Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z4 roadster and Z4 Coupe
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

I sold my Z3 2.8 in April 2008 and am now thinking of buying a Z4 3.0 as the prices for 2003/2004 models seem to be dropping below £10k.
Are there any issues with the Z4 that I should be aware of (on the Z3 it's the rear diff mount failing)
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Z4

Post by lightning »

So there's nothing at all I should look out for (except the obvious crash damage etc) ?
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Ian_C
Joined: Sun 10 Dec, 2006 20:10
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Lytham St Annes

Post by Ian_C »

....apparently not. Z4 owners appear to have gone quiet!

The only things I've picked up from frequenting this forum and zed-cars.eu (more z4 based IMO) are:

- Dodgy Sat Nav screens
- Rattly roofs
- Intermittent roof operation
- Corrosion of the 108 style wheels

however I don't own a z4 so can't substaniate any of that lot :wink:
Chris Xoe
Joined: Wed 19 Nov, 2003 16:54
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  Z4 coupe 3.0si
Location: Worcester

Post by Chris Xoe »

Broken rear springs.

squeeking wiper arms (not blades!)

108 wheel corrosion (again!)
PVR
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  Z4 M roadster
Location: Worth

Post by PVR »

2003 model: Petrol cap falling off, no roof open with remote until April 2004, no brake force display until April 2004.

Broken spring seems to be mainly on 2003 cars.
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PhoenixCoupe
Joined: Wed 02 May, 2007 00:46
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  Z4 coupe 3.0si
Location: Mars

Post by PhoenixCoupe »

Broken spring happened to my 2007. Although, it had just spend the day being thrashed round the track, which may not have helped.
Also happened to Justinius' 2007 / 08 2.0.
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押忍!闘え!応援団
PVR
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Location: Worth

Post by PVR »

Hence the "mainly" :D

It seemed to be more rule then exception on the 2003 models, whilst in later models it is more the exception then the rule.
Chris Xoe
Joined: Wed 19 Nov, 2003 16:54
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  Z4 coupe 3.0si
Location: Worcester

Post by Chris Xoe »

Maybe worth mentioning that it's really easy to retro-fit cruise control to the earlier 2003-2004 cars (if you want it, and your 'target' car does not have it :wink: ).

- Kit from BMW is about £100 and it takes about 10 minutes to fit it.

- later cars require a bit of re-wiring I believe.
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Z4

Post by lightning »

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to look at a silver 2005 3.0 today on offer at £10,000 at a local dealer.
PVR
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Post by PVR »

Early 2005 has orange indicators, later have the clear ones. Just to keep in mind.
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Alpina Al
Joined: Tue 01 Jul, 2008 12:50
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  Z4 Alpina Roadster S
Location: Douglas

Z4

Post by Alpina Al »

I have owned one for 7 months.

Check automatic wipers been known to fail, new windscreen to fix this.

Check the gears especially 1st and 2nd go in easily, I had a small problem with this and replaced the clutch plate which fixed this.

See if the car has a wind deflector, makes a difference when driving with the hood down.

Other than the above just the basic checks, service history, oil cap etc.

These cars are a great driving cars, although I have heard the run flats compromise the ride a little. I have 19" wheels with standard tyres.

Best of luck on the purchase.

Al
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Z4 buying

Post by lightning »

I wanted to get a Z4 3.0 but they are still too dear...you need £10,000 upwards for one and I just don't have the funds.

I've bought a Porsche 928. 5 litre V8 with 320bhp for £5,000! Not a Z4 of course, but a great car until I can afford one.
gookah
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Post by gookah »

hmmmm
:D :D :D
Last edited by gookah on Mon 10 May, 2010 19:57, edited 1 time in total.
Image

Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
mjet
Joined: Tue 15 Apr, 2008 19:41
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  Z4 roadster 3.0i

Re: Z4

Post by mjet »

Alpina Al wrote:
Check automatic wipers been known to fail, new windscreen to fix this.
Not true. This is an easy fix which I have done. The clear adhesive pad that holds the plastic optical part to windscreen comes unstuck and just needs to be replaced with a new one.
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Z4 purchase

Post by lightning »

