Hello Everyone,
I'm Tom and new to the forum and new to the Z4. Not new to the brand however, had an E46 330i Sport until recently, now trundling (flying) around in a Saab 9-5 Aero Estate for winter. Massive petrolhead and work in the automotive industry too.
I've Been struggling with what to get next for a while now, I want something fun, 2 seats, drop top, suitable for the odd track day, and for a trip around Europe. It will be my only car, but my commute is small, and I don't see fuel being much worse than my 330i. I've considered TVRs, Boxsters, Elises the lot. Love the idea of the theatre of the TVR, but none of the maintenance costs. Having spoken about it with some car mates I've realised I've missed being behind the wheel of a BMW, so it's looking like it's going to be the Z4. Boxster is a bit too flashy and Elise a little too hardcore. Reading CAR magazine this week they have the Z4 as one of their "Bargain Driver's Cars" this month and described it as "a TVR, built by BMW". Perfect.
Now I should make clear I am aiming to make a purchase at the end of March, giving plenty of time to make sure I purchase the right car. Budget is £15k. I went to look at the nearest one to me at a dealer, was a sorry sight. Brakes very corroded, spider webs across the wheels, battery flat as a pancake, and a dealer not willing to go for a test drive. Nevertheless I had a good look around it and got it started and running. Looks, and interior wise it ticks all my boxes. In the interest of balance, I am driving an Elise and Boxster S tomorrow, mainly to rule them out. Hard to do now seeing as I didn't drive the Z4 today and there isn't another one within an hour from me.
Now, I've got a few usual questions; what do I need to look for? I've read the general bits and bobs across the internet and it seems the main specific things to look at is the front struts I'm told as the weld can crack? The 1200 mile fluid change too. Besides normal used car things what else do I need to be looking for on these cars? I understand a lot suffer from the clutch spring judder when you turn them off, which stops if you have your foot on the clutch, my 330i had this too. Is it just a minor issue?
Also, being a roadster are the prices likely to creep up as we get towards Spring and the Summer? Or is this just a myth?
From your experience on the roadsters, how have the values been going over the last few years, I'm hoping to buy a house in a few years, and would like to think that I'm not going to loose thousands on a Z4. I do about 10k a year, what's the damage likely to be on depreciation? Less than a Boxster S I expect.
My final question, warranty. I've noticed a few have still got extended BMW warranties on them, and a year warranty can be had from BMW for about £1,000. I know my 330i was very reliable and has the same block, only the rocker cover gasket went, and the then the subframe, prompting me to sell it. Is it worth taking out a warranty on one of these?
Been having a little look around the forum, seems like a really great place. Look forward to hopefully becoming an owner soon.
I'm Tom and new to the forum and new to the Z4. Not new to the brand however, had an E46 330i Sport until recently, now trundling (flying) around in a Saab 9-5 Aero Estate for winter. Massive petrolhead and work in the automotive industry too.
I've Been struggling with what to get next for a while now, I want something fun, 2 seats, drop top, suitable for the odd track day, and for a trip around Europe. It will be my only car, but my commute is small, and I don't see fuel being much worse than my 330i. I've considered TVRs, Boxsters, Elises the lot. Love the idea of the theatre of the TVR, but none of the maintenance costs. Having spoken about it with some car mates I've realised I've missed being behind the wheel of a BMW, so it's looking like it's going to be the Z4. Boxster is a bit too flashy and Elise a little too hardcore. Reading CAR magazine this week they have the Z4 as one of their "Bargain Driver's Cars" this month and described it as "a TVR, built by BMW". Perfect.
Now I should make clear I am aiming to make a purchase at the end of March, giving plenty of time to make sure I purchase the right car. Budget is £15k. I went to look at the nearest one to me at a dealer, was a sorry sight. Brakes very corroded, spider webs across the wheels, battery flat as a pancake, and a dealer not willing to go for a test drive. Nevertheless I had a good look around it and got it started and running. Looks, and interior wise it ticks all my boxes. In the interest of balance, I am driving an Elise and Boxster S tomorrow, mainly to rule them out. Hard to do now seeing as I didn't drive the Z4 today and there isn't another one within an hour from me.
Now, I've got a few usual questions; what do I need to look for? I've read the general bits and bobs across the internet and it seems the main specific things to look at is the front struts I'm told as the weld can crack? The 1200 mile fluid change too. Besides normal used car things what else do I need to be looking for on these cars? I understand a lot suffer from the clutch spring judder when you turn them off, which stops if you have your foot on the clutch, my 330i had this too. Is it just a minor issue?
Also, being a roadster are the prices likely to creep up as we get towards Spring and the Summer? Or is this just a myth?
From your experience on the roadsters, how have the values been going over the last few years, I'm hoping to buy a house in a few years, and would like to think that I'm not going to loose thousands on a Z4. I do about 10k a year, what's the damage likely to be on depreciation? Less than a Boxster S I expect.
My final question, warranty. I've noticed a few have still got extended BMW warranties on them, and a year warranty can be had from BMW for about £1,000. I know my 330i was very reliable and has the same block, only the rocker cover gasket went, and the then the subframe, prompting me to sell it. Is it worth taking out a warranty on one of these?
Been having a little look around the forum, seems like a really great place. Look forward to hopefully becoming an owner soon.
, absolute joy. Having enjoyed it so much I searched again for another Z4MR and located one not too far away in Wimbledon, had a chat with the garage on the phone invited me down to test drive, was above my budget but a very tidy 28k, 1 owner example. Had a good look at the car and the documents then asked for the test drive, and was told again that "test drives are only offered as a confirmation of purchase, this is the best Z4 you will find and drives perfectly". While I understood where he was coming from it's pretty annoying not being able to test drive a car. That's twice in as many days I've had that with the Z4s. Lotus guy was excellent, they also had the Boxster in stock, not pushy at all and more than keen to get out and let me try the cars, knowing I wasn't looking to purchase them. Same was true of the TVR dealership. Has anyone got any advice or guidance in gaining a Z4 test drive?
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