Well this is my first post, I admit I never pictured myself getting on a BMW forum:confused. But I have run across a great deal on an 03 Z4 and had a few questions.

The car is currently riding on run flat tires, the rears are almost gone, would it be ok to replace the rear with new not RTF tires and wait for the fronts to wear out?

Are there any specific problems on this year?

What can I expect to spend on maintenance? I am a big gearhead who doesn't normally endorse taking a car to a dealer unless a must. I normally do my one work, is that still possible on this car?

Thanks a lot for any help I hope to buy it soon,
Zach

Welcome to the forum! The quick answer is no. Too many handling problems. Search this forum and bimmerfest for RFT replacement limitations.

Suggest replacing all four with non-RFTs. Cheaper and better if you buy the mobility kit. Do your home work. This has been discussed here ad nauseam.

Are there any specific problems on this year?

What can I expect to spend on maintenance? I am a big gearhead who doesn't normally endorse taking a car to a dealer unless a must. I normally do my one work, is that still possible on this car?

Thanks a lot for any help I hope to buy it soon,
Zach

Zach - 2003 was the first year for this model. Check "Consumer Reports" for weak areas before you buy. My '05 is a great car. Cannot speak to the '03. These are pretty reliable cars, but not Hondas or Toyotas. You can do the work yourself but the maintenance repair manuals are pretty much non-existent. We will help you if you decide to buy one. Again, do your homework.

Welcome to the forum! I'll answer what I can for you.

First, replacing only two RFTs. Don't. Mixing them up is asking for trouble. Handling issues raise their ugly heads if you try to push the car. Replace all four.

Specific problems. Yeah. 1)Staying at the speed limit. 2)Keeping the foolish grin off your face while driving. Other than that, the Z4 is a fairly reliable car, at least so far. Electrical gremlins rise now and then, just as on every other car, but because the Z carries somewhat fewer gizmos and doodads than most current BMWs, if you don't have them, they don't break, that simple.

Most problems can be avoided by keeping up with a good preventive maintenance program. NOT BMW's "lifetime fill" foolishness. Automatic transmissions can fail around 100K miles, as most aren't given fluid changes these days. You didn't mention which particular engine/tranny you're looking at, so can't be more specific. And most Z4s haven't hit that milestone yet, so we don't have a lot of high-mileage examples around to find out what specific problems hit as they age.

Hard to put a dollar figure on maintenance, but should be quite reasonable if the vehicle has been treated properly by its previous owner.

Be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection done before you buy the car, tho. Preferably at a BMW dealership or an independent mechanic who specializes in German cars. A few bucks spent up front might save you much aggravation and money later on.

Good luck!

Thanks guys for the quick replies! I'm glad this forum is so active and taking care of questions quickly.

Luckily the car has been handleed very carefully and has under 23k on the clock. The current owner is my sister's motherinlaw who has takien great care and has had it looked over closely before she had bought it and recently.

The two rear tires are close to worn out, may not pass inspection. I bet replacing all four with non RFT's is just as much as buying two rear RFT's with the way prices are.

I'm currently filling out paper work:) I can't wait. It's a big step up from my current 1991 honda accord for a daily drive, I bet maybe the biggest in history haha.

thanks again keep the opinions coming,
zach

Thanks guys for the quick replies! I'm glad this forum is so active and taking care of questions quickly.

Luckily the car has been handleed very carefully and has under 23k on the clock. The current owner is my sister's motherinlaw who has takien great care and has had it looked over closely before she had bought it and recently.

The two rear tires are close to worn out, may not pass inspection. I bet replacing all four with non RFT's is just as much as buying two rear RFT's with the way prices are.

I'm currently filling out paper work:) I can't wait. It's a big step up from my current 1991 honda accord for a daily drive, I bet maybe the biggest in history haha.

thanks again keep the opinions coming,
zach


OEM RFTs are $200 each, not including balance and mount, IF you buy them from Tire Rack. Then there is shipping. Non-RFTs vary of course, but you can find them easily for less than $130 each and get a great tire.

Here's the point, the RFTs are noisy, uncomfortable and have a special characteristic called, "Trammeling" (SP?) Nearly all here would recommend that you get rid of them the first chance you get, myself included. I have 16K on mine and I WILL replace them with non-RFTs when they need it. I estimate that to be no more than 25K mikes and I am a sedate driver. BMW does not put RFTs on the MZ. Think about it...

