I want a BMW Z4

I dunno... I like a good manual box. .. but SMG, DCT, PDK and even DSG are all fantastic gearboxes.

Especially M SMG/DCT and Sport Plus PDK where you can really tighten/harden up those shifts and bash through like a proper sequential box.

Ever tried a racey sequential? They're awesome :)



I'm not fond of older style "normal" autos like tiptronic things etc... would have a manual over those boxes any day.
 
Yes but manual diehards will always remains that, I don't like having my left leg sitting there like a stump :p
 
I've driven modern auto boxes from both BMW and Mercedes. Didn't make a bit of difference on how I feel about manual.
 
loltim said:
Aren't manual die hards just people who've yet to drive a car with a decent autobox?:o
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Like me... used to think I'd never want an auto... manual sequential was my ideal thought, wanted one of those on a big car as soon as I had my gearbox go-kart... 40bhp from a 125 2-stroke and 0-60 in 3 seconds with a 6 speed sequential.

Then I got to sample M-DCT and SP-PDK & I was sold... :D

Even DSG impressed me...

mrk said:
I've driven modern auto boxes from both BMW and Mercedes. Didn't make a bit of difference on how I feel about manual.
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The Merc box is HORRIBLE... it's got this odd hesitation behaviour and then is sporadically behind the driver... really unpleasant for me to use... one of the worst autos i've tried. Even my 2001 Jag XKR had a better auto box.

Are you talking normal DCT or M-DCT? There's a difference... even if it's only in the settings & customisability ;)


But I know some still prefer manual-only ;)

Mmmmm... Mark 1 MX5 supercharged with a quaife manual sequential... that would be epic :D
 
The Merc one was in the C250, had the 7 speed box, I didn't like it in auto mode but found it fine in manual mode via the paddles. the same with the F30 330D's 8 speed box, much preferred using the paddles to shift rather than leave it in auto.

I don't drive daily to get to and from a regular place like most folks, my driving completely suits a manual, and because of that I've always preferred a manual. It's all preference of course and people will always say "well you must drive a better auto then!" but no, until the day there is no manual option for whatever car I want next, I'll always seek out the manual version! When that time comes and an auto is the only option, I'd still flip it to manual mode and use paddles all the time.
 
Manual vs Auto preference can also be age related.
When I was younger I would have done anything to avoid an auto. Now I'm a bit older I just can't be bothered changing gear. It's too much hassle, especially in stop start traffic.
 
I find manual part of the driving experience and tbh I test drive a Cayman s with pdk a few weeks ago and I still prefer manual. Gear changes seemed very slow when going from 7th to 2nd to accelerate hard.
 
Well... yeah... I wasn't talking about using the M-DCT or SP-PDK in full auto mode... it's not bad there... but it really comes to life in semi-auto mode (flappy paddles).

I drove a similar era merc... although it was an SLK... I didn't like that box even in semi-auto mode with the paddles... the delay on the shifts was horrific and it was hiccupping if you needed to make relatively quick up/down/up type changes or anything similar... eurgh
 
I see more of the post 2009's become available at 17K or so. But I can get a Boxster at those prices.....? What do you reckon?

What's a fair price to pay for the previous generation Z4 for a 2.3 say in good nick with a few options boxes ticked?
 
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They don't do a 2.3 litre litre Z4 - the current gen model has an SDrive23i but it's a 2.5. The previous generation never had a 23i.
 
[TW]Fox;28310060 said:
They don't do a 2.3 litre litre Z4 - the current gen model has an SDrive23i but it's a 2.5. The previous generation never had a 23i.
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Which ones are the good ones to look for in the previous generation Fox/guys/? Doing some browsing on autotrader whilst this work meeting drones on...!
 
I have a (post 2009) 35i manual and it's awesome despite being in a colour for old men. Bluetooth on all 09 and some 10 plates does not include A2DP for transmitting bluetooth audio/music and only does telephony. I got a small BT device that plugs into the line in to fix this if it's a gap for you. I manage without parking sensors but it did take a decent while to get used to being so far back / working out where the nose is. Reversing into parking spaces makes a huge difference tbh :)

Options will always be person specific but for what it's worth the sport seats are something I'd look for, they are a pretty expensive option when not included by default and I felt were a huge upgrade when I was looking. iDrive helps a lot and adds quite a bit to the car for entertainment / Sat Nav but it may not be specced as much on i2x examples. Try to find at least one example with the optional sound systems - you may find the default not good enough. It's OK but if you like it loud you might need at least the first upgrade. I switched to non-RF tyres which does make it roll more but also makes it less crashy because the 35i at least I have came with gravel instead of springs. so. flipping. hard. It's probably because it's a heavy car for it's size and while I admit I have probably made it worse and not in line with BMW's philosophy, it makes the driving more fun for me.
 
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