green arrow (F1) but no green right flash (setting for F1 = 0 = OFF)
Push indicator stalk up once
You then get one green left arrow flash and one flash on right green arrow (setting for F1 = 1 = ON)
Push key into socket
Get one flash on both green indicators
 
Thanks guys, lots of food for thought.

For my budget I am getting a used one, somewhere around 4-5 years old so an early model.

I am looking at a car with this spec at the moment, if its still there in a month or so it'll be mine !

VMbv3H6.png
 
There's one for sale in Hyde Raynmond, ad is on fleabay, Black which sells well, 296 wheels, 19,000k miles on at 23k, might be worth a look if you hav'nt seen it.
 
This one John ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-BMW-Z4-3-0i-DCT-sDrive35is-1OWNER-BMW-HISTORY-340BHP-/281717688609?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4197aec921

Just around the corner from where i work..... The dealer is well known and respected in the area...
 
Z4M-2006 said:
This one John ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-BMW-Z4-3-0i-DCT-sDrive35is-1OWNER-BMW-HISTORY-340BHP-/281717688609?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4197aec921

Just around the corner from where i work..... The dealer is well known and respected in the area...
Click to expand...

No Nav, no go !
 
Z4M-2006 said:
This one John ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-BMW-Z4-3-0i-DCT-sDrive35is-1OWNER-BMW-HISTORY-340BHP-/281717688609?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4197aec921

Just around the corner from where i work..... The dealer is well known and respected in the area...
Click to expand...

Yes that's the one, looks a nice one with low miles, be a nice car for someone.
 
The only thing I would look out for as far as possibly damaging misdesign is water in the front doors. The window seals aren't quite up to it, and the aerodynamic design drives water at the side window in the mirror area. I could imagine long term corrosion from this.

Other reports say the water drains in the rear can become clogged, which is easy to fix, except if they haven't been fixed for a long time and trunk area with electronics stayed wet.

Make sure you get the telescopic cupholder with the car.

And get rid of the runflats ASAP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom