Hello everyone,


I'm looking at buying a 2004 Z4 with 24,xxx miles. The dealership is asking $25,500 for it. I'm trying to talk them down to $23,500.

It has the convenience package, Premium Package, Multi-function steering wheel, heated seats and fog lights.

The car itself does NOT have xenon lights :(

The car is a dark blue, with a light tan interrior ...I really like the color lay out.

My questions are:

Those of you who live in the cold, how warm does the soft top keep you?
The wind deflector they are offering, good buy? $300
I've driven several bmw's in the past, owned 4 I should say...Would you say this cars rear wheel drive...handles like my older e36/e30 ? Obviously its not going to drive like my 540 or my 740...


Any help is welcome.


what are the 0 - 60 spec's? what are the 1/4 mile specs?

Thanks guys!

oh yes


its a 2.5

The Z4 is a fun little car ... the 2.5L will has less power than your TT I think, but it's fun to drive. The top does what it's supposed to do ... keep the elements off your knoggin'. If you are hot or cold, use the HVAC to adjust to your liking.

having owned an e36 m3 and moving to an M coupe - although not a direct comparo to the non-m, I can say they're very different beasts. Best comparison I can make between the two... you ride in the e36 and you wear the e85/86. The car seems more balanced and direct. More akin to riding a sport bike.

Hope this little bit can help!

P

Very exciting. I just got word from my banker im approved...so its kinda exciting.


giggity giggity giggity

Congrats.....you'll love the car.

Regarding the windscreen, is it the rigid type (installed on guides between the rollbars) or the fabric type (installs by sliding over the rollbars)?

Its a 2.5

I've heard 0 - 60 is 7 seconds. Its a bit slow for my taste. What can I do to help this?

What kinds of mods can we do? (I'm new to this car)

Its a 2.5

I've heard 0 - 60 is 7 seconds. Its a bit slow for my taste. What can I do to help this?

Get a 3.0i or M. If that's slow for you, don't get a 2.5.

Its a 2.5

I've heard 0 - 60 is 7 seconds. Its a bit slow for my taste. What can I do to help this?

What kinds of mods can we do? (I'm new to this car)

Personally, I don't believe the 7sec 0-60 quote. That's the same as my 325i with a different diff and 200 more pounds.

But if you want more performance, the smartest, most cost effective thing you can do is NOT get the 2.5i and get a 3.0i. It will cost you thousands of dollars to get the 2.5i to match 3.0i performance - much wiser to simply start there, especially since you get the 6-speed trans included.

I would like to buy a 3.0i but our dealership doesn't have one.



I need an honest opinon.

2.5i
24,700 miles
non-xenon lights


$24,500

Dealer will NOT go down any further on the price. Is this a good value? Or should I hold out?

I've seen cheaper on ebay, but the car on the lot is certified by bmw and covered until 100,000 miles.

Thanks guys!

We have given you our honest opinions. I'll spell it out. I wouldn't buy it. If you can live with a relatively slower sports car, get this 2.5. Modifying it to go faster will be VERY expensive and have to be paid out of pocket (not financed).

If you are not going to be satisfied with it's power, be patient and get a 3.0. There are plenty of them out there. Some might even find their way to South Dakota. Top down weather won't be happening for several months there. Take the time to find the car that is right for you.

By the way, I think that price is high for a 2.5, although it does have low miles. I take it that it has no "sports button"? That would be a deal breaker for me.

I'm looking at a 3.0 on ebay right now

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-BMW-Z4-6Sp-CONVERTIBLE-Premium-Pkg-40Kmi-WARRANTY_W0QQitemZ220084177945QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3 6469QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What do you guys think of this?

I'm wondering about the price and the scuff.

What is the lowest you think I can ask?

Its a 2.5

I've heard 0 - 60 is 7 seconds. Its a bit slow for my taste. What can I do to help this?

What kinds of mods can we do? (I'm new to this car)

They want how much for a 2.5?

Man I'm ready to sell my 3.0 at that price. :rolleyes

And I'll even toss in the wind deflector and autodimming interior mirror AND universal garage door opener too.

And mine only has 36,500 miles on it right now.

I dont know what the 2.5 Z4 is like because I own the 3.2 variation (Z4 M Roadster). But I can tell you that my chipped Audi TT 225 quattro roadster was a far superior "daily driver" or even "winter car" than the Z4 has proven to be. Plus the addred torque (especially once chipped) made the car far more fun to zip around with.

Rear-wheel drive, as a purist, is surely more spirited and the Z4 M feels lighter and more nimble than the TT225 ever did. But the Z4, in my opinion, is a better served 3-season car. I find the top to be less thermally insulating than the TT, and the cabin more cramped for daily driving.

Having said that, I love my BMW. I'd rather drive it quick and hard than the TT. But thats always been Audi's claim with the TT.. that its a cruiser more than a road course car. BMW on the other hand, its a "driving machine".. :)

heh.

