2009 to 2011 major differences

[09cbb]

Originally Posted by CeEl

Was browsing on the Carmax website this morning, they have a 2009 blue/ivory white (just search for Z4 nationwide, sort by year) with navi. Don't know if the price is any good. It's an automatic, though.

Price is very good! Only negatives: missing premium sound and not a CPO

[HenryHank]

Originally Posted by 09cbb

Price is very good! Only negatives: missing premium sound and not a CPO

I wouldn't think CARMAX can sell CPO'd cars unless they were previously CPO'd, right? Looking at the CARFAX, it's a one-owner car (probably a two year lease), so there was no chance to have it CPO'd.

How can you tell it doesn't have "premium sound", and is that a huge difference?

thanks. I'm likely going to spend $650 to have it shipped up here so I can check it over and test-drive it. Hopefully nobody will buy it between now and Sunday.

[2gumby]

If it's a Z4 35i, and not a manual, I think it HAS to be the DCT.
It sure looks like our 2010 35i DCT, too.

Stereo. Our 2010 Z4 has the Premium Sound (but no NAV), and it IS nice. Not necessary, but definitely good. More speakers, more bass, more power (I think). How to identify it? Behind each seat, on the back wall, is a speaker, instead of just carpet. The CarMax Z4, doesn't have that (look at pictures #24 and #31). It has just carpet, so I bet it's the standard stereo.

Good looking car. I really like that color combo, too.

[HenryHank]

Hmmm.. Premium Sound would be nice, but I think I can live without it. It has everything else (Cold, Prem, & Sports pkgs).

[HenryHank]

Can someone please eyeball what size wheels (and tires) are on the carmax car?


Also, the listing says the interior is "Gray Leather",but it looks awfully like Ivory White to me... what do you think?

Thanks.

[Wiles]

Be aware Carmax is tricky. they advertise it as 3.5si There is no such car, but they likely are trying to pass it off as a.3.5is but its actually the 3.5i.

but the pics look ok and the price seems ok.

DCT for sure. looks like ivory interior to me.

Happy shopping.

[HenryHank]

Originally Posted by wiles335i

Be aware Carmax is tricky. they advertise it as 3.5si There is no such car, but they likely are trying to pass it off as a.3.5is but its actually the 3.5i.

Yeah, I realized that right away... but I think they're just confused with later years where there is a regular 35i and a twin-turbo 35is, as this 35i does have.

[09cbb]

Originally Posted by HenryHank

I wouldn't think CARMAX can sell CPO'd cars unless they were previously CPO'd, right? Looking at the CARFAX, it's a one-owner car (probably a two year lease), so there was no chance to have it CPO'd.

How can you tell it doesn't have "premium sound", and is that a huge difference?

thanks. I'm likely going to spend $650 to have it shipped up here so I can check it over and test-drive it. Hopefully nobody will buy it between now and Sunday.

You actually can get it CPO'd - at least mine is. I have a total of 4 years of warranty left. 2 from the standard 4 year warranty and another 2 from CPO, which is a little different as it excludes non-critical items like radio etc., but goes up to 100,000 miles.

[Jayda]

I think the price is below dealer average on this car for this area (which you would expect from Carmax). For those following the story, I live in SC and this past October bought a CPO 2009 35i (from United BMW in Georgia) with everything this blue car has plus premium 19 inch wheels, premium sound, satillite radio and comfort access. The car listed for $44,500 and I bought it for 42,5000 (it had only 4,500 miles which made me jump on it given it was the color combo I wanted). I think that makes the price slightly higher than the Carmax price but with a CPO "fee" in there. I really wanted a CPO for the extra warranty. In my case the car will be CPO though the end of December 2015.

I certainly think the car has ivory, gray in this color car would be kind of ugly! It might have premium sound and they don't even know it. Have them look in the glovebox and see if there is a cd changer. I like the premium sound because it is a really good sounding stereo. I can't remember the last time I listened to a CD! Also I think the car has 18 inch wheels. That would be wild if you ended up buying it and right now it is sitting about 20 miles from my house!

[Wiles]

Originally Posted by HenryHank

Yeah, I realized that right away... but I think they're just confused with later years where there is a regular 35i and a twin-turbo 35is, as this 35i does have.

Unlike the 3 series, where the "is" model uses the N54, and the other 335 is a TwinScroll single turbo. The Z4, all years, even 2012 3.5 are twin turbos. (N54)

1 series, N55 start in MY 2011, I have a N54 135i
1M has N54
3 series N55 started in MY 2011, exception
335is has H54.

N54 also used in the 735i

[Jayda]

Please tell me the car is is on its way to you because I just clicked the link and it says the car is no longer available!

[persian54]

Originally Posted by HenryHank

Great to know, thanks! I guess I can save some dough going for a 2009.

I test drove a 2009/30i/auto on Saturday (the first time driving a Z4), and W-O-W, there is no comparison to my MB SLK. What a total and complete blast. I can't wait to get one and officially join the club.

