Anyone owned a Z4 on here?

[gorrie]

Right... trying to do some homework on Z4's... specifically 3.0 versions, and just wonder if anyone on here has info to hand.
BMW site lists them as having something like 260bhp with 0-60's of 5.7 secs... not quite elise sharpnes, but sounds like a compromise I may be willing to make if it means Alison will use it more as well. (She tested a 2.0 earlier in the week and liked the way it felt, but even she said it needed more power... thank f*ck).

However, as far as I can make out, the 3.0 engine was upgraded at some point... so.. older 3.0 engines didn't have that bhp (so I guess were slower also).

I'm struggling to find any info about how I would go about finding out which version of car I'm looking at if I was to go looking at private sales... also can't seem to nail down bhp/torque/0-60 figures for the older 3.0 engine either.

Anyone know about these cars?

Meant to be testing a 3.0 tomorrow at a dealer, but it's a steptronic/semi auto box and I'm not sure I'll like that tbh...

(EDITED TO ADD: I've had a look on a Z4 forum, but couldn't find anything of use).
Andy.

[Shug]

Figures mean f**k all in the real world. You'll need to test drive - certainly, I was of the opinion they were more of a cruiser than a sports car?

[tuscan_thunder]

A mate of mine has an earlier 3.0 (which, I believe is something like 231bhp).

It's a nice engine, nice gearbox but in my view the ride is atrocious. The wheel travel is limited and the run flat tyres don't help. Mid corner bumps upset it and it can pick up the inside wheel mid corner too which isn't especially nice.

However, I believe proper tyres would help and I think there was a slight change to suspension when the 3litre became more powerful. Might be worth a back to back of old and new.

The nose is very long and it's an odd sensation to drive for the first while. The steering's not bad and I think 'proper' tyres would make it all the better.

The gearing is quite high so it doesn't feel fireball fast low down but it pulls quite nicely higher up and it makes a good cruiser.

Far from a bad car, just needs a few tweaks to make it that bit better. There is a guy who uses the Scottish section of PH who has/had a tuned one. Can't for the life of me remember his username though

[tut]

My son has a Z4 3.0 Roadster with the auto box, I believe they have had 265hp since 2006, would have to check if he bought it new, but I think so.

He is a Police Officer in the Met, so really only uses it for commuting and visiting Scotland, no track or road runs. However it suits him well and he is very pleased with it and with the power for his use. He has had an E-Type, BMW, and a Honda CBR 1000 bike, so he would not buy a car that is underpowered.

tut

[Scotty C]

one of my ex/girlfriends has one. say no more

I really like them. love my 3.0i m sport BMW.

[Fluoxetine]

Parkers is your friend, when it comes to dates for spec changes etc....

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/b ... spx?page=7

It would seem the more powerful 3.0 was introduced in early 2006 (as has been suggested), and is badged an 'Si'...

I like the Z4M Coupe's - They have the M Diff, which is supposed to make them more fun to pedal...The one that sold at auction the other week for £17k sounded a bargain...

[Neil72]

I've only ever driven a Z3 (which I kinda liked, despite the slating it received in the motoring press) so I can't say much about the Z4, but I wouldn't buy one without having a go in a Boxster S if you want to go down the 'soft' roadster route. OK you would have to stretch the budget or settle for an older car but I don't think the Z4 is going to offer the same kind of driving experience.

Mucho cheapness for the Z4's at the moment though, which has caught my eye a couple of times.

http://www.autoquake.com/vehicle/inspid=7334
http://www.autoquake.com/vehicle/inspid=7142

[gorrie]

Cheers guys.... don't know why I didn't go straight to Parkers.
Started trawling the forums & googling which brought nowt up.

Looks like Jan-06 was the updated engine... went from 231-->265bhp. Only made a 0.2 second difference in 0-60 so not major.
It certainly is a more relaxed/cruiser type car than the Elise... but considering I've only done 1000miles in the Elise over the last 6mths, I need to find something which Alison will happily use as well 9and she can fit her stuff in the boot for her work also.

The M-Sports suspension was fitted to the 2.0 we test drove, so we had it along the A71 for a bit of out-of-town driving. Was quite surprised... a lot flatter in the corners than I was expecting, although certainly no Elise. The 3.0 is meant to come with the M suspension as standard from what I can make out.

