Test drove two Z4s today - wow what a difference!

[Jay-Z4]

Hi guys,

I've been checking out this site for a few weeks now and I think you've got a great community! I'm getting ever closer to becoming a Z4 owner so I thought I'd do the right thing and join. I'm 27 from Birmingham (don't hold that against me) and I love BMWs!

I currently own an E87 120d sport (before that I had an E46 320i) but I've decided to get a Z4 to experience a 2 seater sports car before I eventually have kids. I had my heart set on a 2005 2.5 SE Z4 and even went to the trouble of getting an inspection carried out on it. The vehicle was based over 100 miles away so I didn't want a wasted trip if it was a nail. The report came back advising it would need over £700 of work done. I was disappointed to say the least. I found a local 2.5 SE from a dealership and thought I'd give it a test drive to see "what I could have won". After a 20 minute test drive I felt underwhelmed - I thought there would be more power under the bonnet. I felt kind of relieved I didn't travel 100+ miles to find this out. I left and on my way home I went into a dealer who had a 2003 3.0 SE with over 140,000 miles. It was never a serious decision to buy due to mileage but I fancied a test drive in a 3.0 to compare it with the 2.5 I drove earlier. I set off and immediately felt the power! I could not believe the difference between to the two cars. It was fantastic! I phoned my insurance for a quote and the 3.0 was only £20 more a month than the 2.5. So I am completely sold on getting an E85 3.0 Z4. Now begins the search

Exciting times ahead no doubt :driving:

 

[mr wilks]

5 speed box in the 2.5 does make it feel underpowered but its still a good car with strong engine .
I would hold out for the 6speed 3.0 though as it does offer much more for lettle if any extra ££

 

[Marlon]

Welcome to the forum.
I moved from a 2.0 to a 3.0 and my insurance only went up £40 in total for the remaining 6 months of the policy!
The 3.0si post facelift (2006 onwards) has more power (265 bhp) - worth baring that in mind if you can stretch to a newer car?

 

[Jay-Z4]

Welcome to the forum.
I moved from a 2.0 to a 3.0 and my insurance only went up £40 in total for the remaining 6 months of the policy!
The 3.0si post facelift (2006 onwards) has more power (265 bhp) - worth baring that in mind if you can stretch to a newer car?

I've just come across this little gem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506204487367?colour=black&channel=cars&model=z4&postcode=b12aa&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&sort=default&page=2&radius=1501&make=bmw&logcode=p

It's unbelievable that this much power in a luxury motor is available for only £5,000! Granted it is 11 years ago but it looks phenomenal! I'm tempted to go down and have a proper look. What do you think?

 

[simonlpearce]

I thought the 5 and 6 speed boxes had the same ratios, except the 6 speed has an overdrive gear for better economy on long motorway journeys?

 

[Marlon]

Welcome to the forum.
I moved from a 2.0 to a 3.0 and my insurance only went up £40 in total for the remaining 6 months of the policy!
The 3.0si post facelift (2006 onwards) has more power (265 bhp) - worth baring that in mind if you can stretch to a newer car?

I've just come across this little gem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506204487367?colour=black&channel=cars&model=z4&postcode=b12aa&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&sort=default&page=2&radius=1501&make=bmw&logcode=p

It's unbelievable that this much power in a luxury motor is available for only £5,000! Granted it is 11 years ago but it looks phenomenal! I'm tempted to go down and have a proper look. What do you think?

Never seen one with a factory fitted body kit, it won't appeal to everyone but I reckon it looks good in black - nice red leather seats too. If you do take a look go over the service history in detail

 

[stuartC]

I drove a 2.5i SE roadster before I got RedZed. I was a little underwhelmed too, it was a lovely sound, the drive was nice of course, but it just lacked a little "go". It also needed a load of work, so I was glad I passed it over.

Good luck with the search, not keen on the black-on-black in that ad, but these things are very individual

 

[85genius]

I think black wheels can actually look really good but only if you put some of them rimblade things round the edge in a different colour, maybe red to match the interior on that one. Left as is in all black I think it kinda looks like the alloy and the tyre all merge into one making the alloys look smaller but if you have something in between it splits it up and accentuates the wheels. I have a mate who did something similar on the cheap with vinyl stickers he got off ebay (specifically made for this) instead of the rimblades just around the very lip of the alloy he got them in blue to match the colour of the car and it looks really good just like the rim of the alloy is painted.

And I'm going to ignore your comments about the 2.5 as I test drove one and Tuesday and put a deposit on it. I thought it was more than quick enough and the handling was amazing, but I'm coming from a 2.0 Hyundai Coupe so it was already a massive step up

 

[rossonr]

I went for the 3.0 and I'm really pleased with it. Good luck with finding the right one for you

 

[buzyg]

Hi there and welcome.. Just as well your didn't spot a 3.2 on the way home and give it a try, or you'd be at the bank now mortgaging your parents. I gather the 3ltr is a cracking drive. Good look with your search.

 

[DPG]

Looks great with the Aero kit and I'm a big fan of the stealth look.

 

[si-forks]

Hello and welcome to the forum good luck with your search

 

[GreyZed]

Welcome. Yes that black roady looks like a lot of car for 5k. Never seen a Zed with a space saver spare wheel though so it might just be a wheel sat in the boot space rather than properly hidden away.

 

[RickRob]

Hi and welcome.

I think that the black one is well worth a look. Not usually a fan of black wheels on black car, but that one looks great!

Good luck with your search!

 

[jan_tekin]

Welcome to the forum.
I moved from a 2.0 to a 3.0 and my insurance only went up £40 in total for the remaining 6 months of the policy!
The 3.0si post facelift (2006 onwards) has more power (265 bhp) - worth baring that in mind if you can stretch to a newer car?

I've just come across this little gem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506204487367?colour=black&channel=cars&model=z4&postcode=b12aa&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&sort=default&page=2&radius=1501&make=bmw&logcode=p

It's unbelievable that this much power in a luxury motor is available for only £5,000! Granted it is 11 years ago but it looks phenomenal! I'm tempted to go down and have a proper look. What do you think?

Must of been in an accident as its only got one aero skirt.

 

[gadgetJunky72]

I've noticed that car doesn't have heated seats. There are quite a lot of cars out there that do and it's a great feature for winter driving plus future resale.

 

[Jay-Z4]

Welcome to the forum.
I moved from a 2.0 to a 3.0 and my insurance only went up £40 in total for the remaining 6 months of the policy!
The 3.0si post facelift (2006 onwards) has more power (265 bhp) - worth baring that in mind if you can stretch to a newer car?

I've just come across this little gem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506204487367?colour=black&channel=cars&model=z4&postcode=b12aa&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&sort=default&page=2&radius=1501&make=bmw&logcode=p

It's unbelievable that this much power in a luxury motor is available for only £5,000! Granted it is 11 years ago but it looks phenomenal! I'm tempted to go down and have a proper look. What do you think?

Must of been in an accident as its only got one aero skirt.

Which skirt is not Aero? I'm embarrassed to admit I can't tell the difference

 

[z4pilot]

Good spot! The passenger side is aero, the driver's side is standard. The aero skirts are more pronounced and have a additional crease.

 

[Cmbee]

I have had a 2004 3.0 for 2 months and it is a rocket ship. Be patient and hold out for what you want n

 

[Cmbee]

I have a 2004 3.0 and it is a kick. I would hold out and get the 6 cylinder engine. It makes a big difference