Help with Z4 buying decision

[martinredif]

Hi there,

I am UK based and I am seriously considering buying a brand new Z4.

Having made considerable research I will go for 35i manual.

I test drove a 23 auto m trim with 19" wheels and it felt quite heavy-muscle car feel, compared to my current 320d. Also driver reviews are mixed and many are severly critical of drive/handling. I understand that 19" wheels are a compromise and will opt for 18".

Please can existing z4 owners share their driving experiences with me. Also do I go for idrive satnav? Thank you in advance

[Arizona Z4]

I have the 35i with a manual. I did the European Delivery route and loved it. I did get the nav system and iDrive. Also, comfort access is pretty cool. i am now waiting for the car to get back to the states.

[martinredif]

Thank you, what colour trim spec are you going for?

[MikeChrista]

I have a 35i auto with 19" wheels, idrive, satnav and comfort access ( as well as a lot of other toys). Personally, although the idrive, satnav and comfort access are not cheap, I would still have them again. As far as the 19" wheels go I have no way of any direct comparison with other sizes, but I have had no problem with the 19" wheels of the RFT.

[alan64]

Originally Posted by martinredif

Hi there,

I am UK based and I am seriously considering buying a brand new Z4.

Having made considerable research I will go for 35i manual.

I test drove a 23 auto m trim with 19" wheels and it felt quite heavy-muscle car feel, compared to my current 320d. Also driver reviews are mixed and many are severly critical of drive/handling. I understand that 19" wheels are a compromise and will opt for 18".

Please can existing z4 owners share their driving experiences with me. Also do I go for idrive satnav? Thank you in advance

if the roads are bad, go with the 18 inch wheels. Also rethink the standard. The dct is absolutely brilliant. Had lots of standard cars over the years, but the dct gives the best of all worlds.

[s2000jan]

Originally Posted by alan64

if the roads are bad, go with the 18 inch wheels. Also rethink the standard. The dct is absolutely brilliant. Had lots of standard cars over the years, but the dct gives the best of all worlds.

+1 !

[cdeslandes]

I have the 35i with manual transmission, premium package, nav/iDrive, standard (non active) suspension, 17" wheels. 6 months, 5,000 miles so far.

I don't regret not getting the DCT, I feel that driving manual on such a car makes the experience much more fun and involved. This being said, if I had to commute in heavy traffic every day I would go with the DCT to give my left foot a break!

To improve the handling feel, stick with 17 or 18 inch wheels and get rid of the run-flat tires at the first opportunity.

[Silver-Bolt]

35is here. The DCT is fabulous. 19's are not bad once you get rid of the run flats. Whatever wheel size you get lose the run flats. It will completely transfor the handling and enjoyment of the car. We did not do the nav mainly because we bought off the rack and it did not have it. Don't miss it but would use it had it come with it.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by martinredif

Hi there,

I am UK based and I am seriously considering buying a brand new Z4.

Having made considerable research I will go for 35i manual.

I test drove a 23 auto m trim with 19" wheels and it felt quite heavy-muscle car feel, compared to my current 320d. Also driver reviews are mixed and many are severly critical of drive/handling. I understand that 19" wheels are a compromise and will opt for 18".

Please can existing z4 owners share their driving experiences with me. Also do I go for idrive satnav? Thank you in advance

honestly, I love the e89 and own one, but how does a base Boxster compare as to price?

[martinredif]

Thanks Mike, interesting that you are happy with the 19 wheels, how is the ride?

[martinredif]

Thanks Alan, I have driven Autos for 25 years, and I bought 3 years ago a manual 320D, and I just get so much more driver satisfaction with a munual, than you for the tip, I will keep an open mind

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

honestly, I love the e89 and own one, but how does a base Boxster compare as to price?

Boxster S base price $58,000
35i base price $53,275

Boxster base price $48,550
30i base price $47,375

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

honestly, I love the e89 and own one, but how does a base Boxster compare as to price?

You mean to tell me you couldnt look that up yourself??

[alan64]

Originally Posted by martinredif

Thanks Mike, interesting that you are happy with the 19 wheels, how is the ride?

the dct is not just an auto. Its an auto, and way way more. fulfills every driving mood.

[GeneticX]

.

[Memphis1]

^^ I'm getting pretty tired of noobs taking my comments the wrong way... Vintage and I were some of the first ones on here, he knows I kid around, you don't, so STFU or GTFO.

[alan64]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

^^ I'm getting pretty tired of noobs taking my comments the wrong way... Vintage and I were some of the first ones on here, he knows I kid around, you don't, so STFU or GTFO.

having a bad day??

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by alan64

the dct is not just an auto. Its an auto, and way way more. fulfills every driving mood.

Technically the DCT is a manual transmission, as it acts like a manual, but without a clutch pedal.

In contrast, a Manunatic is an auto, where the driver happens to have the option to shift gears via the shift lever.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

^^ I'm getting pretty tired of noobs taking my comments the wrong way... Vintage and I were some of the first ones on here, he knows I kid around, you don't, so STFU or GTFO.

In Memphis' defence - his responses can be a bit rough, but if you trace back his threads, he is one of the most helpful guys here. He finds and answers almost all questions.
And in the best Christian tradition () he recommends that you learn how to fish when he gives you a fish...

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by alan64

if the roads are bad, go with the 18 inch wheels. Also rethink the standard. The dct is absolutely brilliant. Had lots of standard cars over the years, but the dct gives the best of all worlds.

+1

If I had to do it over again I would only get the 18 inch wheels

I recommend you Google "Watchdog 19 inch wheel cracks"

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by martinredif

Hi there,

I am UK based and I am seriously considering buying a brand new Z4.

Having made considerable research I will go for 35i manual.

I test drove a 23 auto m trim with 19" wheels and it felt quite heavy-muscle car feel, compared to my current 320d. Also driver reviews are mixed and many are severly critical of drive/handling. I understand that 19" wheels are a compromise and will opt for 18".

Please can existing z4 owners share their driving experiences with me. Also do I go for idrive satnav? Thank you in advance

First ... "welcome to this forum"

Second ... whatever you do stay clear of 19 inch wheels

Third ... it's all fine and good to get a spanking new car, I got my last 2 Z's at a very nice discount. A few miles on the clock will not make a difference, except in your pocket book. However if you have the money go for that spanking new car. Pick it up in München at Die Welt, they treat you like Royalty (so they should you paid them good money)

Good Hunting, hope you find the car you are looking for.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

You mean to tell me you couldnt look that up yourself??

yes Memphis, but I live in the USA and not in London, England - so I figured pricing would be different and decided not to travel the english web to find it. I could have looked up US pricing as was posted

Memphis does not offend me. He just enjoys being a little direct, which I can appreciate

I do think the e89 is much better looking than the Boxster