Ready to get back on that horse

M

marchantsuk

Veteran
 Somerset
So after almost 2 years since I sold my 2007 2.5 Z4, the itch to get back in a Z4 needs to scratched. So I'm officially on the look out, although still on the fence on a couple of points.

1. e85/86 vs e89 - I like the idea of a hard roof roadster as opposed to fabric. Had the dreaded roof motor fail on previous one and don't want to go through that expense again. That said it will be a garage queen, so if the motor is sound then it shouldn't be an issue.
2. 3.0 vs M - I know everyone is going to :fightwall: and say //M no question but I want to balance the low use vs the higher insurance and road tax costs. It will be a fair weather car (in most cases) so paying through the nose for road tax for probably around 2,000 miles per year is always going to piss me off.
3. Colour, really like white, but i don't feel that much love on here for white cars, also considering future value. So (depending on e85/86 or e89) my thoughts are White, Interlagos Blue, Serpang Bronze, Red,

Any other ideas, thoughts or if you have/or know of one coming up soon then let me know?
 
As years roll on there seems very little like for like competition to a Z4 whichever model you chose .
Not your ideal colour but put a knock on Swiftly's roady if you go the E85 3.0Si route :wink: its a beauty
Running costs on a M should not have to be much more over a 3 year term providing you buy at the right part of the service cycle , i found insurance is little difference & whilst the tax is £220 a year more you should recoup that back in low depreciation ( if bought wisely :? )
I did swerve very close to a E89 so can see the appeal , concerns were freefall depreciation that may take a few more years to settle to predictable levels . £11k/£12k would see a decent early non turbo car which seems hard to ignore in value for money ? Try one out & also try a M to see which one works
 
mr wilks said:
As years roll on there seems very little like for like competition to a Z4 whichever model you chose .
Not your ideal colour but put a knock on Swiftly's roady if you go the E85 3.0Si route :wink: its a beauty
Running costs on a M should not have to be much more over a 3 year term providing you buy at the right part of the service cycle , i found insurance is little difference & whilst the tax is £220 a year more you should recoup that back in low depreciation ( if bought wisely :? )
I did swerve very close to a E89 so can see the appeal , concerns were freefall depreciation that may take a few more years to settle to predictable levels . £11k/£12k would see a decent early non turbo car which seems hard to ignore in value for money ? Try one out & also try a M to see which one works
Click to expand...

Thanks Mr W, wise words as always.

I did send Swiftly a PM to register interest once he makes a decision. I just found a 2009 e89 35is at BMW in Cambridge for £13,950 which looks a pretty good price and one in Shrewsbury for £18,950
 
Hard options...

Depends on budget,length of ownership and use i think.. An M roady is the obvious choice,but high tax and the car being 8/9 years of age maybe a put off,as might the MPG and maintenance costs.. Insurance has always been cheap for me on M cars..Never over £250,so cant really see a massive saving being made there...

E89 in white is a stunning car IMHO... and if you buy at the bottom of the market for each engine size then future value should be fine.I would avoid the 2.0,but they always seem good bang for buck price wise...

I would always buy M sport as they seem more desirable come sale time...

As Andy says,drive and see what suits.... The E85 and E89 are a different experience...
 
marchantsuk said:
mr wilks said:
As years roll on there seems very little like for like competition to a Z4 whichever model you chose .
Not your ideal colour but put a knock on Swiftly's roady if you go the E85 3.0Si route :wink: its a beauty
Running costs on a M should not have to be much more over a 3 year term providing you buy at the right part of the service cycle , i found insurance is little difference & whilst the tax is £220 a year more you should recoup that back in low depreciation ( if bought wisely :? )
I did swerve very close to a E89 so can see the appeal , concerns were freefall depreciation that may take a few more years to settle to predictable levels . £11k/£12k would see a decent early non turbo car which seems hard to ignore in value for money ? Try one out & also try a M to see which one works
Click to expand...

Thanks Mr W, wise words as always.

I did send Swiftly a PM to register interest once he makes a decision. I just found a 2009 e89 35is at BMW in Cambridge for £13,950 which looks a pretty good price and one in Shrewsbury for £18,950
Click to expand...

Is the one in Cambridge the 09 plate in grey with 48k on ?

Think thats a manual 35i not a 35is...
 
marchantsuk said:
2. 3.0 vs M - I know everyone is going to :fightwall: and say //M no question but I want to balance the low use vs the higher insurance and road tax costs. It will be a fair weather car (in most cases) so paying through the nose for road tax for probably around 2,000 miles per year is always going to piss me off.
Click to expand...
Don't forget the Alpina, on top of the exclusivity you get the performance + lower road tax (£230) and servicing costs are the same as the 3.0l
 
PerryGunn said:
Don't forget the Alpina, on top of the exclusivity you get the performance + lower road tax (£230) and servicing costs are the same as the 3.0l
Click to expand...

