Which Z4 to buy

S

Super 7

Member
just wondering what the general opinion is on what Z4 to buy, car for the wife local journeys only, possibly longer. are the 2/2.2/2.5 engine weak as I have read in a couple of places. What are the different spec levels & which one s to avoid. Obviously being a BMW it has to be a good drive ( & I will be driving it also) are the run flat tyre to bee steered clear of.
thanks in anticipation
trevor
 
Hi Super 7,

I have just bought the 2.0l. Got it for the better fuel economy. Still really fun to drive. I really like it.

Note: All Z4's have Runflat tyres as standard, they make the ride a little harder than normal tyres. If you have normal tyres, you'll have to buy a spare space saver or an emergency puncture repair kit. (There are a few good threads on here about them.)


Chris
 
Super 7 welcome to the Forum. Go to this website for all the specs and options:

http://www.bmwz4roadster.net/

Nothing against the 2l 4cyl engines but the 6cyl is a smoother ride and a reliable unit and as fitted to 2.2, 2.5 and 3s.
 
Super 7 said:
just wondering what the general opinion is on what Z4 to buy, car for the wife local journeys only, possibly longer. are the 2/2.2/2.5 engine weak as I have read in a couple of places. What are the different spec levels & which one s to avoid. Obviously being a BMW it has to be a good drive ( & I will be driving it also) are the run flat tyre to bee steered clear of.
thanks in anticipation
trevor
Click to expand...

Hello Super 7,

This is much like purchasing a computer, you need to get something to meet your everyday requirements. In the end you need to go and test drive them to see and touch I think is the best formula. Sure you will get a lot of advice on this subject I think, in the end it will be your call and your call alone.

I purchased a a 2008 Z4 3.0is in August 2009 (it was the last 2008 on the lot at a very attractive discounted price) after returning from Germany and falling in love with the car. It turned out it was a wrong decision I should have gotten a 2009 in the first place. I traded it in 2 months ago for a 2009 Sdrive Z4 3.5i and I love that car. So get out there and test drive see it feel it and smell it and yes take along the good advise from this forum. Then find yourself a great deal.

If you have the money sure get a 2011, if you like to save some cash get a 2010 or even a 2009 at great savings. Good hunting :) and always safe travels :driving:
 
The 6cyl is a very popular choice, so that would suggest the 2.2, 2.5 or 3.0 as AlanJ pointed out.
There was also a face lift in 2006, so compare pre and post face lift and decided which you like best. :D

With regards to run-flats, most members agree that the original tyres are terrible.
Some of these members are of the opinion that all run-flats are crap, whereas others have fitted run-flats of other brands and are really satisfied.
I changed to non-runflats, and the difference was huge. Almost all tramlining dissappeared. I am extremely happy I changed. :D
There are alot of threads discussing run-flats vs. non-runflats!
Good luck :thumbsup:
 
hello Super 7
i have run a 2l since new in 2005 and loved it, had a 320 before. I wanted a) roadster b) convertible c) two seater with some boot space d) mid life crisis. I compared it against a bike again after many years and have run many beemer cars and bikes so had some brand loyalty. I find the 4 cylinder flexible, excellent mpg and I am no boy racer so don't need to be first away from the lights. The spec was good and the roof goes up and down the same way which ever model you go for!
 
The '06 on cars are the facelift ( you can tell by the rear lights) versions.They have bigger brakes and all the little foibles of the original have been ironed out.Hi end stereos are desirable but dont add much to the price of a used one and things like Xenons are a plus.Nav if you must,but a £100 tom tom does just the same job if not better. All have leather ( I think),just choose the engine that suits your needs.The 2.0 is plenty fast enough,the 3.0 very popular and not as dear to run as many think.As already said, go view a few and buy the one that gives you the woody. :driving:
 
go for a 6cyl- i drove a 2.0 and for me i wasnt the ight sond and was lacking something but by all means try it- i have the 2.2 and it keeps u fine on runs out however with prices so soft a 3.0 is the only real choice now adays
 
Super 7 - I think you need to narrow this down somewhat.

The 2.0 is almost a run out engine available on the later facelift only, while the 2.2 was an engine introduced way back at launch then discontinued.

Are you after a newer car or older, higher spec or basic, just local drives or odd spirited drives, what price range? That will narrow your choice down real quick.

To put this into context at the weekend on a run in the Lakes some of the guys were looking at an '09 plain red zero options 2.0 main agent for £19k, while a 2003 3.0i fully specced would be worth a little over half that retail and a lot better car.
 
Having bought a 2.0i SE, which I love to bits, there's a few things I know now that would have been useful to know when I bought it.

If you want as standard some of the nice things, such as leather sports seats and steering wheel, then be sure to get a Sport model not SE.
As for engine size as said previously depends on what you're going to use the car for, we use ours for every day commute and it does approx 380 Miles per tank, costing ~£50-£55 to fill which I think is pretty good going.

Think about options such as bluetooth for your phone, or satnav, as these are things that people have decided to put in but are not that straightforward to retrofit and can be expensive.
Cruise/Cupholders are relatively easy to retrofit so don't base your decision on them alone.
 
One of the main factors in the decision making process when I changed from Audi to BMW was the feel and very much the sound of the straight six engine, definitely a plus factor in a car of this nature and I would find it hard now to go back to a four cylinder . .

Delboy :)
 
thanks for the input guys. As pointed out its a matter of getting out & looking, the M & Alpina's are looking good, but I think it will be a facelifted 3.0L My father had a 3.0 CSI when I was a kid so it would be fitting.
Thanks again :thumbsup:

Trevor
 
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