I'll strongly second the "dump the POS rft's" asap statements. The difference in noise level, handling, ride comfort and overall feel is striking, and there are some great moderate cost replacements out there.

Thanks guys for all the input. If all goes right i will be the proud owner of a 2003 Z4 this weekend:cool

I just signed papers today and a 2003 Z4 is in the driveway. A big trade up from my old daily driver. I will be taking pictures tomorrow and posting.

thanks guys
zach

Congrats!

I just signed papers today and a 2003 Z4 is in the driveway. A big trade up from my old daily driver. I will be taking pictures tomorrow and posting.

thanks guys
zach

Congratulations!

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/Sampson4721/Z4/IMG_5639.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/Sampson4721/Z4/IMG_5640.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/Sampson4721/Z4/IMG_5636.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w133/Sampson4721/Z4/IMG_5635.jpg

The tires are brand new, after much reading on the forum I went with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. They ride soooo well, big difference over the run flat tires from before. I did a wash and wax and had my girlfriend shoot the pics. I had a great day driving, constanly getting stares haha not used to that. The color combo I think looks really sharp. For what I paid it could have been pink.

Any suggestions or good tips for the car or driving??

Thanks
Zach

The pics looked like you have the sport package. You need to get into the habit pushing the sport button every time you start the car.

Take it to the twisty and see why we love driving the Z4. You will be amaze what this car can do.

yea he has the sports button but doesn't have the typical sport package wheels. weird...

yes i have the build sheet/window sticker. It says it has the sport package. I thought it was supposed to have different wheels as well. But the sheet says it is equiped with just 17' alloys.

I have been testing the sport button. The feel of the throttle is amazing. I wish I didnt have to keep hitting it everytime I get in. The throttle seems numb without it.

This car rocks!

I believe that year and model is similiar to my '05 model. The non-sport had 16" wheels and the sport had 17" wheels. The 18" wheels were an option.

Ah ok thanks. I haven't seen many like it. One of the wheels has a good ding and curb rash I may look for one, expensive though. I also have a few dings I will get popped out soon. All in all great car.

Only thing that has me worried is the top going out, seems to be an expensive repair. I'm going to do the DIY to clean it out and hope it lasts.

Thanks
Zach

Oh almost forgot. The center tail light is cracked. I thought I read somewhere it is replaced for free by BMW? My car isnt under warranty though...

Oh almost forgot. The center tail light is cracked. I thought I read somewhere it is replaced for free by BMW? My car isnt under warranty though...

Never heard of that outside of warranty. Suggest you go with the clear lens. Try LeatherZ or Roadster Solutions for the parts.

BTW, the car looks GREAT! Love the color combo!

Congrats!

Your wheels are right. Did you get a manual? The tire configurations for the 2.5 and the 3.0 are listed with the one at the top of each section the standard.

You'll occasionally see comments from others about the 3rd brake light crack, it's not too uncommon I believe the springs are too tight.

Way to go 79TA!! I love the color, too. Since I'm in the area, I hope to see you out there sometime. Drop that top, hit the button, & smile a while!

Thanks guys for all the compliments, I am still pumped. I smile everytime I turn the key, what a blast. I do need to replace that tailight just to get it off my mind.

Yes, it is a manual. 5th gear is funky to get into, I mean not like anything is broken it just feels like an awkward shift. But I am getting used to it. The 2.5 is plenty for me, my driving record with a 1991 accord is bad enough hahaha

I don't see many Z4's in my area, the only other one I have seen is actually my neighbors. But I would be excited to see you on the road sswood101.

Thanks guys
zach

PS I still have a dumb little smile from just driving.

I should get a pic for an icon. My ride is titanium silver, black drop-top, black leather interior with, at the moment I can't recall the name of the color, I think it's called something like Maduri (sp?) red high gloss wood interior trim. The only option I didn't get was the nav system because I have a Nuvi. I wish I had purchased the nav system because it seems like the best way to use an Ipod. Oh well, next time.

I have my own navi too. I do need to figure something out for the ipod hook up though. I will be on the look out.

I just picked up my 03 z4 and have been searching for decent ipod integration. Based on the threads I have read I am going to pick up the "DICE" IPOD interface. http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/index.php

It controls your ipod from the bmw head unit. Looks easy to install as well. Good Luck

yeah i think it is the only way to go is with the Dice. I found an option at best buy with for $130 but come to find out it won't work with the DSP.