To buy or not to buy?

[LisaLannister]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a 2015 BMW 650 GC and I am now looking to buy a Z4 from the mid-2000's for use on nice, summer days and to lessen the mileage I put on my 650 (I am also looking at a Z3 so if you have any opinions on it or whether it is a better choice please let me know).

I am looking at a 2003 to 2005 Z4 3.0 with between 40,000 and 60,000 miles.

- Is it a reliable car?
- Anything in particular I should look out for?

Thanks

[Sergio19]

Why that particular year range? 06+ gets new a engine and a bunch of improvements.

[LisaLannister]

I do not want to pay too much and if I enjoy it, I can always upgrade to a later year. I want to see what it is like to live with one of these before I spend more.

[Gamb1t]

I am in the same boat also looking at Z4s as an additional fun car. In my exploration, the pre-lci Z4 automatics are limited to 5-spd. While post lci has the 6spd autotragic. Not a bad unit. If you're going for manual, then that's all swell.

[MichaelInChicago]

I am only to going to buy a manual so the choices are slightly more restricted. Anything in particular I should look out for when looking at the Z4's?

Also, is the Z4 a superior car to the Z3?

Thanks

[Emmrbee]

Originally Posted by MichaelInChicago

I am only to going to buy a manual so the choices are slightly more restricted. Anything in particular I should look out for when looking at the Z4's?

Also, is the Z4 a superior car to the Z3?

Thanks

Originally Posted by MichaelInChicago

I am only to going to buy a manual so the choices are slightly more restricted. Anything in particular I should look out for when looking at the Z4's?

Also, is the Z4 a superior car to the Z3?

Thanks

Look for the si next to the 3.0, well worth the extra $

[belcom]

I'd say clearly define why you need it and want it and define your budget too. Never owned a Z3 but always liked them. However from reading numerous articles and watching pretty much all Z4/Z3 videos in existence they say Z4 is simply a better car on all fronts. Can't stop evolution

Reliability will depend on how the car was maintained, used and abused by previous owners and of course mileage. If it was completely neglected and treated like a honda then good luck trying to fix that. A very thorough inspection by a mechanic you trust should be mandatory. Also, you're more likely to find a more mechanically sound Z4 than a Z3 simply because Z3s are older, will generally have more mileage on them, older tech, probably more worn interior etc.

In terms of what to look out for I'd say settle on a year, model, engine and do the research. So much info in this very forum and youtube. If you're specifically looking at M54/N52 variants look up BMW Doctor on youtube. Dean has tons of good info on N52s and probably M54s as well.

I just got the Z4 3.0si facelift model recently for similar reasons and so far its in my garage getting all the necessary and common failure parts replaced, fixed, cleaned then new suspension goes in and some new or used non-RFT tires. After all this is done, I think it will be an absolute blast. The titanium silver with red m-sport seats looks so good in my opinion Love it. In fact, I think I like this car more than my almost new 540 daily driver despite all the comfort and tech. 540 is absolutely amazing but Z4 just looks and feels like it has a soul Nothing like 3 pedals, shifter and RWD as well.

[Oldmcst]

Originally Posted by LisaLannister

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a 2015 BMW 650 GC and I am now looking to buy a Z4 from the mid-2000's for use on nice, summer days and to lessen the mileage I put on my 650 (I am also looking at a Z3 so if you have any opinions on it or whether it is a better choice please let me know).

I am looking at a 2003 to 2005 Z4 3.0 with between 40,000 and 60,000 miles.

- Is it a reliable car?
- Anything in particular I should look out for?

Thanks

I see you're in Canada so it may not get hot enough there to cause a problem, but some of the cars in the 2003-2005 age range have what is known as "sticky steering". You can find info on this problem in this forum in a post by "UNLUKY" . Of course there are some cars the have already been "fixed", but you would have to find to find out from the previous owner.
My car (a 2005 3.0 roadster) is a smooth delight to drive in cool weather. I'm getting the aforementioned "fix" next week. Hopefully it will be just as much fun in warm weather too.
Good luck in your hunt. Your car is out there for sure.

[Emmrbee]

A nice one in the Montreal area

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camion...rce=ios_social

[Clearancediver]

I'm also Canadian with an '04 3.0... It too has sticky steering. I put the ac on in the summer with the top down or up. I have it set at 50/50 feet/cabin. That tends to eliminate the sticky steering.

Interestingly in the winter when I drive it with the heater on... I have to ensure that the heat is directed mostly to cabin and not towards the feet. If I have it on going full blast with heat at the feet with the top down I get sticky steering.... as I found out one sunny January years ago.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by MichaelInChicago

I am only to going to buy a manual so the choices are slightly more restricted. Anything in particular I should look out for when looking at the Z4's?

