Z4 as a daily?

S

soundguy

New member
Looking to get a new car early this year and thought about a Z4, i'm planning on a few trips to Scotland, Snowdonia and one around Europe so figured it'd be good to do it in a fun car.

Currently drive a 2002 1.6 Focus and can't really fault it, it's not cost me anything other than tyres in the 3 years i've had it. I know this won't be the case with the BMW but on the whole they seem to be pretty solid?

Mileage is around 5k a year plus whatever the road trips add on so mpg isn't too much of a factor. The car wouldn't really move through the week. I'd be looking at getting a 2.5, from what i've read it's an acceptable comprise between the 2.2 and 3.0?

I don't really need the practicality of 5 seats so I could live with that aspect. Plan is to keep it for a couple of years for my trips then move on to something else, hopefully by that time i'll be in a better postcode for insurance.

I know servicing will be slightly more expensive, tyres not that much more (the Focus is currently on 4x Eagle F1s 215/45/17), insurance works out at around 1900 with 2 named drivers which is about a grand more than I'm paying but if the car is worth it I don't mind paying the extra.

Anything else I need to look out for?

6k seems to get me a decent early 2003-2004 model, not really bothered about the sat-nav as I have a decent TomTom but heated seats and cruise is a must - not sure if standard on 2.5 models?

This ticks all the boxes:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201141421174802/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/7000/transmission/manual/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/model/z4/make/bmw/page/2/postcode/dn24aa/radius/1501?logcode=p
 
My 2003 2.5i has heated seats, but I bought it used so I'm not sure if they're standard.

Other than the fact that it only seats two people (which can be an advantage at times :wink: ) I think it's a brilliant car for day-to-day driving as well as touring. Surprisingly comfortable, and the mpg is surprisingly good as well.

But ... what's a "2.5L"? Is there really such a thing,or is that just a typo for "2.5i"?
 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

That Z4 was originally up for £8,500 as remember seeing it when searching, I went for a lower mileage car so ended up spending more.

Must be a reason why they have dropped the price to £5,786..... :o

To answer your question, yes it makes a great daily driver but the run flat tyres make the ride a bit bumpy on the country roads, but easy to replace.

Good luck with your search :thumbsup:
 
soundguy said:
Mileage is around 5k a year plus whatever the road trips add on so mpg isn't too much of a factor. The car wouldn't really move through the week.
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Then it won't actually be a daily driver, but a weekend car, and used for a few trips. :poke:

My Z4 is my DD, and I can highly recommend it as such. I've made several vacation trips in it of 5-9 hours on the highway and was perfectly comfortable. In the 1.5 years I've owned it, it has had no major problems. Minor problems= xenon bulb burned out, cabin creaks sometimes, engine makes a ticking sound every 3-5 months, etc. In other words, it's great! Mine is a 2007, mind you. BMW problems stem more from dealership incompetence than the cars themselves, IMO (not servicing the car as requested, charging for items that they didn't provide, etc.). If you steer clear of dealerships, you should be fine. Take a look at the Z4 Forum Official FAQ for common faults others have experienced with their cars (rear spring failure, etc.). You should test drive several Z4s before buying one used. It will better inform you of what to expect in a proper example.
 
Neither cruise or heated seats were standard on the 2.5, in fact the standard seats in the the 2.5 back in 03/04 were actually cloth, nor was there any additional suffix's the range consisted if the 2.2, 2.5 & 3.0 all in SE trim, no i, no Si no sport.
Had my 2.5 nearly 8 years now and in all that time beyond tyres and routine servicing it has not cost me a penny, that was before involvement with this forum.
Both the heated seats and the cruise are easy retro fits on Zeds of that era so do not make it deal breaker.
 
Soundguy - Hello an welcome to the forum.

I originally bought my zed as a daily driver. It's an easy car to live with day to day. However, more lately I've got a 2nd car to keep the miles off the zed and keep it for some fun at the weekends.