I came off a 2006 S4! Room - infinitely greater. Torque - slightly better in S4. Gas guzzling - again, S4 wins drinking more.

FUN factor? M coupe wins hands down. Again, wearing the car, versus riding in it. Big difference. 4 wheel or RWD is all about how YOU drive. If you're experience you can do well in both.

With snow tires on, the coupe rocks through Chicago crap snows - so that's not an issue for me.

I have to second the others' opinions above - find yourself a 3.0 or better still 3.0si. You'll regret not doing so up front. Lastly - I suggest a search in other states... in the Chicago market there are a ton of dealers with inventory. Certified and new. For example new M's can be had for invoice with some persuasive discusssion. Although they're much higher than what you're looking to pay, I can only asume that the other (less expensive varients) are respectively cheaper too.

Best of luck!

P

P.S. Try autotrader.com - put in your zip and expand the search to 200 miles. You'll be shocked at how many cars there are!

I would like to buy a 3.0i but our dealership doesn't have one. I need an honest opinon: 2.5i, 24,700 miles, non-xenon lights, $24,500. Dealer will NOT go down any further on the price. Is this a good value? Or should I hold out?

Even for a 2004, that's a bit pricey. I paid that much for my 2003 2 years ago. You can find a 2.5i for around $20k, and an '03 3.0i for $25k all day long, especially this time of year. I don't know if I'd worry so much about CPO on a car that's still covered by the factory warranty either, but I suspect that's a lot of your price differential - CPO usually adds a couple grand.

If you want the extra power, commit to searching out another car. I went 400 miles to get my 2.5i, just to get a black car with manual trans.

I'm looking at a 3.0 on ebay right now

What do you guys think of this? I'm wondering about the price and the scuff. What is the lowest you think I can ask?

They are going for a lot less. Ebay can give you some idea on this. Here is how to find out what they are actually selling for as opposed to what people are asking for them: In Ebay do an advanced search (upper right hand corner) look for BMW Z4 for model years 2003 thru 2004 and limit the search to 500 miles from your zip and click on "completed auctions only"

That will show you the final price (and unmet prices) for all Z4's sold and offered for sale over the past few weeks. When I did this search, only 2 sold . They were both 2.5 for $21,600 (2003 24,300 miles) and $19,000 (2003 62,000 miles)

Good luck. I think you can find a great deal if you can be patient.

PS - I can't post URL's because of the stupid rules for new board members.

I don't know if I'd worry so much about CPO on a car that's still covered by the factory warranty either, but I suspect that's a lot of your price differential - CPO usually adds a couple grand.

CPO is only as good as the dealer you are getting it from. IMO it is not worth the price premium.

I'm going to be taking my audi out today for a photoshot, make it look really spiffy for its next owner. Also im going to continue doing a search....I found a REALLY nice black on read in PA...but its a bit far.... hes telling me that he owes as a dealer 23,300 on it and wont go lower...I think its bs...so im gonna keep looking... I want to find a good one for right around 22k.


Hopefully I can get my car sold in the mean time.

Keep looking. I'm in CA and I got a fully optioned 2.5 with 17,000 miles on it for 24,000 at a dealership. If straight line speed really is a concern then get the 3.0. Personally I think the 2.5 is more than enough power, and I'm not even thinking about giving it more.

I had a dealer give me a BS story today that a Z4 with NON heated seats is faster than a z4 with heated seats due to weight. Said word for word, " normally the car is a 5.9 second car, with out heated seats your going to be just over 5 seconds. "

how comical is that? If head seats did that much....the world of tuning would be a much happier place. :lol

I had a dealer give me a BS story today that a Z4 with NON heated seats is faster than a z4 with heated seats due to weight. Said word for word, " normally the car is a 5.9 second car, with out heated seats your going to be just over 5 seconds. "

how comical is that? If head seats did that much....the world of tuning would be a much happier place. :lol

I think I'm going to just look sales people in the eye and say, "do you really think I'm that stupid?" when they spew that stuff, instead of just laughing to myself and making them feel like it's working.

I spent the afternoon with a 2.5i, Its really nice had the convenience package, and premium package.... very enjoyable only down side is compared to my TT it is slow. (Mind you mine is modded) So at this point I have officially decided that im going to get a 3.0i at least.


I just gotta wait to find the riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight deal.

I really like how i can drive with the roof down when its 50 outside...felt perfect to me. Loved how fast the top opens and closes...not to mention the attention you get!

I had a dealer give me a BS story today that a Z4 with NON heated seats is faster than a z4 with heated seats due to weight. Said word for word, " normally the car is a 5.9 second car, with out heated seats your going to be just over 5 seconds. "

how comical is that? If head seats did that much....the world of tuning would be a much happier place. :lol

The heating elements have no weight penalty, but the power seats are 20lbs heavier per seat than the manuals, I've read. The power top also adds a serious weight penalty. I've often played with the idea of a lightweight Z4 3.0i. I think you could get it very close to Z4M performance with the right options and a few inexpensive mods.