I sold the Porsche 928...it was a nightmare. Cost me £500 a month in repairs!
Mind you I bought it last year for £5,000 and sold it on ebay last week for £8,000 so at least I got my money back.
Thinking I should purchase something that will give me less grief, I went to a dealer in Kent to look at a Z4 3.0 they had in, and came away with a Ferrari Mondial 3.4t
Still can't quite work out what happened, but the Ferrari is fabulous.
PaulSutters
Joined: Thu 09 Feb, 2006 14:50
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: London N13

Post by PaulSutters »

Nice, any pics?
Shame about the 928 - what happened?
trigg35
Joined: Fri 18 Sep, 2009 20:24
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: newquay

Post by trigg35 »

good luck with that one.if 928 repairs were costly wait until the ferrari needs something.is that the one they had on wheeler dealers?And to think i worry about my z3 going wrong.....Perhaps like me you are just going to have it for a short time and then sell it with the hope of it not going wrong while youve got it.my pockets are not deep so the z is not a keeper.just hope it does not go wrong or get vandalised during the year ive got it.then its back to my toyota hiace van.slow but i love it.220,000 miles and totally reliable - and i can park it anywhere without a care in the world.happy days
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Different cars

Post by lightning »

The Porsche 928 was great, but they are known for bills. Mine was a good one, but for example a week after I got it the sump gasket started to leak and it's 14 hours labour to replace it. By the time they'd done that, and changed the oil etc I got a bill for £1,000. Then the aircon packed up...£500. New radiator £700 just for the part, and two new front side lights £300. Driveshaft boot split, £150 and then the automatic gearbox started to play up, the resulting overhaul came to £1500.

When I sold it the engine had started to misfire on idle and the torque convertor had developed a rattle. I could see another £1,000 bill looming.

Trouble is I didn't love the car enough to keep throwing money at it, I got fed up. A Ferrari is a different matter, I can live with spending money on that.
paddy wright
Joined: Thu 06 Aug, 2009 15:23
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  Z4 roadster 2.2i

Post by paddy wright »

Image
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHP gearknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,wind deflector to keep the mrs happy!
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Ferrari

Post by lightning »

I've had the Ferrari for 10 months and spent hardly anything on it as yet, and I've used it whenever the weather has been OK.

It's due an annual service in May and this costs £500 at a specialist. Expensive, but not bad for a Ferrari I guess.
PVR
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  Z4 M roadster
Location: Worth

Post by PVR »

But still no pictures :D
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Ferrari

Post by lightning »

I keep trying to post pictures but all I get is a message saying "Sorry, but the maximum filesize for all attachments is reached" even if I try to download a low res 16k image....

I contacted the "board administrator" as suggested after the message but received no reply.

Why can I not post pictures?

I did manage to upload a profile picture though!
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Hard Top
Joined: Sun 17 Jan, 2010 23:16
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Netherlands

Post by Hard Top »

HT

Image

Titan's apprentice. :D
Titan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate :devil:
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
http://www.lde.nu/index.htm
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Ferrari

Post by lightning »

The Ferrari is sold.

No complaints about the car, it was great, but the ownership costs are truly frightening.
I thought the Porsche 928 was bad but Ferrari parts prices are not for the faint hearted. For instance try £1500 for the plastic air intake grille on the rear wing or £150 for a gear knob...£160 for 2 short pieces of water hose and £750 for a water pump.

Anyway I had it for a year and did about 2,000 miles so at least I did the Ferrari ownership thing. Plus when I sold it I got my money back which is always a good thing with cars.

No BMW Z4 just yet though, I've gone and bought a Lotus Elise.
Last edited by lightning on Sun 15 May, 2011 21:54, edited 1 time in total.
Malcolm E Zed
Joined: Mon 15 Feb, 2010 19:57
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  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Manchester

Re: Ferrari

Post by Malcolm E Zed »

lightning wrote:
No BMW Z4 just yet though, I've gone and bought a Lotus Elise.
Frying pan, fire methinks.
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TitanTim
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  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

£150 for a knob? mine was £165 :lol:

Seems a bit of a cheapo make to me :D

Tim.
Image
2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Ferrari

Post by lightning »

The trouble was the bills kept coming....I don't mind spending the money but eventually I just ran out.
The Lotus Elise has a 156bhp Rover K series engine and even if that or the gearbox failed completely I could buy a whole replacement ENGINE and get it fitted for less than the price of a bit of plastic on the Ferrari. The rest of the Lotus I could dismantle and repair myself.
It's actually faster than the Ferrari as it can, apparently, reach 60mph from rest in 5.1 seconds, if you are looking purely at figures. It even has air conditioning which I'm not sure is necessary on a car of this sort.

