Starting to look for a new ZED.

S

Shipkiller

Veteran
I bought my existing Zed as a lark, and because my wife liked it.. The car really IS her's... :rofl:

Now I have become so enamored with the car..........

My wifes 06 Accord will be paid off late this year or early next year, so I will be without a car payment. :thumbsup:

So, I am starting the long (months) process of research for MY next car.

IF I stay BMW, and get another Z4, I have really only two options. The 3.0si or ///M.

While I really would like a 6 speed manual, but I have to research the pros/cons of the new 6 speed Steptronic2 from BMW. Traffic is factor here.

Fuel economy is 30+ for the 3.0 and 22 for the ///M. Have to think about with gas prices what they are.
An ///M would not be too much of a blip in Mpg since my existing Zed only get about 25Mpg, but a 3.0 would be an increase in Mpg. Hell, my truck gets 16Mpg..

I have considered the Coupe', but I will most likely get another ragtop. If I bought the Coupe' it would only be for being able to track it and since we only get four or five track days a year, due to work schedules and such, that just does not override the pure pleasure of driving with the top down. Of course I have NOT yet been IN a Coupe' yet... I may like it..

I have considered a ///M3 but that is just a little more than what I want to pay and it still looks like a 1 and 3 series. I just don't like the looks of those cars. The only one of the other BMW I like is the 6, but that is far too expensive.

These are not questions, just putting my thoughts down.
 
How much will you drive and how long will you plan to keep the car?

The service countdown meter is calculated base on fuel consumption. Extremely rarely does someone get to reach the Service 2 during the 50K mile warranty period in a regular Z4. It just seems like people always fall short by a mere 2~4k miles. And when someone does reach Service 2 during the 50k miles, it's ALWAYS because he drives the car harder which in turns burns more gas more quickly.

But it's a piece of cake to reach Service 2 in a Z4M during the 50k miles. Service 2 is $1.5k~$3k depending on the dealers; if you reach it before the warranty expires, it's free. So although it may seem on the surface that it's more costly to keep the Z4M running, if you can get to Service 2 before warranty expires, that makes up for much of the difference in money spent for gas.

I used to get 24 MPG during daily driving in my '04 3.0i. I still get 21MPG in the Z4M with basically the same driving style and daily routes. So the MPG difference isn't really that big anyway.
 
GP20 said:
Service 2 is $1.5k~$3k depending on the dealers
Click to expand...

I did a quick search regarding this service interval but I came up with nothing. What does this entail? I usually do all the service on my cars myself (all fluids and other minor work), but this one sounds big.
 
Shipkiller -

I wouldn't worry too much about fuel economy with these cars. I get about 26 mpg (mix of city/highway) in my '05 3.0 Z4 and just a hair under 25 mpg in my '05 525i....almost like hybrids compared to your F-150...lol.

It really depends on whether you typically buy new cars or if you're willing to buy used. I personally don't care much for the 6-series' body style, but that's just me. A used 6-series with just under 50,000 miles may surprise you cost wise.
 
I usually keep MY car for a long time.

My new car will be my daily driver. I do rack up the miles when I am in town. 25 miles one way to work......both city and highway...

Currently I am driving my wifes Zed three or four days a week... too much fun..... but I usually don't drive it in the rain.
 
wasupdu said:
GP20 said:
Service 2 is $1.5k~$3k depending on the dealers
Click to expand...

I did a quick search regarding this service interval but I came up with nothing. What does this entail? I usually do all the service on my cars myself (all fluids and other minor work), but this one sounds big.
Click to expand...

During an Inspection II the tech is supposed to check the valves and, if necessary, adjust them. If your car needs the valves adjusted, it's about 8 hours labor. That's why it can run you more than the Inspection I.

Shipkiller, if you're planning to order a Z4, you might want to get a move on. We were just talking on Bimmerfest, and reliable sources say it's pretty definite that Z4 production will stop in August. According to a post by Ron Stygar, they are only making cars to order now. We were talking about how many Z4MCs will be sold in the US total (shaping up to be under 2000 cars).
 
A lightly used 3.0Si with the 6 speed auto sounds ideal :thumbsup:

Remember the new Z4 will be almost announced by then, so don't go for new unless it's a real bargain.
 
off topic but whats this valve adjustment you are talking about...aren't almost all new cars have self adjusting valves? I know older hondas(2000 and older) do need valves adjusted but never heardd for the M54 engines....


and another Z4? forget it. car is old and new models are coming out soon. look in the car magazines and see whats coming soon. I'd suggest one of them new diesels if you are concerned about mileage.
 
BlackSapphireZ said:
off topic but whats this valve adjustment you are talking about...aren't almost all new cars have self adjusting valves? I know older hondas(2000 and older) do need valves adjusted but never heardd for the M54 engines....
Click to expand...

Yep, most cars do nowadays - only the S54 requires it, of the Z4 cars.
 
epbrown said:
wasupdu said:
GP20 said:
Service 2 is $1.5k~$3k depending on the dealers
Click to expand...

I did a quick search regarding this service interval but I came up with nothing. What does this entail? I usually do all the service on my cars myself (all fluids and other minor work), but this one sounds big.
Click to expand...

During an Inspection II the tech is supposed to check the valves and, if necessary, adjust them. If your car needs the valves adjusted, it's about 8 hours labor. That's why it can run you more than the Inspection I.

Shipkiller, if you're planning to order a Z4, you might want to get a move on. We were just talking on Bimmerfest, and reliable sources say it's pretty definite that Z4 production will stop in August. According to a post by Ron Stygar, they are only making cars to order now. We were talking about how many Z4MCs will be sold in the US total (shaping up to be under 2000 cars).
Click to expand...
You could always wait to see if the new one is any good! :wink:

[youtube]<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6lUSWmW11zg&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6lUSWmW11zg&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>[/youtube]
 
When I dive in, it will be in Nov/Dec. Starting in May, due to work, I get to spend most of the summer (except) July and the end of Aug (HC08) in New London, CT. returning home sometime in Nov.

Don't want to buy a car when I can't drive it... NO, I am not taking it up with me.... The Gov. pays for a rental.......

At that time, I may be able to get a deal on an 08.... or go in another direction...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom