Wll I have been looking for a Z4 for a couple months now and found a
2003 2.5 auto with 15k miles for $20k. Black with tan interior and has all the options I want but the sport option. Premium and zeon etc.

Black is not my first choice for color (gets too hot and dirty) and it doesn't have the sport option which I wanted, but the low miles keep making me think about it. 1 owner car that lived in FL 3 months out of the year.

What are your opinions?

No No No

A "sport option" or handling option first appeared in American cars in the 60s as an weak alternative to sloppy handling. At that time BM did not offer a sport option believing that the standard suspension was in fact "sport".
BMW's sport option is now included in most dealer-generated Z4 orders, so it is unlikely that one will see a Z4 without it.
I drove both versions before purchase, and the so-called "standard" suspension was an easy choice for a daily driver. Even so, our Z4 has a firm ride. We tracked it at Road America last July, and I never found myself wishing for "more". We drove it across SD on my secret road at 140 mph for fifty miles in a strong quartering wind with no sensation of suspension at its limits.
Nevertheless, the common perception is that the standard suspension is way inferior to the sport suspension; and you should take that into consideration in your price negotiations.
Same for the premium option.

I have a Urban Green/Tan Interior 3.0 2003 Auto Prem/Sport/Zeon with 15K
miles,CPO with warranty and service still in effect. E-mail jimcue@mac.com
for pics if interested. Located in Lake Worth Florida.

Hmm... sounds like a car one of our local friendly soccer moms would drive. I'd stay away and opt for something a bit more fun to drive, and in a colour you want (personally, I like black... but that's me).

That being said... if you can get an excellent deal on it, and you like the way it rides and handles, then go for it. 15k miles for an '03 is nothing...

Im looking now, and would stay away from a car w/o sport, id also stay away from 2.5, and auto....and prefer black.

Obviously we're looking for something complete different, and the non sport package car might suite you!

A "sport option" or handling option first appeared in American cars in the 60s as an weak alternative to sloppy handling. At that time BM did not offer a sport option believing that the standard suspension was in fact "sport".
BMW's sport option is now included in most dealer-generated Z4 orders, so it is unlikely that one will see a Z4 without it.
I drove both versions before purchase, and the so-called "standard" suspension was an easy choice for a daily driver. Even so, our Z4 has a firm ride. We tracked it at Road America last July, and I never found myself wishing for "more". We drove it across SD on my secret road at 140 mph for fifty miles in a strong quartering wind with no sensation of suspension at its limits.
Nevertheless, the common perception is that the standard suspension is way inferior to the sport suspension; and you should take that into consideration in your price negotiations.
Same for the premium option.
its not the suspension, its the throttle mapping and steering effort changes that make it worthwhile

its not the suspension, its the throttle mapping and steering effort changes that make it worthwhile

Yep. Being able to slam heads back with a simple goose of the throttle is well worth it. Having weekend-swapped for a 3.0 model without sport package , I can say that a Z4 without the sport package is like Christianity without Christ...like decaf Ethiopian coffee, like a stripper without a pole!!!!

You get the point. :)

If price is an option, also consider the 2.5 with Sport. *Very* nice on gas, but still more than enough car. Don't forget that "jungle juice" doesn't follow the $.20 upcharge anymore. Premium is up to $.34 higher than regular gas where I live.

BUT, if you're not going to drive it like a wild man (or it will be a toy car only), fuel concerns aren't your worry. And if you're not going to drive it like a wild man, maybe you CAN get by without the sport package. :D:D:D

Hey Jimcue, are you the guy with the "Army Jeep" Z4 that showed up at roadster homecoming last year?

If you're fine with an auto transmission, I wouldn't worry about getting a sport option.

Would I buy a Z without sport option? Would, could, and did. Compared the two over the crappy roads I have to drive daily. The non-sport was comfortable, didn't jar my teeth, and was every bit as responsive as I could hope for. Bought it, and have had exactly zero regrets. Love the car, and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

Try both, one after the other. Make your own decision, and buy the car you like best, regardless of what others say you 'have' to have.

Z4 2.5 Auto without sport package is acceptable as a day-to-day. The sport package lower the car .8mm, I believe. You get larger wheels and tires which gives you better tracking.

I always prefer sport package for the more agressive look/stands. It's not a cushy ride, but we are driving a Zed. I would consider if you use it as a daily driver.

I have a Urban Green/Tan Interior 3.0 2003 Auto Prem/Sport/Zeon with 15K
miles,CPO with warranty and service still in effect. E-mail jimcue@mac.com
for pics if interested. Located in Lake Worth Florida.

That sounds very cool. Urban Green is a love hate color....and I for one love it!

Absolutely not. Sport option is a must. Wheels, steering, fuel mapping are a must have for me.

