New car

X

X21 TJK

Member
Hi all

I am new to the forum. I have just ordered a brand new Z4 2.5 convertible in space grey with red leather and am looking to confirm what extras are worth having. I only ordered it at the weekend but I am already thinking that whilst I still have the chance to change the specification that I should maybe think about the Xenons & the gps unit?

Also i have a few more questions:- Is the bmw aero kit only available through bmw dealers? Who is cheap for Z4 insurance?
 
Welcome To The Forum.... :thumbsup:
I would suggest the Xenons :driving:
I'm not real big on built in GPS units and feel that one of the really good portable units for 1/4 the price will server you just as well if not better. I'm sure some will disagree with that... :wink:
Can't help you with the other issue but I'm sure those on your side of the pond will offer some comments... :thumbsup:
Be sure to post up some pics when it arrives... :camera:
 
Welcome. I think that WLH makes a good point about the GPS. The portable ones are 1/4th the price and much better than the BMW one. I have the factory fitted GPS and love it despite it's short falls. The GPS in the Z4 is old and is from the e46 series - it has the utility of a 8 year old unit. However, it is always there. It is always on. It uses dead reckoning and thus functions even if you lose the satillite. You do not have to worry about someone breaking in and pinching it because they will need to pinch the whole car to get it. It works great with BMW Assist. You can call them and ask where the car is. They can let the cops know where the car is etc.

I know that the portable devices are better and more user friendly but I am glad I got GPS and I will always get Factory GPS from now on.
 
Your amongst friends here…..Welcome from this side of the rainbow. And yes get the xenons and forget the GPS. :)
 
get the GPS and give it to me :crazydude: I hate having all these wires and mounting brackets everywhere in my car. But then i know my city well and don't need the GPS except for trips. I guess i will agree with the others, but it would be cheaper now than getting it later :fuelfire:
 
Well, I'm no owner (yet), but I'm hunting for a used Z4 and GPS is high on my priority list. Reason is that the Z4 is a small car with a great interior, so putting a gps with a cable and a mount not only clutters the interior but also makes it ugly. Plus with the gps there you get added functionality, etc. If I were ordering a new ont I'd definitely go for a GPS. Xenons? I don't know, but I read in the forum they're really useful...
 
I just finished retrofitting the factory nav and I must say it's not as intuitive, easy to use or cheap as a portable one BUT the added COOL factor is well worth the cost and effort :D
 
Not sure what you get as standard on the 2.5 wiythout going through the lists but I'd go for:

Xenons - the halogen are less than useless
Built in sat nav. Despite it's shortfalls it's way better than messing with aftermarket stuff and is a plus at resale time
///M seats are a world of difference
Seat heating in the UK
Wind deflector - better OEM than the tie down one

Wheels might be worth checking as upgrade my be a whole lot cheaper than changing after you buy...
There are many suppliers of kits, but I'd see what BMW will price it at

Insurance - search the forum there are several threads on it.
 
Congrats on the purchase!! I bought my Z used so fortunately didn't have to navigate the BMW options minefield. Car had built in sat-nav so I sold my TomTom unit I had been using previously. For functionality the aftermarket stuff is better plus you can take it between cars and take on holiday to use in a hire car as I did in Italy which was useful. Built-in has the advantages stated above plus nice little things like turning down the stereo for direction commands; synching with the dash display; and you get the screen for other stuff to work through which is more convenient and neat. My only major gripe with the BMW sat nav is that it only does A-B navigation - you can't tweak the route very well like on a TT to take in some nice back roads or just go for a nice blat. If I was ordering a new car I'd probably be put off by the price. Better spent on the upgraded stereo and heated seats.
 
What spec are you looking at - SE or Sport?

You can get the aerokit fitted afterwards from here http://www.bmwmstyle.co.uk/ but you might be as well ordering it now.
 
cool. Do you think I am wise to buy brand new considering im going to keep for 18-24 months... I cant afford the finance on a 2nd hand one....? I think i will get gps and xenons
 
Don't take this the wrong way, but if you can't afford the finance on a used one then stay well away from a new one. You'll drop between £9 and 12k on a new 2.5Si in 18-24 months no problem, maybe more depending on which options you choose. That's just the depreciation, add the cost of financing and you'll be looking at a big hit. So unless you're paying off £550-600 a month plus a small-ish deposit then you'll be losing more than you actually pay off.

You can get a PCP type option with a lower monthly payment and a balloon at the end on a used car too, find one that you like and then talk to that dealer. Remeber you can buy from anywhere in the UK and they'll deliver it for you if you want or you can go and get it yourself. Saves being limited to local dealers/cars.
 
thanks Mike, the issue is im quite young and have an ok income but i am not coming into this with the best of credit ratings nor a lot of svaings in the back...The finance quotes i have had on 2nd hand ones have all been about £600+++ so both options are tough....
 
Yep it's quite a lot per month, but as above if you pay less per month all that will happen is when you come to sell it, it won't be worth as much as you owe, and then whatever you trade for will be more expensive.

How about something else instead, this is an awesome deal, I had two of these previously - MX-5 2.0 Sport £267/month plus 750 deposit http://www.lingscars.com/car_detail.php?make_model=402&id=2871&status=1

TBH with all this credit-crunch etc and the amount I pay for my SLK I'm thinking about getting one myself :)
 
I agree with Mike here. If the monthly payments are going to be tough then you'll be afraid to drive it with the amount you'll pay to fill it up every week.
'Trading down' is gaining a whole new cool now as people opt for fun and cheap over powerfull and expensive. The MX5 being a very informed option.
IMO Finance is not a good idea. I know a lot of the time it is the only way, but tread carefully and do your sums to the worst case scenario two years from now. Hopefully you will be in something nice for summer though mate :driving:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom