Thinking of buying Z4 (04-06)... Advise please!

Clarky136 said:
Hi All!!

I'm new to the forum and the BMW world so be gentle!

Ok to the point.... Thinking of trading in my Abarth ''SS'' 500 as it's just gone in for a rather major repair bill and i'm growing a little tired after 5 fun years (Wonderful car to anyone thinking of it, recommend!!!) always wanted a convertible and my 2 options are an MX-5 or Z4.

My budget is looking at around 3k, just from my very basic searches i'm seeing 04/05 reg cars with 100k mileage on.

Can people give me the lowdown on the car please? Are they expensive to run/use? Servicing costs reasonable/insane? Etc, etc!! Oh and if my budget is actually realistic :rofl:

ONE FINAL POINT ---- Can people advise me on the roof and if its a common problem? Seen a few people saying there £1000 to replace if it's needed :o :o :o :o :o And if the motor is reliable/expensive? Thanks :D

Looking forward to hearing from people!!

Rob
Click to expand...

The only advise I would give is buy with your heart, go with your gut feeling, then have an extra £1k set aside to get it up to your standard.

:)
 
Using this advert as a example, what do people think of this car? Not going to go for any at the moment as said Oct/Nov time will be when i serious go after something. Cheers in advance!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706066183172?radius=1500&model=Z4&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&seller-type=trade&postcode=nr85dp&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1
 
Hi Rob,
Good to hear you have an open mind regarding engines, i've just bought a 2.0 last week and i doubt very much if you end up with one of them you'll feel its slow, i had mine out this morning (crack of dawn run) on roads around Northumberland and its enough really and very smooth for a 4cyl.
None of the variations are genuinely fast anyway(apart from the z4m)all are quick only to varying degrees in my opinion :fuelfire:
I suppose it depends on what other cars you have owned, 220bhp will seem a lot if its the most powerfull car you have owned :evil:
The 2litre will return good mpg to if thats a factor.
Bill
 
Hi there I recently bought my Z4 I paid £4000 this came with full service history, 4 new tyres and all the options that I wanted all from a garage 10 mins walk from my house this was after going back and forward across the country :oops: my car is a 2004 2.2 and I find it enough for me these cars to me aren't a car to be drive fast all the time it's a cruising car just nice to know the power is there when the road opens up, so far the only things I have done to my car has been a new expansion tank but this was done by the garage as it split two days after picking it up and the air filter cabin filter and a few minor cosmetic changed other than that a lot of layers of polish. Good luck on your search go for any straight 6 z4 and you won't be disappointed, plus the forum is such a helpful tool I have been helped out many of times already by the kind, knowledgeable and patient people on here, all the best.
Matt.
 
twizellb said:
Hi Rob,
Good to hear you have an open mind regarding engines, i've just bought a 2.0 last week and i doubt very much if you end up with one of them you'll feel its slow, i had mine out this morning (crack of dawn run) on roads around Northumberland and its enough really and very smooth for a 4cyl.
None of the variations are genuinely fast anyway(apart from the z4m)all are quick only to varying degrees in my opinion :fuelfire:
I suppose it depends on what other cars you have owned, 220bhp will seem a lot if its the most powerfull car you have owned :evil:
The 2litre will return good mpg to if thats a factor.
Bill
Click to expand...
There's still a heck of a difference between a 2.0 and 3.0si, don't kid yourself otherwise.
 
Steve84N said:
twizellb said:
Hi Rob,
Good to hear you have an open mind regarding engines, i've just bought a 2.0 last week and i doubt very much if you end up with one of them you'll feel its slow, i had mine out this morning (crack of dawn run) on roads around Northumberland and its enough really and very smooth for a 4cyl.
None of the variations are genuinely fast anyway(apart from the z4m)all are quick only to varying degrees in my opinion :fuelfire:
I suppose it depends on what other cars you have owned, 220bhp will seem a lot if its the most powerfull car you have owned :evil:
The 2litre will return good mpg to if thats a factor.
Bill
Click to expand...
There's still a heck of a difference between a 2.0 and 3.0si, don't kid yourself otherwise.
Click to expand...
I do'nt think i am kidding myself, none other than the z4m is what i would call properly fast.
Depends what your used to i suppose :thumbsup:
 
Even the Z4M isn't that fast these days, but there is a much bigger difference between a 2.0 and 3.0si than 3.0si vs M.
 
Clarky136 said:
Hi All!!

I'm new to the forum and the BMW world so be gentle!

Ok to the point.... Thinking of trading in my Abarth ''SS'' 500 as it's just gone in for a rather major repair bill and i'm growing a little tired after 5 fun years (Wonderful car to anyone thinking of it, recommend!!!) always wanted a convertible and my 2 options are an MX-5 or Z4.

