Questions before I buy

[Anonymous]

Hi Tricky Dicky

Could you explain the rear light cluster issue and fuel pump noise in a little more detail please.

Cheers

Hi Tabz123

There's a pump in the tank that pushes fuel up to the engine and this can become very noisy. I had a 23i which sounded like somebody was trying to send morse code messages from inside the boot. It was a late 2010 model and had only covered 14k miles at the time. Fortunately it was under warranty and BMW changed the pump. It's a big job to get the tank out - they had the car 2 days and the bill (if I'd had to pay) was in excess of £1000. Apparently it's a well known problem but I think it only affects early cars.

Again on early cars the rear light clusters can fill with water. Many were changed under warranty.

Hi thanks for that explanation. My lights seem clear at the mo so thats a relief. Though my car is a 2012 20i I have noticed a ticking noise that sounds similar to a cd turning but scarily the noise increases and decreases with acceleration. Wondering if it could be the same issue

Hi, the engine ticking noise is a characteristic of the N20 direct injection engine as fitted in your car. Although this engine was a replacement for the N52 6 cylinder unit, producing similar power but with improved economy, for me, it can't match the glorious sound of an inline 6

 

[Tabz123]

Hi Tabz123

There's a pump in the tank that pushes fuel up to the engine and this can become very noisy. I had a 23i which sounded like somebody was trying to send morse code messages from inside the boot. It was a late 2010 model and had only covered 14k miles at the time. Fortunately it was under warranty and BMW changed the pump. It's a big job to get the tank out - they had the car 2 days and the bill (if I'd had to pay) was in excess of £1000. Apparently it's a well known problem but I think it only affects early cars.

Again on early cars the rear light clusters can fill with water. Many were changed under warranty.

Hi thanks for that explanation. My lights seem clear at the mo so thats a relief. Though my car is a 2012 20i I have noticed a ticking noise that sounds similar to a cd turning but scarily the noise increases and decreases with acceleration. Wondering if it could be the same issue

Hi, the engine ticking noise is a characteristic of the N20 direct injection engine as fitted in your car. Although this engine was a replacement for the N52 6 cylinder unit, producing similar power but with improved economy, for me, it can't match the glorious sound of an inline 6

Thats very true. Having driven the 6 cylinder the noise was epic but fuel consumption didn't add up for me. That said I am looking to my backbox amended by Mike on here to bring back that z4 throttle noise!

 

[ZedConvert]

[ref]Tabz123[/ref], "backbox amended by Mike on here" - details please?

 

[RustyZ4]

Sorry guys, cant agree about the manual, mine has the 8 speed auto, and it is brilliant,,
As for options depends what you are after, I would defiantly look for one with enhanced blue tooth if you like streaming music, heated seats are really a must, Idrive brings you lots of goodies, but depends whether you want to pay for the premium of this, the standard radio is awful, but can be upgraded with better speakers, so either business (really very good) or professional, and front and rear sensors in my opinion are a must, I test drove one without and its a bugger to park

As for getting one from the main dealer, as you say it will come with a BMW warranty for a year, probably BMW connect, and hopefully piece of mind, but of course, a premium price

 

[Anonymous]

I think the posts show that there is a wide range of opinions..often divergent!

For info on 0-60

The 2.3 ran 6.4 manual and 7.1 on its 6 speed auto topspeed 151/149 on 201BHP
The 20i ran 6.7 manual and 6.7 on its 8 speed auto topspeed 146/144 on 181 BHP
The 28i ran 5.7 manual and 5.5 on its 8 speed auto topspeed 155/155 on 241 BHP

The 8 speed auto changes gears at 200ms max..so you can't beat it with a manual box, even with less cogs hence why as the power goes up the 8 speed auto shows its advantage..the 2.3 auto shifted at 800ms ish

Also the 8 speed box does cute tricks like downshifting from 8 to 2 in one go..

And if you really want you can go semi or fully manual with the flappies..

When these babies are going well you need both hands on the wheel anyway..I thought autoboxes were for old farts, when they were 3-4 speed maybe..the ZF 8 speed is a peach..once you have had one anything else is retro..

So if you want the cheapest fastest combo buy a 20i auto and get the ecu remapped to 28i BHP which is very conservative..

Staying within the 280 BHP ish area on an ecu remap would take you down to around 5.4 manual and 5.2 auto!!

Personally I think an M Sport looks cuter, sat nav/decent radio/heated seats are all mandatory..

19" wheels are fashion over form..18" if you want max handling 17" for max comfort/pot hole capability..

So grasshopper..don't rush there are loads of 20i and a few 28i out there..skip the 2.3..

Having spent now two years following many Z4s on the runs I have to say that 6 pot sound myth doesn't do much for me..

When the 20i is remapped it has its own raspy noise..

Your opinions and and decision will no doubt vary,...

 

[Hunter]

Auto, M Sport, Nav, Professional Hifi, heated seats....that would be my must haves...everything else is a bonus.......