Good shout, certainly add to my list, I assume the performance is closer to //M than 3.0l?
 
marchantsuk said:
PerryGunn said:
Don't forget the Alpina, on top of the exclusivity you get the performance + lower road tax (£230) and servicing costs are the same as the 3.0l
Click to expand...
Good shout, certainly add to my list, I assume the performance is closer to //M than 3.0l?
Click to expand...
Quoted figure is 0.1s slower 0-60 but the Alpina engine is tuned for flexibility rather than outright power (i.e. you don't need to rev the b*ll*x off it to put a smile on your face). Alpina quoted a *minimum* power output of 300bhp, and that's supposed to be 'at altitude on variable quality fuel' when tested under more normal conditions most come in around 315-320bhp.

They're also surprisingly economical, as a weekend car mine gets used for 'fun' rather than commuting, and my long term average is hovering just below 30mpg but I've seen upwards of 36mpg on motorway runs. Ade Flint's car had more 'normal' mixed usage and averaged around 32mpg

If you want a balanced view of ///M vs Alpina, Stuart Truman has had both and did a write up of the change
 
Just remember the Alpina is pre-facelift so therefore older than the others and also the older shape to what you are used to.The youngest being 10 years old now.

If you do 2k miles a year, are you going to SORN part of the year? That will reduce the road tax issue somewhat. Insurance is generally cheaper on the M compared to a smaller engined one so it is not a consideration for expense really.

The E89 is obviously the current model, which I don't know if that appeals to you (i.e. a change from what you had before).
 
3.0 litre straight 6 early up to 2012 28i E89 manual before they went 4 pot turbo, good blend of power, torque and running costs, a change from what you had before, although Swiftly's does look lovely.

Best of luck with the decision and search. :thumbsup:
 
john-e89 said:
3.0 litre straight 6 early up to 2012 28i E89 manual before they went 4 pot turbo, good blend of power, torque and running costs, a change from what you had before, although Swiftly's does look lovely.

Best of luck with the decision and search. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks John, didn't know (or consider) that fact, definitely a contender and may tick more boxes than the others. :thumbsup:
 
pvr said:
Just remember the Alpina is pre-facelift so therefore older than the others and also the older shape to what you are used to.The youngest being 10 years old now.

If you do 2k miles a year, are you going to SORN part of the year? That will reduce the road tax issue somewhat. Insurance is generally cheaper on the M compared to a smaller engined one so it is not a consideration for expense really.

The E89 is obviously the current model, which I don't know if that appeals to you (i.e. a change from what you had before).
Click to expand...

Thanks PVR, yes will probably SORN over the winter, although may not if I go e89 route. And good heads up on the Alpina age thing. :thumbsup:
 
marchantsuk said:
Z4M-2006 said:
Is the one in Cambridge the 09 plate in grey with 48k on ?

Think thats a manual 35i not a 35is...
Click to expand...

Yes you're right it is the 35i not 35is
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The 3.5i is still a mega car & £14k is crazy cash for 300bhp E89 that will look and feel a £20k + car for a good while yet , couldn't see it dropping much but should it head towards £10k over 3 years then the M arguement only strengthens as doing 2k a year could afford to buy higher mileage at a lower price ?
I also should have added that i held back myself for similar resevations to your own & after 2 prev Zs thought i would be getting the same car with a bit more Oooomph ! Wrong !! Totally different machine in drive & ownership pleasure & once id driven it then the RFL costs went out the window as did any other possible negatives , it really does make the hairs on your neck tingle when out in a leafy lane,roof down & gas it in 3rd gear :driving: intoxicating for sure .
Gotta be worth a peep :thumbsup: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=78682
 
pvr said:
Just remember the Alpina is pre-facelift so therefore older than the others and also the older shape to what you are used to.The youngest being 10 years old now.
Click to expand...
Mine's not 10 years old yet :poke: and it's only 6 months older than the first 2006 ///M's, remember most ///M's are 2006 or 2007 cars so are still 8 or 9 years old
 
marchantsuk said:
SWMBO gives approval, so the hunt is well and truly on :trampoline:
Click to expand...

After some thought have decided that 4 seats are actually a must as having a toddler would mean the car wouldn't get that much use. So zed is off the table :( . Have racked my brains as to what would be a good option, most 4 seat convertibles are pretty ugly so had given up the chase...... until I found a........

Fiat 500C Abarth, well spec'd and with 160bhp on a small light body, it's a real pocket rocket.
 
marchantsuk said:
marchantsuk said:
SWMBO gives approval, so the hunt is well and truly on :trampoline:
Click to expand...

After some thought have decided that 4 seats are actually a must as having a toddler would mean the car wouldn't get that much use. So zed is off the table :( . Have racked my brains as to what would be a good option, most 4 seat convertibles are pretty ugly so had given up the chase...... until I found a........

Fiat 500C Abarth, well spec'd and with 160bhp on a small light body, it's a real pocket rocket.
Click to expand...

Plan scuppered , dreams shattered :cry:
Abarth may be a pocket rocket but would it make you smile every Friday knowing it was coming out of the garage for the weekend ?
Would a 650 vert not work some magic for you ? Very few sub £20k cars will match these for noise & they have epic torque,supreme comfort & all the toys :wink: only covering 2k a year so fuel not a killer either :thumbsup:


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507054939676?channel=cars&radius=1501&page=1&postcode=bb120hr&maximum-age=up_to_8_years_old&sort=default&make=bmw&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&model=6_series&body-type=convertible&logcode=p
 
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