Good luck in your search :thumbsup:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Used Z4's as a daily for over six years, did 80K on the first so over 13K per year. Got aftermarket seat heaters in this one and retro-fit cruise coming soon. so , all in all a good mixture of car for business and pleasure
 
I use mine as my daily driver and its fine does everything you could want from a 2 seater. It's perfectly comfortable for short and long journeys fine when stuck in traffic and dealing with rubbish city driving but get it out on some good roads and it just comes alive ! Plus it even has a half decent boot if your going way considering the type of car.
 
Daily driver for me - any second car would have to be REALLY nice to make it emotionally possible for me to tuck mine up for weekend use only, and I certainly ain't that minted :wink:

I have an auto and that suits me fine. The run flats are nasty IMO, but they are not on the car right now and I'll change them on my 'summer' rims when I can. I've had it for just over 3 months and done 3,500 miles - as someone said above the most expensive problem so far has been this forum :D
 
i found the ride on my last 2.5 a bit harsh and crashy for everyday driving and it tramlined a bit too. i didnt like the manual gearbox in stop/ start traffic and felt that pulling off from a hilly junction, you had to be precise with balancing the clutch or it would kangaroo a bit. however, i did enjoy the top down experience and on a good road, the driving experience was great. i am looking for a replacement now but it will be an auto this time round
 
Don't let the fact that it only has two seats fool you. The Z4 is for all practical purposes a three series minus two seats. Same engine/trans/suspension. The ZED is a stout car. It just lacks for storage. Just :driving: it. You'll be fine.
 
Some good feedback. 8)

When I said the car won't really move through the week, I meant i'd be doing 10 miles a day tops. How much am I looking at to retrofit cruise and heated seats?
Can I connect my iPhone easily? Is there more cabin room than my Focus, I find I get a little cramped on long journeys.
 
Very practical car.

To your questions:
Cruise is a simple DIY fix of the stalk
Heated seat retrofits would be challenging but could be done. I'd find a car with them in.
iPhone 4 connects to the Bluetooth just fine, but some seem to have issues, so it may be around exact ULF. Fitted of the 13 generations made. You could test pair when viewing.
 
soundguy said:
Some good feedback. 8)

When I said the car won't really move through the week, I meant i'd be doing 10 miles a day tops. How much am I looking at to retrofit cruise and heated seats?
Can I connect my iPhone easily? Is there more cabin room than my Focus, I find I get a little cramped on long journeys.
Click to expand...

Regarding cabin room, you need to drive one on a decently long test drive. The car I had before this one was a Focus ST - there is more 'space', but now I have my driving position right I am more comfortable in the Z because of places to put my arm, rest my leg etc. I didn't like the driving height in the ST - though it's a 'hot hatch' and deserves a better seating set up. Personally I like the cosy way the Z's cabin feels wrapped around you when the roof is up, and then (if you buy a proper one :poke: ) you can let the world in by folding the roof into it's rightful home :thumbsup:

For what it's worth, I think the e89 is more luxurious than the e85/86 - but I have never driven one, and that's not what you're looking for. Perhaps someone one here near to you will let you have a wee go in their e85 ? Quite an accommodating bunch on here - if you're in Kent you can come and see mine :D
 
I use mine as my DD, and whilst the relatively low mpg can be a pain at times, it's just as comfortable in the cold harsh morning light in stop/start commuting as it is zooming around the open roads with the roof off as the sun blazes down on you. :wink:

Good luck with your search and welcome to the forum.
 
soundguy said:
Would you avoid the one I linked to? Never bought from a main dealer before, can they be swayed much on price?
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sound guy - the link doesn't work anymore ? I didn't buy mine from a main dealer, but I have seen a few people on here talking about holding out and getting a good price from dealers, specifically at this time of year.
 
soundguy said:
Would you avoid the one I linked to? Never bought from a main dealer before, can they be swayed much on price?
Click to expand...

A main dealer can sometimes be pursuaded to lower the price. Depends how much they've squeezed on the margin already.

Personally, unless the dealer is offering a decent warranty, I would try to source privately, from an enthusiast. This gives you the chance to have a discussion with the current owner and gauge how much the car has been loved. A car from a dealer could have been used and abused then sat on a fourcourt for a length of time.

Each car will different of course, and if you some peace of mind, buying from a dealer could be the right thing for you.
 
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