Z4, overall impressions?
Discussion
Evening all,
My wife wants a convertible, and, given a free reign, she thinks that a Z4 is the way to go.
We have pretty much worked out that she wants a facelifted one, and it will be a 2.5 or 3.0, with the "sports" package, so, I thought I'd ask for some opinions.
It is a bit off from what I'd normally pick, as, from my viewpoint, it is not so sporty, or so fast (I have an E46 M3 at the moment), and will cost in the high 20s, which is a fair chunk for a runabout.
But, if that is what she wants, that is what she will have. I just thought it would be nice to listen to the voices of experience, and solicit any advice that people would like to send my way.
So, to quote the Blodhound gang, from their seminal work, "The Bad Touch", I'd appreciate your input...
My wife wants a convertible, and, given a free reign, she thinks that a Z4 is the way to go.
We have pretty much worked out that she wants a facelifted one, and it will be a 2.5 or 3.0, with the "sports" package, so, I thought I'd ask for some opinions.
It is a bit off from what I'd normally pick, as, from my viewpoint, it is not so sporty, or so fast (I have an E46 M3 at the moment), and will cost in the high 20s, which is a fair chunk for a runabout.
But, if that is what she wants, that is what she will have. I just thought it would be nice to listen to the voices of experience, and solicit any advice that people would like to send my way.
So, to quote the Blodhound gang, from their seminal work, "The Bad Touch", I'd appreciate your input...
The main criticism seems to be that they don't feel very secure at high speeds, a bit light at the front. May bother you more than her!
Only other suggestion from me would be to drive back to back with an SLK 280. I had an SLK-350 and it's a truly wonderful car, certainly better than the Z4 and I'm a BMW sucker.
Autotrader suggests that a 06 SLK280 with 5k could be had for about 28k.
Worth a pause for thought!?
Only other suggestion from me would be to drive back to back with an SLK 280. I had an SLK-350 and it's a truly wonderful car, certainly better than the Z4 and I'm a BMW sucker.
Autotrader suggests that a 06 SLK280 with 5k could be had for about 28k.
Worth a pause for thought!?
I test drove a 3ltr recently. As an owner of a 1.8i MX5 mk2, I was expecting to be impressed. It was clearly faster, more refined, had a better interior, yet for all that, just completely lost the plot on being fun to drive. The MX5 is simply so much more involving.
So it depends on what your missus and yourself want. If you want a car that is genuinely fun, save yourself a packet and buy a s/h MX5. If you want a pleasant cruiser, the Z4 is a good car.
So it depends on what your missus and yourself want. If you want a car that is genuinely fun, save yourself a packet and buy a s/h MX5. If you want a pleasant cruiser, the Z4 is a good car.
Opinions on Cars are very personal things.
Personally, I enjoy every minute that I spend driving mine.
I take on board the previous point about the dash ... but having previously had TVR's I think I must have grown out of the need for bling and now prefer something more understated but functional.
It is great to drive and handles really well (19 inch Michelin Pilots are standard), and personally I've never had any issues at high speed with regards to "feel".
As eluded to previously ... you need to test-drive a sample of cars and pick what suits best.
Personally, I enjoy every minute that I spend driving mine.
I take on board the previous point about the dash ... but having previously had TVR's I think I must have grown out of the need for bling and now prefer something more understated but functional.
It is great to drive and handles really well (19 inch Michelin Pilots are standard), and personally I've never had any issues at high speed with regards to "feel".
As eluded to previously ... you need to test-drive a sample of cars and pick what suits best.
I recently bought a 2007 2.5si sport, and I'm really pleased with it. The facelifted version has been made to work better with the runflat tyres so it's not the tramlining nightmare it used to be.
Not sure where the "19" michelin tyres are standard" comment comes from, it's not true at all - runflats are the order of the day with BMW.
As I like most things about the car, I'll mention the things I dislike.
* interior is prone to rattles - not really a bugbare for me, as I'll either have the top down, or be listening to music. Some people hate rattles though.
* um, that's all I've noticed so far, only had mine for 4 weeks and 1800 miles.
Definitely go for a 2.5 or 3.0, as the 2.0 is a 4cyl engine, and the inline 6 sounds great. The MPG on all engines is pretty close, so go for a 3.0 if possible.
Not sure where the "19" michelin tyres are standard" comment comes from, it's not true at all - runflats are the order of the day with BMW.
As I like most things about the car, I'll mention the things I dislike.
* interior is prone to rattles - not really a bugbare for me, as I'll either have the top down, or be listening to music. Some people hate rattles though.
* um, that's all I've noticed so far, only had mine for 4 weeks and 1800 miles.
Definitely go for a 2.5 or 3.0, as the 2.0 is a 4cyl engine, and the inline 6 sounds great. The MPG on all engines is pretty close, so go for a 3.0 if possible.
Edited by Samiad on Monday 7th May 23:05
Heh heh a post that I can respond to and actually know something about... crumbs! 
I've had my Z4 for over a year and love the car. I've test drove the Audi TT and Merc SLK (did't get to the Boxster) and ended up with the Z4. I think it handles beautifully (and I am not averse to throwing my car into the corners), things I have to admit improved when I replaced the runflats (Bridgestone Potenzas) with Goodyear F1's and numerous people/motoring magazines have reported a difference moving from the the runflat tyres to non run flats.
