What other cars did you consider when buying your Z4?

I also looked at a 2006 Boxster 987, but having zipped over to the Porker forums a couple things struck me. A) IMS would bankrupt me if I was unlucky enough to get it and B) lots of owners appear to have their head up their proverbial. Now, a lot of them didn't, but far too much of this "porsche is better than this and that" attitude. Maybe they're right, but hey, it still looks like a potato, and on the 19's of the test one I drove I nearly had to put me teeth back in afterwards. I also don't quite gel with the idea of a car manufacturer who thinks that a known total engine failure at four years old isn't a warranty issue.
 
Shooter said:
MG-TF : i really like the car, but some details are just "no way", like the non-adjustable steering wheel or the non-reliable engine...
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Just as an aside, the wheel in the TF's is adjustable, it's the F's that aren't unless you plumb for an MY2000. My F ran to 72k without missing a beat on the engine, although I'm not going to say that HGF isn't an issue, I appear to be one of the lucky few! I don't miss the rattly build quality, still, I suppose it should be a world away from the SLK what with it being £27k cheaper :rofl:
 
Never really had a long list infact once i had decided on the Z4 that was it i had thought about what to replace my old Calibra with and first off was the S2000 but i wanted an Auto and a bigger engine so then started looking at TT Supras but the price of a genuine UK car at the time was around 12k for a good one then i would have changed the rims rear spoiler and few other mods i was then looking at spending around 15k on a car almost as old as my Calibra and thats when i thought about the Z4 better looking much newer and less miles :D that was it saved for over a year and bought my baby and never looked back.
 
To add, one of the things which swung it for me over the Boxster - as well as what has already been said - was the ease and cost of servicing. Cooper's pick it up, do it, bring it back, sorted. Ins 1 was £300 whereas a chap I met said his Porsche's were always £2k a service and when it broke down on the way home from one thay just said 'drop it back, we'll have a look'. He got rid.

For the most part the Z4 is easier to live with than most of the alternatives imo.
 
The day I bought my car, I left the house and wasn't planning on coming home with it.

I was actually shopping for a Volvo S60R, however that salesmen was being a total (insert word here), and i figured why I was 40 miles from home why not go look at this other car at a nearby dealership... Came home with it.
 
I think like most others I looked into s2000, Boxster s and TT. Also spent lots of time researching the potential TVR's, Griffith or Tamora but didn't have the patience for potential problems.

The Z4 was quite a change for me as I have always been a fan of powerful saloon cars for everday driving and classic 2 seaters for fun! Came very close to buying an M5 and then a Jaguar S-type R (don't laugh). It was thanks to a trip in a friends Mugen S2000 that I was converted to modern 2 seaters. The Z4 has been amazing and I think is the start of more to come! The Z4M is next.....
 
LOL! clio v6, can't get one because Ali has one!

I didn't consider anything else...I knew i wanted a Z4M, nothing came close, not for the money anyway!
 
My list was the z4 3.0i se that i bought;or an 05reg alpina in black at the rt price(couldnt get 1 in black at time)/a tvr cerbera(put off by reliability issues tho);or a new leon cupra(R).
the zed won by a mile,even tho i wasnt looking for a convertible,that was just a bonus. had been taken in by the looks and performance of the 3.0i,etc and preffered the roadster to the newer coupe i saw(tho the coupe has really grown on me and would have an m rdstr in a heartbeat now/just wouldnt want to give up my 3.0i rdstr,love it :D
 
I started looking for mine in Sept 09, and at the time i had my mind set on a facelift 350Z, i actually liked the interior as cheap as it looked - and despite the badge wanted to get a Jap motor. But then found out about the £400 annual road tax and the stupid boot strut bar. Also considered the 370z, as it didnt have the boot strut bar, but still had the same road tax.

