What replaced the z4?

[RJS-Z4]

So, the z4 has been gone for quite some time now, almost 9 months... clearing out the old bits I realised I hadn't visited this place much

Anyway, what replaced it? Well I couldn't buy something with less cylinders, or less power, and the 650 seemed to tick a lot of my boxes, so I started to browse with a view of buying a car at some point.. and then I found this one it seemed to good to miss out on, so I went and bought it.

Few details:

- 1 owner
- Full BMW service history at the same dealer
- New tyres on collection
- Good spec - cruise, heated leather, pro nav etc
- The important bit - 4.8L v8











Generally, it's a wonderful car to cover miles in. The gearbox is a little bit slow to react in auto, and with sport on it's a little jerky, but if you actually want to be a hooligan, manually shifting is more than adequate to have a lot of fun.

Do I miss the z4? Sure! The moment it's sunny, or on tight back roads. But doing a 150 mile round trip for work? It couldn't be further from my mind!

Oh and I miss the z4 for the fuel consumption, massively!

 

[mr wilks]

Torque in these is amazing also sounds terrific with V8 na but ive had the 645cI & fuel economy is woeful you can come off a decent m-way or bypass run showing 26-27mpg then sit at the traffic island for a few minutes watching it count down on tickover like a timer going backwards real world i recall 13-15mpg average ? 17-19 if you played nice
Did handle well though considering its bulk

 

[brightonbimmer]

I quite agree with your comments regarding fuel consumption and sometimes funky transmission (SMG) but my 5.0 L V-10 has a glorious roar, especially when I push the "M" (for "Magic") button before stomping on the loud pedal. My 2006 M6 coupe had only 41,300 miles and leather seats which appeared as if never sat upon. It is now in winter storage, so I have to wait for spring in order to enjoy it again. But I visit the fuel store much less frequently now.

 

[brightonbimmer]

Here it is.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Lovely car OP.

Very different to a Z4, but good to see you are enjoying it.

 

[Havard]

Lovely car but I couldn't live with that MPG. Says he with 3.0, 3.2 and a 3.4 on the drive.

H.

 

[paddy wright]

Nice to hear from you and the e63 looks like a great find- love this era of BMW design but not brave enough to have a car thatbold as my daily!

 

[JonBooth]

The new car does look lovely. It is one car that I have considered replacing my Z4 with myself. Out of interest, what are you getting on fuel? Does it really only manage between 15-20 ish mpg?

Cheers,

Jon.

 

[RJS-Z4]

Thanks for the comments all!

There's a lovely grey 3.0 in the FS section on 224's that has been facelifted.. I shouldn't be tempted but am!

The new car does look lovely. It is one car that I have considered replacing my Z4 with myself. Out of interest, what are you getting on fuel? Does it really only manage between 15-20 ish mpg?

Cheers,

Jon.

I need to do a few checks of computer vs reality, but no, nothing like that bad, thank god!

I generally see high 20's (28 or so) on any sort of decent length journey, say 40+ miles, then on a short run in town, probably 22 or so. The average on the computer over 2000 miles or so is 26.5 at the moment i believe.

If you're genuinely gentle, it'll do 32 on the motorway. But not at any great pace.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I need to do a few checks of computer vs reality, but no, nothing like that bad, thank god!

I generally see high 20's (28 or so) on any sort of decent length journey, say 40+ miles, then on a short run in town, probably 22 or so. The average on the computer over 2000 miles or so is 26.5 at the moment i believe.

If you're genuinely gentle, it'll do 32 on the motorway. But not at any great pace.

I'd say that is pretty good OP!

I've only ever had one V8, a Rover P6B 3500S and that struggled to do 20 mpg - mind you I was only 20 when I bought it so that may have had a bearing! :lol:

 

[idej_z4]

I’ve actually considered one of these as a daily as they tick the power box and have the luxury stylee...after reading the MPG though, that all comes at a price!!!

 

[buzyg]

Great looking car OP. So much less fussy than the newer versions.

 

[JonBooth]

Thanks for the comments all!

There's a lovely grey 3.0 in the FS section on 224's that has been facelifted.. I shouldn't be tempted but am!

The new car does look lovely. It is one car that I have considered replacing my Z4 with myself. Out of interest, what are you getting on fuel? Does it really only manage between 15-20 ish mpg?

Cheers,

Jon.

I need to do a few checks of computer vs reality, but no, nothing like that bad, thank god!

I generally see high 20's (28 or so) on any sort of decent length journey, say 40+ miles, then on a short run in town, probably 22 or so. The average on the computer over 2000 miles or so is 26.5 at the moment i believe.

