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04-22-2021, 07:46 AM | #1 |
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A General Comparison of Z4 Ideas
Hi All!
I am planning of joining the Z4 community as a newbie. I have begun my journey already with searching aimlessly through the forums, posts, and car listings to see which 2003-2008 Z4 would fit me best. I am currently stuck on two cars: 1st Car: 2005 Z4 3.0 Roadster $11,250 Immaculate condition, AC Schnitzel rims, ECU tuning by Turner, Hikari LED's, dinan intake, differential gear ratio 3.23 to 3.73 for more torque, m front and rear bumpers, M sport bucket seats. This car is in CA and I'm in NY, i wouldnt be able to test drive it so i can only go by papers and the documents provided, and it seems like it was well maintained on carfax, no accidents. ODO is 96,000 miles (Private seller) 2nd Car: 2005 Z4 3.0 Roadster $13,100 Great condition, usual stock items you would see on a roadster, maintenance was done and car is great. ODO is 65000 miles, no accidents either and carfax is good. However, this car is in Boston which is a 3 hr drive and I can personally test drive it. (Dealer) I am stuck between these two or in general, the 1st option against any other new listing that pops up from now. I want to be able to customize it and maintain it myself but since the option is available, I wanted to get some opinions from seasoned experts or at least a consensus. Should the option of test driving be the make or break option? Does the high mileage of the first option cause discomfort? Am I able to take off from work to do this? (probably not) Thanks ZPost! |
04-22-2021, 09:22 AM | #2 |
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I guess it depends on what you want out of the car. 1st one will feel stronger with the 3.73 gears but will take a gas mileage hit. You'll have to weigh your own needs and figure which is more important. I'm kinda meh on the fancy rims and the M bumper (but I'm kinda old school so just ignore that).
The sport seats are a definite plus in my opinion - wish my car had them. But, you'll need to pay to get it transported to NY and it's got 1/3 more miles on it. I assume they're both the same color and same transmission? If you're interested in customizing one, I'd start with the one that was most stock to begin with (2nd car) and then customize it the way YOU want it - and not start with someone else's project. Regardless of which you lean toward, have a PPI done because a professional may find some issues that you wouldn't necessarily notice. Good luck and welcome to our world.
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04-22-2021, 09:24 AM | #3 | |
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That said don't be afraid of the mileage listed. I'm at 108k have had the car since 64k and for 10 years. If you're not able to test drive request as many pics/videos and even Skype/zoom/FaceTime how ever you can to get as much "live" time virtually with the car as you can. I bought mine from a dealer out of state without driving it. Make sure to dot your I's cross your T's just as if you were there. There's plenty of things to look for with any car, easy start is to search for common wear/tear areas and simple things that should be done at what ever given mileage you're looking at. For example try to get underneath shots, wear suspension areas, look into basic item replacements like disa, vanos upgrades, look for leaky valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, remember basic car buying stuff. Listen closely to the engine running from every angle possible. If you see things on the car missing or hear something odd or the seller being less than accommodating walk away. As far as choosing one over the other, all up to you. Do you want blank canvas with low miles or some bits done you don't have to spend on with higher miles? For private seller check on any/all receipts for added stuff that doesn't make it to carfax. See if they happen to be on here and if there's logs of history you can get from the car from them posting on boards about their car/build. I have a huge file compiled over the years of work that will never be on carfax so the more dialogue with the private seller owner the more you can learn about the cars history. Make your decision based on how confident you are from there about each cars integrity. Both from how you describe sound like solid interests. |
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04-22-2021, 12:45 PM | #4 | ||
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My gf would love to sit in one with my puppy down a mountainside, I guarantee it. Although I am around 6 ft tall so I hope it won't hinder my driving comfortability. |
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04-22-2021, 12:46 PM | #5 | |
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04-22-2021, 01:31 PM | #6 | |||
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Besides that the first Z4 I ever drove it was a joy from the start. At first backing up you need to get use to not being able to see behind your left shoulder. That's why basic mirror position is a must. Easy when tops down. I didn't buy the first I drove. Was an 08 si and sold before I could get my car back for trade. Lucky cause next day found out the place my wife worked at was going belly up. So a Z4 wasn't out of the question just had to change the details on it. I drove 3 others before deciding to buy mine, never driving it until it was delivered from the dealer I got it from. Just like you I joined the boards (z4-forum) from the beginning of my search so you are quite wise welcome aboard |
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04-22-2021, 06:15 PM | #8 |
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Haha, thank you for giving me an idea of what to expect. I can't wait for this journey to start, I'm really excited. Now hopefully I can find a good one in the midst of the spring/summer coming up cause all of the mid life crisis type people and fanatics are going to be bananas over the cars.
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04-22-2021, 06:17 PM | #9 | ||||
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So many people have told me it's impractical and I should get a coupe or a Miata or a FRS or BRZ. But I just like the look of BMW's. |
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04-22-2021, 08:07 PM | #10 |
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I'm 6' tall and have both a 99 miata and an 08 M coupe. The Z4 is much friendlier for taller people. For me, the sport seats with extendable thigh support are a must have. I would also prefer a stock car over someone else's project unless you can check every detail of the build. Otherwise you'll end up spending money correcting any cut corners or taking mods you don't like back to stock.
For the miata, a 1st or second gen miata will need some mods to not feel cramped. The steering wheel being fixed in place limits a lot of stuff. The steering wheel tilts starting with the 3rd gen but doesn't telescope until the 2019 model year!
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04-23-2021, 09:19 AM | #11 | |
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Unfortunately all the z4's out here available are either really far across the country or 1-2 accidents. I guess it's the wrong time for a convertible since it's spring summer season. |
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04-23-2021, 09:52 AM | #12 |
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Steve -
Decide what you want and then.....be patient. There's also nothing wrong with placing a "Want to Buy" request over in the Members Classified section of the Forum. Who knows what'll pop up. If you make compromises on what you want based on what's available right now, you may end up regretting your decision. The Z4 convertible is plentiful enough that you should not have to settle on what's available. Good luck with your search.
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04-23-2021, 09:58 AM | #13 |
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Another thought for you Steve - check out the local ZSCCA chapter FB pages (it looks like there are 3 in NY) - sometimes member cars come up for sale there. Also, if you express an interest in a Z4 but that you've never actually riden or driven on, someone local may help you out with that as well.
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04-23-2021, 11:22 AM | #14 | |
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Ready and willing to learn about this journey! |
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04-23-2021, 01:29 PM | #15 |
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It sounds to me as if you have not had any seat time in a Z4 yet? That has to be your first step. There could be some minor issue which would drive you nuts. Also be aware the tech is quite old and it isn't easy to upgrade it to current standards. Make sure to drive both standard and M variants if the finances allow as they are quite different beasts.
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04-23-2021, 04:11 PM | #16 | |
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04-23-2021, 04:29 PM | #17 | |
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04-23-2021, 06:28 PM | #18 |
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If it were me, I'd be looking for a 3.0si with sport pkg that has spent it's life well south of the snow belt
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04-24-2021, 12:44 PM | #19 | |
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04-24-2021, 02:08 PM | #20 |
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04-24-2021, 04:32 PM | #21 |
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For all the owners of the Z4, is the sport button really needed? Cause I have a sport button in my f30 and I don't really use it much or are those cars somewhat better?
I found a couple that doesn't have that button and some that do. So that's my current dilemma. |
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04-24-2021, 04:42 PM | #22 | |
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