Hi from Newbie in Oxfordshire, looking for early Z4 roadster

[Ted75]

Hi, I'm currently looking for an early Z4 roadster, undecided on 2.0 with the 6 speed manual (albeit 4 cylinder engine) or the 2.2 with the straight six (albeit it 5 speed manual).

Looked at three today, one was really poor, smoker had damaged internal lining of roof and bad accident repairs. Second was really nice 2.2, but I am hesitant about 130k miles, white staining to internal roof lining and marmite paint colour (maldive blue).

Third is a black 55 plate with 80k miles, possible price of £4k sold as seen, no warranty. lots of vegetation debris all over engine bay and roof lining, possible motor failure if I don't get in and clean it out (seen videos ) but lower door seams have visible signs of rust. Definitely needs four new tyres, and probably discs and pads to follow....

Hoping there might be some better examples for sale on the forum.
Cheers, Ted

[volumex65]

you will find better , defo on here , but if nothing right now - keep looking

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome OP.

Personally I would only look for a straight 6 - that is one of the Z4s' unique features!

I quite like Maldive Blue, but Merlot is a great colour IMHO!

There should be better ones around, and if you find one on here at least you know the owner was an enthusiast.

Good luck with your search, and don't forget to post photos once you have one.

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum. There a still plenty of sound Z4's for sale out there. Personalty I would pass on what you have described above. Take a little time, be prepared to travel a few miles and you should find far better.

[Ted75]

Thanks all. Plan is to find somethign to keep for a good few years and then still have some kind of resale value.
I've done the track day thing in the past, now just want something to enjoy the journey in, but equally can be proud just to wash and polish on the weekend

[-banned-]

Welcome to the forum

[jabber]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I love maldives blue but then I would as I have one, why are you not looking at 3.0 you would have far more choice and a £4-5k budget would get you a good example

[Ted75]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I love maldives blue but then I would as I have one, why are you not looking at 3.0 you would have far more choice and a £4-5k budget would get you a good example

Thank you for the warm welcomes.

Not seen any 3.0, or 2.5 for that matter. I was looking for 2.2 for the inline six over the four-pot 2.0, as I like the idea of drivng with the torque rather than ringing it's neck. The extra power is not necessarily needed (did I just say that? ) but the increased insurance and fuel economy and servicing are (potentially unfounded) concerns.

What influenced your decission making process?
Cheers

[philbo909]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I love maldives blue but then I would as I have one, why are you not looking at 3.0 you would have far more choice and a £4-5k budget would get you a good example

Thank you for the warm welcomes.

Not seen any 3.0, or 2.5 for that matter. I was looking for 2.2 for the inline six over the four-pot 2.0, as I like the idea of drivng with the torque rather than ringing it's neck. The extra power is not necessarily needed (did I just say that? ) but the increased insurance and fuel economy and servicing are (potentially unfounded) concerns.

What influenced your decission making process?
Cheers

I had a 2l and moved to a 3l coupe because it was just lacking. Engine problems, sounded awful, not much difference in fuel economy (29.8 in the coupe, 32 in the 2l) and insurance worked out very similar.
If i'm not mistaken servicing costs are the same for the I6 engines, but definitely cheaper for the 4pot (although they're more prone to issues, which increases your running bills). Brakes are different sizes, but the little 2l brakes look lost behind the 108 wheels anyway.
4-5k will get you a nice example, definitely an early 3L if you keep an eye out on here, it's summer so prices will be higher for convertibles despite the weather we've had.

[Ted75]

OK, this is why I joined an owner's forum

I've gone back to the Go Compare website and put in the reg of a 2007 plated face-lifted gen 1 (LCI?) So, the N52 engines come mated with a six-speed manual (only reason was looking at M46 2.0 over N54 2.2 - thank you Wikipedia!) and Churchill continues to want the same £500 fully comp.

So, revised wish list:

2006 - 2008 2.5 si (215 bhp)
Silver or black
black leather
40k-50k miles
£5k

Is that reasonable?

[jabber]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I love maldives blue but then I would as I have one, why are you not looking at 3.0 you would have far more choice and a £4-5k budget would get you a good example

Thank you for the warm welcomes.

Not seen any 3.0, or 2.5 for that matter. I was looking for 2.2 for the inline six over the four-pot 2.0, as I like the idea of drivng with the torque rather than ringing it's neck. The extra power is not necessarily needed (did I just say that? ) but the increased insurance and fuel economy and servicing are (potentially unfounded) concerns.

What influenced your decission making process?
Cheers

I have owned a 2.2 and it was ok but I found it a bit lacking for me ( also used loads of oil ) I have owned 2 3.0 and I get 30mpg and thats mostly shortish trips my 2.2 wasn't any more economical obviously if you drive them hard the mpg drops but where can you do that nowadays. Did a track day in my old 3.0 averaged 12 mpg!

[earthdweller]

I think you are making the right decision re 6 cyl engines ... they are/will become a classic combo with a manual shift

Normally aspirated straight six is sublime and the engines are pretty bulletproof

2.5si is a good choice with 218bhp .. watch out fir the low powered 2.5 though

The 3.0si is superb and an M car lite if you can stretch to it .. although they can be pricey

Spec wise .. personally it's about condition and history for me but

Si came as an SE or a Sport

Sport has electric m sports seats/ m steering wheel/ m suspension and 18's as standard over the SE

Mind the split rim 108's can be a pain .. so poss go with the MV2's

Good luck with the search .. this forum will just keep you upping your budget .. you'll be spending £25k on an MCoupe before you know it

Andy

[Rusky]

Welcome Op