Amit 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2018 Hello everyone, I am a new member to this forum and about to buy my first BMW. I am planning on buying a z4 that comes with soft top. Its 2006 modal and had done 100k. What does everyone suggest that I should look for before buying it from a dealer in Auckland. Many thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted July 1, 2018 Link? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ00Z3 187 Report post Posted July 2, 2018 The Z4 is a good robust car. The only weak point on the E85's is the location of the soft top motor. The drain hole gets blocked and the motor rusts and dies in a puddle of water. It can be relocated to avoid the problem. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted July 2, 2018 The Z4 is a great car, almost regardless of the engine up front. I say almost: if buying one with the 2.0 N46 engine (in particular), ensure it has been meticulously maintained. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmithyInWelly 212 Report post Posted July 3, 2018 On 7/2/2018 at 8:27 AM, Amit said: Hello everyone, I am a new member to this forum and about to buy my first BMW. I am planning on buying a z4 that comes with soft top. Its 2006 modal and had done 100k. What does everyone suggest that I should look for before buying it from a dealer in Auckland. Many thanks in advance. This one? https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1568591528.htm?rsqid=78f9df3021034dccad374688e0096046 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted July 3, 2018 I will have a 2004 black z4 2.2L up for sale soonish be less than $10k 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
str8_6 275 Report post Posted July 3, 2018 They’re a great little car and potentially quite underrated. Mucher better improvement over the previous Z3. I’ve now owned two (kinda missed the first one). Both facelift 3.0si with the N52 195kw motor and 6 speed auto/paddleshift. The si versions are generally better optioned with heated and electric seats, xenon and dynamic drive (sport option). Agree with the drainhole issue for the soft top. I believe there was a small update on the facelift to combat this issue but I always ensure the drain holes are clear. The ride is very firm, and while one had runflats and the other didn’t, I personally didn’t notice much difference between the two. I’ll switch to normal tires when the run-flats wear out. What I enjoy is that you can drive with the top down and because you sit nice and low, well under the roll bars and screen, you are cocooned and don’t feel so exposed. Quite different to a four seater convertible where you feel the roof has just been sliced off and you’re open to the world. The big six also sounds great! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 On 7/3/2018 at 9:29 AM, NZ00Z3 said: The Z4 is a good robust car. The only weak point on the E85's is the location of the soft top motor. The drain hole gets blocked and the motor rusts and dies in a puddle of water. It can be relocated to avoid the problem. Hello NZ0073 i have just posted a topic about my soft top motor under my name, hooked. I hadnt seen your post above before then. Do you have experience with replacing these? Apologies Amit for pushing in on your topic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ00Z3 187 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 Hi John No I have not done the roof motor relocation on a Z4 myself. Below is a link to a "How To" for the job. https://zroadster.org/threads/z4-roof-motor-relocation-to-boot.19256/ Hope that helps Regards Murray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 On 7/3/2018 at 9:40 AM, gjm said: The Z4 is a great car, almost regardless of the engine up front. I say almost: if buying one with the 2.0 N46 engine (in particular), ensure it has been meticulously maintained. Can you get a Z4 with N46? ? I thought they were 6cyl only. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted January 25, 2019 On 1/20/2019 at 12:31 PM, Olaf said: Can you get a Z4 with N46? ? I thought they were 6cyl only. N46B20O1 was used in the 2005-2008 E85 Z4 2.0i. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted January 26, 2019 5 hours ago, gjm said: N46B20O1 was used in the 2005-2008 E85 Z4 2.0i. stone me. wonder how they drive? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted January 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Olaf said: stone me. wonder how they drive? Probably very nicely! Less power than the bigger 6s, or course, but possibly a better weight distribution. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
str8_6 275 Report post Posted January 26, 2019 But top down with the 6 is part of its character. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3317 Report post Posted January 26, 2019 10 hours ago, gjm said: Probably very nicely! Less power than the bigger 6s, or course, but possibly a better weight distribution. the 3.0 six was already 50:50. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted January 27, 2019 On 1/27/2019 at 5:33 AM, Olaf said: the 3.0 six was already 50:50. I'd not checked for that. Suggests the 4-pot could have a rearwards weight (im)balance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blackie 510 Report post Posted February 5, 2019 Prob just mounted slightly further forward to maintain 50 50 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
