330i asking, How practical is Z4 as a daily driver?

[lux.sh]

Simply put, I'm used to coupes and sedans. Never had a 2-seater sports car. How practical is Z4 35i as a daily driver? Few areas of concern,

Ride Quality: With 18~19" wheels and possibly RFTs (setup I will have if I buy this car), I assume this will be a horrific car for long commutes?
Trunk: I have no idea how trunk space of convertible car works. I heard you pretty much can't have anything but 1~2 grocery bags with the top down. With the top up, I heard a full size golf bag can fit. (not two, eh?) For me, trunk will be mainly used for golf clubs, some shopping bags.
Reliability: I will keep this car for 3 years. Any known problems? HPFP at all? major or minor problem that commonly pops up?
Others: Anything else that I should know about when buying a 2 seater car as a daily driver?

Thanks for your input.

[robertrichhart]

The HPFP issue has been resolved. I have driven my Z4 on long highway runs and would say it is a pleasure on the open road. The normal setting for the Sport selector switch provides a very comfortable ride, and I have the 19" wheels. My old E85 Z4 was no where near this comfortable on a long highway drive! You can get two golf bags in the back with the top up, one when the top is down...

[jparnes1]

Actually, I've driven this car, with RFT's, on many long, multi-day road trips. Couldn't be more comfortable. However, I did eventually swap out the RFT's for regular tires and the ride improved even more-so. One of the appeals of this car is that it combines sports car performance with daily drivability.

The trunk can accommodate the kind of suitcase you might bring onto a plane plus another small bag.

Now with the HPFP issue resolved, there have been one problem that is still outstanding. Several members have posted that their 19" style 296 rims develop cracks. Any other rim is OK and I believe that there was a post that newer 296's have been beefed up.

This is an awesome, beautiful car. You'll love it!

[cdeslandes]

It's my daily driver, snow rain or shine! No complaints, comfort is great with regular tires on 18' wheels.

[Al Blue4.6l]

I daily drove a 2003 Z4 for about 3 years and never had a complaint. The new ones are much "softer" and even more suited to daily driving.

I also have/need other vehicles though. (old F150 for moving crap and a LR Discovery for bad weather, driving places I dont want to take the Z and toting my dog around)

[mstevens]

I've driven a Z4 as my only personal car for 8 years. The new hardtop one has a bit less trunk space than the old softtop one, but otherwise I think the experience is similar.

With the top up, it'll hold an amazing amount of groceries. Down, less. We drove to Montreal with 2 Tumi 22" suitcases as well as carryons and brought back those plus a ton of shopping, all with the top down and nothing crowding the passenger compartment.

Ride is fine for as far as I've driven, which has been limited to 300 miles at a stretch. It's a sports car. Incidentally, I grew up riding in my dad's Bentley (Continental S), and while nobody would complain about the ride, it wasn't like wafting on a cloud, either.

My old Z4 broke a spring (New Hampshire rural roads are murder) and had repeated problems with the nav antenna. That's it. My current car has had no maintenance issues at all.

[az34]

the Z4 is'nt a "practical" car it is an enthusiasm car. If i was compelled to drive the same car all year long it'll be something else.

[Baremeg55]

Originally Posted by az34

the Z4 is'nt a "practical" car it is an enthusiasm car. If i was compelled to drive the same car all year long it'll be something else.

You and mstevens need to make up your minds!!! Is it a daily drive or an enthusiast car? LOL.

[rfx45]

I bought the Z4 last month as a weekend car being a roadster and living in sunny SoCal. For the past month, I've been using it as a daily driving because it's more fun but also comfortable for a daily commute (4o minutes and mostly side street too). Trunk space is good enough with the roof up, with the top down, 2 duffle bags should fit w/o a problem. I'd definitely suggest getting rid of the RFTs though but it really isn't so bad w/ them either.

Keep in mind that BMW did make this car more comfortable and softer than the last gen just so it could accommodate everyday driving better.