I'm not calling Ferrari as such, it's just that to own one I think you need to be happy, and able, to write a cheque for £5,000 without it making you sweat.
It might not happen but it easily could. if anything happens to the engine or gearbox it's 5k just to open them up.
If you can do that then you are made. Otherwise you will eventually end up in the same position as me....the car is great for a time, giving you a false sense of security, and then suddenly the bills appear, leaving you broke.
Hang_em_high
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Eastbourne

Post by Hang_em_high »

Blimey Lightning :lol: I thought I was bad with changing cars like the weather. Man after my own heart :D
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PVR
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  Z4 M roadster
Location: Worth

Post by PVR »

So all the Ferrari costs were in the last two months? The 10 month report had "hardly any money" spent.

Will check back in a year's time to see the Lotus story :D
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Lotus

Post by lightning »

The Ferrari was OK at first, as it had just had a major service plus other jobs costing £3,000 when I got it.
I was hoping to get away with spending about £1,000 per year but there was no chance of that.
I should be able to maintain the Lotus myself, after the Ferrari it's pretty straightforward....but we'll see.
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lightning
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Post by lightning »

The Lotus is still going great!

I've had it nine months and no thoughts of selling....

It cost me a few hundred when I first bought it (cam belt change, trim items etc) and it took me a few months to eliminate all the rattles, but all is good now.

I sold the hardtop as I'll never use it.

I'll probably buy another Ferrari one day, as once you've owned one, nothing else is quite the same.
However I'll have to be better off than I am at the moment!
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

Just sold the Lotus.

Bought in 2011 for £16,500
Sold this week for £15,800 plus £600 for the hardtop which came with the car, but l sold separately.


Lovely car when you are in the mood, but compromised when you are not. Very hard ride, rattly, noisy.
Just deciding what to buy next.
I loved my Z3 2.8 and l might look at the Z3 3.0 as they seem great value, l could buy three of those for the price the Lotus sold for.
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

So l wasted no time.

Just bought a Z3 3.0 in blue. Looks lovely, collecting it next Saturday.
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by Del »

Definitely get a "lot of car" for your money with some of these late, big engine Z3s :)
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akirk
Joined: Fri 20 Apr, 2012 08:11
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by akirk »

lightning wrote:So l wasted no time.

Just bought a Z3 3.0 in blue. Looks lovely, collecting it next Saturday.
Best combination to own ;)

Alasdair
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

Yeah, under £6,000 and it's done 50,000 with full BMW service history.

Just need to check the car for Z3 major issues (diff mounting being the main one) and if all is well l'll once again be a Z3 owner!
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

Well, l got my Z3 3.0 this morning.

Very happy with it, seems a good one. Already given it a service and changed the brake fluid etc.
So begins another chapter in my car ownership.
Maybe next time it will be a Z4.

My neighbour has already offered to buy the Z3 from me, and l have owned it less than two hours!
That's a first.
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by Davejue1 »

Could this possibly be the shortest Zed ownership in history! :D
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"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
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lightning
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

No, it's not for sale.
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lightning
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

Still loving my Z3

It's strange, back in 2008 I never really bonded with the Z3 2.8 I bought from my brother, but this time I really love my Z3 3.0, which is a similar car.
I've already been working on the Z3, getting it in to mint condition.

I've replaced various trim parts, all the wheel nuts and centre caps, done a full service including brake fluid and gearbox oil, had the bonnet and front bumper resprayed, waxoyled the underside, etc.

£1200 spent and I've had it less than two months!
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lightning
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

The Z3 is still here!

Having had various expensive cars, such as the Ferrari, it's great to have a nice car in the garage that does not owe me six month's wages.
The Z3 3.0 lacks nothing in performance either.

