Hi, new here, thinking of a z4m, probably a roadster, can anyone confirm the road tax, and I've seen mentioned 'the cheaper tax' model, what year /model would this be. Looking for a wkend sports car and this has reached my shortlist. Any info regarding running costs would be a help,from insurance to servicing . i probably like many didn't realise an M Z4 was available, let alone with the lovely 3.2 .Thanks in advance.
ROAD TAX
- Thread starter MUDMAN
- Start date
North West Surrey
Sorry OP, but I think it is bad news on the RFL front. 
Band L and M cars paid the same rate as Band K if they were registered before 23 March 2006, but Z4M production reportedly began in "late 2006" so with both being in Band M for emissions it is looking like £515 a year for RFL - mind you that may be an insignificant cost compared with the M-Tax on consumables! :roll:
If you want RFL of £295 you need to go for a 3.0Si Z4, or an E46 M3 registered before 23 March 2006 if you have to have the S54 engine! (Just watch out for the boot-floor cracking issues if you go for an E46 M3).
FWIW the facelift Z4 3.0Si models are quoted as having 265bhp compared with M models having 338bhp.
Good luck anyway.
Band L and M cars paid the same rate as Band K if they were registered before 23 March 2006, but Z4M production reportedly began in "late 2006" so with both being in Band M for emissions it is looking like £515 a year for RFL - mind you that may be an insignificant cost compared with the M-Tax on consumables! :roll:
If you want RFL of £295 you need to go for a 3.0Si Z4, or an E46 M3 registered before 23 March 2006 if you have to have the S54 engine! (Just watch out for the boot-floor cracking issues if you go for an E46 M3).
FWIW the facelift Z4 3.0Si models are quoted as having 265bhp compared with M models having 338bhp.
Good luck anyway.
There's only around 500 of each, roadster/coupe UK cars and a very minute amount that are in the lower tax band, would've been very early cars.
The high tax is an extra running cost but quite minor in regard to other maintenance costs.
The high tax is an extra running cost but quite minor in regard to other maintenance costs.
Agree with the above. I have only ever heard of one Z4///M in the lower tax bracket, so very rare. Running costs will depend on the mileage you do. Typical low 20's mpg more on a steady run best around 33. Hard driven single figures. Brakes disks and pads £800 front. Less for the rears. Oil is also pricey compared to the 3ltr models? The good news. The vast majority are very reliable. Watch out for rear springs and tired roof motors. The later has been moved to he boot by many. An excellent mod. Have fun searching. 
buzyg said:Agree with the above. I have only ever heard of one Z4///M in the lower tax bracket, so very rare. Running costs will depend on the mileage you do. Typical low 20's mpg more on a steady run best around 33. Hard driven single figures. Brakes disks and pads £800 front. Less for the rears. Oil is also pricey compared to the 3ltr models? The good news. The vast majority are very reliable. Watch out for rear springs and tired roof motors. The later has been moved to he boot by many. An excellent mod. Have fun searching.
If you are happy doing brakes yourself then the fronts can be done for under 500 easily via ecp.
Is oil more expensive? Seems to be cheaper from what I can see. Main stealer is £199 for oil change service in either 3.0 or the ///M.
MUDMAN said:
Many variations here, age, where you live etc that said I pay £235 for 5000 miles per year with Admiral on a multi are policy
Insurance is generally low from what I've seen people post.
Production numbers are low which generally means a lower claim ratio on the M's.
Insurance company's love to price on statistics.
Production numbers are low which generally means a lower claim ratio on the M's.
Insurance company's love to price on statistics.
Darren Slone said:MUDMAN said:
Many variations here, age, where you live etc that said I pay £235 for 5000 miles per year with Admiral on a multi are policy
Best jump on line and get quotes. £ 240 for me an old git living in Cornwall on 8000 miles per year, Admiral multi Car. The insurance company will probably insist on a tracker too, so budget for that.
buzyg said:Darren Slone said:MUDMAN said:
Many variations here, age, where you live etc that said I pay £235 for 5000 miles per year with Admiral on a multi are policy
Best jump on line and get quotes. £ 240 for me an old git living in Cornwall on 8000 miles per year, Admiral multi Car. The insurance company will probably insist on a tracker too, so budget for that.
I've never had any insurance company mention a tracker?
I guess running costs will be pretty similar but I imagine servicing at a Porsche dealership would be slightly more expensive.
Prices bottomed out around 2012/2013 from what I've seen but I would say they are sensitive to mileage, correct servicing. As they get older I think the affect of this will reduce somewhat.
Prices bottomed out around 2012/2013 from what I've seen but I would say they are sensitive to mileage, correct servicing. As they get older I think the affect of this will reduce somewhat.
MUDMAN said:
As mentioned above, there are a few Roadsters around that are very early 06 plates that just squeaked in before the tax change. I nearly bought one (black) and the dealer didn't know it was the cheaper tax date (pre 23rd March 2006). Type the reg. no. of a roadster you are looking for here: https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/BMW/Login/Index and it will bring up the exact date of registration.
This one says it was registered on exactly the 23rd? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-BMW-Z4M-3-2-2dr-Stunning-Low-Mileage-Example-with-Full-BMW-Main-Dealer-Serv-/332094575423?hash=item4d5261133f:g:yuEAAOSw5cNYgyrm
I've checked all the other 06 plates on PH, Autotrader and Ebay and whilst some are very close none are in the lower bracket (having a nice quiet Saturday in the warm!). A member on here has recently posted he will be selling his Red M Roadster in the spring which is lower tax if that helps.
By the seaside...
If you want high-performance and lower running costs - have a look at the Alpina as there's no ///M tax - Alpina are classified as a small manufacturer and the older cars are taxed as PLG rather than by emissions, so VED this year is £230 and servicing costs are the same as the 3L Z4. This year my insurance was under £160 (fully comp, protected no claims, low-risk postcode area, old bastard discount)MUDMAN said:
Although with only 167 RHD cars made, they're not that common and finding a good one can be difficult...
My roadster costs me £45 a month to tax. To some people its extortionate. To me its far less than a Sky subscription and i get far more joy out of it that watching some American rubbish on a channel i have never heard of................ I would love to take anyone with a Sky subscription out in the Zed and let them hit 5,000 revs and then tell me Sky is a better monthly option 
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tspar said:My roadster costs me £45 a month to tax. To some people its extortionate. To me its far less than a Sky subscription and i get far more joy out of it that watching some American rubbish on a channel i have never heard of................ I would love to take anyone with a Sky subscription out in the Zed and let them hit 5,000 revs and then tell me Sky is a better monthly option
That's quite interesting. I recently dropped Sky from a wildly bonkers £87 a month to £28 a month (and not noticed a difference!!), and thus have not bothered to SORN my car over Winter just in case we had a few days like the last couple of weekends, i.e. wonderfully sunny, if a little on the slippery side!
tspar said:My roadster costs me £45 a month to tax. To some people its extortionate. To me its far less than a Sky subscription and i get far more joy out of it that watching some American rubbish on a channel i have never heard of................ I would love to take anyone with a Sky subscription out in the Zed and let them hit 5,000 revs and then tell me Sky is a better monthly option