newbie looking for z4

D

dhobbs

Senior member
Hi, just joined so I best say hi.

I'm looking for a z4 convertible and I'm after advice on what to look for.
I will probably go for the 2.0 as an entry level, too scared to see the cost for insuring the larger engine. Hopefully a 56 plate facelift model.

Any advice appreciated.
Daz
 
Welcome to the best Forum bar non.

Have a look at the for sale section http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=41

Good luck with your search :thumbsup:
 
What higher cost are you afraid of?
Especially the M54 engined cars are quite bombproof. Those engines still last from the pre-enveronmentalist era and are pretty much engineered to last. The 2.0 being basicly an E46 318i engine with valvetronic and can have it's electrical problems which can be quite challenging to solve. Fuel consumption isn't that bad either while sound is of course a lot better when driving around listening to the straightsix soundtrack :)
 
Not being biased are You!
Thanks I'll have a look.

Seems like roof motor/micro switch, water leaks and broken spring are the main culprits.
 
Tommy_hf said:
What higher cost are you afraid of?
Especially the M54 engined cars are quite bombproof. Those engines still last from the pre-enveronmentalist era and are pretty much engineered to last. The 2.0 being basicly an E46 318i engine with valvetronic and can have it's electrical problems which can be quite challenging to solve. Fuel consumption isn't that bad either while sound is of course a lot better when driving around listening to the straightsix soundtrack :)
Click to expand...

I was thinking of insurance, tax and mpg. Are the 2.5 much more than the 2.0?
I plan to use it as an everyday car so don't want it to cost the Earth.
 
Welcome to the forum :thumbsup: How many miles a year will you do, and what type of driving?


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Adamski said:
Welcome to the forum :thumbsup: How many miles a year will you do, and what type of driving?


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Click to expand...
I do about 10k a year, mostly motorway miles. Probably not the best car for the job, but one of the best looking!
 
You could try the 2.5i facelift if you wanted a little more poke, or the 2.5si.

On motorway runs you'll still return reasonable mpg. My car returns around 35-40 mpg on long motorway runs, and it has 2 more cylinders than the 2.0... :thumbsup:

Saying that, the 2.0 will probs do 50mpg :oops:


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Adamski said:
You could try the 2.5i facelift if you wanted a little more poke, or the 2.5si.

On motorway runs you'll still return reasonable mpg. My car returns around 35-40 mpg on long motorway runs, and it has 2 more cylinders than the 2.0... :thumbsup:

Saying that, the 2.0 will probs do 50mpg :oops:


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Click to expand...

Thanks. There seems to be more 2.5 z4 for sale than the 2.0 so could get a better spec. People say the noise is so much better.
 
Hiya,

I've just sold my MINI JCW to move onto a Z4. Been looking around for ages, deciding what engine to go for, researching the best engine etc etc. Decided against the 2.0 as I think I'd hate the lack of power (the MINI was 220 bhp). I test drove the 2.5si and that didn't really light me up like I'd hoped it would. I then test drove an 06 3.0si. YES!! That was the one for me! Cost-wise there was little difference in insurance (I'm 35 now, so it's pennies for me now!). I'm used to getting 23-25mpg in the MINI, so anything over that is a bonus. Tax is in the same band, and servicing might be a little more than the MINI but I've got a very good Indi garage near me which keeps costs down a bit. I was very lucky finding one with all the spec I wanted at a very good price.
Keep looking and don't rush into a buy. One will come up! :)

Rachel
 
I''ve got a diesel at the moment so 25mpg sounds shocking!
I'd be happy with 40mpg but I need to stop focusing on that alone.
Maybe time for an online quote!
 
The cost between the 2.5 vs 3.0 is minimal, so is MPG and the 2.0 is probably the most problematic out of the bunch. There is the 2.2 with the 6 cylinder but again lacking power but silky smooth. Best on to go for IMO would be the 3.0 plenty of poke, wont break the bank and is pretty bomb proof.

Would always get the 6 cyl over the 4 pot. you would be looking at 35-40mpg on the motorway, 25-30 round town. Depends how you drive it, but it is a drivers car. If you get the smaller engine being on here you will definitely regret it. Thats why I went for an M :evil:
 
dhobbs said:
I will probably go for the 2.0 as an entry level, too scared to see the cost for insuring the larger engine.
Click to expand...

I did the numbers very carefully when deciding what to get, but as has been said above the difference isn't that great between the running costs of the engines.

Interestingly for me at 24, the 3.0l coupe is cheaper to insure than the 2.0l soft top.

I think if you test drive all the engines, you might be convinced why it's worth the extra.
 
Wish I could say the same here in Ireland, for me the insurance is the same through the range around 400 euro for me. Tax is as follows. Pre june 2008 2.0 Liter - 660 euro, 2.2 - 885 euro, 2.5 - 1005 euro, and the 3 liter is a whopping 1390 euro a year.

Post 2008. Tax is as follows. sDrive 20i/28i - 480 euro, 35i - 626 euro. Better get my waiting hat out.

What is the tax amounts in UK?
 
deej78 said:
Wish I could say the same here in Ireland, for me the insurance is the same through the range around 400 euro for me. Tax is as follows. Pre june 2008 2.0 Liter - 660 euro, 2.2 - 885 euro, 2.5 - 1005 euro, and the 3 liter is a whopping 1390 euro a year.

Post 2008. Tax is as follows. sDrive 20i/28i - 480 euro, 35i - 626 euro. Better get my waiting hat out.

What is the tax amounts in UK?
Click to expand...


Tax is from £215 (2.0) to £270 (3.0) a year. Not much difference between the 2.5 & 3.0 though.
 
dhobbs said:
deej78 said:
Wish I could say the same here in Ireland, for me the insurance is the same through the range around 400 euro for me. Tax is as follows. Pre june 2008 2.0 Liter - 660 euro, 2.2 - 885 euro, 2.5 - 1005 euro, and the 3 liter is a whopping 1390 euro a year.

Post 2008. Tax is as follows. sDrive 20i/28i - 480 euro, 35i - 626 euro. Better get my waiting hat out.

What is the tax amounts in UK?
Click to expand...

Tax is from £215 (2.0) to £270 (3.0) a year. Not much difference between the 2.5 & 3.0 though.
Click to expand...

f**k me.
 
Reading about the car tax cost in Eire, for the first time ever I think I'm happy to be living in the UK when it comes to motoring expenses... :o
 
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