Help on decision

[chevalgris]

Hello! I am very excited to say I am finally going to be a Z4 owner. I've been in love since I first saw one over 7 years ago. I've got two in my radar though and can't decide, so I'm hoping you all will have some good input.

#1: 2003 Z4, white, 2.5L, 29,500miles $15,000
#2: 2005 Z4, red, 2.5L, 53,000miles $16,000

They are both in similarly excellent condition with sport and premium package, heated seats, etc. I have a slight (ok big) preference for red since I've driven a white car for the last 10 years and would love to change, but I guess the real question is, what's more important, 2 model years, or 23,000 miles less on the odometer and $1k less on the pricetag?? Would a 2005 be significantly more reliable than a 2003? Retain it's value better?? Help!

Thanks!

Tanya

[jherrick]

I just bought a 2004 2.5 over 2003 because of the controls on steering wheel and there were some recalls on 03 I read about that were corrected in 04 and after. Paid $12,500 with 48,500 on it, no sport button though. Low miles is always better but newer is good too and if you don't drive more than 10k a year your miles will still be low in the future. Both are priced well. Check maintenance records, find the dealer that did service and they should read the work thats been done to you, brakes etc. Have a mechanic check them and they can tell you the code history on the car.

Good luck

[spurto]

i'd go for the red one

[LHB]

I would go for the newer one in red, much as I love Alpine White BMW's. The z4 looks so incredible in red, IMO.

[Huz-Z]

If both cars have power tops, check the operation of them to see that the top lowers and raises smoothly and quickly.

By the way, if the top "sticks" at the windshield frame when opening and you have to give it a push so it will start opening, I THINK that is a minor issue (the windshield frame rollers or the hooks on the roof likely need a bit of grease).

When you press AND HOLD the roof open button, both windows should come half way down, the roof should lower all the way, and after 2 or three seconds, the windows roll up again. The reverse happens on pressing and HOLDING the roof up button. Keep pressing until the red LED goes out. It should not stay on, after the roof is opened or closed.

If a power top is not working right, it can be expensive to repair, so check that the roof is okay.

Good luck and post a pic of the car you buy!!!! (I like red too........ )

[imz4n]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

If both cars have power tops, check the operation of them to see that the top lowers and raises smoothly and quickly.

By the way, if the top "sticks" at the windshield frame when opening and you have to give it a push so it will start opening, I THINK that is a minor issue (the windshield frame rollers or the hooks on the roof likely need a bit of grease).

When you press AND HOLD the roof open button, both windows should come half way down, the roof should lower all the way, and after 2 or three seconds, the windows roll up again. The reverse happens on pressing and HOLDING the roof up button. Keep pressing until the red LED goes out. It should not stay on, after the roof is opened or closed.

If a power top is not working right, it can be expensive to repair, so check that the roof is okay.

Good luck and post a pic of the car you buy!!!! (I like red too........ )

If it was me I would go for the 05. The 03 soft top will not have all the features that the 05 does.

The 03 does not have the ability to drop the top with the key as a remote operation ( must drop the top from inside the car or the key in the door ) and does not have one touch operation of the passenger window ( just the drivers window ) I do not think the 03 will have fog lights either. The 03 radio will not play MP3.

The 05 will have those 2 things plus the clear ( no orange) on the headlights and rear of the car ( most people like that ) clear third brake light. The 05 had several updated parts, Water pump, steering issues fixed, updated radio.
Hope this helps.

Get what makes you happy and you will enjoy either. IMHO newer is better. I would not be so concerned with the mileage. I had a 04 with 153k until I hit debris on the freeway and the car was totaled. I now have a 06 3.0 si with 43k on the dial.

[MinneapolisJeff]

I likes a red Zed, however, I happen to have a 2003 myself

Tough call since they are both about the same budget...

Lower mileage is tough to resist, hmmmm, this is a interesting decision

[Juice84]

Depending on what you want out of a car... I would hold out for a 3.0l with or w/o sport. If you are just looking for a weekend cruiser the 2.5l is fine, but if you are looking for something to autox and take to the track pick up the 3.0l and its six speed.

