Do you think I could get a good Z4 for <£5000

[Connor]

I'm in the position now, where I can have my cake and eat it, as they say.

My girlfriend will be keeping the Fiat 500 Diesel as she'll be using it for work, and we can use it when visiting etc, which means I can get back in a Zed for actual DRIVING.

I've had two Z3's so now I want a Z4, and looking at insurance quotes, the 2.5 is the cheapest and 2.0 is the most expensive! With the 3.0 costing only £50 more than the 2.5!

My question is there are plenty Z4s, with varying engine sizes costing under £5000 with 90000 ish miles, are they likely to be lemons? or is that just the going rate?

Thanks again,

Connor.

 

[billz]

You can get a 2.2 with under 60k for under 5k. The early Z4s have the same engine as the face lifted Z3s so if you get a 6 cylinder then you cant go wrong. Buying any car is a risk and is and always will be a gamble on whether it is a Lemon

 

[GazHyde]

I think you can get a really decent Z4 relatively cheaply at the moment. Take as much care selecting one as you do any other car and you should be fine. Drive as many as you can organise test drives for, and you should soon realise which drive right.

Loved my 3.0 auto, and it was pretty reliable too. Only issue was a snapped rear spring, but if you don't have at least one snap in a Z4 then you've bought one that's already had them changed

 

[Connor]

I think Ideally I want a 3.0 Auto, no idea why I fancy an auto, but I do, however if the right one came up at the right price with a manual id take it.

how common is cruise control on the Z4s?

 

[GazHyde]

The steptronic auto matched with the 3.0 M54 is sublime. Perfect for pootling around, but when your in the twisties flick it to Sport and change gear like a pro!

But don't just trust me, Jason Plato loved driving mine too. Fifth Gear borrowed mine for a feature on sub 5k sports cars. He owned a 3.0 Z4 from new when they originally came out.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7cF4xMeVac

 

[Redline]

The steptronic auto matched with the 3.0 M54 is sublime. Perfect for pootling around, but when your in the twisties flick it to Sport and change gear like a pro!

But don't just trust me, Jason Plato loved driving mine too. Fifth Gear borrowed mine for a feature on sub 5k sports cars. He owned a 3.0 Z4 from new when they originally came out.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7cF4xMeVac

That was your car?
I watched that just the other day.

Just starting to play with the steptronic myself after being lazy and letting the box do all the work. Great fun. My first ever auto. Wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. But with so much power and acceleration I love it. Only use the flappy paddles rarely though.

Try an auto yourself @Connor.

 

[Mac Romans]

They're strong cars. Check the service history and look it over carefully and it's a safe bet. I imagine prices will creep up soon when the better weather comes.

 

[Connor]

@GazHyde that's awesome as if they used your car! It looks pretty nice, what I'm after actually. Was it worth more than what Plato/5th gear reckoned 5k?

I'm definitely going to try the auto.

@Mac Romans my thoughts exactly want to make a move before the spring

 

[GazHyde]

That was your car?
I watched that just the other day.

Yep, that was mine and my only claim to fame . Did a write up on the filming day too - https://zroadster.org/threads/fifth-gear-filming-z4-vs-boxster-s-vs-rx-8.2114

 

[GazHyde]

@GazHydeWas it worth more than what Plato/5th gear reckoned 5k?

At the time it was probably worth a more like 5.5k to 6k as it was fully spec'd, but they struggled to get owners interested in lending cars.

 

[Grumps]

That's the first time I've seen a car of yours clean @GazHyde!

 

[Bond]

yep M54 with a Auto .. great combination

 

[Daz3]

I'd say you can get a good one my mum has a 3.0 on an 03 plate here's a list of things to look out for and common things I know I've done on her car.

Third brake light lense cracked
Alternator
Starter motor
Expansion tank next to rad leaking (split down the seam)
Shocks and springs all round

Early ones are getting on a bit now just just check the history file to see what's been done. Any knocking noises on the suspension etc I put a set of coilovers on her car as bmw wanted £250 just for one 'm' sport shock! Most things are reasonably cheap to fix just certain things are a bit more pricey!

 

[Connor]

I'd say you can get a good one my mum has a 3.0 on an 03 plate here's a list of things to look out for and common things I know I've done on her car.

Third brake light lense cracked
Alternator
Starter motor
Expansion tank next to rad leaking (split down the seam)
Shocks and springs all round

Early ones are getting on a bit now just just check the history file to see what's been done. Any knocking noises on the suspension etc I put a set of coilovers on her car as bmw wanted £250 just for one 'm' sport shock! Most things are reasonably cheap to fix just certain things are a bit more pricey!

All seem pretty minor, so there's nothing serious with the engines/gearbox?

Connor.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

The M54 Engines and the auto gearboxes with paddle shift have been around for some time, never heard of one with any serious problems. Of course if the car has been hammered to death, in which case you'll know? Then it should be a safe bet even with high mileage.

Mike

 

[Bozzy]

Hi @Connor ,good to see you're looking for another zed
Has your Dad still got your old Z3 ?

Steve

 

[Connor]

The M54 Engines and the auto gearboxes with paddle shift have been around for some time, never heard of one with any serious problems. Of course if the car has been hammered to death, in which case you'll know? Then it should be a safe bet even with high mileage.

Mike

I'm sure id know that. I think as long as it's got a good history (which is easier to check now with the MOT history checker thing) and is a good drive it will be a good buy.

@Bozzy yep, dads still got it, just had a new clutch actually to try and calm that clunk when going into gear.

Connor.

 

[Bozzy]

I'm sure id know that. I think as long as it's got a good history (which is easier to check now with the MOT history checker thing) and is a good drive it will be a good buy.

@Bozzy yep, dads still got it, just had a new clutch actually to try and calm that clunk when going into gear.

Connor.

Has the new clutch improved the Gear change /clunk problem?
I fitted an extended clutch pedal stop which has helped make the gear change smoother,a few others on here have fitted them as well.
Steve

 

[t-tony]

If you want to have a run in a Z4 3.0 Auto, give me a shout. I'll give you a run.

Tony.

 

[Connor]

Has the new clutch improved the Gear change /clunk problem?
I fitted an extended clutch pedal stop which has helped make the gear change smoother,a few others on here have fitted them as well.
Steve

I asked him this morning, he has not got it back yet its one of his friends who's doing the work in between other jobs.

If you want to have a run in a Z4 3.0 Auto, give me a shout. I'll give you a run.

Tony.

I may take you up on the offer Tony, I think i'm going to see one on Saturday seems well looked after and has full BMW & Specialist S/H. Plus the MOT history check is very clean, the cleanest i've seen since i've known about it. Its a forumite over on the Z4 forum.

Connor.