Newbie Z4 (soon) with a few questions :)

[Syy]

Hi Guys !

Im hoping to become part of the Z4 family early next year (Bonus Time ) I need to put some fun back into driving The z4 has always appealed to me so im going with what my heart sais not finances!

So at the moment im doing research into the car what sort of costs i can expect to pay. runing costs etc etc.

Im expecting to have around an 8k to 10k budget and im looking at the 3.0i roadster or 2.5si with as low a mileage as possible (i think the later maybe out of my budget but worth a try).

I can get most of the basic stuff myself, but what id really like is an insight into the car from an owners point of view things such as ?

- Whats the car like to live with on a daily basis ? is it a comfortable ride ? or is the suspension harsh and unforgiving ?
- What are service intervals and how much can i expect to pay ?
- How much are tyres ? and roughly how often do they need replacing? (obviously this depends on your right foot but an idea would be useful)
- Are there any common faults i should look out for when buying one ? (ive heard about the suspension issue and electric hood motor on earlier models)
- Whats a convertible like to live with in the winter months ?
- Whats a realistic MPG figure ?
- Insurance (lowest quote ive had so far is £900 and im 28 , 9 years NCB, SL6 Postcode on a 3.0i ) is this respectable ?

Sorry for all the questions guys, ive been stung before because i didnt ask the right questions and im determined not to get stung again. I currently own a Seat Ibiza Cupra Diesel (because the girlfriend was selfish and went to uni ) but now she has graduated i can finanlly get back to something a bit more fun ! I live less than 4 miles from work so my diesel doesnt even warm up by the time im ther !

It would be great to get some feedback from you guys while i hunt for my perfect Z4 !

Cheers

Simon

 

[boblez]

Hi and welcome to the forum, we were all newbies once, and your questions are like many. You will find lots of answers in the "Stickies" have a look there but here is my tenpenneth worth!

1. I drive my 2003 2.5 on a daily basis doing around 40 miles a day, in town and motorway.
2. Ride is fine, but it can "tramline". Lots on here have changed from run flats to normal tyres, to stop this. Falken 452 or 912 are up on the list of good replacements for run flats.
3. Sevice intervals are good, i use local indy for service work, all depends on how much you want to spend and what you think about BMW services!
4. Lots have changed suspension (check Stickies). There is a good stickie about electric roof motor, and cleaning the drain holes, i checked mine and they are fine (touch wood!). I also have a hardtop for the winder but the soft top seem robust enough for our winters.
5. I easily get around 32mpg in town and on the motorway 40+ is achieveable.
6. Im an old fart, 53 so my insurance is not bad, im with Privledge it costs me £360 per year fully comp, on an L37 postcode.

I came to Z4 from a Z3 its a much more refined car, and more importantly i found this forum has so much information to offer! Oh and not a bad buch of people either. So enjoy your car!

 

[Darren Slone]

Hi and welcome to he forum!

Can't really advise on your prospective purchase as mine isn't a daily driver, what I can say however is that the Z4 is a beautiful looking car and you will be thrilled and have a smile from ear to ear when you find the right car for you !! :driving: :driving: :driving: :driving: enjoy!!

 

[Syy]

Thanks for the welcome's guys !

Thank you very much for the info, just had a look around some really good info on the stickies too ! Ive seen a couple i like now but being Christmas an all my finances are kinda saying no but my heart sais yes ! :driving:

That sounds positive about the ride, that was my main concern really as i used to own a Civic Type R which is a awesome car in the twisties but on a daily basis the suspension was very un-forgiving :thumbsdown:

 

[GingerRobbo]

I have had mine for about a month and so far been pleasantly surprised with the mpg is better than i thought. been getting high 20's around town and high 30's on motor ways but i do have a very heavy right foot. suspension is one of the biggest surprises i have found as its not that bad. I am 21 with an NR29 postcode with 4 years no claims and pay about 1000 so that does seem a little steep for you.
Hope you find ur perfect Z!!

 

[tabbie]

Thanks for the welcome's guys !

Thank you very much for the info, just had a look around some really good info on the stickies too ! Ive seen a couple i like now but being Christmas an all my finances are kinda saying no but my heart sais yes ! :driving:

That sounds positive about the ride, that was my main concern really as i used to own a Civic Type R which is a awesome car in the twisties but on a daily basis the suspension was very un-forgiving :thumbsdown:

If you thought the civic type-R had harsh suspension then do'nt go for m-spec suspension on the Z4. Good luck with your search!

 

[RCT_Z4Coupe]

Thanks for the welcome's guys !

Thank you very much for the info, just had a look around some really good info on the stickies too ! Ive seen a couple i like now but being Christmas an all my finances are kinda saying no but my heart sais yes ! :driving:

That sounds positive about the ride, that was my main concern really as i used to own a Civic Type R which is a awesome car in the twisties but on a daily basis the suspension was very un-forgiving :thumbsdown:

If you thought the civic type-R had harsh suspension then do'nt go for m-spec suspension on the Z4. Good luck with your search!

You're not wrong about the harsh suspension

 

[Syy]

@GingerRobbo- cheers for the feedback on the suspension and the insurance it sounds like i need to shop around a bit more mind you ive only been on one comparison site so far. Your only paying a grand !it may sound alot but i paid that on a 106 GTI when i was your age ! (god makes me sound ol )

Does anybody know of any particularly good insurance companies or someone you have a got a good deal from before that i should try ?

@RCT_Z4Coupe - i plan on keeping it standard ive played with the suspension on cars in the past and usually just end up making it worse !

Cannot wait till bonus time now, i want my perfect zed now !!!!

 

[nicollow]

Ive had a Z4 for about six months now and as a daily driver its great! My 2 cents worth on your questions:

-The ride is rubbish. With run flats and 18" wheels in the pot-holey streets of Edinburgh it was very uncomfortable. I ditched the run flats and it was a good deal better. Ive since put winter 16" wheels on and its a million times better. I may look at swapping my 18s for 17s come spring time.

-Service intervals for the 3.0/2.5 are great. Just serviced mine at the local indy for £250ish and it'll be good for another 15000 miles Parts prices are (mostly) the same as the 330/325i so it means things like brakes etc are pretty cheap.

-Roof motors and springs are the main ones like you say. If you can, get one with the roof motor replaced recently (like I managed to! ), springs arent major money.

-As said above, mpg is ruddy brilliant for a sports car. I got 45 mpg on a 100 mile run from Edinburgh to Loch Lomond. I was driving like a pansy though, 28ish town and 35ish motorway are more common.

-My insurance is £550 or so, 32, car in the street, 7 or 8 years NCB, so shop around.

Depending on where you are in the country, put some feelers out for a nose around one of the forum members cars, and a wee spin. Nothing like getting your hands on the goods, so to speak

 

[Syy]

@niccollow

My mate had run flats on his 350z and he has changed them as well. Echoing what you have said above. its certainly something ill look at when i finally get the car.

£250 aint bad at all ive paid more than that before on my Seat (VAG prices are stupid) ! I guess if you get it done by a local indy ther are defo savings to be had over the stealer prices.!

As mentioned above ive heard about the motor and spring issue, ive found a handy buyers guide im gonna print out and take with me when i find the right car. Im gonna take my time looking for the right car and make sure i check things over properly before i commit my hard earned cash !

Yeah good idea it would be great to have a look around one sometime. maybe take a spin im in Maidenhead Berkshire if any forum members are nearby at all and would be happy to show me around their zed ?