Things I would change would be to move to the 3.0 engine (I have the rare-ish 2.2 small bore 2.5 litre block), particularly now that the 3.0 litre comes in the 265bhp flavour over the original 231bhp engine.
Sad to say (or not) that I still feel good when my car is waxed up and running through the highstreets of South London and I look in the shop windows and see the reflection of my car as I am driving along and I still feel good when I go on tunnel runs (or the forthcoming Kent run) and feel part of the crowd (despite the lack of HP).
I've had my Z4 for over a year and love the car. I've test drove the Audi TT and Merc SLK (did't get to the Boxster) and ended up with the Z4. I think it handles beautifully (and I am not averse to throwing my car into the corners), things I have to admit improved when I replaced the runflats (Bridgestone Potenzas) with Goodyear F1's and numerous people/motoring magazines have reported a difference moving from the the runflat tyres to non run flats.
Things I would change would be to move to the 3.0 engine (I have the rare-ish 2.2 small bore 2.5 litre block), particularly now that the 3.0 litre comes in the 265bhp flavour over the original 231bhp engine.
Sad to say (or not) that I still feel good when my car is waxed up and running through the highstreets of South London and I look in the shop windows and see the reflection of my car as I am driving along and I still feel good when I go on tunnel runs (or the forthcoming Kent run) and feel part of the crowd (despite the lack of HP).
[quote=Samiad]
Not sure where the "19" michelin tyres are standard" comment comes from, it's not true at all - runflats are the order of the day with BMW.
quote]
Yeah - I think he must have meant 18" and the Z4M as that M cars are the only ones that come from the factory without run flats....unless of course he's a rare one with the Alpina 3.4S....IIRC they come with 19" wheels???
J.
Not sure where the "19" michelin tyres are standard" comment comes from, it's not true at all - runflats are the order of the day with BMW.
quote]
Yeah - I think he must have meant 18" and the Z4M as that M cars are the only ones that come from the factory without run flats....unless of course he's a rare one with the Alpina 3.4S....IIRC they come with 19" wheels???
J.
My car is a 3.4L Alpina Roadster S and does have 19 inch wheels as standard ... 275-30-19's on the rear and 245-30-19's on the front.
Here's a picture of the car.
Number 035 of just 369, of which just 167 are RHD.
And here's me with the car at Buchloe meeting Thomas Kleiner the Technician who built my Engine.
Here's a picture of the car.
Number 035 of just 369, of which just 167 are RHD.
And here's me with the car at Buchloe meeting Thomas Kleiner the Technician who built my Engine.
Edited by gimlet on Tuesday 8th May 19:13
Thanks for the appreciative comments.
Alpina only built 5 Roadster S cars in Maldives Blue but it was the colour I wanted.
I bought the car from new in May 2004 from Sytners.
The Factory Visit to Buchloe was in June 2005 where they arranged for me to meet Thomas as Alpina Engines are hand-built by a single Technician.
I bought the Plate at auction after contacting the DVLA to initially make it available.
It's a great car ... exclusive in terms of numbers, very quick but still comfortable, much cheaper to run than the previous two Tuscans, and more practical.
Alpina only built 5 Roadster S cars in Maldives Blue but it was the colour I wanted.
I bought the car from new in May 2004 from Sytners.
The Factory Visit to Buchloe was in June 2005 where they arranged for me to meet Thomas as Alpina Engines are hand-built by a single Technician.
I bought the Plate at auction after contacting the DVLA to initially make it available.
It's a great car ... exclusive in terms of numbers, very quick but still comfortable, much cheaper to run than the previous two Tuscans, and more practical.
olf said:
The main criticism seems to be that they don't feel very secure at high speeds, a bit light at the front. May bother you more than her!
Only other suggestion from me would be to drive back to back with an SLK 280. I had an SLK-350 and it's a truly wonderful car, certainly better than the Z4 and I'm a BMW sucker.
Autotrader suggests that a 06 SLK280 with 5k could be had for about 28k.
Worth a pause for thought!?
Only other suggestion from me would be to drive back to back with an SLK 280. I had an SLK-350 and it's a truly wonderful car, certainly better than the Z4 and I'm a BMW sucker.
Autotrader suggests that a 06 SLK280 with 5k could be had for about 28k.
Worth a pause for thought!?
Maybe, thanks. I will get her to take a try.
Mr_Sukebe said:
I test drove a 3ltr recently. As an owner of a 1.8i MX5 mk2, I was expecting to be impressed. It was clearly faster, more refined, had a better interior, yet for all that, just completely lost the plot on being fun to drive. The MX5 is simply so much more involving.
So it depends on what your missus and yourself want. If you want a car that is genuinely fun, save yourself a packet and buy a s/h MX5. If you want a pleasant cruiser, the Z4 is a good car.
So it depends on what your missus and yourself want. If you want a car that is genuinely fun, save yourself a packet and buy a s/h MX5. If you want a pleasant cruiser, the Z4 is a good car.
She realy does not want an MX-5. For all its good points, it does just not hit the right buttons for her.
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