the bmw z4

anewman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z4 not that wikipedia is the source of all knowledge of course

david29dpo

The build quality is not as good as it used to be, they are made in the USA like the Z3 was. Not a bad car though. Reliability's ok and parts not as expensive as some think.

MX5huggy

My parents have a 3l one and love it. It has not been fault free but the BMW dealer has as always been very good if expensive. The biggest problem is the rear tyres which are £250 each!!!

The impresive thing is that the seat and wheel is adjustable enough for Dad at 6'1" and mum at 4'11" both have very perfect driving positions (which are stored in the electic seats). Plus they have the automatic box as mum has bad arthritis which does not really comprimise the performance as it is excellent.

Note that production has now stopped so it is no longer a current model although the replacement is not due till 2010

Bob63

A colleague in the US once referred to the BMW acronym as "Bubba Makes Wheels" in reference to the Z3/Z4 being made in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Z series (and X series) are all made over there rather than in Germany.

AdrianHi

MX5huggy wrote: »

The biggest problem is the rear tyres which are £250 each!!!

Price of run-flats especially the bigger sizes is no joke for sure.
Falken 452 non-run-flat tyres are highly on the Z4 and other BMW's. That's the way to go.

jimjam10

AdrianHi wrote: »

Price of run-flats especially the bigger sizes is no joke for sure.
Falken 452 non-run-flat tyres are highly on the Z4 and other BMW's. That's the way to go.

Can you just replace the runflats with ordinary tyres...simple as that? I have a 53 plate Z4 that'll need new shoes soon....

MX5huggy

Yes yes

AdrianHi

Inform your insurance company you are doing it, none have changed and T's & C's or premiums as a result of this, but it is best to let them know.
Also don't fall for any of the folk lore like "you cannot put ordinary tyres on wheel rims designed for run-flats" that some tyre fitters may tell you. In fact it's the reverse which is true, run-flat tyres cannot be safly fitted to ordinary wheel rims.
BMW Mobility kit or Continental Conit ComfortKit for dealing with punctures.

Hintza

What about a Crossfire? Good engine and probably cheaper to buy? Motoring press didn't like them but I think from a value for money point of view might be a better buy?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

The Crossfire is a Mercedes SLK under the skin. It is a completely different car to the Z4.