New purchase regrets ?

[john56]

I always get big anxiety and regret on the run-up to big purchases & the Z4 was no different. First day I picked it up I thought it was awesome, but when I got out of the town and could give it the beans I was very disappointed with the power. Previous car had a 2.2 diesel, slightly less hp but a lot more torque and when it came to actual driving it destroyed the Z4 in terms of straight-line. Then came the mpg which was and is imho atrocious when compared to the sixes - the combined figure must have come from running the car downhill.

However, the Z4 is more than just the engine - and as a car I have never been happier. I've driven a few cars, been in many more and none can give me the pleasure the Z4 can. It's mechanical, it's raw (pipe down Lotus / Caterham owners!) and it's utterly intoxicating. I feel 'at one' with the Z4 that I just don't get in other cars. They have stupid electric indicator stalks, steering with no feel and all sorts of other annoying gadgets that distance you from the whole act of driving. The Z4 has just the right amount of aids to hide the boring stuff (wipers / lights) and keeps out of the way for the real stuff (steering / gear change). I've driven around Europe and the way it eats up miles for breakfast while keeping you relaxed is utterly bewildering.

However, for the latter half of my trip I was browsing classifieds for cars with more power & torque at the hotel. I was really, really missing power on some mountain passes and especially the German Autobahns. When I got back I test drove a hot hatch with a lot more poke than my Z4 and it felt awful. The salesman was clearly surprised when I didn't rate it at all 'everyone loves these'. The quickest way to appreciate a Z4 is to drive a supposedly 'good' car back to back with the Z4.

So this is a roundabout way of saying I don't regret buying a Z4 at all. I do regret getting a 2.0 instead of a 3.0, something I shall hopefully be rectifying soon...

I could'nt agree more, its how a car makes you feel that important, i took one look at the Coupe i bought, trusted to luck with it being a BMW and did'nt give a fig how fast it was or wether a hot hatch beat it on the twisty bits.
Well said.

 

[rhodesey35iM]

Well the Zed (and this account) are hers but I would say....

I preffered the S2000 we chopped in for the Zed as it really felt like a sports car, it had no electronics and the accelerator was directly related to losing the back end.

But then again I didn't have to drive the skate board every day so I would guess the better half who has to live with the car every day likes all the toys, the auto box, the heated seats, the fact it doesn't shake your fillings lose and the power.

Regrets probably not but we'll probably judge it after its been round the ring this summer.

 

[adam81]

Well car went back today, things just didnt work out in the end.

Thankfully i bought over the phone so was within my rights to have the car returned. I must say even though i bought an AUC it doesnt mean to say all is as it should be. I was told things would be done and they werent, services carried out that werent and so on.

Im now going to look for something else now as this whoe experience has put me off somewhat .....

 

[Adamski]

That's a shame


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[gannet]

tis a shame but at least you can walk away as you started and don't to turn around and try to sell it.

 

[markeg]

Sorry the car didn't work out for you, adam81, glad you managed to get out of it without too much hassle.

 

[adam81]

Cheers guys !

Yeah could of been worse I just glad it's all sorted

 

[Bing]

Cheers guys !

Yeah could of been worse I just glad it's all sorted

Sorry to hear it didn't work for you

Get a new 2.0 e89 - can't believe the deals some people are getting

 

[Montjeu]

Bought a used Z4 a couple of weeks ago, and still on cloud 9 No real regrets as yet.

Couple of issues though. It's the first time I've driven a car of this nature, although have had fast cars before. I was driving home with it on the mway, very slowly! However come up against a slower car and when I changed lanes the car didn't feel right at all, as if was feeling a hump in between the lanes and it was affecting the direction of the car.

Put it down to the nature of the car, but since then I am aware of it, and on other than smooth roads it feels more unblanced than it ought to. I went to overtake a lorry on a B road earlier today and it felt like I was snaking and definitely scarey.

Smaller niggle is the dull looking tailpipes. They look out of context with the rest of the car, which is beautiful imo. Any recs? The exhaust note is gorgeous.

So loving it just wish it wasn't making me carp myself at times :lol: Think I'll get the allignment checked tomorrow.

 

[Boogle]

What you're describing re. handling is down to the runflats. Either ditch them for normal tyres (I use Vredesteins), or use a non-Bridgestone runflat. The Bridgestone RFTs are real ditch-finders

The tailpipes can be polished up a little. Otherwise there are chrome finishers you can buy from BMW:

2.0 tailpipe: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Tip-Cover-Trim-Chrome-E85-Z4-2-0i-82120405099-/170778582180?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c3325ca4
2.2/2.5/3.0: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Tip-Trim-Chrome-E85-E86-Z4-18307551507-/170705102246?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27bed125a6 (you'll need 2)

Welcome to the forum, upload some pics!!!

 

[Montjeu]

What you're describing re. handling is down to the runflats. Either ditch them for normal tyres (I use Vredesteins), or use a non-Bridgestone runflat. The Bridgestone RFTs are real ditch-finders

The tailpipes can be polished up a little. Otherwise there are chrome finishers you can buy from BMW:

2.0 tailpipe: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Tip-Cover-Trim-Chrome-E85-Z4-2-0i-82120405099-/170778582180?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c3325ca4
2.2/2.5/3.0: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Tip-Trim-Chrome-E85-E86-Z4-18307551507-/170705102246?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27bed125a6 (you'll need 2)

Welcome to the forum, upload some pics!!!

