I recently decided im going to look into purchasing an 03-05 z4[year mainly choosen do to cheaper price] Im looking specificaly for a black/black/black 3.0i with premium and sport packages, and looking to spend around 23-24K, and have a few questions.

How much of a difference does the sport package really make, i would definatly prefer it, but so far the only z4 that fits the color combo with decent milage and price doesn't seem to have to by looking at the rims. I have found triple back z4's with both packages but carfax reports atleast one accident in their history.

Where did you guys purchase your cars? anywhere other than a BMW dealership?

I've mainly been looking at cars.com, autotrader.com, vehix.com[sucks!], and motortrend.com[Sucks as well] What other site do you guys look on for used cars. I've also tried various bmw forums classified sections and haven't come up with anything[here, zpost, bimmerfest]

I no its a loaded first post, but any help would be great!

i have an 04 black/black/black with sports pack, premium, and and basically every other option besides nav and LOVE IT. absolutely LOVE IT. you won't be dissapointed. don't settle for anything other than black/black other because imo it's the nicest looking combo out there. mechanically wise these problems are pretty sound, only thing worth noting is that, VERY rarely, the strut towers have shown cracking. mine hasn't though and dont personally know anyone that has.

there are a few problems that are relatively well known for these cars though.
the third brake lens (middle) cracks in a lot of cars due to springs with too much tension. mine had this, bmw should replace this whether or not the car is in warrenty.
some soft tops make a chirping noise when they are in the lowered position. you only hear it going over bumps so when you test drive the one you find look for older roads.
there is a similar problem with the cup holders so again pay attention (plastic creaking noise) but do it with the top up so that you can hear.

bmw is fixing both of the last two problems on thursday, and fixed the brake lens for me months ago.

i found my car on autotrader...but you can always try craigslist as well. people on craigslist tend to list a bit lower than others.

the difference between sports pack and regular is pretty extreme and i wouldn't buy one without it. aside from the wheels you get the sports button which imo makes the car a lot more aggressive feeling, and im pretty sure there is a different suspension as well (correct me if im wrong about this one guys).

Sports button increases the throttle response & tightens the steering. I've read it has an effect on the suspension, but to what degree I don't know. If you just want a nice car to drive back and forth to work or to run errands around town, I wouldn't bother paying extra for it.

. I've read it has an effect on the suspension, but to what degree I don't know. .

nope, changes only the throttle & steering, kinda a bummer :(

nope, changes only the throttle & steering, kinda a bummer :(

i know the button doesn't change the suspension but does the sports package have a different suspension than cars without it?

i know the button doesn't change the suspension but does the sports package have a different suspension than cars without it?

yup, & it's 10mm lower

you MUST get a sports package. Drive a 3.0 with a sports package for 2 minutes, and than turn the sports button on. You'll never drive with sports off again

you MUST get a sports package. Drive a 3.0 with a sports package for 2 minutes, and than turn the sports button on. You'll never drive with sports off again

while i agree it is virtually a must have option
i think I *could* live w/o it, but it is worth it just to be able to get the m seats, which are hands down the best option available on teh car

while i agree it is virtually a must have option
i think I *could* live w/o it, but it is worth it just to be able to get the m seats, which are hands down the best option available on teh car

The M sport seat is an option. It doesn't come with the sport package.

I had an 04 3.0i with all option except nav. You must get the sport package if you want to take advantage of the S curves where you live. My brother-in-law goes out at least once a month. He drive his 911 C2s and we run through the hills. I have to say it can keep up with the Porsche around the curves, but he just blows me away coming out of the apex.

Of course, he can't get away from my M Coupe :nono

The M sport seat is an option. It doesn't come with the sport package.


i'm quite aware, the sport package is however a prerequisite to it, ergo one must have the sport package get the m seats hence "just to be able to get"

i'm quite aware, the sport package is however a prerequisite to it, ergo one must have the sport package get the m seats hence "just to be able to get"

what do the m-seats look like?

what do the m-seats look like?

http://www.jdbeyer.com/gallery/d/71-1/mseats.JPG

Thanks alot for all the info guys. Im def set now, i HAVE to have triple black, with sport and premium, and don't mind paying a little extra if i can find one with the m seats, they look awsome.

Does the sport button lower gas milage? Im going to assume the answer is no, due to the fact it only increases throttle response, if it remaps the ecu then yes. Correct?

i'm quite aware, the sport package is however a prerequisite to it, ergo one must have the sport package get the m seats hence "just to be able to get"

I want to be clear so the OP don't think every Z4 with sport package have the M seats.

Also if you guys don't mind could you tell me about how much you paid/the milage and when you bought it.

