USED BMW Z4 Open (03 - 09)

My car

(Please note that this review is for the 2.5i Z4)

I bought a brand new BMW Z4 in November 2003. My excitement soon turned to dismay when I found my new car had a broken gearbox and headlight (both requiring replacement), a broken heated rear windscreen, a rattly roof (repaired several times but still rattly) and a central roof clip which didn't work (and most of the time still doesn't despite repeated repairs) on delivery.

Since then my fuel filler cap has fallen off, the car consistently refuses to start first time, my transmission tunnel often squeaks loudly, my central brake light has broken, my air-conditioning has developed a fault and one of my speaker grilles has worked loose.

My previous 3-series models were fabulous cars; my Z4 is complete junk. I cannot recommend strongly enough against buying one.

My car

When I decided to buy a top-end roadster I booked test drives in the Z4, TT Roadster and Mercedes SLK (old shape). The first test drive I had was in the Z4, and I was so blown away by it that I cancelled the other test drives.

The Z4 is a truly impressive drive, with a comfortable, well-equiped cabin. The straight-six engine sounds fantastic and goes like the clappers. Add to this the fact that they are still rare enough to turn heads and you have what I consider to be one of the most desirable cars on the road today.

Some initial build quality issues have been ironed out and the Z4 is a solid, reliable car.

Exotic and yet practical enough for everyday use.

My car

I think BMW really needs to sort the build quality and quality inspection out for the Z4.

I am know on my second car, having rejected the first one after it went back 20 times in 10 months. I have had the new one just over two weeks and it has also been back three times.

Majorly mechanical issues such as clutch, gearbox, fuel pump and fuel tank.

Both cars have a bad paintwork finish with an orange peel effect and the new car also has sand-like particles under/in the paintwork.

I am not impressed with the quality of the Z4.