I owned a 2001 2.5i Z3. Trust me, you don't want a 2.5. I sold mine when I was being killed by teenage girls in MCS's. Go with the 3.0si. That would be your best bet for decent performance, availability, and options.

I'm for sure going to go with a 3.0i for sure.


if you guys dont mind me asking, what is the difference between the 2.5i / 3.0i / 3.osi

im confused... obviously between the 2.5i and 3.0i there is engine size.... but what else?

I just gotta wait to find the riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight deal.

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

http://www.studio2321.com/carstuff/z4_cruise/DSC_0034.jpg

http://www.studio2321.com/carstuff/z4_cruise/DSC_0036.jpg

:wave

SMG ftw baby.

Nice, and classic color combination!

if you guys dont mind me asking, what is the difference between the 2.5i / 3.0i / 3.osi

The 2.5i and 3.0i of the 2003-2005 models are the same engine with a different crank and ECU, so you get 184 bhp in one and 225 in the other.

The 3.0i and 3.0si of the 2006+ models are the same engine with a different intake and ECU, so you get 215 bhp in one and 255 bhp in the other.

The 2.5i and 3.0i of the 2003-2005 models are the same engine with a different crank and ECU, so you get 184 bhp in one and 225 in the other.

The 3.0i and 3.0si of the 2006+ models are the same engine with a different intake and ECU, so you get 215 bhp in one and 255 bhp in the other.

The 2.5i and 3.0i of the MY 2003-2005 are 2.5 liter and 3.0 liter engines (M54) respectively. MY 2005 and on, 3.0i is 3 liter with 215 HP (N52?), 3.0Si is 3 liter with 255 hp.

Only the E90s had the "2.5" designation for the lower output N54 3 liter.

Nice, and classic color combination!

Too bad it goes back to the leasing company by the end of next month. :(

Too bad it goes back to the leasing company by the end of next month. :(

That's why there should be a huge supply of 3 year old Z4's on the market. I have never seen reliable numbers, but I would think that most leased vehicles are returned rather than bought out because the residual is slightly higher than market (for the most part) and people want to lease a new car again.

Hack, do you know what percent get returned / CPO'ed / auctioned (best deal, but beware of problem cars)? My WAG (wild @ssed guess) would be about 75% or more get returned and of those, only 25-35% or so would be CPO'ed with the rest auctioned off to independents. Anyone else?

I would love to sell mine, because all they're going to do is turn it around and CPO it for $30,000. :(

I don't have access to actual lease return data nor would I know where to start looking. I would probably assume that a very high majority gets returned on the lease, because BMW has been subsidizing these Z4s for a long time resulting in a residual/market value imbalance. When I leased mine, the sticker price was $51,000. I paid just a hair over $39,000 as my cap cost for the lease.

Can't imagine that being good for resale value.

First $25K takes it! :D

all lease returns go to auction, i have no idea how many go back to dealerships

I even had a dream about the z4 last night.


WOW.

If you pay that much..you are getting ripped off. My parents got me my 2003 Z4 w/ 22,000 miles and sport and luxury package w/ xenon lights and the works for $22,000. The black on black 3.0 w/ 31,000 miles was only $27,500 but...since I am graduating next year and already have a good job lined up...I will drive this 2.5l until I trade it in on an M series next year. Ohh yea....the dealership paid off my mustang gt, and paid tax title and licence. Of course my parents bought a new navigator the same day...so I dont know if that had anything to do w/ it...hahaha

git 'yer guns up!

I'm gonna hold out until I find the right price on the right z, no reason to rush...

I spent the afternoon with a 2.5i, Its really nice had the convenience package, and premium package.... very enjoyable only down side is compared to my TT it is slow. (Mind you mine is modded) So at this point I have officially decided that im going to get a 3.0i at least.


I just gotta wait to find the riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight deal.

I really like how i can drive with the roof down when its 50 outside...felt perfect to me. Loved how fast the top opens and closes...not to mention the attention you get!

The deal was above and beyond fair, it just wasn't the right car. They discounted it $1,000 and it still has 76,000 miles of warranty or (assuming an in service date of late 2003) 2+ years of warranty.

3.0 is pretty weak after you drive a 260hp 3.0si..

hehe, im sure it is.


I'm by no means a tuner persay, but I will be modifying a few things on the 3.0i after I buy it.... I just need to figure out what exactly gives you the largest gains on this car with minimal mods.

3.0 is pretty weak after you drive a 260hp 3.0si..

I don't see why that should be - BMW's quoted 0-60 times are unchanged for the 3.0si compared to the pre-facelift 3.0i.

I'm curious.... does anyone have a link to 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for the 2.5, 3.0i, 3.0si and M?

I have been looking for it in various car mag's, but it's hit and miss...

It would be interesting to see a single comparison of all.....?