Which Z4 to buy with £15,000?

P

petertodd24

Member
Evening all

Newbie here so please go easy on me! I have been a long term admirer of the Z4 but until now have not had the cash to buy myself the sports car I've always dreamt of owning. However after cautious spending for the past few years I'm finally hoping to get out my wallet in April next year with a kitty of around £15,000 to spend, and would appreciate your thoughts on what model/year to buy? One thing I should probably point out is that I'm only 25, so insurance might prevent me from getting the bigger engine models!

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Pete

ps. As a ball park figure, if anyone could advise on how expensive the Z4 is to run/service that would be a massive help!
 
I'm 24 and I insure the 3.0i just fine (£890, 3 years' no claims), and 1/2 insure the M OK for 3/400 more.

Servicing depends hugely on your mileage. But as a ball park set of figures:

Tyres are £350-550 a set, depending on brand. Rears last me 15k ish, fronts virtually twice that.
Service is £150-450 each time at a main dealer, depending on which one it is (and therefore mileage).
Mixed driving will see you achieve 26-34mpg, depending on heaviness of right foot/how mixed it actually is.

You'll need a small slush fund for common faults (springs, seatbelt control unit, roof motor, etc.) which you'll have at least 1 of go at some point, on average.
 
Thanks for that, interesting that you had no problems on the insurance. Maybe I should have also pointed out that last Xmas I picked up 6 points for speeding, which might be part of the reason quotes have been on the heavy side! Having said that, I'll certainly have a look at the 3.0l. Can I ask, who are you insured with?

Thanks

Pete
 
£15k should put you into a nice 06/07 3.0Si Roadster or Coupe with fair miles.The Roadster facelift was in 2006, Coupes were only available from 2006 so all are 'facelift' as it were. I'll leave it to the Roadster boys to fill you in as I take it you are after a soft top, and 3.0 owners to give you servicing costs....but 25 should be totally fine for insurance, depending on your NCB etc. Try Admiral and Bell for an online quote (same people but quotes can vary).
 
Mines going in for an Inspection 1 service and MOT on Thursday, has BMW warranty and under 28k, couldn't think of a more perfect car for you.

See link below. :wink:
 
Hark said:
I've seen two Z4Ms go for £15k now. But 3.0l would be where my cash would go I think.
Click to expand...

I would steer clear of £15K Ms unless you find a bargain. 3.0Si is a very nice place to be though.

Don't get me wrong, the M is vasty superior to an Si but for £15K you will get a better condition Si.
 
3.0 si - (2006-2008) no question. You should get a good one for £15k. 8)

I'm afraid I would not 'invest' more than £12 K in a smaller engine model now. There are too many 3.0 litre cars to choose from.

3.0si engine is super and reliable. It's smooth and powerful. You will enjoy it! average mpg = 31, not much difference between any of the non M cars.

- good hunting :)
 
srhutch said:
Mines going in for an Inspection 1 service and MOT on Thursday, has BMW warranty and under 28k, couldn't think of a more perfect car for you.

See link below. :wink:
Click to expand...


- except a 3.0si with 50 more horsepower :wink:
 
Why spend 15k :) get a nice 3.0 for 10-12k at around 2004-2006/7 and turn it into yours, mod, insurance, rac, tax, etc.

You will find loads under 60k mileage which means they are nicely run in :)
 
Z4coupebeaver said:
Hark said:
I've seen two Z4Ms go for £15k now. But 3.0l would be where my cash would go I think.
Click to expand...

I would steer clear of £15K Ms unless you find a bargain. 3.0Si is a very nice place to be though.

Don't get me wrong, the M is vasty superior to an Si but for £15K you will get a better condition Si.
Click to expand...

I agree I guess. Playtastics M was £15k, but the £15k one I saw wasn't in good nick.
 
Shidevil said:
Why spend 15k :) get a nice 3.0 for 10-12k at around 2004-2006/7 and turn it into yours, mod, insurance, rac, tax, etc.

You will find loads under 60k mileage which means they are nicely run in :)
Click to expand...


Agree - Just because your max budget is £15k doesn't mean you have to spend it all on the newest car it can be stretched to. Given your age and concerns on insurance I'd spend £12k tops on a really good 2005 era 3.0i which frankly is just as good, hardly used and years of life left in it. Pick the right spec too.

Use saved money to cover insurance, service, etc. and posibly a warranty and reduce the depreciation a little.
 
Pete, my Coupe is up for sale at £15,750 - have a look :)

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=23464
 
Z4coupebeaver said:
Hark said:
I've seen two Z4Ms go for £15k now. But 3.0l would be where my cash would go I think.
Click to expand...

I would steer clear of £15K Ms unless you find a bargain. 3.0Si is a very nice place to be though.

Don't get me wrong, the M is vasty superior to an Si but for £15K you will get a better condition Si.
Click to expand...

Present company accepted :poke:
 
playalistic said:
Z4coupebeaver said:
Hark said:
I've seen two Z4Ms go for £15k now. But 3.0l would be where my cash would go I think.
Click to expand...

I would steer clear of £15K Ms unless you find a bargain. 3.0Si is a very nice place to be though.

Don't get me wrong, the M is vasty superior to an Si but for £15K you will get a better condition Si.
Click to expand...

Present company accepted :poke:
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 
playalistic said:
Z4coupebeaver said:
Hark said:
I've seen two Z4Ms go for £15k now. But 3.0l would be where my cash would go I think.
Click to expand...

I would steer clear of £15K Ms unless you find a bargain. 3.0Si is a very nice place to be though.

Don't get me wrong, the M is vasty superior to an Si but for £15K you will get a better condition Si.
Click to expand...

Present company accepted :poke:
Click to expand...

What do you mean? When they made yours, they clearly forget to include the roof and tried to hide the fact by sticking an old tent over the hole :poke:
 
BMWZ4MC said:
playalistic said:
Z4coupebeaver said:
I would steer clear of £15K Ms unless you find a bargain. 3.0Si is a very nice place to be though.

Don't get me wrong, the M is vasty superior to an Si but for £15K you will get a better condition Si.
Click to expand...

Present company accepted :poke:
Click to expand...

What do you mean? When they made yours, they clearly forget to include the roof and tried to hide the fact by sticking an old tent over the hole :poke:
Click to expand...
:rofl: kick a man while he's down will ya! :D
 
why not go online and get a few online insurance quotes?

My insurance has really shot up this year.. was 750 last Jan.. looks like next month my renewal is going to be close to £1k :( (29 with full no claims)

Personally i would always buy newest car i could get with my budget... but for 15K you could get a decent 3.0, with an AUC warranty.

But then again depends what you will be using your car for... if you are stuck in the city and rearly get to use A roads much... then a 3.0L would be a waste... a 2.0 would look just as good.. and in terms of city performance would be pretty much on par with a 3.0 and M!
 
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