Does the sport button lower gas milage? Im going to assume the answer is no, due to the fact it only increases throttle response, if it remaps the ecu then yes. Correct?

indirectly perhaps, but functionally no
gas milage stays the same, but the effect of pushing the throttle half down w/the sport button on v. off will be dif, thus the same throttle input w/the sport button on will yield lower milage, but no lower milage than w/the button off and a corresponding increase in throttle input (that was probably the most roundabout way to describe it lol, bottom line = no)

I want to be clear so the OP don't think every Z4 with sport package have the M seats.
i'd assume m seats would be one of the rarest options, necessitating the $ $1.2 k sport package (for teh prefacelift 3.0) & $450 m seat option

Also if you guys don't mind could you tell me about how much you paid/the milage and when you bought it.

$42,465 w/6 miles :buttrock
but to your question, i'd be looking for very low 20s for a '03 to mid 20s for '05 (to high 20s for a mint low milage 05)

ooow 6 miles? i always thought they came with 7!

I spotted one asking 22 and has 50k miles, i should be able to nock that down atleast to 21 or so, what do you guys think?

ooow 6 miles? i always thought they came with 7!

I spotted one asking 22 and has 50k miles, i should be able to nock that down atleast to 21 or so, what do you guys think?

what year?

$23k, 2004 w/17k miles. all options cept nav (no m-seats either) i drove quite a ways for it though.

as for gas mileage, no it won't increase it just by pressing the button but it will make you want to drive in a way that does.

$23k, 2004 w/17k miles. all options cept nav (no m-seats either) i drove quite a ways for it though.


03, Im going to look for something else though. How far did you drive?

the couple i bought the car from had just moved to madison wisconsin from florida (the cars original home). being the snowy palce that madison is they had no use for a rear wheel drive sports car so they were trying to sell it. they couldn't find anyone locally for the same reason so they were happy to let it go for a steal. the car had spent no more than 2 weeks in madison though so no damage from road salt (never saw winter). i wouldn't recommend buying a car from that part of the country for that reason but im sure if you look around you can find a good deal. but be willing to drive.

Search nationally. I found my dream Zed in Philly, so I drove there to get it.

I decided to look at some other colors, so it should make things easier. The more i look the more i like the silver/black/black and silver/black/read. Im also found of the white/black/black, but that seems alot more rare then the triple black.

A lot of what you are asking depends on where you live. Prices included. That is why places like Autotrader ask you to put in your zip code. I wanted a black on black on black. Spent a month looking almost every day. Took out a CarFax monthly membership. I finally got one but it was not black. I found many with good CarFax reports that had been in accidents. Be aware that Zeds in the 2003 to 2005 years may have been under water in the Gulf problems in the US. I found some that obviously had been. Also not on CarFax.

I finally found a silver, black 04 with 40K miles still with warranty on it. That is important so that if you do find a problem you will have the dealer over the barrel to fix it. If not you are on your own. Mine has everything except the NAV. All packages and is in perfect condition. It was a local lease return and I found out who the previous owner was and she told me that it was a great car with no problems when she turned it in and that it had been kept in a garage from the day she got it new.

Now I have been a negotiator on large million dollar deals when I worked for a living so I know how to, lets say haggle. They were asking $26,000 and I took it out the door for 20K even with new floor mats and tires. Hope that helps.

That's a real good deal. The dealer gave me 21k for my 04 Z4 3.0 with 32k. It has everything except Nav. The list of options are

Premium Pakcage
Sport Package
Convenience Package
M Seats
Heated Seats
Xeon
CD Changer
Alarm
OE Wind Deflector

I have a 2003 Z4 2.5i with sports package; black sapphire on black. See craigslist.com Cincinnati

Are these dealers you guys went to strait up BMW dealers, or just your run of the mill luxury used car dealer?

I don't trust big dealership sales people, I've always felt they're more interested in moving volume.

I got mine from a used car dealer who appeared to specialize in high mileage Mercedes. Traveled 400 miles by train. Arranged for a mechanic to look at it - peace of mind is worth it.

I don't trust big dealership sales people, I've always felt they're more interested in moving volume.

I got mine from a used car dealer who appeared to specialize in high mileage Mercedes. Traveled 400 miles by train. Arranged for a mechanic to look at it - peace of mind is worth it.

i don't even trust used car dealerships. they're more concerned with moving cars period!

as a rule i only buy cars from private sellers and try to look for car enthusiasts. or at least people that respected their car and took good care of it.

I would like to buy it private, but i also have a car i need to unload, and even though i won't get much money for it, would be easier to trade in.

Would you guys ever consider a vehicle that had been in an accident if you could get it for a good price? This vehicle i had looked over a few times but never bothered since it have been n 2 accidents, but i look at the pics again since i was board and saw the m seats. If this could be had for a good price is it worth it? and What would be the magic number.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=241975548&dealer_id=1359774&car_year=2004&model=Z4&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=1000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=02155&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=26000&cardist=19