Newbie with a 135i looking to make the jump to a Z4 - UPDATE Now in a Z4

[s.m.456]

Evening everyone,

Potential future E85 roadster owner here!

Currently I own a 135i coupe but will be looking to make the move across to a Z4 roadster.

The reason being is that we are planning on a summer road-trip heading to the Italian coast via the Swiss alps, diverting along the way to enjoy the mountain roads and scenery. The girlfriend has one request, the car has to be a drop top. Hence the move to a Z4, the 1 series rag top is ugly as sin!

The drop in power and car value would also let the girlfriend feel more relaxed driving, she has done very little driving since passing her test two years ago due to the joys of living in London

So I will be soon looking for a manual E85, either a PFL 3.0 or a FL 2.5. With a budget of around £6k have I narrowed the selection down to the two best options?

I have my heart set on the sport seats, and that's about it. Cruise control appears to be a relatively easy retrofit so I wouldn't be too concerned with that but would certainly do the install if it is missing.

How have others found the roadster on a long trip? Should I stick with the 135i and miss the roof down fun?

Thanks for any responses! Appreciate some more knowledgable input

Obligatory photo of the current steed:

[mr.tourette]

The girlfriend is right drop top around the alps will be a fab experience

Very nice forum car available here viewtopic.php?f=41&t=94371

[Mr Tidy]

Great 1st post OP - photos included!

Can't help on the drop-top aspect ( ), but I don't think you would find a 3 litre too disappointing in terms of performance!

Hope you find one you like.

[Tcochrane92]

Hi mate, welcome to the forum!
Great to hear you're making the move to join the z4 group!

I'm actually selling my E85, pre facelift, 3.0i
Titan silver, 97k, full service history, cruise control, manual, amazing condition, let me know if you'd like any more details

20160323_155641.jpg (86.55 KiB) Viewed 1511 times

[dhobbs]

Hi and welcome.
How do you find the 135i?
I've been looking at getting one for a year or two, only because of the four seats, can't decide between the looks of the coupe or the top down fun of the vert!
Going to hold on to the z4 as long as possible because they just look soooo georgeous!

[metal licker]

Hi and welcome aboard

[Jollyjoiner]

Hello and welcome to the site.

Lets hope you find just the right car for your needs

[s.m.456]

Thanks for the welcome guys

I have seen some contenders in the for sale section, it might just be 6-8 weeks too early just now. I'll be honest, I haven't even driven a Z4 yet

Hi and welcome.
How do you find the 135i?
I've been looking at getting one for a year or two, only because of the four seats, can't decide between the looks of the coupe or the top down fun of the vert!
Going to hold on to the z4 as long as possible because they just look soooo georgeous!

I absolutely love it! Thankfully all of the common issues with the motor have been sorted by the previous owner through BMW warranty. The kick in the back torque through 2nd and 3rd is highly addictive. I have the camber mod pin done on the front which allows for a bit more negative camber making turn in a bit sharper and the car a bit more playful overall.

I am looking forward to getting back into an N/A motor though, before the 135i I had set out looking for a 130i but never came across one I was happy with. The 135i popped up through BMW approved used at a silly price, a bit of man maths later and whoops

[dhobbs]

I went from family diesels to my 3.0si and I now enjoy driving again but at some point I'll need a four seater.
Hope you find one.

Daz

[Mr Tidy]

I went from family diesels to my 3.0si and I now enjoy driving again but at some point I'll need a four seater.Hope you find one.Daz

I did much the same - had a 320td Compact then a 123d before I bought a Z4C.

Still needed a "sensible" car, so I just bought a 325ti Compact to go with my Z4C.

I like to think of the 325ti as a "pre-facelift 4 seater Z4 Coupe" - or maybe a latter-day 2.8i Capri.

[dhobbs]

I still have a 1.4 tfsi touran for the family, which is very practical but boring to drive, especially as it has the dsg gearbox. I actually look forward to driving my z4 to work everyday.

[Mr Tidy]

still have a 1.4 tfsi touran for the family, which is very practical but boring to drive, especially as it has the dsg gearbox. I actually look forward to driving my z4 to work everyday.

Nothing wrong with that.

I think having a 325ti as a daily makes me drive my Z4C less than I should; it's 80% of the car for 20% of the money!

[dhobbs]

still have a 1.4 tfsi touran for the family, which is very practical but boring to drive, especially as it has the dsg gearbox. I actually look forward to driving my z4 to work everyday.

Nothing wrong with that.

I think having a 325ti as a daily makes me drive my Z4C less than I should; it's 80% of the car for 20% of the money!

I always liked the compact looks, shame it never took off.

[Mr Tidy]

I always liked the compact looks, shame it never took off.

Mine takes off pretty well to be fair!

But on this forum with photos being essential, here it is:-

[Rob s]

Hi

Good to see another member on both BBMW and Z4 forum!

Having owned an N55 135i and 2 Z4s and been on road trips in them both i would say that i enjoyed the roadtrip more in the 135I.
I like you really liked the idea of a drop top road trip but found the reality was annoying lack of space (and i didnt have a passenger), no room for a spare in the Z4 boot, too hot to have the roof down for the majority/sunburn when i did. I did some spirited driving over the Alps and the extra vision you get being higher up very usefull.

Although having said all that i still enjoyed the Zed trip just preferred the 1er. The 1er had around 400bhp so was a very different driving experience compared to my PFL 3.0 z4.

Hope that gives some help