Then moved onto a 2.0TFI Audi TT - which i really liked, but for the price i would really have expected more from it - (but even now i think i may prefer that engine to my 3.0si)

Then randomly started looking into convertibles (which i never dreamed i would see my self in - being hair dressers cars and all :P ) But the porche boxter S seemed appealing - almost got an 07 Reg one, but the day i was going to put ring back and put my deposit down i though let me see the Z4 (as my parents love their BMW's)

The steering wheel controls and the lower price vs the Porche badge were what swayed me! Now whenever i go visit my parents there are 3 black BMW's on the drive :roll:
 
Back in early 2007 I thought about getting a Honda S2000 GT. I've always owned BMW's however. I liked high revving four pots hence me considering an S2000. On test driving one it was okay but quite cramped inside and just didn't feel right for me. A few months later, as soon as I saw four or five Z4 Coupe's lined up just inside a dealers showroom (Dick Lovett Swindon) I fell in love :heart:. Thihnk they had five in there, two M's and three 3.0Si Coupes. I had a good look around one of each model and thought "wow, even the 3.0si looks fantastic". I actually didn't buy one then. Later in the year my sensible head changed somewhat to a 120td, that was until one day I visited a BMW dealership in Devon just to have a look around and saw the soon to be mine - a 3.0Si COupe sitting outside looking fantastic. I had a test drive that same day and just bought it. It had 2000 miles on it when I bought it, owned previously by a guy who bought it for his wife who hardly used it. He went travelling and sold the car back to the dealer to fund his expedition, and sold at a rubbish price so it was priced well on the forecourt. THat was a great car. At that point I kinda knew of the M but due to a possible change in circumstances that year I didn't want the additional cost of the M so bought the Si. Some friends knew about my previous M cars and queried why I didn't opt for the M this time, and as it happened my change in circumstances didn't happen. However, I didn't regret getting the 3.0Si as it was just simply fantastic.

So 1.5 years later and with milage approaching 34,000 on the 3.0Si (and with it running better and better each day it seemed), and knowiing how great that car was I fancied upgrading to a 'keeper' Z4 M Coupe and did the deal. At no point after buying the first Z4 did I ever consider a non-Z4 purchase :). Both the 3.0Si Coupe and M are fantastic and kind of wish I could have kept my 3.0Si as a second car for commuting, although having said that a more normal commuter would be better and make me enjoy the M more.

I am currently considering getting a second car although realistically I'll probably run the M daily until next summer (2011). The car I want is a 2004 - 2005 E46 318Ti Sport Compact (for the space with seats folded), having also owned a diesel E46 Compact before. It'll be my daily commuter and for winters on Dartmoor.
So, thecars I considered before the two Z4's were an S2000 and BMW 120 diesel. Interesting a lot of ex-M owners seem to be going the 123diesel route these days
 
i looked at a porsche boxster as i have always been a fan, however like for like with a z4 it didnt compare in terms of age, equipment, reliability, service costs etc etc. The Z4 always looked far better value, and im glad i decided on the Z4 for sure. Plus the looks of the Z4 wouldnt date as quick as the original boxster has, i think the early model looks really old now, were as the z4 still looks quite fresh.

I did consider a 350z, but the badge and the plastic interior really put me off. Never considered an S2000 for some reason, im just not that keen on japanese cars.
 
My List Considerations:

BMW 330CI
I loved my previous BMW 318CI, but the 3 series is too common on the roads.

BMW Alpina B3
Only could insure older ones, new ones cost too much.

BMW M5
Insurance too much and outta price range, and a bit "daddyish" for a 20 year old lol

BMW Z4 2.5i SE Convertible
Was hard to find the spec I wanted, (black with red interior)

After playing around with insurance quotes most of the afternoon at work, seeing what I could get insured on I had the following results:
BMW Z4 2.5i SE Convertible - Can insure
BMW Z4 2.5i Sport Convertible - Can't insure!??
So on the off chance I put in the 3.0SI Coupe thinking no chance since I can't get a 2.5i sport, and guess what they would insure (WTF)! Phoned 2 dealers that day booked 2 test drives and placed a deposit on the best one.

Only problems I really run into is number of seats but only happens now and again. Boot space on the Z4 is fine I can fit my customers computers in, seats are comfy and the even though the suspension is hard I love it lol.
 
For me it was the z3 coupe. Still want one to be honest but I can't have 2 two seater sports cars can I? I'd seriously consider one instead of my roadster, just because well...they look completely unique...in a good way 8)
 
For me, with a ~12k budget it was one of these:
- Porsche Boxster
- NIssan 350z
- Honda S2000
- Lotus Elise
- BMW 3 or 5 series with a 3litre engine.

