New to forum, potential new owner, getting scared!

M

molar

Member
53°22'59.245N, 1°27'53.232W (Sheffield!)
Hi Guys

I'm new to the forum, nice to meet you all :) . I've been keeping my eye on the Buy/Sell section for a while now but not seen anything I like up until now..

They seem like great cars so I'm not even considering anything else, got my heart set on a z4. I'm specifically looking for a 3.0l as read many good things about them.

I could be getting pretty close to owning one now and having some last minute doubts.

I've got a few questions below which I haven't been able to find answers for so far during my search. Any help greatfully appreciated!

- Any issues I should be aware of with a 2003 that were fixed in a slightly new car, say 2004? I'm aware that the keyfob can open and close the roof on a 2004 onwards. I know that the roof motor was waterproofed post 2006 too.
- Is DVD/TV combined with the SatNav unit? Does everyone who has SatNav have a DVD capability?
- How much does an air conditioning recharge / service cost? Is this really required every 2 years?
- Are M-Sport seats and suspension standard in a 3.0l SE? This one is really confusing me!

Thanks.
 
Welcome :D

The air-con service is about £45 from a dealer - had mine done at Kwik-fit for the same amount. I suspect mine had never been done though so 6 years in - noticeably colder than before :) As far Im aware it's only advised as every 2 years?

M-Sport seats weren't an option until early 2004 - mine has them (March 2004 build) and I wouldnt be without them. Certainly dont think they were standard.

M-Sport suspension I believe is standard on 3.0l SE AFAIK

:thumbsup:
 
Can't answer the rest of the questions, (but would be interested to know the answers too!)... but as for the M seats and suspension...

No... my 03 3.0i SE doesn't have M-Sport seats (heated electric memory seats, but not M) and I'm 90% sure that they don't run M suspension either. The 3.0is do sit a tad lower than the smaller engines, but M springs don't fit straight on, so it can't be M suspension.

and welcome :)
don't have second thoughts... you won't find a better car than a Z, and that's a completely impartial view... honest, guv! ;)
 
Tweed said:
gannet said:
M-Sport suspension I believe is standard on 3.0l SE AFAIK
Click to expand...

Really? so if I bought ali_b's H&R Z4M springs, they'd go on my 03 3.0i SE?
Click to expand...
Thats what I thought but happy to be proved wrong.

Everyone always talks about the 3.0 being 15mm lower than the others because of the M-Sport Suspension.

As for whether ali_b's H&R Z4M springs will fit I wouldn't know :idunno:
 
Can't answer much of that apart from: "Are M-Sport seats and suspension standard in a 3.0l SE? This one is really confusing me!"

Sport suspension is definately standard, Sport seats are not (but seats are very much personal preference - Sport ones don't suit everyone, i.e. me :D ).Those H&R springs wouldn't fit as I believe there's a specific set for the Z4M - it sounds like you're getting confused between M-Sport options and the stuff fitted to the Z4M: unfortuantley they're not the same! (M-Sport seats are different to Z4M seats for example...)

And for info, my 54-plate's air-con is ice cold and there's no evidence it's ever been recharged at any point in it's life. I use mine regularly just to keep it fresh though.
 
hmmm... think I'll drop in the dealers this afternoon and ask them... want those springs! :)
 
a11y said:
Those H&R springs wouldn't fit as I believe there's a specific set for the Z4M
Click to expand...

dammit! :cry:

re: aircon, like a11y's, I don't think mine's ever been done, and it's icy cold. The only time I don't have it running is when the top's down.
 
Tweed said:
a11y said:
Those H&R springs wouldn't fit as I believe there's a specific set for the Z4M
Click to expand...

dammit! :cry:
Click to expand...
Don't take my post as gospel! I could be wrong - worth checking out but I believe the Z4M uses different springs (OEM and aftermarket) to lesser Z4s...
 
Thanks for all the info and clearing up the confusion about the seats. Some private sellers with the standard sport seats answer yes to M-Sport when I ask them, and later I find out they aren't. Now I know that no 2003 has the M-Sport seats unless modified :D.

I've one other question, can the radio/satnav be updated by cd / laptop connection or does this need to be done by a dealer? Thanks again.
 
I dont think there were any other changes from 03-04 (I think Triple-Flash indicators also became an option). My 03 is pretty well screwed together...

The TV isnt always combined with the Nav, but with the digital switchover it may soon be obsolete anyway (there is a composite input however). I think Bluetooth and TV were bundled together though, theres an options selector on the 'Used' section on Parkers.co.uk. Im pretty sure a DVD-Player was never an option but willing to be proved wrong. Maybe theyre referring to the MkIV Navigation which uses a slot-loading DVD drive for the maps?

Air Con services arent needed every 2 years. Even when required, theyre about £40 from a local mechanic.

M-Sport seats are like gold dust. M-Sport Suspension is standard on the 3.0i
 
I lucked into my msport seats as it happens :D bought the first car I saw without doing any of the usual research etc.... turns out to be a good 'un :D
 
EdButler said:
You upgrade the nav by a firmware CD (Current Version: v32) I can help you with this ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks very much :) Will have to see if I can find the right zed with Nav first. :)
 
Wondermike said:
molar, you'll find some spec info here
Click to expand...

Cheers, already saw that this afternoon and printed it off in readiness... :D

Just about to embark on a tour of the UK looking for a z4.
 
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