BMW Z4is

[CAH706]

Hi all

I’m looking at changing one of our cars for something a bit more fun and have my eye on a BMW Z4 35is. Looks good (to me), engine a peach but just ok in the twisties.

My max budget is £25k and that would appear to get me a reasonable example

So…. Couple of questions

1) any experience with this car in terms of how it drives and it’s reliability. I did also consider the Z4 35i

2) any better options out there I should look at. Must haves are auto, convertible, reasonably quick, 2 or 4 seats, budget of £25k (no creep on this as I’ve just retired and should really be saving the money )

Thanks

[stevekoz]

I don't have experience of the 35 but i do have the 3.0 N/A engine. So it lacks the turbo chargers of the N54. That was a lovely engine and great little package.

I have heard good things about the 35is - but i have heard to watch out for -

Leaking dampners
Roof Mechanisms (that goes for all convertibles if i'm honest as at least a "watch out for")

In terms of the engine. They have the n54 engine as stated. Now. I haven't had much experience but do know similar lumps in the 335i have suffered high pressure fuel pump issues which are costly. As well as things like wastegate rattle which ends up causing turbo failure.

BUT...plenty of stories of terror on the internet. In real life, i'm unsure how many actual cars are effected.

In terms of your spec. An alternative has to be the Boxster. At £25k you are prime 981 territory. Good mileage. PDK -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101097...

That would be my choice if it had to be convertible. Else i'd get a Cayman.

Alternatively as a choice there is the Mercedes SLC43 - though just in budget and not many about. But a gorgeous looking car

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...

[CAH706]

Thanks Steve

That’s really good info and a couple of alternatives….I’d not considered the Merc at all

[Mr Tidy]

I've had 3 Z4s, but all of mine were the previous generation E86.

From what I have read the 35is models all had adaptive suspension and when (not if) it fails it's about £1K a corner to replace.

You ought to get some better feedback if you asked your question on z4forum.

[henrycrun]

Try https://www.zroadster.net (Z3 and Z4 forums) in UK

[shiversaint]

I too had the 3 litre NA straight six engined E89 which quite frankly was a brilliant, brilliant car. Properly good engine and pretty practical to live with.

[CAH706]

Thanks for the forum links. I will check those out further but from a quick look thefeedback for the z4 35is seems positive. Values seem to be holding well which is an added bonus.

Annoyingly, as I always do I’ve distracted myself with other cars (Audi TTS being one), scope creep (looking at coupes etc) and budget shift (another few k on top may help me get something better/different)!

[CAH706]

Thanks Jasey

My only reservation is that I’ll be getting rid of my ‘dog car’ (Honda civic touring) for it.

We do have another car that I can use to take the dog out so that’s not really a problem but that will limit my use of the Z4 at times.

I’m thinking that an Audi TTS coupe may be a better option as he would fit in that with the rear seats folded down.

I did ideally want a convertible though

[ZX10R NIN]

A very good alternative if you can live without the drop top side of things the the 370Z Nismo is a peach & has a nice grunty V6:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104291...

The SLC43 is a very good alternative to the 35i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101057...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

Or I think in reality if it has to be a drop top then I'd be going for a nice low mileage SLK55 AMG with less borkage than the 35 & less depreciation. Oh & did I mention the V8 soundtrack

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103069...

[CAH706]

Thank you for taking the time to reply

I had a Nissan 350z some while back so had briefly considered the 370

The Mercs are a good option. Interesting comment on the depreciation of the SLK. The BMW 35is seems to be holding prices really well from what I can see and potentially not losing loads on the Merc makes that a good viable option…..along with that engine

[davey68]

Does the last model SLK55 AMG really achieve clained mpg figures? I know it has some sort of tech that can shut off a bank of cylinders but 33mpg combined seems optimistic!

[ZX10R NIN]

davey68 said:

Does the last model SLK55 AMG really achieve clained mpg figures? I know it has some sort of tech that can shut off a bank of cylinders but 33mpg combined seems optimistic!

Real world 28mpg

[CAH706]

I did all of 800 miles in my car in the last 12 months. Combination of lockdown, retiring from work and a poorly wife

Don’t think I’ll do more than 3k in the new car so mpg isn’t not an issue

[ZX10R NIN]

55 AMG all day long then

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

55 AMG all day long then

I thought exactly the same!

[CAH706]

randomly whilst walking my dog this morning a chap parked up near me in a 2012 Z4 35i. Had a good chat with him as he wanted to talk dogs and I wanted to talk cars had a look around his car and he very kindly let me sit in it and look at the features and roof operation etc. I did test drive one back in 2005 so am a little familiar with the car but was useful to have another look

There is also an SLK in my village which I walk past…. Doesn’t look great in silver to my eyes

I have a couple of options (SLK and Z4) so will arrange test drives next week. The drive is key but if I’m honest the look and cabin appeal is also important and so far I’m not convinced these cars are doing it for me.

I’ve added the Merc SLC into the mix and with a bit of budget creep the new BMWz4. Reservations on the engine but the interior is better.

From another thread I’ve got strangely drawn to the Mustang …. I need an auto due to a dicky knee so need to read up on what that’s like in the car …. But I love the looks

[CAH706]

randomly whilst walking my dog this morning a chap parked up near me in a 2012 Z4 35i. Had a good chat with him as he wanted to talk dogs and I wanted to talk cars had a look around his car and he very kindly let me sit in it and look at the features and roof operation etc. I did test drive one back in 2005 so am a little familiar with the car but was useful to have another look

There is also an SLK in my village which I walk past…. Doesn’t look great in silver to my eyes

I have a couple of options (SLK and Z4) so will arrange test drives next week. The drive is key but if I’m honest the look and cabin appeal is also important and so far I’m not convinced these cars are doing it for me.

I’ve added the Merc SLC into the mix and with a bit of budget creep the new BMWz4. Reservations on the engine but the interior is better.

From another thread I’ve got strangely drawn to the Mustang …. I need an auto due to a dicky knee so need to read up on what that’s like in the car …. But I love the looks

[ZX10R NIN]

The Mustangs are good cars and the auto works well with the engine but it'll mean a budget creep of around 2k+

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102269...

[CAH706]

My budget is more running than creeping at the minute

Thanks for the comment on the autobox. I’m liking this option more and more and the one you linked to looks great.

[CAH706]

To bring this to a close

Wow, it is hard finding cars at the minute at a reasonable price

Hopefully I’ll be getting Z4 3.0si later this morning. Currently half way through a 5 hour trip to get it!!