Would you buy a brand new Z4 if you had the chance?

If you see a black 35iS - SH11OZK it was mine ... returned to the dealer after 3 weeks away for 3 separate repairs in the 3 months I had it. They are in the process of refunding my £26K as I lost all faith in it.

The first owner had nothing go wrong in 3 years though so maybe I was just unlucky. Just something to be aware of if you do go looking at it !
 
SO8 said:
I find the steering fine. I tried an M135i 2 weeks ago and that definitely had a dead feel to the steering and was overly light.

I have a 35iS which is different to a 35i but my memory when I drove a 35i was of a heavy steering feel not one of vagueness or something to be concerned at. (FWIW The 35iS steering is very much ok.)

People on reviews mention a drone on a 35iS exhaust making it unpleasant - if you searched here or owned one you would realise the reviews are rubbish as people love the sound of a 35iS exhaust ... being the BMW sports exhaust. It just shows how c*** some reviews are !

I think you have nothing to worry about re the steering.
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In all honesty most modern cars lack steering feel, I've found little if no difference between my old E89 and current M135i except for superior handling over the E89, I guess why alot of reviews of E89 point to it been a fine cruiser. Its the one virtue of the 1er thats immediately apparent driving back to back with the Z4. Not a criticism of the Z4 but in the end chopping the roof is a compromise :) Best not to think of it and enjoy the cruising :driving:

Tim.
 
metal licker said:
Havard said:
Thanks for the comments.

So many differing opinions. Now wonder my head is cabbaged..!! :headbang:

Been watching the reviews on Youtube and the only thing that concerns me is a lack of feel reported in the steering. Does anyone else notice this or is it the reviewers being really picky.

H.
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Steering is fine :thumbsup:
Test drive :?
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I ideally want to test drive a 35i but there are so few about and I don't want to waste anyone's time privately. I am going to wait till the right car comes up and base my opinions on that test drive. I am probably going to give it till Christmas before I make a decision. The Supra goes in a fortnight all being well and I am waiting to move into a house with a garage so I can keep my P&J nice and snug.... :)

I want black, white, or gunmetal ideally with 296 alloys, black leather as I am not keen on red or cream. Not bothered about other options overly as this car will seldom be driven unless we get a weekend free from the kids/work etc.

I am going back towards the new purchase as the deal is good and it could have sub 10K miles on it at 4 years old. Surely it will hold some of it's value.

H.
 
TitanTim said:
-----except for superior handling over the E89.
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You are attempting to compare two different specs of cars !

From memory, wasn't your last z4 standard non M sport suspension whilst your m135 has the all singing all dancing adjustable.
Not a fair comparison.
 
ronk said:
TitanTim said:
-----except for superior handling over the E89.
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You are attempting to compare two different specs of cars !

From memory, wasn't your last z4 standard non M sport suspension whilst your m135 has the all singing all dancing adjustable.
Not a fair comparison.
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Nope I had the M Sport Spec on the Zed but non adaptive suspension which I have on the 1er along with non runflats so a slight difference.

Reason I mentioned handling was I'd had the Zed around 2 months when it went in for the engine whine and I had a F20 118d Sport (Non M Sport) as a loaner. As soon as went off and around a few bends I thought how much sharper it felt to the point when I was back in the Zed it felt slightly dissapointing, couldn't put my finger on it, maybe its the weight of the car or the runflats on the Zed.

Tim.
 
The Z4 feels heavy but does IMO handle. My old Z4M R after an S2000 felt like a barge but when you took it by the throat and chucked it about it really did handle quite well. I have the same view of the E89 - it seems softer and heavy but the only time (in my brief 3 months ownership) I gave it a little bit of free reign it really surprised me how it handled. The M135i is like a go cart in comparison and far easier to 'use' but the Z4 does seem very able - but the feel of it just cruising is easier ... if you know what I mean !
 
TitanTim said:
Nope I had the M Sport Spec on the Zed but non adaptive suspension which I have on the 1er along with non runflats so a slight difference.

Reason I mentioned handling was I'd had the Zed around 2 months when it went in for the engine whine and I had a F20 118d Sport (Non M Sport) as a loaner. As soon as went off and around a few bends I thought how much sharper it felt to the point when I was back in the Zed it felt slightly dissapointing, couldn't put my finger on it, maybe its the weight of the car or the runflats on the Zed.
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Sorry, my mistake!

I should say tho, that to get near the raggy edge of handling of these cars you have to be going some and a bit more!
 