Thanks for the welcome and the links, Boogle

Just ran outside and checked, they are Bridgestone 18 inches, 255 rear and 225 front.

Will post some pics hopefully after one or two finishing touches

 

[Putter Whore]

Been meaning to ask a question but as we're onto tyres, thought I'd :hijacked: this thread.

I recently purchased an ///M. It has 4 x Continental tyres on. Haven't had the tread checked, but all seem to have plenty left. The tyre pressure is correct. The car is a 56 plate but has only done 15k miles. When I floor it - even in a straight line and in dry condition - I can feel the back end wriggling around. I expected this in the damp or wet and around corners. But is it normal (given the power)? I wasn't sure how many miles you can typically get out of a set of tyres and whether if these were the original set, they could have gone off - do tyres have a 'best before date? Or perhaps they are just a crappy make. Any thoughts?

 

[woozzle]

Well car went back today, things just didnt work out in the end.

Thankfully i bought over the phone so was within my rights to have the car returned. I must say even though i bought an AUC it doesnt mean to say all is as it should be. I was told things would be done and they werent, services carried out that werent and so on.

Im now going to look for something else now as this whoe experience has put me off somewhat .....

what's next on the list

 

[wegras]

What you're describing re. handling is down to the runflats. Either ditch them for normal tyres (I use Vredesteins), or use a non-Bridgestone runflat. The Bridgestone RFTs are real ditch-finders

The tailpipes can be polished up a little. Otherwise there are chrome finishers you can buy from BMW:

2.0 tailpipe: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Tip-Cover-Trim-Chrome-E85-Z4-2-0i-82120405099-/170778582180?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c3325ca4
2.2/2.5/3.0: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Tip-Trim-Chrome-E85-E86-Z4-18307551507-/170705102246?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27bed125a6 (you'll need 2)

Welcome to the forum, upload some pics!!!

Thanks for the welcome and the links, Boogle

Just ran outside and checked, they are Bridgestone 18 inches, 255 rear and 225 front.



Will post some pics hopefully after one or two finishing touches

IMHO that's your problem
Get rid of them ,as suggested for non RFT, or if you stick with RFT Michelin PS2
I went Michelin and has literally transformed the car

 

[octavia1]

The only minor niggle I have is the absence of a clunk when you close the doors - apart from that I just love the car

 

[duckson]

IGNORE!

 

[sammyz]

Been meaning to ask a question but as we're onto tyres, thought I'd :hijacked: this thread.

I recently purchased an ///M. It has 4 x Continental tyres on. Haven't had the tread checked, but all seem to have plenty left. The tyre pressure is correct. The car is a 56 plate but has only done 15k miles. When I floor it - even in a straight line and in dry condition - I can feel the back end wriggling around. I expected this in the damp or wet and around corners. But is it normal (given the power)? I wasn't sure how many miles you can typically get out of a set of tyres and whether if these were the original set, they could have gone off - do tyres have a 'best before date? Or perhaps they are just a crappy make. Any thoughts?

Continentals are pobably the originals and they do 'go off' but only at extreme performance levels. When you say rear end is wriggling around is the TC lighting up indicating tyre slip? If not you might have a broken spring or other suspension issue. Tyres at rear started to loose traction at about 20k for me and the rear end was very playful until I replaced them!

 

[Putter Whore]

Cheers sammyz. When on the straight, the TC light does flash. Not sure about when cornering as my eyes are wide open and firmly on the road! I'm sure it's because of the power and that the tyres are in the Autumn of their life. From what you've said, it sounds like the tyres are the problem. I don't have +£600 burning a hole in my pocket so will keep going until it starts to really impact driving pleasure. I must admit though, I don't fully trust the Zed yet on corners if I've got my right foot down - feels like it could spit me out at any opportunity!

 

[Boogle]

Cheers sammyz. When on the straight, the TC light does flash. Not sure about when cornering as my eyes are wide open and firmly on the road! I'm sure it's because of the power and that the tyres are in the Autumn of their life. From what you've said, it sounds like the tyres are the problem. I don't have +£600 burning a hole in my pocket so will keep going until it starts to really impact driving pleasure. I must admit though, I don't fully trust the Zed yet on corners if I've got my right foot down - feels like it could spit me out at any opportunity!

Tbh you're not really meant to floor a 335bhp car while going round a corner unless you're trying to drift

Tyres do have a shelf-life of about 4 years from manufacture, the rubber naturally degrades. I'm not sure if we have DOT codes in the UK (I imagine we do though) marking the date of manufacture. More info here: http://slurplog.blogsome.com/2007/11/14/life-type-expiry-date/

 

[Montjeu]

Allignment was spot on, looks like I might be shelling out on rubber after buying a new car with relatively new boots already fitted :|

It feels uber great round corners, it's just off straight that feels twitchy

Thanks for the advice chaps.