Is 2004 Z4 2.5i reliable ?

[cidstudio]

Hello to everyone...I'm new to this site and would like to get a Z4 as a summer only car.

I'm interested in getting a regular Z4(white with red interior) with 136,000km in it. What is the fair market value in this 2004 Z4 ?

[MinneapolisJeff]

red leather?

[beta]

If pristine and with full maintenance records: 14-16k. Deduct for any issues, cosmetic or otherwise.

And yes very reliable, only issue you might get is sticky steering if you leave it under the very hot sun and the inside gets very hot. But that can be cleared up by running the cold AC for a few minutes. Search the forum if you want to find out more about this issue.

[v3.0si]

note that the wheels are non-OEM. this may help when haggling with the seller.

[CFoote]

Z4s in general have been pretty reliable for most. The car is small enough that things (in general) are not as complex as a sedan or SUV.

As far as price, you should really check cars.com, autotrader.com, edmunds.com and ebay.com to get an idea for what people are asking. Good luck, I think you'll have a lot of fun!

Chris

[esqu1re]

Originally Posted by v3.0si

note that the wheels are non-OEM. this may help when haggling with the seller.

Understand the logic, but those look to be an upgrade from the stockers (unless they're VMR) or something like that...

[v3.0si]

Originally Posted by esqu1re

Understand the logic, but those look to be an upgrade from the stockers (unless they're VMR) or something like that...

oemwheelsplus.com = ebay knockoffs

[beta]

That's the funny thing about mods, unless they're exactly the mods you want they often detract from the price.

If those were oem wheels (not oem to the z4 but bmw wheels) it might not affect the price, but something tells me they're reps (the Ms are upside down). Not only that, but regardless of how good 19s look, not everyone wants them for performance/ride harshness.

These are OEM wheels for comparison:

[BIMMERGUY91]

My buddy has one and has never had any problems. Not nearly as fast or capable as my M Coupe but it was certainly a blast to drive in a different kind of way and was a very smooth car. I wish the M was as smooth

[dharper]

I purchased a 2003 2.5i two years ago, and it is a car I would not hesitate to drive any distance. I have replaced the top motor (well, BMW service did), and also replaced the cooling reservoir and hoses (a simple process as all the cooling system literally snaps-together for the most part) as well as normal maintenance and it has been a great, reliable car.
As posted above, I have seen them go for anywhere from $14-$16k depending on mileage and options.
I would not hesitate to purchase another one, of course after doing the due diligence and having it inspected.
"it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

[h100250]

Originally Posted by cidstudio

Hello to everyone...I'm new to this site and would like to get a Z4 as a summer only car.

I'm interested in getting a regular Z4(white with red interior) with 136,000km in it. What is the fair market value in this 2004 Z4 ?

Bought the wife a used 04, like one of the post below I had to put a top motor, belts, radiator hold tank and few minor things. Its been problem free, and she drives it as much as possible weather permitting. Only strange thing now is I have to replace the bulb that illuminates the air conditioning controls.

The one you show looks good, as for the wheels they look good to me but to each is own.

[cidstudio]

Thanks for pointing out that the wheels are copies...I will keep that in mind.

I was surfing the net and came across the MB SLK35 with convertible hardtop. Very nice car also. One of the user said it was like you owned a coupe and convertible at the same time. I like the convertible hardtop very much. I think it is more secure.

What do you Z4 users think of the MB SLK35 ?

[GP20]

That looks like an '03 Z4. Red & gray interior was available on '03's. '04 and later Z4's had black dash/center console to go along with the red seats.

Those are '05 head-lights. The head-lights alone cost $2k~3k and people don't usually replace them for cosmetic reasons only, so you might wanna double check if the car had frontal damage.

[cidstudio]

I will go and take a look of the Z4 tomorrow. At least I get a free test drive.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by GP20

That looks like an '03 Z4. Red & gray interior was available on '03's. '04 and later Z4's had black dash/center console to go along with the red seats.

Those are '05 head-lights. The head-lights alone cost $2k~3k and people don't usually replace them for cosmetic reasons only, so you might wanna double check if the car had frontal damage.

If its an '03 Z4, why does it have a multi-function steering wheel, which, as I understand it, only appeared on 2004 and later cars? If it is an '03, the owner may have simply swapped the steering wheel to get the radio controls on the steering wheel. It doesn't mean the car was banged up and fixed with replacement parts.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Originally Posted by GP20

That looks like an '03 Z4. Red & gray interior was available on '03's.

I def don't like that color combo...

[ANUSTART]

My 2005 2.5 has been great. I still have the stock 16s. They are a bit pedestrian and not nearly as nice looking, but for ride comfort and decent handling, I'm very, very happy. I couldn't be happier with mine. I plan to keep it as long as it stays reliable. Which at only 15,000 miles on the odo, will probably be a long time.

[GP20]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

If its an '03 Z4, why does it have a multi-function steering wheel, which, as I understand it, only appeared on 2004 and later cars? If it is an '03, the owner may have simply swapped the steering wheel to get the radio controls on the steering wheel. It doesn't mean the car was banged up and fixed with replacement parts.

Plenty of people have retrofitted multi-function steering controls. It's a hell lot cheaper to retrofit those than to change out the entire dashboard, center console and door-cards.

You need to go back and read my last post again. I said the headlights were changed, and those headlights cost $2k~$3k, and actually more like $4k in Canada. I don't think it's likely for someone who could only afford a 2.5i to spend that kinda money to swap out the headlights just because he likes the styling of the '05 headlights more.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by GP20

Plenty of people have retrofitted multi-function steering controls. It's a hell lot cheaper to retrofit those than to change out the entire dashboard, center console and door-cards.

You need to go back and read my last post again. I said the headlights were changed, and those headlights cost $2k~$3k, and actually more like $4k in Canada. I don't think it's likely for someone who could only afford a 2.5i to spend that kinda money to swap out the headlights just because he likes the styling of the '05 headlights more.

We appear to be in violent agreement! I understood your post just fine. I just dont think the car is a 2003. mainly, because the OP says it's a 2004, and because of the steering wheel. And like I said, even if the steering wheel was swapped, that could have been simply to have the radio buttons on the wheel, if it is in fact a 2003.

[Huz-Z]

And of course, a simple check of the label on the driver door column will provide both the VIN and the month and year of manufacture of the car. And the OP can easily check that.

[fercho]

I got the transmission replaced when my car had about 55,000 miles.. dealer replaced it for free and gave me 5 years or 100,000 miles warranty.

[GP20]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

We appear to be in violent agreement! I understood your post just fine. I just dont think the car is a 2003. mainly, because the OP says it's a 2004, and because of the steering wheel. And like I said, even if the steering wheel was swapped, that could have been simply to have the radio buttons on the wheel, if it is in fact a 2003.

The dashboard, center consoles, door cards are gray to go along with the red seats in the pictures the OP posted. The gray and red interior was available for '03 Z4's. Since '04 Z4's, BMW went with black and red. Back in Feb '04 I almost bought a sterling gray 2.5i with red interior before deciding to go with the bigger engine, ti-silver with black interior.

I mean, in a nut shell, you think that Z4 is an '04 because it has the steering wheel controls which costs about $200 to retrofit. And I think it's an '03 because it has the gray interior which probably costs a bit more than $200 to retrofit. But hey, I could be wrong.