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Also, I know that you'll only get about 20000 miles out of your low-profile tires, run-flats or not. Unfortunately, I also know that the cost of a tire is 300 bucks and the cost of my 17" wheels is 340 bucks. I hit a pot hole on the NJ turnpike and bent both right side wheels......ouch!
I'd planned to buy in late winter .... whaddya think? The depreciation hit on an '03 may wipe out the discount? Or not?
TIA. JW
If I were you, I'd look at buying a 2004 at a hefty discount this winter unless you can save an additional $1,500 - $2,000+ on a leftover 2003. By my estimates, on a $40k car, a newer model year is probably worth at least an additional 5% in resale. That may not matter if you plan on keeping the car for 6+ years, but it would if you plan on selling/trading in 3-4 or less.
2.5, Merlot Red with beige leather, fog lights, automatic and the Premium Package.
The standard stereo is quite good--I've been surprised, and I'm somewhat of a sound guy. I would like to have a multi-play CD Changer, tho.
Thanks!
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Now if domshar said the torque was an issue, or the light weight, or the low ground clearance, he'd have an issue. There is in fact no rwd lightweight that is going to be as easy, comfortable, or safe to drive on icy roads as a SUV or fwd sedan or awd anything.
But it's quite possible to do -- extra weight in the trunk, easy on the gas, no tailgating, and stay home if a 5" snowfall hasn't been plowed. Makes for a long winter though!
Best, JW
I drove the 2.5, '03 Z4 today and fell in love. Found one for $35,300 (manual). What are the improvements, if any, for '04? How is build quality for the '03? Does the 3.0 have a lot more noticible power?
I do not see many complaints like on the Infiniti G35 boards which is a great thing!
Thank You.
i am a '01 330xi owner who will come off lease this spring & i'd like to go for the Z4 next
while i realize that a roadster is no X5 type SUV, i also realize that BMW also has only 2 models of AWD cars other than their "SAV"
eveything else is RWD, Z4 included
other than one's choice of tires on the 3.0 standard 17" rims ( after EOM ), how is this RWD car much different/worse than any other in the line?
i like my xi year-round, and, i may miss the 32% of torque split i enjoy now in a sedan, but i was hoping that i could drive this type car year-round as well here in the mid-atlantic area.
what exactly are the true concerns????
thanks
If I could cough up the $40+K for a Z4, I'd go for either a Sterling Gray or Black Sapphire Metallic 3.0i with Sport Package (LOVE THE WHEELS), 6-speed, Heated Seats, Convenience Package, & Xenon Lights. This purchase will no doubt be held off due to the fact that I plan on buying a home within the next 6 months! But we can "build our own" and dream can't we?
xiowner: You said you live in the mid-atlantic which means to me South Jersey/Delaware/Maryland/Northern VA. The past winter we had was the worst in a long time. We probably won't see another one for another 5 or 6 years. Go for a Z4! You'll be glad you did!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
They didn't offer it, but it turns out BMW is trying to clear out those 03s and offering some pretty hefty dealer incentives. You can get $5,000 off the 3.0s and $4,500 off the 2.5s.
That's BMW's contribution, I've already found a dealer who will knock another 1,000 off of that, for a total of 6,000 off msrp....
Makes it pretty tough to resist...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
So, again....6 cyl "small" rwd car can't be all that bad, any worse in the elements than a 3 series coupe??...I enjoy my XI, but, really no other car in the entire line is awd...so, why may the Z4 really be any worse.
and, yes...'03 models are $5k off....but, you have to take what is left-over...wrong colors, wrong options, etc
Plenty here in "mid-atlantic"....just none(zero)of the what i wanted exactly w/in 300 miles....so, i'll wait for the '04 & get the better residual ( the trade-off from lower residual of these last '03 models...)
thanks
Yesterday I saw the TV commercial for the $5,000 incentive. That's to be expected due to the cold weather slowdown of demand for convertibles as well as the end of the '03 model year. I got a great below MSRP deal in April so most of you should be able to find a Z4 at a good price.
Nyccarguy, mine is a 3.0 Sterling Grey with red leather, 6 speed and Sport Package - probably identical to the one you saw up in Westchester. I had to order mine; it took 6 weeks. I bought it from Wide World of Cars in Spring Valley.
Clearance....oh yeah, for sure a Z4 problem. My take on Z4 in snow, personnally, is that when you have no choice but to go out in snow, make it as safe as you can. Since I have an SUV also, to me it's a no-brainer which car we take. As stated by jwilson1, when driving in snow, more than ever, drive safe and smart, extra weight, etc. And please to all drivers everywhere....DO NOT TAILGATE. I see accidents all the time because people don't give themselves enough room to stop. Really stupid. SO drive it in snow if you'd like, if you have run-flats, replace them for winter, extra weight, anything you can do, do it. And pray for Spring. If I drive the SUV to work for more than 3 days at a time, I am jones-ing for my Z4.
I went to Thompson in Dolyestown, spent 3 hours and came home with the Titanium Z4. No regrets. I can't imagine how I would have felt leaving my 3 at an Infiniti dealer, it was hard enough at BMW, but it got a good new home.
Good luck with your car, and next time, TRUST me, go get a BMW.
just asking, for snow...i was considering trying to get a dealer to switch-out the the run-flat for good all-season's, and, not have to trade between "summer & winter" tires...any thoughts?
won't be buying till early spring, need to finish my lease on the xi.
and, people keep speaking of ground clearance
( an unpublished # )...w/out sport option, seems to be same clearance as 3 series, where xi is only xtra 1/2 higher...so, where is the "problem"?
and, we're not talking about the torque of an M-series, or anything crazy....so....it should be able to be driven conseratively & safely in poor weather, no?
just concerned when using this as an "everyday" car here in delaware valley area.
thanks
-Paul
If you need that much clearance, you need a different car. JW
ie: My Prelude came with 205/50 VR16 tires. For the winter I switched to 195/60 HR15 Michelin Pilot Alpins. The increased sidewall height gives me more of a cushion if I can't avoid a pothole. The narrower tire allows a more concentrated contact patch. The rolling radius of the tires are identical.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Guess I'm used to my Jeep Wrangler with the oversized tires. heheh
-Paul
-Paul
I didn't realize that a Z4 is a roadster and snow plow all in one.
happy driving,
M
Any thoughts you can share would be appreciated. Thanks.
Other then that the soft top is durable in all season and you should have no problem! enjoy
didn't do sport to avoid the 18".
did arrange to switch OEM tires for all season as this will be "everyday" car.
going from xi owner to z.
hope this works out well.....
I am looking into the Z4 2.5 Roadster. Does anybody know how these things handle in the winter, maybe with snow tires.
Thanks!
~Erin
Thanks!
Jeannine Fallon
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Edmunds.com
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i had the same concerns, as i was writing in some posts above - so, instead of switching sets of tires, i opted for the all seasons.
seemed like the best compromise....at least i hope it is.
i'm betting that it will be good enough in the balance of the year to outweigh our few truly bad winter days.
what do you think?
drew