Newbie... Almost!

[GazJones]

Evening All!

Love the forum! Especially the buyers guide and all of the how to's! Been reading through a lot of the discussion topics and have been convinced even more so that I should get a Z4 now!

Im 21 and currently drive a top spec (but completely standard) VXR Astra... however I've wanted a Z4 for a long time and have finally decided now is probably a good time to trade in and get myself one, with prices a bit lower than they will be in the spring and summer.

I've become used to the heated leather, sat nav and cruise control etc on my VXR and finding a Z with all of the options ticked in the colour combinations I would like is quite tricky... however i like to think myself quite handy with the tools and electronics... and with the help of the brilliant how to topics on this forum I'll get around that issue I'm sure (nav and cruise control more particularly).

I've looked at a few 2.5si Sport cars and they seem great and are closer to the performance I'm currently used to; however I'm quite happy going with the 2.0i in Sport guise and with the M-Sport extras... unless anyone here can persuade me otherwise?

Anyway... these are the two cars I've enquired about this weekend...

http://www.villageautocentre.co.uk/14708/stock.htm

http://www.arena-carcentre.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-z4-2-0i-sport-2dr-preston-201303498664396

Does anyone have any information on either cars? I think the first one is more likely to have been on this forum before?

Thanks for any help/advice you can offer!

I look forward to being on here more often in the near future.

Gaz

 

[Wondermike]

I think you might find the 2.0 a little underwhelming in terms of grunt after your VXR.

 

[metal licker]

Hi and welcome aboard
Good luck with the search

 

[sars]

Hello and welcome, 2.5 Si is a good compromise and it is certainly quick enough

 

[andysat]

Hi and welcome glwts

 

[Bing]

I think you might find the 2.0 a little underwhelming in terms of grunt after your VXR.

I'm with Wondermike on this - if you want similar straight line performance to your VXR then you need a 3.0i prefacelift with about 230bhp, or a 3.0Si facelift (2006 onwards) with about 265bhp. I came to mine from a Focus ST3. That said, as sars says, the 2.5Si is a good compromise and with the rearward seating position and RWD you'll be hard pressed to notice the difference on twisties, and you'll definitely still be grinning ear to ear

Good luck with the search

 

[imp75]

When I had my 2.0 I also had a corsa vxr, which I guess isn't too dissimilar in overall performance feel , if not the actual stats, due to being smaller, and even though the z4 had about 40 less horsepower it wasn't obvious from the driver seat. The fact you ll prob get 25% better mpg out of the zed makes it even better ownership prospect. The only thing I felt shortchanged on was the sound. The four cylinder is no where near as nice sounding as the sixes but better than the vvxr corsa four!

 

[redhotwheels]

Hi Gaz, just go myself a coupe. A little bit happy

Go for it if you can do the insurance at 21 (I'm 55) - take a look at my introductory post... I went out for the first time today and made a few noob observations. As the salesman said to me yesterday upon delivery... 'be careful'.

As you know, power through the fronts is a lot different to power through the rears. 8)
Coming from, in order of history: MGB GT, MG Turbo, Fiat Uno Turbo, MR2 mkII, Sylva Pheonix, Esprit HC, Elise s2, Pug GTI... missing out the sheds (mainly Volvos)... this car is truly awesome. Go, Go, Go.

I guess when I was 23 the MGB was about the equivalent of what you are considering now. Yes. Do it.

 

[WLH]

GazJones, welcome to the forum...

 

[greenson]

Gaz, I was in a similar position to you just before christmas (I'm 1 year older than you)!

I have recently sold my MK5 Golf GTi (standard) and purchased a z4 2.5si as it's replacement. I'm very glad I got this model as I felt the 2.0 would be underpowered in comparison.

Go for the 2.5si!

 

[GazJones]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Nice to see some have been in a similar situ to me regarding their previous car! Makes it a bit easier trying to imagine the difference in performance if any between my current car and a Z!

After a little bit (a lot) more reading on here last night i think I've come to the conclusion i will go for a 2.5si.

Mainly because, from what i can gather from the facts and also the posts on here, there is little difference in economy unless doing a steady 70 on the motorway between the 2.0i and the 2.5si; and secondly because the 6 pots offer more in the way of performance, fun and reliability by the sounds of it.

I dont think i'll notice any difference in economy between my VXR now and a 2.5si; may even see a slight improvement as im currently averaging around 29mpg; and in the real world i dont think there will be much difference in performance either.

I've had the hot hatch now anyway and fancy a roadster that ticks the boxes of looks performance and quality. Couldnt be doing with an MX-5 or similar (no offence). Always wanted a solid German motor that doesnt compromise the interior, so a Z seems the natural way forward for me

I'm not totally against getting a 2.0i just yet if the right one comes up with all the boxes ticked... but the 2.5si seems to be the better all rounder for me.

Quick question with regards to retro fitting the Nav system with pop up screen... are they literally plug and play (once you have modified the dash of course)? Or is there a requirement for some software enablement to pair the units together (Tech2 for example if anyone is familiar with Vauxhalls)?

Thanks again for the advice!

Gaz

 

[Stuart Truman]

And now you've decided 6 pot, it seems rude not to look at a 3.0

Good luck with the search!