If you're genuinely gentle, it'll do 32 on the motorway. But not at any great pace.

Thanks for the reply. That's actually very respectable, pretty much what I get out of my Z4 anyway. Maybe something to consider. Enjoy the car!

Cheers,

Jon.

 

[RJS-Z4]

Thanks for the comments all!

There's a lovely grey 3.0 in the FS section on 224's that has been facelifted.. I shouldn't be tempted but am!

The new car does look lovely. It is one car that I have considered replacing my Z4 with myself. Out of interest, what are you getting on fuel? Does it really only manage between 15-20 ish mpg?

Cheers,

Jon.

I need to do a few checks of computer vs reality, but no, nothing like that bad, thank god!

I generally see high 20's (28 or so) on any sort of decent length journey, say 40+ miles, then on a short run in town, probably 22 or so. The average on the computer over 2000 miles or so is 26.5 at the moment i believe.

If you're genuinely gentle, it'll do 32 on the motorway. But not at any great pace.

Thanks for the reply. That's actually very respectable, pretty much what I get out of my Z4 anyway. Maybe something to consider. Enjoy the car!

Cheers,

Jon.

To be getting that out of the z4, that'd suggest you quite enjoy the joys of regular acceleration.. if that is the case, mpg can get interesting if you're launching regularaly!!

I reset it once prior to a country lane blast and averaged 16 over 20 miles... ouch! But it was fun so worth it!

 

[pvr]

All depends on the total number of miles you do per year really (and company allowance).

With the miles I do, I am going big engine for the X5 replacement as well. Overall increase in annual fuel is probably a few hundred or so.

 

[RJS-Z4]

All depends on the total number of miles you do per year really (and company allowance).

With the miles I do, I am going big engine for the X5 replacement as well. Overall increase in annual fuel is probably a few hundred or so.

Yeah I'm covering quite a few business miles (about 8k or so), so a lot of the fuel is covered.

 

[brightonbimmer]

When you consider all the other expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, maintenance in particular, you will find that fuel may be the least of your worries if mileage is fairly low. I have two other cars which share the mileage, although the Honda Civic does not see much use during the summer - it is for rainy days and wintertime. On my way home from purchasing the M6, I averaged 20 mpg, but have not come near that since, possibly because the novelty has not yet worn off for the results of depressing both the "M" button and the accelerator. The car tells me that it is using 18 L per 100 Km, but I put it away for winter storage before verifying recent fuel consumption. Also, I have been using Shell V-Power premium, which sells at a higher price than the premium which I use in the Miata. The Civic gets about 40 mpg or better on the cheapest gas available. (below 7.0 L per 100 KM on the highway.)

 

[mcbeee]

I always thought the 6 series was the best looking of the bunch, even tested an M6 convertible, almost bought a used coupe in Arizona...... beautiful cars, a bit bargy to drive and very expensive to run. so I bought a 911. I'd still like a 645 .....

 

[RJS-Z4]

When you consider all the other expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, maintenance in particular, you will find that fuel may be the least of your worries if mileage is fairly low. I have two other cars which share the mileage, although the Honda Civic does not see much use during the summer - it is for rainy days and wintertime. On my way home from purchasing the M6, I averaged 20 mpg, but have not come near that since, possibly because the novelty has not yet worn off for the results of depressing both the "M" button and the accelerator. The car tells me that it is using 18 L per 100 Km, but I put it away for winter storage before verifying recent fuel consumption. Also, I have been using Shell V-Power premium, which sells at a higher price than the premium which I use in the Miata. The Civic gets about 40 mpg or better on the cheapest gas available. (below 7.0 L per 100 KM on the highway.)

Well on this particular car I got a seriously good deal, so I'm hoping my biggest worry is fuel... It's been maintained to a ridiculous level and everything was done not long before I bought it. I hope to do an oil service at BMW at that's it. I am to sell it in the semmer once I've had it about 14 months or so and not lose a great deal!

I always thought the 6 series was the best looking of the bunch, even tested an M6 convertible, almost bought a used coupe in Arizona...... beautiful cars, a bit bargy to drive and very expensive to run. so I bought a 911. I'd still like a 645 .....

Isn't the 645 more problematic from an engine point of view than the 650? Feel free to correct me! I'd bloody love a 911, I just can't afford one that doesn't go Bang... I considered a 997 c2s before this, almost bought it, sent it in for an independent inspection and the engine was starting to knock (suspected bore scoring). Put me right off them, and I can't afford a 997.2 :-(

 

[mcbeee]

I never investigated the engines in the 6series much, just thought they were pretty cars and I didn’t need a big engine.