Prospective new 3.0i Z owner needs advice

C

cyrusir

Member
Hi folks, ive been through a few bmws (323ci and 530i sport) but now its time for a z4 before its too late (kids etc!)

Anyway i have a budget of about £16,500 which in hoping will get me a 04 3.0i z4.

What im wondering is what are the most desirable extras that i should look for, what colours are considered best for the shape and are there any mechanical issues i should be looking out for on a used z.

Ive seen one car with seats that have lumbar support but most dont, is this a rare option, id rather have it if possible, i think it looks better/

Are the three piece 5 spoke 18s the wheels to go for?
 
I'll try to help (insert laugh by forum members here)
First welcome to the forum (see I ain't all that bad)

Anyways, IMO the options I'd go for would be
Sports package (definitely get it IMO)
Xenons
Heated Seats
M sport seats
Power top (another absolute must have)

That said, I don't have the M sport seats (I'm assuming your lumbar support comment) and I do think the lateral support is a bit lacking on the regular seats. I will add that if I have the money and spot a pair of the sport seats with the lateral support I will buy them in a heartbeat, no matter if they are power or not.
As far as colors, IMO (In My Opinion) the lighter colors bring out the curves and look of the Z4 more than the darker colors do. That said all the colors look GREAT. There is no wrong color on this car....it boils down to personal preference.

As far as mechanical, make sure the car has had the ah hell the bmw inspections...level 1&2 inspections (i'm thinking that's the wrong names but the proper names escape me)

I'm sure someone will chime in with better opinions/references than I put in....especially for the maintenance side of things.

Welcome again, and remember, you must post pics within 5 days of delivery of your Z or we call the law
 
Welcome to the forum.

You target well the best engine outside of ///m's and old enough to have had the rapid depreciation but still a young car.

I echo what Aebous has listed as extras
Add to that sat Nav - almost a requuirment to get any resale these days an so useful

I had Ellipsoid on my list

and in Ireland - healight washers that come with Xenon

Consider your use - daily drive, weekend toy, track car and be guided by that

Steptronic is a dream, but there are strong personal opinions of manual Vs Auto. Auto is anything up the £1000 premium at that age

Colours - I like silvers and grey. They stay clean, scrub up well and somehow suit the car.
 
Welcome to the addiction !

In a 04 3.0i, I would look for a build date of 04/04 or later. This build will give you the remote down feature of the power soft top. We really enjoy the heated seats. With your weather , heated mirrors would be a good one as well. With a steptronic you can get the paddle shift on the stearing wheel (wishing I had that one). Beyound that is is all personal preference IMHO.

Since you will be buying used, check the tires and see if the run-flat tires are still on the car or not. This could be good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about run-flats. If the car has less than 60k on it, the car will still be under warranty.

I know, way too many choices. I'm sure you will enjoy the car reguardless of what options you get. :thumbsup:
 
I have the litte 2.5i as it really fit my budget. You wouldn't believe the difference in feel having the sport package. It's a must have. Most people complain about the steering feel on the z4. The sport package really helps with better steering feel. And while you don't really go any faster, the quicker throttle response with the sport button on is very noticeable. Because it's so touchy, the car goes when you say go!...just like the way a sports car should be!

With that said, get a manual. I can't imagine how sluggish my car would be if I only drove it under 3K rpms. It's fantastic above 3k rpms and wouldn't be able to enjoy that with an automatic.

The power top is a must. I live in Arizona and have the top down constantly. It would be crazy to have to do it manually.

While I love my xenon's, heated seats, and such, those are just bonuses and don't really add to the enjoyment of the car. Good luck!
 
Guys - we just need to be careful not to confuse a prospective UK purchaser with standard and non standard specs from the US. . For instance in 2004 (the era we're considering) sports suspension was standard on the 3.0 which is the model cyrusir is considering. There is no such thing as a 'sports package'. All UK hoods are powered - there is no manual option, even on base models.

For the UK to total list of options on the 2004 3.0i is:
automatic dimming mirrors
PDC
Xenon
5 speed steptronic over 6 speed manual
cruise control
wood grain trim (ally standard)
cd changer
hi fi speakers
MD drive
Rain sensors
ISOfix child seat fixings
M sports seats
Seat heaters
multi function steering wheel
cup holders and storage
telephone
active sports seat covering instead of leather
voice control
exterior mirror package
headlight washing
non black soft top
18" rims and various designs instead of style 103 17"
tinted screen
wind deflector

Think that's the lot aside extras catalogue stuff.
If I missed one someone shout up.
 
Hi

If you can get it def yhe M sport seats, they will give you the extra support, the auto is great, but there is as said great debate over that, a wind deflector is a great, the 3.0 comes with a lot as standard,, sports suspension, heated and electric memory seats,

Mechanicaly as long as it has the service history, the engine is typical BMW, bullet proof, the only thing I am aware of is they are prone to broken springs, so thats worth checking, apart from that a great car.
 
Welcome and nice choice of car the same model i have just bought.

2004 3.0 SE AUTO

What i found was what i wanted and more.

Silver with black leather looks great
108 18" Split Rims
M.Sport seats look great and comfy.

All the best with your search :thumbsup:
 
If I could change one thing about my Z, it'd be to have the M seats - I would love some extra support on the sides for tight, hard curves. And mattholecko, I can see where heated seats in AZ wouldn't be of much use, but for me, driving top-down at 38 degrees is where the heated seats come in handy. It does get cold there at nights though - I can't be without my heated seats, a must have in my opinion :thumbsup:
 
Hey it drops to the 50's, the 40's, and occasionally like tonight the 30's.....Every day below 60 is a day I wish I had heated seats
 
Aebous said:
Hey it drops to the 50's, the 40's, and occasionally like tonight the 30's.....Every day below 60 is a day I wish I had heated seats
Click to expand...
Aebous
Are you up late or me early???

Took mine out last night at only +2c but heated seats, hardtop and heater I was in my T shirt - lovely....
 
cj10jeeper said:
Aebous said:
Hey it drops to the 50's, the 40's, and occasionally like tonight the 30's.....Every day below 60 is a day I wish I had heated seats
Click to expand...
Aebous
Are you up late or me early???

Took mine out last night at only +2c but heated seats, hardtop and heater I was in my T shirt - lovely....
Click to expand...


Up late. I work a night shift. I get off work around 12am PST. I'll normally stay up till 2-3am.
 
cyrusir said:
thought this looked good :thumbsup:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/168792.htm

still need to sell my own car tho :headbang:
Click to expand...

That looks a nice car. Fed on Optimax, early oil change and moving to an ///M makes me think of someone who likes to drive it hard and fast.

No Sat Nav, but the price look better than some owners expect.
 
cyrusir said:
thought this looked good :thumbsup:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/168792.htm

still need to sell my own car tho :headbang:
Click to expand...

Thats the same as mine except i have the black interior Silver looks superb especially if you keep the car regularly waxed.
 
cyrusir said:
is it possible to have cruise control and or a multi fn steering wheel on a z?
Click to expand...


Yep both if you want, cruise is an easy retro fit,, MFSW I gather is not to difficult either, assuming the car you buy doesnt already have it,,,
 
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