Discounted the Elise pretty quickly as I knew I wanted something I could do long european trips in with the (now-ex) girlfriend and the Elise wasn't really up to it. The Nissan just didn't feel like 12 grands worth of car, though the handling is good and the engines is a stunner the inside feels boring and it's a fairly ugly car. The Honda I was tempted by but a mate at work had previously had one and I knew he'd not be happy if I got one (he didn't want to sell it), that sort-of put me off and in the end, the Z4 for me is a better looking car and feels more expensive. I feel like I've got way more than the eventual 11k I paid for mine. Lots of lovely extras and it feels luxurious.

The 3 or 5 series BMW's were still tempting, but they're no Z4.

Did I make the right choice? 3 months after buying, hell yes. It's comfy and luxurious, I love the look of it and the engine is sweet as a nut. Handling is great, I can live with the quirks (tramlining, bumps etc) and I can't wait for the summer and long cruises along French/Spanish/Italian roads. Best money I've ever spent.
 
seems most ppl looked at the 350z... wonder if the 350z owners are thinking I wish I bought a Zed instead lol
 
Aliv6 said:
LOL! clio v6, can't get one because Ali has one!

I didn't consider anything else...I knew i wanted a Z4M, nothing came close, not for the money anyway!
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Well, you've only got my favourite colour of Vee so I can;t go there lol!

Actually , I'd still consider one if there wasn't the potential for me to be travelling further to work in future. The Z4 is sensible enough as a daily driver but I doubt a V6 Clio would be :(
 
Siftah said:
For me, with a ~12k budget it was one of these:
- Porsche Boxster
- NIssan 350z
- Honda S2000
- Lotus Elise
- BMW 3 or 5 series with a 3litre engine.

Discounted the Elise pretty quickly as I knew I wanted something I could do long european trips in with the (now-ex) girlfriend and the Elise wasn't really up to it. The Nissan just didn't feel like 12 grands worth of car, though the handling is good and the engines is a stunner the inside feels boring and it's a fairly ugly car. The Honda I was tempted by but a mate at work had previously had one and I knew he'd not be happy if I got one (he didn't want to sell it), that sort-of put me off and in the end, the Z4 for me is a better looking car and feels more expensive. I feel like I've got way more than the eventual 11k I paid for mine. Lots of lovely extras and it feels luxurious.

The 3 or 5 series BMW's were still tempting, but they're no Z4.

Did I make the right choice? 3 months after buying, hell yes. It's comfy and luxurious, I love the look of it and the engine is sweet as a nut. Handling is great, I can live with the quirks (tramlining, bumps etc) and I can't wait for the summer and long cruises along French/Spanish/Italian roads. Best money I've ever spent.
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Siftah,sounds u got a nice spec z at a good price :thumbsup: /just shows u how much theyv dropped due to the ecnmy!
I paid 20k for my 05 reg 3.0i se(w'out the nav),back in june 2007(tho book value was 22k!!). Damn crdt crunch,lol :P
That reminds me/left out the boxster and the s2000 from my list.
Discounted the boxster on price/age/value/service costs also,and the door pocket on the s2000 kept hitting my knee/leg. ouch!

the z4 has been everything i wanted/expected,and more(now iv ditched the runflats and ftd an oem strutbrace :driving:
 
craig3.0 said:
Siftah,sounds u got a nice spec z at a good price :thumbsup: /just shows u how much theyv dropped due to the ecnmy!
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I would definitely recommend buying an open top sports car in late November, if you can time it a couple of days before the coldest winter the UK's seen since the 1800's then I think you're on to a winner... :rofl:

I lucked out!
 
Siftah said:
craig3.0 said:
Siftah,sounds u got a nice spec z at a good price :thumbsup: /just shows u how much theyv dropped due to the ecnmy!
Click to expand...

I would definitely recommend buying an open top sports car in late November, if you can time it a couple of days before the coldest winter the UK's seen since the 1800's then I think you're on to a winner... :rofl:

I lucked out!
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X2 I bought mine Nov 25th
 
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