My budget is looking at around 3k, just from my very basic searches i'm seeing 04/05 reg cars with 100k mileage on.

Can people give me the lowdown on the car please? Are they expensive to run/use? Servicing costs reasonable/insane? Etc, etc!! Oh and if my budget is actually realistic :rofl:

ONE FINAL POINT ---- Can people advise me on the roof and if its a common problem? Seen a few people saying there £1000 to replace if it's needed :o :o :o :o :o And if the motor is reliable/expensive? Thanks :D

Looking forward to hearing from people!!

Rob
Click to expand...


Hi, is that an Essesse model ??? mileage ??? year ?????
 
Steve84N said:
Even the Z4M isn't that fast these days, but there is a much bigger difference between a 2.0 and 3.0si than 3.0si vs M.
Click to expand...

The OP is'nt looking for an si though, out of his price range.
 
groovy_hippy said:
If it were my money, I'd go for something like the below...

Low miles, 6 cylinder, heated seats...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708178416998
Click to expand...

Nice low mileage prospect on paper but it's always worth checking the MOT history, https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

That one had a fist-full of advisories at the last MOT in April, all DIY jobs but probably requires discs and will need fluid/bleed as well so several hundred quid if you take it to a garage.

Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
 
Ewazix said:
groovy_hippy said:
If it were my money, I'd go for something like the below...

Low miles, 6 cylinder, heated seats...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201708178416998
Click to expand...

Nice low mileage prospect on paper but it's always worth checking the MOT history, https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

That one had a fist-full of advisories at the last MOT in April, all DIY jobs but probably requires discs and will need fluid/bleed as well so several hundred quid if you take it to a garage.

Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Click to expand...
Very low mileage though, mainly brake pipes.
That looks a good enough buy i would say :thumbsup:
 
Good point - I didn't check MOT history. Although when buying any car second hand and not from a main stealer I'd keep £500-£1000 in mind as a just in case fund - tyres, brakes, other known issues might need sorting...
 
STICKY ----- Yes it is the Essesse (SS) model. 2010, 56k mileage and a nice amount of options :driving: Had it 5yrs now and feel it time for a convertible before i go into my 30's lol! Been a very fun car as said previously I recommend them to people. Not sure about the new 595/695's but i suppose there just the updated SS packages. I'm waffling!!

Thanks again for more info guys! I know you mentioned you got side tracked a bit but the info like the MOT checking etc is VERY good to know, an extra something to consider. Of course, in a perfect world i'd love the fastest and most powerful and yes, if i can afford/find a good 3.0 instead of a 2.2 i'd go for it. But the extra power isn't the deal killer for me like it was the Abarth (wanting the SS upgrade of standard) I'm happy for the 2.2l with 7.7 to 60mph, about 45mpg on a good run and slightly lower tax. I have owned faster and driven like a loony in my early 20's but i learnt quick and stick to tracks now with the Superkarting :driving:

Keep it coming, ad's as suggestions on good buys are always welcome. As said i'll be looking around Oct/Nov time once my MOT is in renewal so easier to trade the car in
 
my two-penneth.

Ive had a MK2 MX5, Boxster, 20i E89, 28i E89 and finally a 3.0 E85

bang for buck the E85 wins by miles. I tried the 2.0, 2.5 and finally 3.0 litre E85s and discounted the 2.0 as it just didn't feel sporty enough. Either of the other two would have suited.

however I decided to but he best car I could find. Not options, colours, even history. I'm pretty clued up car wise and went for the one that drove the best, had the sweetest sounding engine and transmission, fewest rattles and groans etc. I ended up spending £4000 and a couple of hundred more over the following year. But I could have spent more or less. mines not a show car or a prima donna but quite simply is the best value car I've ever owned. its got a few bits and bobs, not heated sports seat but I don't really care. Its also got some history and was well looked after by its PO. Its inoffensive silver and black, has just a few stone chips and decent tyres on nice rims.

my advice would be to buy the best car you can find in your opinion.
 
Hi and Welcome,

They do come up for around your budget, i purchased my 2.5 03 plate with 56k, satnav, better stereo and a hardtop for a mere £3,100. the car has been a dream to drive and i love it.

I have owned BMW all my life in fact me first ever car was a 320i se E30 on a 88 plate! The straight six Bmw produces is in my opinion a great engine.

Whilst all cars have their issues at some stage i think these last well.

Don't give up and keep a keen eye out for a gem.
 
Hi Rob,

As per my PM, my z4 is now in the for sale section at c£3k.....

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=89830

scroll to second page for updated ad.

Cheers,

Glenn
 
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