Pro's & Con's.

[Yantino]

First of all, hello everyone. This will be my introductory post and its nice to find a community dedicated to what is a truly stunning looking car IMO.

I'm seriously considering purchasing a Z4 in the next few months. I'm probably looking at a mid 2008 to early 2009 2.0l roadster model and i am curious to hear from those that know (yous lot ) what the goods and the bads are. I've read elswhere that the drive isn't great and you can feel every bump in the road. I've also read that the visibility is poor.

But i love having a nice car so i can cope with things like that if they aren't too bad. Any comments or advice on what to look out for when buying etc is very welcome.

Thanks v much.

Yantino.

 

[gannet]

hello

Ive never had any problems with the visibility - find it very good.

ride can be improved with different from OEM tyres

 

[Yantino]

Thanks gannet.

With regards to visibility, i think i'm referring to the length of the bonnet.

Keen to hear any other advice on what to look out for when buying.

Cheers.

 

[gannet]

bonnet length isnt really visibility - more like getting used to where the front is

AlanJ has an excellent buying guide in his signature...

 

[peddy]

Yes, bonnet is long and dips so can't see it.... you get use to it though.

Common problems...

Roof motor..... £600... Had mine recently replaced and I have an 04, so you'll be fine for a while.
Rear Springs... £200... Around 35-40k miles. Mine went at around 42k (well that's when it was picked up on)
O2 sensors..... £??? (Not too much though)

Tyres.... replace with non-RFT's.

 

[Yantino]

AlanJ has an excellent buying guide in his signature...

Spot on. Thanks for that had a good read through.

 

[trevorpitt]

Springs, of course, and some sensors. The only other occasional fault on the 2.0 engine seems to be the exhaust manifold. Otherwise a very decent car all round, and remarkably economical to run.

 

[Yantino]

remarkably economical to run.

One of the things that appeals to me. Not only a stunning looking car, with a great pedigree etc, but not too bad at all on fuel.

I've just sold my 330ci which guzzled fuel like it was going out of fashion. :fuelfire:

thanks for the info on the springs and sensors.

 

[peddy]

I have the 3.0 and cruising at around 80 30-35mpg is possible, so not too bad.... although I only generally manage around 19mpg around town! :driving:

Also, are you sure you're not going to regret the drop in power??

 

[Taz]

i can think of many pro's, er can't think of any con's

 

[peddy]

Oh another problem you'll find is "squeaks" will soon pop up as there is far too much plastic in the interior. You'll end up having to put some sort of padding here and there.

That's the only major thing that I feel lets down the Zed. Looks like they did a good job on the E89 though... time will tell.

 

[WLH]

Yantino, welcome to the forum...

 

[Yantino]

I have the 3.0 and cruising at around 80 30-35mpg is possible, so not too bad.... although I only generally manage around 19mpg around town! :driving:

Also, are you sure you're not going to regret the drop in power??

Not worried about the drop in power. I mostly do town driving anyway so never used what my old 330 had to offer anyway!

Thanks for all the comments guys. Much appreciated.

 

[Pilly]

I have the 2.0 and use it everyday. Thats why I went with that engine to be honest. I Would have liked a little extra power but for the amount of use I would have got out of it Wouldnt have been worth the extra in insurance and petrol.

My wife wasn't 100% when I bought it but she loves it now.

 

[Dannyd]

Get the coupe - much better looking IMO. I bought one recently on a bit of an impulse. Only regret is that I didn't get an M.

 

[Yantino]

Get the coupe - much better looking IMO. I bought one recently on a bit of an impulse. Only regret is that I didn't get an M.

Hmmm. Do you not feel you've missed out not being able to put the roof down?

The coupe looks better than the roadster but I think I'd be dissapointed not being able to put the roof down.

Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to the retractable hardtop version. So it's going to be one or the other.

 

[Yantino]

I didnt think they made a 2.0l coupe anyway.....

 

[Dannyd]

I didnt think they made a 2.0l coupe anyway.....

Ah no. No 2.0 coupe. As for top down, last car was a 330 vert so got it out of the system for now, and girlfriend has a convertible bug for sunny days...

 

[Yantino]

Hi all, so i'm ever closer to making my Zed purchase and i have a question for you knowledgable lot. :driving:

Over the last few months of investigating and understanding the Z4 in order to ensure i know what to look for when buying, it seems clear that its given that the pre-2010 model is very under spec. I'm therefore looking to purchase one with Sat Nav built in, which (i think) should help it hold some of its resale value in later years.

My question is two fold;

1. Do you think i am correct to look for a Z4 with high spec including Sat Nav system?
2. Is the Sat Nav system in the Z4 any good?

As always, thanks for any comments or advice that anyone is able to offer.