Why do you own a Z4?

V

Vbstein

Member
Hi All

I was wondering you guys owned your cars for the same reason which I do now which is that I want to keep this car as my retirement car and use it until petrol cars are banned or highly redistricted. (If this happens maybe it can be converted to electric in 30 years time)

Or are some of you holding onto the Mark one Z4 as maybe an investment as they might get rare in the future, especially the M coupe. As the Z3 are starting to become harder to find less than 200 on auto trader nowadays.

I have owned few cars in my past from a Honda civic as my first car and few other BMWs like a 730ld and my old z4 2.0i was the only car which I missed so much after selling it. (Only sold it as my wife and I were getting married and she couldn’t drive but now she can drive)

So I have a rescued E85 3.0i from owner who didn’t look after the car very well, lets just put this way she broke the rear parking sensors by reversing into a wall. Very happy with car as it looks like copy of the car from the promo videos with Clive Owen and I have gone from the smallest engine to the 3.0i M54, however now after the honeymoon period has finished I am driving slower than when I had the 2.0i version. I am also now trying to fix everything wrong from paint work to the boot struts which were rusty and so many other things. Below is an picture of the wife with the car.
20180722_171743.jpg

Anyway thanks chaps.
 
I bought one because it was the cheapest 2 seater rwd convertible that isn't an MX5 or an MR2.

I shall use it mostly on trackdays, when it breaks or I become bored with it, i'll sling it on ebay and buy a different toy!
 
brillomaster said:
I bought one because it was the cheapest 2 seater rwd convertible that isn't an MX5 or an MR2
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Ditto! Injuries have limited my cycling this summer so I decided to pick up a RWD convertible to reduce sulking. S2000s fetch strong money, Boxsters/MX5s really don't do it for me and I find 350Zs feel really big and heavy on the road. The 3.0 Z4 represents great value for money and is really easy to work on :driving:
 
For me, as someone in my late 20s I wanted a 2 seater convertible (with at least 6 cylinders) before the time comes when I have to worry about family/kids! My final shortlist was between a Z4 3.0 and Boxster S, and I went for the Z4 as there were more nicer examples for my budget and although the Boxster was better in certain areas I think the Z4 is a better all-round package in terms of maintenance, practicality and a bit more modern design/technology - especially as it is my only car and daily driver (although I sometimes commute on my motorcycle).

I plan on keeping my car for the foreseeable future - it does all I need at the moment and there isn't much I can find to replace it without spending a lot more money (either a 987 Boxster S, or for the next step up a 911 997 convertible or V8 Mustang)
 
I bought one 10 years ago as I wanted a replacement for my e34 Mt.

Criteria were simple..fairly new (less than 3 years and/or 20,000 miles), reliable, RWD, manual, coupe, with a budget of £25k.

Ruled out the TT (fwd), C63 (auto & too big), SLK55 (auto), Cayman (too expensive), 640d (too heavy/ugly), 335D (not sporty enough), XKR (nah). Almost bought a M3 CSL, but it was too old/leggy for my criteria, and it would have had over 220k miles on it now had it been driven like the Z4.
 
It was a poster car for me at school. Had it on my laptop wallpaper for years.

I was looking at E46 M3s at the time, I had a 320si WTCC homologation special that was a limited edition to 500 cars in the UK but cost as much to service because of a bespoke engine and because it was higher revving at 70 it would be at 4000rpm so did about 25mpg but had 170hp... it was a POS tbh and after 2 years wanted to get rid.

Being 23 at the time the E46 M3 was about £2500 to insure and my local dealer had a Z4MC, couldnt believe it as I hadnt actually seen one before. I did a quick insurance quote and it was coming out at £950. After some negotiation I bought it and kept it 3 years.

At the time it was a 4 year old car 40k miles with a 2 year warranty at £17,5k there was nothing that could come close to price/performance/rarity and they were particularly renowned for being a pointless option compared to the M3 so most were cheap.

Then I found the forum and the rest is history. Loved it then, love them now. Shame I would need another 15k to buy a similar car now.

Really wish I had kept it but life goes on.
 
Wanted a 2 seater. S2000 value has rocketed so were out of range, 350Z looks dreadful as a convertible, Boxster can cost more to run and a good Z4 came up reasonably local.
 
I love driving, and I have always loved 2 seater roadsters, my Z (e89) is my 3rd, and my fave by far so far. I love the sound of that st8six.

and its a bolthole for me to get away from the kids and Mrs.

my other roadsters were an MGF VVC and an MX5. the Z beats the pants off both of them.

The Z is the first car I have had which has really been for pleasure only, I never have to get in it because I 'have to do this' 'or that' I drive it because i want to, and tend to not really plan a journey, just go and see where I end up.

SO why a Z? well I tried the SLK and it was boring, I mean, really boring to drive. The Audi TT doesnt do it for me, neither does the 350Z. Porsche was out of my price/age range. So I test drove the Z4, and fell in love, the rest is history.
 
Several reasons for me. I enjoy owning and driving an open top sports car and having had several different ones in the past (pre-kids) I was hankering for another.

I really wanted something with six cylinders or more, as for me the aural experience is as much a part of it as the drive. So this somewhat limited my choice, especially with my modest budget. I also like to have a car in the garage to tinker with, personalise, improve and similar to Tbone above a bit of an escape when some sanity away from the kids is needed.

I use mine once or twice a week during the summer for the commute, to break up the monotony and bring a little enjoyment to the daily grind. The Zed fits the bill nicely for me and I cannot believe that I’ve not had one before now.
 
I was originally looking at boxsters until a friend mentioned the z4. I’d never really paid much attention to them before so decided to look into them. The more I looked at them the more I wanted one so ended up getting myself a 3.0l e85 and haven’t regretted it one bit. Great little car.
 
I couldn't afford anything better :rofl:

Genuinely, the level of forum support was also a draw for me.

Plus, i'm a poser. :roll:
 
I am now on my second Z4, why do I drive one,,, well I always loved the look of two seater sports cars since I was a kid, then the whole family thing and finances ruled out buying anything non practical,, then when I eventually had some money and had a a wife's car as "sensible" option I started looking,
Porsche Boxster, fantastic car, bit dated looking, and running costs ££££
MX5, looked a bit mickey mouse, reminded me of the old MG, and not powerful engines
350Z, I just didn't like
SLK, not bad, not very exciting, bit of a sheep in wolfs clothing
so,, then the Z, loved it from the moment I drove it, loved the looks, loved the long bonnet, loved the straight 6, yes it had its flaws, but it put a huge smile on my face,,
 
There are not many convertibles that look good with the roof up and down, the E89 in my opinion achieved that. It will be interesting to see what its replacement finally looks like.
 
My wife wanted one, I wasn't bothered. Then my car died and the local garage had one in. Complete impulse buy from me but I love it and it is certainly My car and not the wifes :thumbsup:
 
I had wanted a fun, weekend, Roadster for years, but had found each one I test drove was either too small for me to get into, too large to enjoy driving or too unreliable. Test drove my MR and problem solved. :D :thumbsup:

Goldilocks eat your heart out.
 
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