Which Z4 to replace trusty E39

Helo there, I have a little inheritance and fancied scratching an itch to own a sports car before I am too old. Searches for RWD Petrol manual cars with 0 to 60 under 8s resulted in me considering Z4, never having had a two seater or convertible. I could spend all day on internet and YouTube but have eventually test driven a nice 2012 2.0 turbo manual 72k running on standard supermarket fuel and Rotalle tyres all round.

I was impressed with build quality, brakes, gearbox and suspension but engine seemed uninspiring. I had a manual Saab 9000 Aero for twelve years that would pin you in the seat when the Turbo kicked in!

Afterwards I drove the same twisty undulating road in my 2001 E39 525i manual. I have had this car for 11 years and forgot have lovely the engine sounds ( unlike the Z4 which was muted and normal) and just how responsive it is in the lower gears again unlike the Z4.

So is a Z4 a better driver's car than a six cylinder or even V8 E39 or E60?

If so, should I search for pre or post 2009 car?

2.5 or 3.0 6 cylinder?

Get my trusty old E39 tidied up?

Or look elsewhere?

Cheers

 

I think only you can answer this one. It would come down to personal preference and budget in many ways. Can you find an older Z4 that runs the idler straight six engines? Might be worth a compromise in the age of the car to get a more characterful engine.
A Saab 9000 is one epic old beast, I know what you mean about the boost on those!

 

Or, depending upon your budget again, if you can stretch to the M40i versions, you will be pleasantly surprised as to how the B58 engine performs.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406281226493

 

My neighbour has an E89 35is with the DCT auto and it is extremely fast. Prior to that he had the same shape 23i with is the 200bhp 2.5 litre with a manual transmission. That was a quick car and to be frank more suited to British road speed limits as the 35is gets you up to and beyond the limits extremely quickly.

 

I like the Z4 and have driven a couple but to my mind a Porsche Boxster of similar vintage would on the list especially for the sound and handling.

 

I had an E89 35is for a couple of years... thank goodness it was under warranty! Lots of niggles. Leaking DCT box, intermittent electrical problems, i-drive controller replaced twice, plenty of rattles. The hard suspension / low profile tyres isn't suited to our dreadfully potholed roads. Went like stink though

 

Thank you all for your sensible responses to my daft questions. Sorry for delay as I have been working. (well working and listening to various Z4 videos on YouTube).

The E85/86 is a nice car and surprisingly cheap in all guises, but I have fallen for the stunning looks and interior of the E89, especially in dark blue.

So with a budget of £7k, and contingency of another £1k, I am going to have to travel, haggle and compromise to get a six cylinder manual car with service history in blue or possibly black ( although both my last two cars since 2002 were black), and sand (beige) interior.

M40, hmm, maybe in future.

I presume the compromise will have to be mileage rather than condition or service history. There are a few high mileage 3.0 litres on Auto trader I may enquire about. I will do some more research on possible issues before I get too close.

As for Boxsters, I appreciate they are the ultimate driving car, but have never appealed to me and I no longer have the confidence to chuck a car around like I used to. The roads in South Devon are dreadful so I require a more forgiving suspension for the 95% of my journeys. Now if I lived in Wales.......

Any advice gratefully received.

Lee

 

Best get one (E89) with the rare Adaptive M Suspension - effectively variable dampers. 18" rather than 19" alloys will also help on UK roads.

 

I am looking at a nice 2011 2.5 tomorrow. However I am concerned that along with M Sport suspension, kerbed 19" 326M alloys it has run flat tyres all round!!
They haven't even been advised on MOT as low tread.
Do you think this is grounds for some harsh haggling?

 

That should make for a memorable test drive ... I can recommend an excellent chiropractor

 

I have just driven the nice S23. I was impressed with the torque of the engine in all gears, the brakes were progressive, not snatching, steering felt fine, clutch and gearbox perfect, no oil leaks, no rust on wings or bonnet, no leaks in boot, everything worked, including the roof. Interior was gorgeous, especially dark wood inserts.

But M-Sport suspension, 19" wheels and runflat tyres; 7 year old Michelin front 5 year old rears were terrible. The whole cabin was shaking and rattling on B roads (on motorway all was fine). At 20mph on large roundabout in the dry there was a bump or ripple in concrete and the rear jumped sideways : I would hate to drive it on a wet night in February.
Now, Adie, do you have the number of the chiropractor and a dentist?

So I have come away to think and consider whether to go through the hassle of buying used 17 or 18 inch BMW wheels, having them reconditioned, fitting new tyres and selling the scruffy 19" wheels with tyres.

Or travel over 150 miles eac way to look at other cars.

Your views are welcome.

 

The wheels and tyres can be changed reasonably easily, it's the car that is the main focus when buying. I'd suggest having a check on the price of some decent non-RFT tyres to fit the current set up, these will significantly change the dynamics of the car. The age of the tyres will also have had an impact on the poor stability/comfort.
I had a 2008 E92 325i that came with 17" RFTs on, a wee bit jiggly even on the SE suspension that the car had. I bought some staggered 18" alloys with non-RFT and the difference was very noticeable.
Maybe find one more local that has not got the RFTs on, even if it is out of price range, and test drive that? Even if you aren't going to buy it, the drive will give you a comparison.

A set of decent 18" with tyres won't be earth shattering, maybe try the change of 19" tyres and look to change to 18" if and when you feel the need? Certainly use the age of the tyres as a bargaining tool on the price.

 

Thanks Wynne71,

I hear what you say, but to make things worse, the current 19" wheels look embarrassing as the paint is peeling badly and really need £400's worth of reconditioning to ensure that they are not cracked or have been repaired before. So with midrange tyres that will be at least £1000.
And if I don't like the ride, need to start again with a smaller size and spend another £1000 before trying to recoup my first £1000 by selling the 19s.

I am not feeling good about explaining all this to my wife.

 

Have you had any moments of clarity since the test drive? Going ahead with this one or looking elsewhere?
Finding the right car locally has been all but impossible for me, the E92 was only 10 miles away, but the F32 was down in Hampshire, the 147 in Northamptonshire and the Giulietta all the way down in Suffolk. But, I’d always happily travel for the right one rather than settling for one locally.

 

Thanks for asking Wynne71, I decided last night that I was going to leave that as the combination of runflats, scruffy 19" wheels and most significantly Sport suspension would have made it a regrettable purchase. Then if I move it on, would probably require that £1000 to refurbish wheels and fit new tyres.

There is an S30i manual in Manchester, 226 miles away according to Auto trader and 359m according to Google Maps but in budget. It looks really nice and cared for.
But it is too far to drive unless I hire a car. I wouldn't like to rely on a train either.

I agree with travelling rather than buying the over priced cars offered locally, but there is a limit to just how far.

 

Where abouts in Manchester is the car? Might be able to have a look around it if not too far away.

Do they still fly from Exeter to Manchester - I used to do it occasionally before Covid when doing some yacht deliveries with a friend. Was wayyy cheaper than the train back then (£55 one way instead of £120 cattle class train)

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...on=Manual&year-from=2008&year-to=2014&fromsra

Thanks E39mad, that's very kind. I don't know exactly as it is private not trader. The Autotrader advert is above; I can call tomorrow and ask. Or if it is easier you might want to speak to them if that doesn't sound too cheeky.

I will have to look into flying, that's a good idea.

Cheers

 

MOT looks decent on that one. A few bulb and tyre related failures but obviously rectified for the pass.