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      02-13-2010, 01:54 PM   #23
Manners226
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DD mine in East, TN. It's not the best car for the winter (snow/ice) but I can honestly say I drive this car everyday in all kinds of weather and it performs great. It is worth the trade off to be able to put the top down when its nice out! At the end of the day it's still a BMW and it as a DD it's among the best brand to be in.
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      02-13-2010, 03:22 PM   #24
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2006 Z4 3.0si  [7.00]
I have an 06 Z4 3.0si in Montego blue, which to me is the nicest color on the BMW's... I've been a daily drive since August 09 and I live in NY... Car is great, and even better with the top down! No complaints for the most part, only thing is as a daily driver beware of pot holes because the car is low... I recently had a problem with the starter motor, which was replaced last week under warranty, but other than that no problems... Car has plenty of power, especially with sport mode on... Great car, great ride, worth the money.
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      02-13-2010, 04:49 PM   #25
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I DD a modded Z4M, no complaints.

Why a 3.0 and not an M? Just wondering since you're coming from a 335i and will most likely miss the power.
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      02-14-2010, 11:29 PM   #26
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Daily driven for 3 years. 2003 2.5i Roadster. I love daily driving this car, but it rains way too much here! Although you probably have it a little worse in Seattle. The only problems I've encountered with this car are:

Electrical steering system needed to be replaced, Coolant system/water pump had to be replaced. That's the only major stuff.

Have fun!
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      02-15-2010, 07:28 AM   #27
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2006 BMW Z4M  [10.00]
2006 BMW Z4M  [8.50]
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i  [9.00]
My dealership lent me a new 335i sedan while my M was getting some minor things taken care of under warranty. I was pretty amazed at how quiet and especially smooth it was on the highway. It's a far better daily driver, minus the gas mileage. However, there is no comparison in terms of sheer driving excitement. In fact I was slightly disappointed in the 335i in that regard; putting the pedal to the floor just made the tach and speedo rise, and I was pushed back in the seat. Letting off abruptly, I could hear the (very) distant sound of turbo spooldown. Yawn. Don't get me wrong- it had guts, but it's more of a cruiser. The car did everything I asked of it in terms of handling, but I didn't really push it either.

I've daily-driven Z4s for the past 3.5 years, and I never woke up dreading driving one to work. That being said, it's lighter and has a shorter wheelbase so it will be more darty on the highway. It will also be significantly louder, but not annoying or intolerable. If the roads suck in your area I would think twice about a Z4 with the sport package. I cracked a rear wheel on a pothole a couple years ago, and BMW specs call for too much negative camber for the street.

The Z4's maintenance is very reasonable for a BMW and gas mileage is very good in the non-Ms. I find the driving position in the Z4 better than the 335i. I also find the ergonomics better: the rear-view mirror doesn't block my forward quarter visibility, the starting procedure is more logical, and the turn signal stalk actually makes sense. It's got everything I need, doesn't do anything so poorly that I can't stand driving it every day, and it is a screamer on the weekends.

The thing that makes the 335i great in my opinion is there's not a lot to dislike about it. It has very few flaws. You're going to have to tolerate a lot more in the Z. So, the question you have to ask yourself is, why are you getting it? Do you genuinely enjoy driving, and plan to push it on the back roads? I would not get a Z4 if its sole purpose was commuting from A to B. I would live with one during the week to be able to drive it hard on the weekend.

If your thought process is, "I need to lower my car payments, still want a BMW, want performance as similar to the 335i as I can get within my budget... is a Z4 tolerable?" then my answer would be take a test drive. All of the potential deal breakers should be present - road noise, ride quality, etc. Only you can decide if there's enough space, but I've never had an issue personally. If anything, you can always borrow a friend's truck if you need to move anything large. The first time I drove a roadster was the day I bought my first Z4, and I loved it so much I bought an M 3 years later. I was actually in the market for an E46 330ci, and found I could get a Z4 with better performance and looks for a lower price. What I didn't know is what kind of animal a roadster is compared to a 3 series. I just happen to be someone that loves hearing the engine wail over peace and quiet, and in my ignorance managed to make the right decision without having gone on a test drive of the E46.

Summary: Z4 has good reliability and is fine as a daily driver if you can deal with the road and wind noise, space, and ride. Go on a test drive if you haven't already.
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      02-15-2010, 10:19 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by david_lm View Post
I DD a modded Z4M, no complaints.