[lux.sh]

Wait, two full-sized golf bags fit in the trunk of the car??
Someone confirm this information please.

My friend had last generation Z4 and two wouldn't fit.
Another friend of mine has SLK, he can barely fit a golf club in there. Both with top-up.

I plan on moving to california for couple of months. Going through the summer in Cali, I think Z4 will be a perfect candidate.
Though, it would be a horrible car to drive if I bring it to Korea where I will move once again later this year.
I'm a bit like you guys though. I could sacrifice some practical areas for fun. I hate giving rides anyway.

Oh and one more, anyone with lowering springs? relatively moderate drop ones?

[09cbb]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Simply put, I'm used to coupes and sedans. Never had a 2-seater sports car. How practical is Z4 35i as a daily driver? Few areas of concern,

Ride Quality: With 18~19" wheels and possibly RFTs (setup I will have if I buy this car), I assume this will be a horrific car for long commutes?
Trunk: I have no idea how trunk space of convertible car works. I heard you pretty much can't have anything but 1~2 grocery bags with the top down. With the top up, I heard a full size golf bag can fit. (not two, eh?) For me, trunk will be mainly used for golf clubs, some shopping bags.
Reliability: I will keep this car for 3 years. Any known problems? HPFP at all? major or minor problem that commonly pops up?
Others: Anything else that I should know about when buying a 2 seater car as a daily driver?

Thanks for your input.

I use it as my daily driver to work and back 45 miles a day. No problem, but I also have an Audi A7 for the times I need more space. Don't know if I would have the Z4 as my only car....

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Wait, two full-sized golf bags fit in the trunk of the car??
Someone confirm this information please.

I have heard (and remember a vid of it) that 2 golf bags can fit with the top up, maybe not the full sized ones. With the top down, at least could fit if you use the ski-through.

[robertrichhart]

Actually, I had two full size golf bags in the trunk of my '03 Z4 on several occasions as well...

[Dr Stig 2]

Why do you take your clubs home anyway?
I leave mine at the club house.

I'm told they fit two golf bags in the boot with the roof up, as long as you take the big berthas and put them in the passenger seat.

My Z4 is a DD. 60kms a day minimum with a country / city mix. Sometimes 100-200km a day for a site visit to the gold coast on a freeway.
Never had an issue with luggage or ride.

Best thing I ever did was ditch the run flats (19" 326M wheels).
The Bridgestone RFT lasted 15000km before shredding.
The new Goodyear Assymetric F1 are still fantastic after another 10,000km.

Ride is much better and grip is a step above, all with less wear.

Luggage wise, I have to use the comfort access to lift the roof out of the way, then I can put two travel bags and a briefcase in the boot with room to spare, then I lower the roof.
I raise the roof when I get to the airport, so everything comes out easily. I leave the safety cover up then so the valet driver cant lower the roof (easily).
If I have to pick up a lot of stuff or luggage, then I make the small concession of drivign with the roof up and the windows down.

[mstevens]

Originally Posted by Baremeg55

You and mstevens need to make up your minds!!! Is it a daily drive or an enthusiast car?

Are these in any way inconsistent with each other?

I can drive an "enthusiast car" every day, so that's what I do.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by mstevens

Are these in any way inconsistent with each other?

I can drive an "enthusiast car" every day, so that's what I do.

+1

[Jayda]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

+1

Yes, I too drive an enthusiast car daily! I have no children, despise driving big cars and have always had coupes or a two seater. I love the Z4. It is sexy and very comfortable to drive. I drove an older version and loved it but did not like it with the top up. In my opinion it is the hardtop that makes it a defensible daily driver. I prefer the top down but that of course is not always practical on an everyday basis. The hardtop Z4 has a sound and quiet feeling with the top up. I think you have to be honest in some questions though like, are you confortable getting into and out of such a low car over and over. Also, there are limitations to hauling. I never keep "junk" in my cars but even a small amount of stuff will fill the trunk, especially with the top down. I am going to a yoga workshop this weekend the mountains. My rolled yoga mat and a small bag is about all I can get in the trunk since I hope to have the top down driving there I am a fairly small female of about 125 lbs so there is plenty of space for me to get comfortable on the driver's seat. To me the interior has a roomy feel. Sometimes when I get out of the car I note how low and small it is, but it doesn't feel that way driving it!

