My 911 is ailing... but I've discovered another German

LeeH · 12-02-2006, 08:05 PM

My 911 is awaiting further diagnosis of engine problems resulting from a mechanical over-rev at a DE. I sure miss driving it.

I was checking out cars at the local dealer's auction looking for something to resell when I happened upon a 2003 Z4 Roadster. I did a little research on prices before the auction. One other bidder cost me hundreds of dollars, but in the end I won the auction.

I'm not a big fan of convertibles, but I could sure get used to seeing this one in my garage every day. I didn't like the Z4's lines when it first came out, but it has really grown on me. It's just a blast to drive. I may have to own one of these someday. It has all the goodness of the 3 series, but in a smaller package. Anyone else here have a Z4?

Joeaksa · 12-02-2006, 08:06 PM

Too much of a chick car for me, like the Z3. Plus the engine is in the wrong end!

Hope the 911 works out...

LeeH · 12-02-2006, 08:08 PM

Hey Joe - can I hold on to your gas analyzer until I get my engine put back together? First thing I'll need to do once it's back in the car is tune it up.

Yeah... the Z3 seemed a little soft to me. Not the Z4.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-02-2006, 08:15 PM

I like the Z4, it's really grown on me. The sharp edges make it look more "manly" than the Z3.

livi · 12-03-2006, 02:00 AM

The Z3 was a handbag but the Z4 is claimed to be a rather more competent machine. It probably is, but personally I have for some reason never liked BMW.

89911 · 12-03-2006, 05:31 AM

Nice car. If having 330hp in a small convertable makes you less manly, I'm willing to cross that path.

austin552 · austin552's Garage

I see a Z4M coupe in my future.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1036970535279098014&q=z4m&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7477636072399516811&q=z4m&hl=en

Danny_Ocean · 12-03-2006, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
I like the Z4, it's really grown on me. The sharp edges make it look more "manly" than the Z3.

Manly -

Mommy -

LeeH · 12-04-2006, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by austin552
I see a Z4M coupe in my future.

The one I have is a 2.5L. It's not slow, but the extra power from the 3.0 would be nice. A coupe would be even nicer.

SolReaver · 12-04-2006, 07:11 AM

Not a "chick car" unless you painted it pink. People are telling you it is a chick car to mess with you. I bought a ford probe at auction, cheap. nobody else was bidding on it due to the paint color and I lowballed it thinking, hey, it runs! That is how I got a Pink Probe. I drove it about for a month or so, telling everybody how I really loved my pink probe. It was small, but reliable. I kept it clean and didn't park it in any garages that looked dirty or smelled bad. I always used a car cover. I went to the parts store and told them " my pink probe doesn't run like new" an old guy behind the counter said "who's does?".

Seriously, the pun factor alone was worth the purchace price and I sold it to a nice gentleman who was actually looking for that exact factory color. For some reason the paint was perfect, almost new condition.

I drove a Z4 a few years ago, they were quite popular when they came out. Though no longer the "newest and best" the enginnering impressed me as did the performance and handling. They are good cars. Plus you have the BMW reliability. Keep up on all the maintinance and the car will probably be good for you. As i remember they are a breeze to park, even in tight spaces lengthwise. Careful about the rims on curbs, they semed to stick out a little furhther than I thought at first. Once you get used to the points of the car, it is OK.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-04-2006, 09:24 AM

Now that's a no-brainer. Z8 > Z4. Actually, Z8 > all, at least thus far. Have those depreciated at all yet? I never even see them for sale.

Danny_Ocean · 12-04-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Now that's a no-brainer. Z8 > Z4. Actually, Z8 > all, at least thus far. Have those depreciated at all yet? I never even see them for sale.

Unfortunately, no...still waiting for the Z8 market to crash!

There's a few on E-Bay right now. All in excess of $90k...

Hugh R · 12-04-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89911
Nice car. If having 330hp in a small convertable makes you less manly, I'm willing to cross that path.

In a Z4? or do you mean a Z8

onewhippedpuppy · 12-04-2006, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hugh R
In a Z4? or do you mean a Z8

I assume Z4M. Of course, then you could consider a new M coupe, which I think are dead sexy. Plus, I always like coupes better.

Z8 had the 400 HP E39 M5 motor, correct?

89911 · 12-05-2006, 04:40 AM

My bad, I'm thinking its the 2006 roadster, which is the same powerplant as MCoupe. Still, the Z4 is a nice car. I think if I had a choice though, I would go with a Boxster S.