Also, is the Z4 a superior car to the Z3?

Thanks

By all measureable quality, the Z4 is better than the Z3. I don't know why, but the Z4 e85 a competent car is overshadowed by the Z3 especially the M variants. The Z4Ms represent a ridiculous value compared to the older Z3Ms.
In fact I would say the 3.0si is even better and probably more capable than the S52 Z3M.
But it's hard to get the same complements next to a fully dressed wide body Z3. I mean a 996 or a 997 are more capable cars than the 993 or 911SC by all driving accounts, but the used prices for those air-cooled Carreras contradicts.
I have started a thread comparing the two Zs. Head says Z4, heart says Z3.

[Huz-Z]

I’m in Canada and I have never experienced sticky steering on my 2006 Z4 3.0si. I appreciate the appeal of the Z3 but if I could only have one, it would have to be the Z4.

Recommended reading:

https://www.auto123.com/en/news/2007...ad-test/53868/

With respect to the reviewer’s one complaint - the steering - that is addressed by ditching the run flat tires and installing a good set of conventional tires.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I’m in Canada and I have never experienced sticky steering on my 2006 Z4 3.0si.

I thought I remembered reading here many years ago that the steering was improved along with the facelift.. can anyone confirm?

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by KevinC

I thought I remembered reading here many years ago that the steering was improved along with the facelift.. can anyone confirm?

As I recall, that was in July or August of 2006. My car was built in late June so I don’t know whether or not it has the improved steering. It hasn’t given me problems though.

[Oldmcst]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I’m in Canada and I have never experienced sticky steering on my 2006 Z4 3.0si. I appreciate the appeal of the Z3 but if I could only have one, it would have to be the Z4.

Recommended reading:

https://www.auto123.com/en/news/2007...ad-test/53868/

With respect to the reviewer’s one complaint - the steering - that is addressed by ditching the run flat tires and installing a good set of conventional tires.

Hi Huz, If I'm the reviewer mentioned. I got rid of a brand new set of run flats a week after I brought my car home. Replaced with new set of Generals on new wheels. I can also say driving my car about 130 miles in hot weather on the way home from the dealer I bought it from, while on the run flats, did not cause any steering problems. I first noticed the problem about a month later on a long drive in 90+ degree heat. This past month the sticky is developing in 75 degree heat. Again hopefully, the problem will be fixed next week. Will update later.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Oldmcst

Hi Huz, If I'm the reviewer mentioned. I got rid of a brand new set of run flats a week after I brought my car home. Replaced with new set of Generals on new wheels. I can also say driving my car about 130 miles in hot weather on the way home from the dealer I bought it from, while on the run flats, did not cause any steering problems. I first noticed the problem about a month later on a long drive in 90+ degree heat. This past month the sticky is developing in 75 degree heat. Again hopefully, the problem will be fixed next week. Will update later.

Hey there!

I hope all is well there ; it’s crazy times! I was referring to the person who wrote the article on auto123.com but it’s good to hear your specific experience. I hope the fix works. What will be done to address it?

Cheers!!

[Oldmcst]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Hey there!

I hope all is well there ; it’s crazy times! I was referring to the person who wrote the article on auto123.com but it’s good to hear your specific experience. I hope the fix works. What will be done to address it?

Cheers!!

Regards to you as well. I'm doing the grease zerk addition first. Much easier if it works. I'll post my results on the ongoing Unluky thread. I hate to hijack this thread.

[LisaLannister]

Well, I did it. I bought a 2007 Z4 3.0 SI in Montego blue, a tan extended leather interior with 68K miles on it and I am picking it up next week.

The inspection at my BMW dealer showed that the two front shocks had to be changed, the valve cover gasket needed replacing and the wipers needed changing, three of the wheels needed to have lip scuffs repaired, as well as regular maintenance including transmission and coolant fluid replacements and we worked out a price to reflect the costs of these repairs.

I had narrowed my choices down to two cars: a 2003 Boxster and this Z4. After driving both and doing the proper research, there really was no comparison IMO. While the Boxster was fun in a go-kart kinda way, the Z4 feels so much more substantial and has that true European roadster feel I was looking for.

Thanks for all of your advice. It was very helpful.

Lisa

[Sterling Roadster]

Congrats! It's definitely all preference. While I do love the Z4 for the money, I made the mistake of test driving a 987 boxster and can't get the handling out of my mind. So good. But the Z4 will definitely be easier and cheaper to maintain and enjoy.