If they are both at a dealer just talk the red one down and make sure you pick up an extened warrenty. Make sure seals and such are covered under it b/c the valve cover tends to leak(easy to fix if you are mechanically inclined, but a shop will probably charge you about $300 to fix), and our car had a slight transmission seal leak (paid the $50 deductable and the warrenty covered the rest). As others have stated the top is expensive to fix if it quits working, coil packs are expensive and seem to be a semi common problem, and Ive read the headlights will sometimes get moisture and fry which can be expensive. I made sure all the above were covered under the warrenty I bought.

I have a 03 2.5l w/o sport and I really love the car, and with the deal I got on the car it was hard not to pass it up. I wish I would of gotten the 3.0l but again for the price I couldnt pass it up.

Incase anyone was wondering my car had 85k and we got it for just under 10k before taxes. We have put about $500 into it to fix a few small things and the only thing we have left is the rear 3rd tail needs to be replaced (its all cracked up). OT, but does the clear third light up red?

[chevalgris]

Thank you all for your input! I bought the red 2005. Now I just have to decide whether or not to get the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty for $2,600...decisions decisions!

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by chevalgris

Thank you all for your input! I bought the red 2005. Now I just have to decide whether or not to get the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty for $2,600...decisions decisions!

5 years from when? And 100k more miles or when the odometer hits 100k miles? Deductible? Is it just a warranty or is maintenance included?

If you can do the work yourself or have a good independent mechanic, I'd definitely pass. On my '03 I just had a small window issue (indy fixed it for $100 or so), valve cover gasket (made the mistake of having it done at the dealer for a few hundred dollars), belts (another dealer mistake for a couple hundred IIRC), and spark plugs (DIY)... plus the inspections, and the FCABs will need to be replaced soon. Most of that probably wouldn't be covered under a warranty but would be covered under maintenance.

Congrats on your purchase!

Edit: My '03 has just over 105k miles on it.

[chevalgris]

Thank you! It is a full coverage warranty for EVERYTHING under the manufacturer's original coverage except useable parts, like brakes, tires, oil changes, belts, and hoses. Does not include maintenance. Does include rental car allowance and roadside assistance. No deductible. Goes till the car odometer hits 100,000.

I need feedback here, I really don't know what to do! Neither me or my boyfriend are DIYers, so if I didn't do the warranty, service would be done at an independent european car mechanic. Please help!

[Virginia Bill]

I'd buy the warranty. The Z4's weakest link is the power top, and fixing most problems with the top require removing it. $2600 is just a little more than the cost of a major repair on the top mechanics because of the labor to remove and reinstall it. Also, I wouldn't let an indy shop work on the top unless they had substantial experience with it. My indy shop tried to send me to an upholstery shop for a top replacement (I ended up at a dealer).

[pokeybritches]

I'd pass on the warranty. Like I said, I only had a small window repair that would have been covered under a warranty like that... MAYBE the valve cover gasket would have been covered, but who knows. I'd put the money in a slush fund in case something needed to be fixed. $2600 is a lot to expect to spend on defective parts.

[chevalgris]

Thanks for your two responses! I think I'm going to go without the warranty, but I hope I'm making the right decision. I actually don't get the car until Thursday, as the dealer had to send it back to BMW to fix the airbag light that was on, that turns out to be a bad sensor (not a bad battery as they originally told them) and it's going to cost the dealer $1,100. Just glad that one's not on my dime!!! Pictures to come! Can't wait!

[Juice84]

Would the SRS light be covered under the warranty you arent getting?

[chevalgris]

Yes, it would be covered...but now at least the airbag sensor has a 2 year warranty!

[nmulax]

I'd skip the warranty.
If it's through BMW, there's a lot of grey area in terms of what is/is not covered. For instance if you read the fine print, "suspension" is listed under both categories. It's basically up to the dealer and BMW NA.

[chickdr]

Take the $2,600 you were going to pay the dealer for the warranty and put it in its own saving account. Use that money just for the car. Add a bit each month so when something does go wrong down the road, it will be covered by your own "plan".