We have the best of both worlds with our 3.0i Rdstr and 3.0si Cpe with sport options. The wheels are worth the price of admission and the throttle response is astounding.

if it's what your looking for then i guess it's ok, but i'd run from that car
three strikes
1) 2.5i
2) slushbox
3) no sport

I can forgive #1 & or 3, but not #2 and preferably not 1 & 3 together :)

If you intend to never sell it, than go for it. If you think you may want to get rid of it one day, than stay far far away. No one will buy that car unless it's being given away and $20k is way too much. :nono

I know someone who is selling a silver 2.5 with sport and a 5 speed for $16k here in Sea Town.

That sounds very cool. Urban Green is a love hate color....and I for one love it!

I wish I had that color. :(

I have an 07 Z4 3.0i with no sport option is there really that much of a differance when i read the brochures on the Z4 I saw like no differance at all except for price.

To qualify my following statement, mine is a part time (about 30%) use car. It's a sports car! If looks are your priority, who cares what the drivetrain is, if performance is what you're going for then buy accordingly.

I have an 07 Z4 3.0i with no sport option is there really that much of a differance when i read the brochures on the Z4 I saw like no differance at all except for price.

have you read this thread?

Decided to pass on car and it sold the next day. I'm trading in a Cadillac so looking at dealers.

Thanks for all the replies.

When you replace the run flat tires with really good tires, the ride in a Z4 with Sport Suspension improves noticeably. Non-run flats have a more compliant sidewall which gives the effect of lowering the spring rate as far as comfort is concerned. The car will still handle like stink though.

unless you are going to the track every week I would not get the sport option... the car rides stiff enough stock

Would I buy a Z without sport option? Would, could, and did. Compared the two over the crappy roads I have to drive daily. The non-sport was comfortable, didn't jar my teeth, and was every bit as responsive as I could hope for. Bought it, and have had exactly zero regrets. Love the car, and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

Try both, one after the other. Make your own decision, and buy the car you like best, regardless of what others say you 'have' to have.

+1 on this experience. I have a 2005 3.0i z5 automatic, and it did not come with the sport option. I bought it as a used CPO so it came with brand new RFT's. The ride is a bit rough on bad roads, but not so much on smoother highways. On the newly paved roads here in AZ they are just fine. At least for now, once the tread wear starts to go I will really know. My z4 is just a weekend car.... never to be tracked etc. I think it is just fine without it. The only regret is that I could not hold off for another year or two and wait for a nice CPO 3.0si. In my opinion, 260hp is just about right for me. Although that regret is so small as to be almost non existant... :)

Nope..........

I have a 2006 3.0i without sport button. After driving both and trying all the different roads, I liked without better than with. You really need to drive both and decide for yourself.

i refuse to drive my car without the sport button on, sh*t is slow :P

Sure, but I didn't. Just got a 2008 Stratus Gray Metallic, with Dream Red leather, Z4 3.0i Roadster last week. It has the premium package and Sport Package and a few other goodies. It was the only Sport package roadster out of the seven available. My experience is the none sport package car and sport package car ride the same down the interstate but the sport package is a little more jarring over rough roads. Then again, the none sport package Z4 isn't exactly smooth over bumps either. I do love the 18" wheels although they're a bit of a pain to clean. Can't understand why the new roadster's don't come with some sort of tailpipe trim. The naked old steel just looks so unfinished. I added the satin chrome coupe pieces and it makes a world of difference. I drive my M3 powered wagon everyday and the wife drives hew Volvo V70 T5 wagon so the Z4 is really going to be used just for fun. Now that's what it's really about anyway, right?

Paul

http://members.aol.com/paul3130/private/z4001.jpg

Every BMW ever produced has it's own traits, and every one of them can be appreciated for what they are. There are fans of every model who would hate to drive any other model. Few 5 series owners would be caught in a ti, but my son prefers the light weight, functionality, and nimble handling of the ti. I like the advice of the person who stated, "Try them both, and make your own decision." We have a 323Ci, a 318ti 5 speed, a Z4 auto, and a Z3 5 speed, each chosen for specific reasons, and they're all greatly loved. Mom has her 5 series. Perspective: a Z4 automatic 2.5 is a fuel efficient, small, agile luxury car, or a poor excuse for a race car. My best advice is, buy what you like, and don't dare regret your choice. That would just spoil the affair.

I have the 2.5 non sport manual and am real happy with it. I get about 28 MPG, it's got great pickup and is a blast to drive after you ditch the run flats.

I guess it comes down to what you want. If you want to get as fast a Z4 as you can then no.

This is something I see a lot in many forums is people asking if they should do something without explaining their goals and what they are looking for, then you get the readers opinion based on what he/she did.

I bought the Z4 as a commuter car that gets great gas mileage and is fun to drive. This lets me keep my big 4X4 in the garage except when I want to go hit some trails. I know thats not the norm here for those buying a Z4, but you should state what your looking for.