Which bmw z4 should i buy

This is a 3. Both manual and DCT dual-clutch auto boxes are superb; it comes down to personal preference. Choose between standard and M Sport specs, the latter getting leather trim, sportier details, inch wheels plus sports seats and suspension.

The more power you go for, the higher the specification. The only other premium two-seater coupe-cabrio is the Mercedes SLK , which is great value, decent dynamically and extremely well built. Gloveboxes and cubbyhole lids are the most rattle-prone. When the seals fail, the tail-light units can fill up with water. The only cure is to fit a new cluster — however, the work is usually done under warranty.

Faulty injectors can lead to the powerplant cutting out or running unevenly. All models have dual-zone climate control, electric windows and roof and xenon headlamps.

As you ascend the engine hierarchy, more standard features are thrown in. You'll rarely find a Mk2 Z4 for a rock-bottom price — beware of a higher mileage or maintenance question-marks on any advertised cheaper than the average price for an example of the same age. A plate sDrive20i is worth about the same amount as an plate sDrive 23i with a lower mileage.

Don't expect more than 41mpg from any Z4 and note that the four-cylinder engines aren't necessarily more economical than the bigger 'sixes' when driven enthusiastically.

No Z4 is cheap to insure, either — insurance groups range from 34 to This is transferable between owners. If your example isn't covered by a package, you needn't necessarily worry, because the Z4's condition-based servicing allows up to two years or 20, miles to elapse between check-ups.

The Z4 is generally very well built, however a firm ride can give rise to interior rattles, with the glovebox and cubbyhole lids particularly susceptible. Fortunately, the complicated electro-hydraulic roof is pretty reliable, but fluid leaks aren't unknown and can result in a stuck roof, as well as unsightly staining to the interior trim.

The side windows should drop slightly when the doors are opened or the roof opened, but have occasionally been known to refuse. The inch alloy wheels can attract damage from potholes and kerbs, too — a vibration at speed might point to a wheel that's out of shape. Look out for signs of water in the rear lights — this happens if the seal fails and replacing the cluster is the only fix.

Many clusters have been replaced under warranty for this reason. High-mileage cars can experience fuel-injection faults, leading to uneven running or the engine cutting out. It's worth paying to have any well used example inspected professionally. Four recalls have been issued for the BMW Z4 so far, the first — in July — concerning potential power-steering issues. April saw a second recall, this time to address a possibility of the engine cutting out or refusing to start; a fault caused by an electrical short-circuit.

Manual Z4s were recalled three months later for the possibility or clutch failure and July brought a fourth recall, this time for engines that reverted to limp-home mode — a fault that was traced to incorrect valve timing. The Mk2 Z4 has few direct rivals — only the Mercedes SLK and some versions of the Mazda MX-5 share its folding hard-top roof, and the latter can only really compete with the entry-level sDrive18i.

The Z4 is only offered as a softtop convertible , but if you'd prefer a hardtop coupe, take a look at the mechanically similar Toyota Supra , which was developed alongside the BMW.

The Z4 is much the same as it was last year, but ambient lighting is no longer standard and wireless smartphone charging is no longer an option. The Driving Assistance package has been removed from the Convenience and Premium packages and is now a standalone option package.

At its base price, the Z4 Drive30i is an undeniable value. It costs considerably less than its main rival, the Porsche Boxster, and it offers more than enough performance for most buyers. You can also dress it up with the M Sport Kit, which adds an M Sport suspension for better handling and dials up its appearance inside and out with an aerodynamic body kit and M Sport steering wheel. Larger inch wheels and tires are also available, and BMW offers the Dynamic Handling package, which adds larger M Sport brakes and its M Sport differential for additional traction.

Your new Z4 still won't accelerate like the much more powerful M40i, but it'll be more than quick enough to satisfy. Every Z4 has an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode as well as Manual mode. Paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel are also standard. That's right: For the first time, the BMW Z4 is not available with a traditional manual transmission with a clutch pedal.

You won't miss it. The eight-speed is one of the best automatics around with sharp responses, snappy shifts, and smooth operation. The sDrive30i is powered by the brand's excellent turbocharged 2.

In our testing, this model accelerated to 60 mph in 5. Engine choices range from an entry-level bhp 18i 2. In , BMW swapped the bhp 2. As with most BMWs of the period, the spec is very dependent upon how many options the previous owner picked. However, all Z4s at least got 17in alloys, a DAB radio, Bluetooth phone connectivity and xenon headlights.

M Sport adds larger 18in alloys, firmer sports suspension, along with sports seats inside. A comfort pack equipped car comes with cruise control, parking sensors and a wind deflector. On the road, those engines all display the verve we've come to expect of the marque, and the Z4 with any of them under the bonnet is a decent flyer.