[Michael5155]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Simply put, I'm used to coupes and sedans. Never had a 2-seater sports car. How practical is Z4 35i as a daily driver? Few areas of concern,

Ride Quality: With 18~19" wheels and possibly RFTs (setup I will have if I buy this car), I assume this will be a horrific car for long commutes?
Trunk: I have no idea how trunk space of convertible car works. I heard you pretty much can't have anything but 1~2 grocery bags with the top down. With the top up, I heard a full size golf bag can fit. (not two, eh?) For me, trunk will be mainly used for golf clubs, some shopping bags.
Reliability: I will keep this car for 3 years. Any known problems? HPFP at all? major or minor problem that commonly pops up?
Others: Anything else that I should know about when buying a 2 seater car as a daily driver?

Thanks for your input.

Ride Quality: Firm but exceptionally compfortable.
Trunk: I don't golf so I can't address the golf bag issue. But I do grocery shop. Top up or down, I can get a full grocery cart of groceries in the trunk.
Reliability: No issues.
Other: To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't buy a Z4 as a daily driver, especially if you have a family. For me, it's a weekend, fun car, a car my wife and I take out to get an ice cream cone at a local drive-in or take a relaxing drive in the country. If I were you and wanted to find a car that's somewhere between a daily driver and a sports car, get a Audi, Infiniti, BMW, Benz 4/5-seater coupe. You have a nice size trunk if you need it; you can drive more than one other person around, but you maintain the sportiness of a sportscar. Personally I'd get a Benz coupe if I were you.

My two pennies.

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by Jayda

To me the interior has a roomy feel.

I have a Lexus IS as a "daily driver" and I always tell people that if you take out the 2 backseats of the Lexus, the Z4 feels bigger and more roomy. I really don't know exactly why but I do feel cramped in the IS now. Maybe because the IS seats are more bolstered? Bigger center console? Or is the Z4s interior just so well designed and driver focus that it feels bigger? I can't quite pin-point it but that's how I feel.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by rfx45

I have a Lexus IS as a "daily driver" and I always tell people that if you take out the 2 backseats of the Lexus, the Z4 feels bigger and more roomy. I really don't know exactly why but I do feel cramped in the IS now. Maybe because the IS seats are more bolstered? Bigger center console? Or is the Z4s interior just so well designed and driver focus that it feels bigger? I can't quite pin-point it but that's how I feel.

I went from an IS to the Z4 and can second that. The rear seats in the IS were useless anyway, so it wasn't a big deal going to the Z4! The headroom is good in the Z4 (I'm 6'0 Ft/1.83 m tall)

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by Baremeg55

You and mstevens need to make up your minds!!! Is it a daily drive or an enthusiast car? LOL.

Most "daily drivers" are driven by 1 person to and from work, with nothing more than a briefcase or laptop as luggage. Unless one has to pick up the kids at school or get the dog at the doggie daycare, then the Z4 is a perfect daily driver. Since many of us spend 1 to 2 hours in traffic every day*, while not have fun doing so?



* not me, I mostly telecommute these days, bwahahahaha!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

I simply loved it for day to day driving. I had 2 one 2008 and then a 2009. As others said most cars on the road today only have one driver so this 2 seater is the perfect car. I changed only back to a M3 since I had one before. I am now retired and love to take road trips. To this end I like to take a nap here and then at a dedicated rest stop. Unfortunately not much room in a Z4 to swing the seats back also I needed a bit more room for luggage. If you are traveling alone most of the time ... no family etc. And if you do have family then you may have a second car for the wife.

So go for it the Z4 is a great car