We had a SLK300
No comparison

Originally Posted by HenryHank

I was just considering the 2009/auto/30i. I'm still looking for any year 30i or 35i, but I have other very specific requirements that are hard to find:

• Deep Sea Blue (or I may consider Mojave/Havana)
• Ivory White Interior
• Navigation (only 10% of all Z4s I see for sale have Nav -- I really don't know why someone would pay that much for a Z4 and NOT get Nav???)
• Heated Seats or Cold weather pkg
• Premium Pkg
• No wood trim
• Manual Trans

The following are "nice to have" options but won't be dealbreakers if I can't find them:

• - Sport Package
• - Keyless entry/ingition/park distance
• - Premium Sound Package (w/USB /iphone integration)

Given these requirements, I'll take either 30i or 35i when I find it.

Lol the 09 Z4 you listed had everything my 09 used to have. except mine was a 35i, and no Prem sound

Don't make sport a nice to have option. you need it. trust me.. I test drove a Z4 without it...

Originally Posted by HenryHank

I did see that one over the weekend on carmax, but there were no pics or details posted, but now I see they've completed the listing with over 60 pics.

It's pretty far away, but looks like a good deal, except that it's an Automatic. Is there some way to tell from the pics if it has the DCT? It looks like it does have the paddle shifters. Other than that, it is what I'm looking for, so I might be willing to go for the auto if it has DCT.

link: http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/...i=1&id=7899585

Don't call DCT an automatic haha

Test drive it, you'll fall in love.

They don't make a z4 35i in "auto" IIRC...only 6MT and Manual

Carmax is usually always legit, at least it has been for me.
They can transport it to a nearby carmax for a small fee sometimes.

Definitely look into it

Also, why not consider leasing? not sure how good the rates are now... but my 2011 is nicely loaded (65k MSRP) and payments at $650/month, 2k drive off (first month payment and crazy CA Tax), with tire/wheel insurance as well as excess wear-tear insurance. 24 months 10k miles/year
not bad for a 65k car with a 2k insurance/warranty add on

[persian54]

Originally Posted by HenryHank

I wouldn't think CARMAX can sell CPO'd cars unless they were previously CPO'd, right? Looking at the CARFAX, it's a one-owner car (probably a two year lease), so there was no chance to have it CPO'd.

How can you tell it doesn't have "premium sound", and is that a huge difference?

thanks. I'm likely going to spend $650 to have it shipped up here so I can check it over and test-drive it. Hopefully nobody will buy it between now and Sunday.

You may be able to speak to a local dealer and have it inspected then CPOed

also, carmax does have their own warranty

Prem sound isn't a must..but i have to say, I hated my 09 Z4's non-prem sound, especially when i drove it back to back to my M3 which has prem sound (i think the M3 stock system is the Z4's prem system? not sure)

my 11 z4 doesn't have prem sound either, but it's much better in quality as my 09 was; but not as good as my m3 though

[persian54]

Originally Posted by wiles335i

Be aware Carmax is tricky. they advertise it as 3.5si There is no such car, but they likely are trying to pass it off as a.3.5is but its actually the 3.5i.

but the pics look ok and the price seems ok.

DCT for sure. looks like ivory interior to me.

Happy shopping.

Carmax is actually pretty car ignorant when it comes to nice cars

so don't take a salesman ignorance as a sign that a car is bad

I remember when looking for a M3, they listed the M Sport 335i as a BMW M 335 lol

[HenryHank]

Originally Posted by Jayda

Please tell me the car is is on its way to you because I just clicked the link and it says the car is no longer available!

Nope... I lost another one.

[Jayda]

Crap

[HenryHank]

Tell me about it... That was nearly perfect. I was already driving it in my mind.

[Jayda]

There is another blue one at Hendrick BMW in Charlotte NC but it doesn't have navigation. That one has been sitting since the end of September when I started looking. They would probably deal on it and it is CPO.

[HenryHank]

Nav is a dealbreaker!

[HenryHank]

Called CARMAX -- they said the car has been sold.

It can come off the website for other reasons, like if it's being transferred or out for a test-drive, in which case it would be re-posted when the 'hold' is released. But in this case, it sold YESTERDAY. Ugh.

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by HenryHank

Called CARMAX -- they said the car has been sold.

It can come off the website for other reasons, like if it's being transferred or out for a test-drive, in which case it would be re-posted when the 'hold' is released. But in this case, it sold YESTERDAY. Ugh.

Sorry to hear that!

[richard in NC]

The 2009 35i release model was a DSB/Ivory combo, I think with DCT. Should be tons avail. I think it had nav and not the troublesome wheels. It didn't have every opt I wanted but don't recall the missing item. Search for '09 DSB pics, many will be the release model. All 35i's are manual or DCT, no auto, but a lot of web sites kist the DCT as auto. Correct, all Ivory White is dark wood. Beige could have aluminum.