BMW Z4 – The Time is Now

Winter is coming, so it’s… erm, the perfect time to buy a small, summer-loving, two-seat roadster. Okay, so it might seem strange to be suggesting such a car at such a seasonal point, but there is twofold meaning behind our apparent madness. Firstly, this is a great time in market terms to buy a car typically associated with summer. They’re a bit a cheaper, as demand is lower. That’s good for the wallet. Then, secondly, we have the car in question; the BMW Z4. If the BMW Z3 is any indicator, the Z4 is currently at the bottom of the depreciation curve meaning that the time to buy one is most definitely now. Like the Z3 before it, prices are going to start climbing for good ones. This is a modern classic in the making.

We look at BMW today and we naturally think of it as being a long-established maker of small roadsters, but that’s really not the case. There was the weird and wonderful Z1, but that was about it other than the 507 of the ’50s and ’60s. And even then, the 507 was quite a big machine. The reality is that the Z3 was the company’s first major foray into the roadster space, with the Z4 coming in as a more than deserving follow-up. The Z4 was a bit bigger, a bit more conventional in its design, but it was still a joy to drive thanks to that all-important 50/50 chassis. It perhaps wasn’t as popular as the Z3 to begin with, but that has changed now, as the Z4 is the only bespoke (as in its own model) roadster offering from BMW.

Here, we’re looking at the first-generation Z4, launched in 2002. Designed by Anders Warming (E85 roadster) and Thomas Sycha (E86 coupe), it was a more resolved, more stylised yet subtle take than the Z3, but in being so it had a longer, leaner look. Cabin space was marginally improved too, thanks to an increase in wheelbase of approx. 50mm. As ever though, it was still rear wheel-drive, just as any good two-seater roadster should be. It’s been superseded a few times now, as the Z4 is still available in BMW showrooms. This is a good thing, though, as the original is now oceans away from the current model, helping it stand out as a proper modern classic. We don’t like it anymore than you do, but 2002 was twenty years ago!

An Introduction to the E85 and E86 BMW Z4

The BMW Z3 showed that the German giant could bring some serious, high-end fight to the likes of the unendingly popular MX-5, but that wasn’t where BMW really wanted to be. It wanted to take the fight home and go against more premium products like the TT and the mighty Porsche Boxster. As such, the Z4 was a more grown-up proposition, with more thought put into substance than that of the Z3, which really was all about style. That’s not to say the Z4 was lacking in the style front, of course. It was and still is a stunning-looking machine. Clean cut, but with bold lines and a perfect collection of sports car dimensions, especially with the roof down.

BMW positioned the Z4 to be all things to all buyers. When launched, it could be specified with one of two straight-six engines. A 2.5 with 192bhp or a 3.0 with 231bhp. In 2003, BMW added a 2.2 with 170bhp. However, the latter engine wasn’t great, so if you want a more frugal Z4, go for the 150bhp 2.0 four-cylinder that replaced it. Not as much power, but a far more responsive and eager engine. The 3.0 later got more power, as did the 2.5. Being a sports car, the manual transmission – five or six speed – is the one to have, but there were auto options, too.

The Z4 was and still is brilliant to drive. The chassis was willing and pleasingly agile, with the longer wheelbase offering a little more in the way of stability compared to the Z3. The low seating position ensured drivers felt like they were going 130mph at 30mph. The steering was direct and communicative, and the brakes were excellent. It really was – even with a humble four-cylinder engine – a brilliant car to drive. One that was and still is able to put a broad smile across your face.

What Should I Look Out For? 

There are obviously the usual checks one would make with any older car; service history, damage, poor modifications, so on and so forth. So of course, do all that. As for the Z4 specifically, check the wheels and tyres. If the wheels are damaged, this could be bad news. If the tyres are mismatched Ditchfinder 3000s, it might be best to walk away. Bodily, corrosion isn’t really a major issue other than the arches (typical of BMWs of this era), but trims can sustain wear and tear and damage, the lights can fade and things like the door handles are prone to breaking. Finally for the exterior, check the condition of the roof. Replacements are available, but not cheap. Check it functions, too. If it’s manual, it’s a simple affair. If it’s electric, it should drop within ten seconds. However, motors sit in a location that can flood if drainage channels get blocked, thus killing the motor. It is possible to relocate it to avoid this.

Internally, check for wear and tear and make sure everything works. Lower specification models are largely manual, but will still have air-con, electric windows and so on. If you have electric seats, check the function of them, check all the switches and make sure everything works. Inspect the seals and rubbers, and look at the carpet, checking for any signs of damp from failed seals. Make sure the side windows adjust and shut snugly when the roof is up. Nobody wants a leaky Z4.

Engines are pretty tough across the range, but might have suffered if abused. Check the usual suspects like oil, coolant and so on. Listen for any lifter noise when cold, as they can fail. The 2.0 was known for leaking oil from failed gaskets, the 2.2 as well when oil control rings fail. Check the rubbers and lines for any perishing, and look for any broken connections and so on. The Z4 is a cheap car now, and that means it might have been run on a less than considerate budget. If you have a code reader, plug it in and make sure there are no (if fitted) VANOS codes. Not the end of the world, but can be spendy to fix. The one to have, that is regarded by many as being the best and most reliable, is the 2.5. If you’re going for a 2.2 or a 2.0, it needs to be boasting a very full, and very detailed service record.

What Are Prices Like? 

A couple of grand will put you behind the wheel of a BMW Z4, but don’t expect it to be a good one. If you want something decent, you need to be looking at at least £4-5,000. That’s for a nice 2.5 version. You’ll get a 3.0 for that or less, but again, it won’t be the cream of the crop. For that, you need to start at around £6,000. If you want to go for the very, very nice coupe, you’re going to be starting at around £10,000. M versions, if you can find them, are going to be about £15,000. This is all for the first-generation stuff.

Why Should I Buy One? 

Z3s – good ones that is – are commanding strong money today. The BMW Z4 is a much, much better car so is almost certainly going to go the same way. Buy one, enjoy it, but look after it and it should be a solid investment, especially if you go for that 2.5 litre sweet spot. Of course, it’s not all about investment. You should buy a BMW Z4 because it’s a great car. Handsome, incredibly fun and really not all that expensive to run, plenty of parts availability and if you want to, plenty of options for modification to make yours truly yours. You could buy a Boxster, or a TT, but they’re not nearly as cool if you ask us.

Anyone in agreement with us might want to keep an eye on our BMW Z4 listings, for when the next great chance to own one comes up.