Since buying the Z3 eight months ago l have

a/ sold the missus's Defender 90 "too expensive on maintenance/fuel"
b/ bought a 2012 VW Polo
c/bought another Defender 90 (wife...."l preferred my Landy to the Polo")
d/sold my van, and....
e/bought a Defender 110 to use for work

So now we have two Land Rovers, the Z3, and the Polo. The Polo is for sale!
indizee
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  Z4 roadster 2.5i
Location: Nr St Neots

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by indizee »

Glad you finally got your Z4 after a bit of car swapping. I went from a Z3 to a Jaguar XK8, fantastic car but hardly used it. So i sold it and went for a Z4 which is great fun, and much easier to park than the fat Jag. Went to France in it on hols last year and was a peach. Had it 18months now and has cost me nothing other than normal service items. Happy zedding :D
Present : Grey Z4 2.5 conv
ex-Cosmos Black 2.8
Image
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by lightning »

I haven't got a Z4!

I bought a Z3 3.0
I like the Z4 but l love the Z3 and it's more of a "modern classic" so l can take it to shows.
And it's surprisingly easy to work on. I did a minor service (oil/filter, air filter, brake fluid etc) in less than one hour on my drive.

I won a cup at a local car show for "best modern classic" lt attracted a lot of interest, l think people like it as they can see themselves actually owning one.
Smartbear
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  blank

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by Smartbear »

Hi lightening, we have a z3 & a z4 between us (and a micra) and while the z4 may be better on paper in some respects i can assure you the z3 is every bit as fun to drive :)
As you say, they also have the added attraction of being "almost a classic" which gives them a different kind of charm-i quite often leave my z4 on the drive & smoke away in swimbos z3 when i think shes not looking!
regards
Kiboko
Joined: Sat 06 Sep, 2014 18:43
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by Kiboko »

What a great phrase, - "modern classic"! Yes, I certainly believe it is. Future classic, someone else said, - I've always referred to mine as a 'potential classic'. Like "modern classic" better! Prices are on the up, no doubt. I also love old MG's Triumph TR's, etc., but rust and reliability can surely play havoc with the pocket, whereas the beamer is easy to maintain, well built, faster and more comfortable with better ride and handling, plus the joys of 2 seat open-top motoring. I personally think it's the nearest thing to an E-type, I know a lot of people are going to howl, - but even the GRRC members forum conceded that with it's long, long bonnet they could see where I was coming from. At some point in the non-too-distant future, all the old heaps are going to disappear off the road and the only ones left will be those lovingly cared for and cherished such as ours, - then they really will be classics, - no argument.
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pingu
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Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by pingu »

Kiboko wrote:At some point in the non-too-distant future, all the old heaps are going to disappear off the road and the only ones left will be those lovingly cared for and cherished such as ours, - then they really will be classics, - no argument.
I agree, but there are still 13,000 registered in UK :shock:

Lightning - Nice car history :D .
Pingu
doclip
Joined: Thu 10 Apr, 2008 17:42
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  M roadster S54

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by doclip »

I still rather like the classic retro looks of the Z3 but the Z4 is simply a better car all round IMHO
maurice the martian
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  Z4 roadster 3.0i
Location: mars

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by maurice the martian »

doclip wrote:I still rather like the classic retro looks of the Z3 but the Z4 is simply a better car all round IMHO
+1Image
M
billz
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  Z4 roadster 3.0si
Location: nottingham

Re: Z4

Post by billz »

lightning wrote:Thanks for the replies. I'm going to look at a silver 2005 3.0 today on offer at £10,000 at a local dealer.
For that you should get a 3.0si around 34 brake horse more :D
Image ImageImageUploaded with ImageShack.com
Z3 3.0 Sports Sold
Z4 3.0si Ruby Black with Champagne Leather and Piano Black Dash
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OldskoolRS
Joined: Mon 06 Feb, 2012 14:23
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Wokingham

Re: Had a Z3 and now thinking about a Z4

Post by OldskoolRS »

We are thinking about combining both our cars (a Z3 3.0 and the OH's Mini) as I have a company car for daily use anyway and the other two cars do a very low mileage and I'm hardly using my Z3 anyway. However, one important criteria is that this car will be left at the train station some week days so we need a car with a metal folding roof. At what age did the Z4 start having this feature to give me some idea of what to search for on Autotrader.
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