I think the Boxster is out... boot space an issue. Basically, Alison needs to be able to fit a pasting table in the boot (which is why she never takes the Elise to work, steal the Fiesta... leaving me in the house with the kids & no means of taking them anywhere).
Z4 can handle the pasting table... and although the Boxster on paper has more luggage space, I don't believe it has a compartment big enough to swallow a pasting table (I'm guessing they added the luggage space behind the engine to the space in the front for a soft bag when they published the Boxster figure??) I'll check it out though...

Anyway, need to sell the Elise first... so just doing the legwork at the moment..
I'm sure you guys wouldn't object to me coming on track in the Fiesta !!

[holly]

my favorite car!
you should get a white coupe hmmmmmmm

[ryallm]

I have driven my brothers Z4 on a number of occasions and have always been pretty unimpressed, and I usually like BMWs. His has 18" wheels and sports suspension and it has the worst ride of any car I have ever driven - really laughably hard, far harder than my Exige and even worse than the Westfield I used to have. The steering also has absolutely no feel, which in my book means it can never be a proper sports car, the brakes are over servoed, and the seat doesn't go far enough back for my 6ft 2 frame. On the plus side the electic hood is neat, nice engine and gearbox, and it feels very well built, which is just as well as the ride is so bad it would shake itself to pieces otherwise, and the looks have grown on me. Overall though, avoid

Mark

[gorrie]

His has 18" wheels and sports suspension and it has the worst ride of any car I have ever driven - really laughably hard....... The steering also has absolutely no feel, which in my book means it can never be a proper sports car, the brakes are over servoed, and the seat doesn't go far enough back for my 6ft 2 frame.

Note to self, stay away from 18"s. The one I drove earlier this week (with the M-Sports Suspension), the ride was better than my S2 (drove the same roads on the way home in the S2)... and my S2 is a massive improvement over the 135R I had... so I guess it can only be the 18"s to have such a difference. Handling wasn't up to the S2 standards though... but better than I thought it would be (almost twice the weight !!!)

Agreed, steering is a bit numb for my liking too, although after a 2hr test I eventually got tuned in to it. Brakes were very grabby. I also thought this was due to being over servo'd... but the test car had only done 1600miles, so wasn't sure if perhaps they were still a bit keen or not.

Seat comment is bizarre though... I'm just under 6'3" (but I slouch)... 34" inside leg. I managed to get a comfy driving position, although seat was as far back as possible. Needed to just put the seat back forward a touch so the base could go back an extra click.

I always said that if I sold the Liz... I'd get a Tuscan... but I'm not sure I've got the balls big enough to take the hit of a potential rebuild. Thought about Porkers (996) circa 1998/99 as well, but again I'd assume running repairs could hurt.

[tuscan_thunder]

Personally, I'd steer clear of 996s unless you knwo their history.

A tidy 993 is, in my view, a better buy.

S2000?

[ryallm]

Seat comment is bizarre though... I'm just under 6'3" (but I slouch)... 34" inside leg. I managed to get a comfy driving position, although seat was as far back as possible. Needed to just put the seat back forward a touch so the base could go back an extra click.

I have about a 34" inside leg too, but I am very picky about my driving position. A dodgy right knee means I really need to have my legs as straight as possible or it quickly gets very uncomfortable.

You may well be right about 18s and run flats being the source of the ride problems. I wonder if there is any reason why you couldn't stick normal tyres on, or are the rims different in some way?

What about a 350Z?

Mark

[Fluoxetine]

I'll get shot down in flames for suggesting, but what about an RX8?

They are the performance bargain of the moment, imho...£6k ish for a car under 3 years old, that someone paid £25k+ for when new...

A lot more usable for the family than a 2 seater, big boot for the pasting table...Decent handling, and reasonable performance...

Detractors will point out the 20-25mpg thirst, oil drinking, and engine flooding...But being an enthusiast, as opposed to someone who gets one as a company car, you'll check the oil every couple of weeks, and blip the throttle to 4k rpm before turning off...(And fuel consumption will be similar to a 3.0 Z4...)

It sounds like you need something you'll actually use - Hence getting rid of the Elise...The RX8 would fit the bill, with seating for the kids too...

[StiflerMR2]

AWESOME handling, and reasonable performance...

EFA

They are superb cars Shame mines has lost me about 6.5K in one year - still don't ever regret buying it tho.