Why a 3.0 and not an M? Just wondering since you're coming from a 335i and will most likely miss the power.
I am assuming because of the cost. He said that he is trying to lower payments and that is the reson for the switch and demodding of the 335.
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      02-15-2010, 01:37 PM   #29
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2005 Z4 2.5i  [8.00]
Been using mine as a DD since late Oct. '09. Happier than I have ever been w/the car. I understand now why so many forum members say it should be driven. Had the sticky steering issue fixed in Oct. '09. No issues since then. Mileage is averaging 26 mpg. Keep in mind I'm in southern SC, so no snow to deal with. I have Goodyear Eagle GTs with 11K on them and very happy. RFTs were just too rough for a DD. Total mileage on the car is 34K.
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      02-15-2010, 08:19 PM   #30
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Ok so I been DD for a week. I love this car. I had an S2K before this and trust me it's night & day for me. Much nicer car. Heated seats in this recent bout of snow in the southeast is a major plus Plus when the top is down it looks 100x better. The top down on the Z4 looks like it's meant to be down. On the S2K it looks like an afterthought even with the cover on.

The sport package is nice too. Hurts your gas mileage but definitely plants your arse in the seat . Hope you have been out test driving man.

Let us know if you've got any more questions.
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      02-16-2010, 10:33 PM   #31
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I use mine as a daily driver in the spring summer & fall. Absolutely zero complaints. Trunk is big enough to carry TONS of stuff, car is very reliable and fun to drive, why not?
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      02-17-2010, 10:03 AM   #32
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Originally Posted by digitalcassette View Post
Plus when the top is down it looks 100x better. The top down on the Z4 looks like it's meant to be down. On the S2K it looks like an afterthought even with the cover on.
Coupes for life!
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Last edited by Hawkeye; 02-19-2010 at 09:46 AM.. Reason: cause I'm an idiot
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      02-17-2010, 11:12 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sallyz4 View Post
I have an 06 Z4 3.0si in Montego blue, which to me is the nicest color on the BMW's... I've been a daily drive since August 09 and I live in NY... Car is great, and even better with the top down! No complaints for the most part, only thing is as a daily driver beware of pot holes because the car is low... I recently had a problem with the starter motor, which was replaced last week under warranty, but other than that no problems... Car has plenty of power, especially with sport mode on... Great car, great ride, worth the money.
I bet my car is much better looking than yours!!
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      02-18-2010, 09:54 AM   #34
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Sorry Huz, convertibles look much better with chicks in them, I have to disagree
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      02-18-2010, 12:15 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye View Post
Sorry Huz, convertibles look much better with chicks in them, I have to disagree

LOL!!!
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      02-18-2010, 04:27 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkeye View Post
Funny thing about that is the Z4 was actually originally designed as a coupe then the Vert was an "after thought" while the S2K was designed as a convertible.
whaaat?? Way wrong. The Z4 was completely designed as a convertible, years before there was even a thought of a coupe. That's why the coupe is even HEAVIER than the vert. It still has all the same reinforcement bars that a convertible has, then they added in the steel roof.
BTW: My M has been my only car since December of 2005. No issues at all as a daily.
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      02-19-2010, 09:43 AM   #37
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Originally Posted by vicj View Post
whaaat?? Way wrong. The Z4 was completely designed as a convertible, years before there was even a thought of a coupe. That's why the coupe is even HEAVIER than the vert. It still has all the same reinforcement bars that a convertible has, then they added in the steel roof.
BTW: My M has been my only car since December of 2005. No issues at all as a daily.
HAHA, What was I smoking ?!? The sad thing is the thread I was thinking about when I said that... you were the poster that I was referencing

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...designed+coupe
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      02-21-2010, 01:29 PM   #38
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Yep I use my '09 hardtop Z4 as my DD since getting it in November of last year. I drive it in all the types of weather we have here - sun, rain, snow, etc and all scenarios - downtown rush hour, relaxing country side drives, etc.

It's definitely the best car I've ever had

Most of my friends always say they don't know how or why I drive it when it rains since it's a manual - but I actually feel safer driving a manual in bad weather because I feel in more control.
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      02-22-2010, 12:20 PM   #39
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... I actually feel safer driving a manual in bad weather because I feel in more control.
DITTO - I've always felt more in control with a manual. I really like the extra safety features as well. The DTC has kicked in a few times and I know I'm doing something stupid when it does.
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      02-22-2010, 01:55 PM   #40
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Oh yeah, definitely safer driving a manual than an automatic! The more control the better. It is the idiots that do not know how to drive properly that dislike manuals.
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