Seeking a BMW Z4

[danjb89]

Hello all

I'm currently on the hunt for an E85 Z4 (2.2 or 2.5 litre) preferably in the North East of England but will travel if full service history can be provided. I have got a budget of around 4k.

my preferences are as follows although I know they may not all be fulfilled:-

1. Full Service History.
2. Heated leather seats.
3. 90k or less mileage ideally.
4. Dark grey with upgraded alloys.
5. Age not important as long as there is evidence it has been looked after.

Thanks for reading my first post. I am eager to buy one I spend day and night looking but non take my fancy on advertised sites

 

[Marlon]

Welcome to the forum, a little patience and some luck should find you a Zed that ticks your boxes. However, accepting higher mileages may widen the net - the 100k mark is a mental barrier for some, but there's little difference between 90k or 110k on a Zed that's been well looked after.

 

[Crazy Harry]

Hi and welcome

The north east puts you in a good position to view cars in Scotland - I'm sure there has been a few north of you in the last couple of months so you've got an instant advantage of four or five hours start for viewing compared with a lot of southern members :lol:

If you haven't already done so look in the forum sale section some nice well spec-ed and well maintained cars from forum members.

Good luck with the hunt

 

[mr wilks]

Welcome Op , well worth a peek at this one , surprised its still for sale tbh :? https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=100815

 

[Bmwjay]

Here mine

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103435&p=1510013#p1510013


I would say I had a2.5 then got a 3.0 the 3.0 is so much better !

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum OP!

Good luck with your search.

And once you've found one don't forget we like to see photos!

 

[Digidick]

I might have something for you, not in a position to send info right now but can later.

I’ll PM you in a bit if you want

 

[MefiEcosse]

Shame you're not looking for Silver!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103251

 

[Crazy Harry]

Shame you're not looking for Silver!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103251

Having seen both threads I think you two should start PM-ing each other - for that quality of car I'd say the colour is close and a return to stock wheels must put you close. Best of all its a known forum car

 

[MefiEcosse]

Shame you're not looking for Silver!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103251

Having seen both threads I think you two should start PM-ing each other - for that quality of car I'd say the colour is close and a return to stock wheels must put you close. Best of all its a known forum car

Might not be as low a price as buyer is after but when you consider potential servicing and general maintenance costs, should really only need the cost of an oil service in the next 2 years!

 

[Phoenixboy]

Here mine

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103435&p=1510013#p1510013


I would say I had a2.5 then got a 3.0 the 3.0 is so much better !

So apart from the additional grunt, why’s it so much better?

 

[Crazy Harry]

Shame you're not looking for Silver!

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103251

Having seen both threads I think you two should start PM-ing each other - for that quality of car I'd say the colour is close and a return to stock wheels must put you close. Best of all its a known forum car

Might not be as low a price as buyer is after but when you consider potential servicing and general maintenance costs, should really only need the cost of an oil service in the next 2 years!

Sorry I was suggesting the gap was close not that you should give it away! Given the condition of yours I think it's worth reaching a little further into the pocket for - and whats the problem with standard wheels for a year if it makes it affordable then change later?

The op might close the gap a bit more in fuel cost by driving to you rather than the south coast!

 

[Digidick]

I have this car, see the For Sale thread from when I purchased it.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=100171

It's still on 73k, rear lights and exhaust trims are now standard and the radio is now a Sony but I do have the original.

Car is in Derby and not Sconny Botland :lol:

PM for more details mate if you want. It's not officially for sale but could be tempted to part with her as I have my eyes on something else.

 

[MefiEcosse]

Having seen both threads I think you two should start PM-ing each other - for that quality of car I'd say the colour is close and a return to stock wheels must put you close. Best of all its a known forum car

Might not be as low a price as buyer is after but when you consider potential servicing and general maintenance costs, should really only need the cost of an oil service in the next 2 years!

Sorry I was suggesting the gap was close not that you should give it away! Given the condition of yours I think it's worth reaching a little further into the pocket for - and whats the problem with standard wheels for a year if it makes it affordable then change later?

The op might close the gap a bit more in fuel cost by driving to you rather than the south coast!

Let's just say there's room for negotiation with or without the new alloys!
Scotland isn't a too bad a trip from the North East, less than 2 hours from Newcastle and there's the A68 to enjoy on the drive home!

 

[mr wilks]

Here mine

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103435&p=1510013#p1510013


I would say I had a2.5 then got a 3.0 the 3.0 is so much better !

So apart from the additional grunt, why’s it so much better?

Assuming its the E85 Se 2.5 then the 6th gear in 3.0 makes a massive difference . I had a 2.5se for a while , never got used to not changing up from 5th only to find 6th was missing annoyed me a lot , plenty of life in them though , quite spritely geared , you just run out of them

 

[Phoenixboy]

Here mine

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=103435&p=1510013#p1510013


I would say I had a2.5 then got a 3.0 the 3.0 is so much better !

So apart from the additional grunt, why’s it so much better?

Assuming its the E85 Se 2.5 then the 6th gear in 3.0 makes a massive difference . I had a 2.5se for a while , never got used to not changing up from 5th only to find 6th was missing annoyed me a lot , plenty of life in them though , quite spritely geared , you just run out of them

Oh well mines got 6 gears so no worries

 

[mr wilks]

So apart from the additional grunt, why’s it so much better?

Assuming its the E85 Se 2.5 then the 6th gear in 3.0 makes a massive difference . I had a 2.5se for a while , never got used to not changing up from 5th only to find 6th was missing annoyed me a lot , plenty of life in them though , quite spritely geared , you just run out of them

Oh well mines got 6 gears so no worries

Unless its the 2.5i not 2.5si then for some bizarre reason Bmw gave the car a extra gear over the pre facelift 2.5 but took away 15bhp

 

[Phoenixboy]

Yes, but as much as the extra power is good, I’ve never really found it sluggish in most scenarios.
I just found it lacked the acceleration of my old tt v6
But in sport it’s hardly slow.
I’m happy with its performance for the type of driving I do, and to be fair, most would find it fine in most situations.
Just need some new wheels Andy

 

[danjb89]

I'm overwhelmed with your responses. Thanks for helping me out!

Sorry for this but as a novice I do have a lot of questions if you lot don't mind helping or if you could point me into another thread I will edit and delete this bit... but In terms of running costs is the 2.2 and 2.5 similar or is their a big difference economy wise? Is the electric motor for the hood a common issue ? I keep coming across ads where they mention motor replaced @ £1000 :? I also know these cars are not cheap to fix when they go wrong but are they much maintenance in general if keeping the miles low and does servicing have to be done by a BMW garage?

I have ruled out the 3 litre as I have to remain realistic as although I don't drive many miles this will be my current daily run about.

I love your Z4 @MefiEcosse even though its not dark grey its a lovely car mate. I would buy it but could only spend 4K ideally as I would need to tax it and would probably do 12 months.

@Digidick same for yours mate and a lovely colour...

I will have a look at the sales threads in abit more depth and it may be a case that I may need to save more first. Really happy with the support though you seem like a nice bunch of people!

 

[Digidick]

.

@Digidick same for yours mate and a lovely colour...

Mine will be in your budget, it's had any issues sorted including the roof motor.