Any Z4M owners here? Advice needed!

[Aceninja]

Hi,

I'm thinking about getting a 06-08 Z4M Convertible. I like the fact that it does have a lot of power and it might just be the last true M car ever produced. How is it in terms of reliability? Is it your DD? Any advice you would give to someone who is considering buying one?

Thanks in advance!

Dilip

[Nate4641]

Where are you looking at buying it from? If it isn't at a BMW dealership make sure it gets inspected.

[yousefnjr]

DD 2006 M roadster here. Mine hasn't been any less reliable than my other previous BMW's. Maintenance items are more expensive than for non-M models. If you can do some wrenching on your own, you'll save some big bucks and doing the work is no sweat. There's a ton of room under the hood, which is really nice.

My advice for a prospective buyer would be:
-Early 2006 models may have an older style of bolt within the VANOS system that is prone to failure. Others here might have more definitive date ranges they can share.
-Know what spec you're looking for (colors, trim, parts, etc) and have your money ready. Swapping trim pieces or seats is pricey, so have patience and get what you want the first time around.
-Buy only with a complete, documented service history, including 1,200-mile break-in service
-Make your way through the Zpost forums regularly, as there's a ton of info to be had here definitely saved time and money from the things I've learned

Good luck!

[Aceninja]

I'm still searching as of now. Will probably buy it from a dealership, whether or not it is a BMW dealer remains to be seen.

Thanks for letting me know about the bolt issue with early 06 models. This kind of info is exactly what I'm looking for

How is the stock stereo on the M model btw? Any complaints or compliments?

[strokeoluck]

My 2007 M Roadster is just a weekend toy so can't give you a daily driver report. I purchased mine two years ago and have taken it from 22,xxx miles to 29,xxx miles. So far I've done nothing but oil changes. The car is a blast to drive...should have bought this thing many moons ago.

[Aceninja]

Thanks for the replies guys, btw does the stock stereo come with an SD card reader? How is the audio quality?

[StickMon]

DD 2006 M roadster here, too. Just hit 100k miles.
Not a Japanese or Korean car where you just change the oil regularly for the first 100-150k miles, but manageable.
My failures so far (touch wood):
Vanos bolts
Vanos exhaust hub
Alternator
Windshield washer pump
Main belt tensioner pulley bearing

Not bad for 100k miles.
Helps if you're handy with a wrench. Valve adjustments and Vanos work is DIY with the right tools, and the tools will pay for themselves vs. labor charges the first time you use them.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Aceninja

Thanks for the replies guys, btw does the stock stereo come with an SD card reader? How is the audio quality?

The stereo is meh. No SD, basically CD player with MP3 support, thats it. If its 2007 or newer you get standard AUX otherwise you will have to add it on if you want that. Audio quality is not the worst I've heard, but not great either. I THINK there's a couple of systems available one being slightly better than the other. Personally, I put the top down and listen to the sweet sounds of the S54 and now that I got my exhaust, fogetaboutit!

Another thing to check on the roadster specifically is the soft top motor. They go bad a lot. The water drain is right by where the motor is and if the drain has been clogged the motor sits in the water. It's not a cheap repair as the whole thing has to come out.

[Nate4641]

Audio quality is great, but the radio is still an older unit so it doesn't take SD cards. They didn't seem to update the interface much on the later models so even the Nav is an older system than what it could have been in 06-08. There are accessories you can buy to add ipod and such to the car.

Also the bolts holding in the rear sway bar are prone to coming out.

[Vanne]

202km m coupe here, love it. No more expensive than any other car I've had to maintain.

[PLCZ4MC]

I have a 2008 M Roadster DD, so far it has not giving me any problem to worry about other than a light bulb needed to be change and the amount of $$ I has to spend on gas every week. Expensive toy for a college student but extremely fun in the roads and highways. I do not think you buy a Z4M for its audio when you have that nice S54engine sitting in the front. But I'm sure you can improve the audio with aftermarket if you like. But for sure you going to have lots of fun.

[angelr]

Agreed. 80 bucks every 5k for oil and I do my own valve adjustments. So really it's no worse for me than any other car that gets similar mileage and requires premium fuel.

Cheaper than my ls6 swapped rx7 was and it still needed valve adjustments

Originally Posted by Vanne

202km m coupe here, love it. No more expensive than any other car I've had to maintain.

[Yvette]

who cares about seats trims and audio when you can have blast fun driving it

[Aceninja]

I'm sure the exhaust sounds great, but since this will be my DD and I tend to take long trips sometimes, quality of music does matter to me. My wife's car is an A5Q stock audio....and it's worse than the audio in a Camry I swear. I heard aftermarket audio mods are a pain in the ass for German cars, Audi anyway.

[Kgolf31]

My Z4M has better audio quality than my 2012 128i.

Friday/Sat/Sun car for me, but have no come across any issues in the 14k that I have owned it (going 4 years of ownership, 36k miles now).

Oil changes can be sourced for cheap if you can look for oil. I was able to grab 30 liters of Castrol 10W-60 from a guy who had a E39 M5 and sold it off. I ended up paying $5/liter for it.

Other than that, brakes and other wear and tear items will be more expensive. It is the name of the game when driving a M car.

[dubsesd]

Stereo in the z4m is crap. Espcially when u compare it to logic 7 premium audio in other bmw models. However I rarely use the stereo in this car since its a weekend toy and I love hearing its mechanical engine noise and exhaust/intake sound.

[propwash5]

2007 Z4M Roadster daily driven here. Don't be scared away by the maintenance on these cars. They are relatively simple machines, old school machines and the engine is bulletproof. Compared with newer cars there is less to go wrong.

Where in Florida are you located? Mine is for sale (for non-car related reasons).

[Aceninja]

I'm in Ft. Pierce. Is yours listed for sale on autotrader? How many miles?

[GriffBrew]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

My advice for a prospective buyer would be:
-Early 2006 models may have an older style of bolt within the VANOS system that is prone to failure. Others here might have more definitive date ranges they can share.
Good luck!

I believe this was never really addressed from the factory. OP May want to research that.

Model year 07/08 have a plug for 3.5mm aux input. On 2006, you need to add it (cheap part and quick DIY).

[GriffBrew]

I'm in Orlando and listed mine in classifieds.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=949258

[Walkurie]

Good DD for FL conditions. AC when you need it, top down when you want it, no snow traction issues to worry about. Same here in SoCal, and it is a great DD. Very reliable, few problems. Owned it from new. Highly recommended.

[JeffchaPz]

I bought mine over 3 years ago and two things broke so far - 3 motor mount bracket bolts came off and the last one hold it in place broke in half leaving the other half inside, but I was able to get it out. Also, the windshield washer pump die - bought a new one from ebay for $4.oo and it works perfect.

I drive this car every day and every time is a blast to drive.