SO8 said:
The Z4 feels heavy but does IMO handle. My old Z4M R after an S2000 felt like a barge but when you took it by the throat and chucked it about it really did handle quite well. I have the same view of the E89 - it seems softer and heavy but the only time (in my brief 3 months ownership) I gave it a little bit of free reign it really surprised me how it handled. The M135i is like a go cart in comparison and far easier to 'use' but the Z4 does seem very able - but the feel of it just cruising is easier ... if you know what I mean !
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We are really looking for a car that if refined, cruises well but will hold it's own around the corners. Run flats will go straight away and I hoped that adaptive suspension (on a new car) would help us with our choice of ride and conditions.

Considering that we will pushing her a relatively small amount of time, the ride on long runs is also a consideration.

H.
 
Havard said:
[
We are really looking for a car that if refined, cruises well but will hold it's own around the corners. Run flats will go straight away and I hoped that adaptive suspension (on a new car) would help us with our choice of ride and conditions.

Considering that we will pushing her a relatively small amount of time, the ride on long runs is also a consideration.

H.
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Changed my Runflats to Michelin Pilot Super Sports the week I got the car.
Even the short time I ran it on runflats, the handling and ride on my 19's with the Michelins is a massive difference.
The tyres soaks up the road undulations so much better and makes for a much comfier ride. Hoping the risk of cracks to my 326 wheels should lessen.
Haven't had some fun on the tyres yet coz they're not scrubbed in yet. :D
 
Z4M-2006 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I take it you have lost a lot of money on your car ? :D
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Not a mere 'lot', absolute bucket loads over the years. The latest Z4 (list price £54k) is my 43rd new car and there have been a quite a few second hand cars as well! What's the point of money if you can't enjoy it?
 
I'm only pulling your leg..

I wish I was in the same position, never had a new car and probably never will..

Money is too tight and hard to earn for me..plus my missus doesn't work ..
Still managed to clear the mortgage and haven't owned a quid to anyone since I was 37 so not a all grim up north
 
Garvin said:
Z4M-2006 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I take it you have lost a lot of money on your car ? :D
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Not a mere 'lot', absolute bucket loads over the years. The latest Z4 (list price £54k) is my 43rd new car and there have been a quite a few second hand cars as well! What's the point of money if you can't enjoy it?
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As I mentioned in a previous post, I think anyone who is into cars, loses money but there is a price on enjoyment and ownership. Minimising the loss has always been a skill of mine but sometimes you need to take a bigger plunge if you find something rare that you really want.

I too have not owed anyone anything for a long time and have built up some decent savings. If I can find the right second hand car then I will go for it. If we haven't found what we want by Christmas, I will take the plunge and get a new one. Should arrive in time to be on a 15 plate too. :driving:

H.
 
Havard said:
Garvin said:
Z4M-2006 said:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I take it you have lost a lot of money on your car ? :D
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Not a mere 'lot', absolute bucket loads over the years. The latest Z4 (list price £54k) is my 43rd new car and there have been a quite a few second hand cars as well! What's the point of money if you can't enjoy it?
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As I mentioned in a previous post, I think anyone who is into cars, loses money but there is a price on enjoyment and ownership. Minimising the loss has always been a skill of mine but sometimes you need to take a bigger plunge if you find something rare that you really want.

I too have not owed anyone anything for a long time and have built up some decent savings. If I can find the right second hand car then I will go for it. If we haven't found what we want by Christmas, I will take the plunge and get a new one. Should arrive in time to be on a 15 plate too. :driving:

H.
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Mind you, the market price on the last second hand car I bought two years ago has increased by about £7k 8)
 
I love the 355..

One of the best all round ferrari's ever built..

We had a run of repairing a few about 8 yrs ago ..servicing, Timing belts, clutches and we had one with a very naughty misfire..

At one point they dropped to around £25k but like you say they have bounced and are on the up..
 
Havard said:
RoyE said:
In answer to the question in the thread. Yes I would and indeed I have. So far, I do not regret the decision. Hopefully I won't in the future.
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How much has the experience of a new car cost you in reality.

I really have a soft spot for these cars but I think I am better off getting a second hand one. As was mentioned earlier, when the new model comes out (possibly 2016 as BMW tend to work in 7 year cycles), the second hand values will plummet further.

Can't see a PCP being any better value than new car and depreciation. Need to find a car that is towards the bottom of it's depreciation curve ideally.

H.
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It looks like there isn't going to be a new Z4 model. The current one is about to enter its 6th year on sale and there has been no media reports/spy photos of a replacement AT ALL! Very unusual if there was a successor in the pipeline. The original
E85 first went on sale in 2003 and was replaced in 2009 but we'd seen photos of disguised replacements at least 12 months beforehand.

So there basically isn't going to be a new Z4. Factor in many things into your new v used argument but don't bother including worries over a newer model coming out.
 
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