2003 BMW Z4 Consumer Discussions

BMW Z4

• Re: Z4 2004 - Leak from Top into Trunk - Burned Receiver and Motor for Conv Top [bod2]

  Written by: old_joe on Dec 20, 2011 8:40:26 PM

  Same problem Z4 2003. (Had it out on the street, big rain, but I did not realize what the issue was) Lost radio, then the whole thing died. A day later, it worked. A couple of days later, radio died again. Then the car died for good. Figured out it was the amplifier, trunk carpet was wet. Opened up the battery compartment, FULL of water. Battery dead, amplifier corroded/dead. New (non-BMW ... Read More

• Re: Z4 2004 - Leak from Top into Trunk - Burned Receiver and Motor for Conv Top [lduggan]

  Written by: bod2 on Aug 29, 2011 6:16:27 PM

  mokkbo - I had the same set of problems with my 2003 Z4, and had to replace the amp twice, and the battery at least once while the local BMW dealer fiddled with water in the trunk. Various remedies were performed - replacing the rear tail light, cleaning out the drain - but the problem wasn't solved until the roof was replaced(!). After incurring several thousand dollars in costs (the amps ... Read More

2003 BMW Z4 Misfire

• 2003 BMW Z4 OBDII P1345

  Written by: zgerman on Jun 7, 2010 2:38:55 AM

  Hello, I have a 2003 BMW Z4 2.5i with 95k miles on it. I recently took it for a spirited drive and developed a misfire, resulting in OBDII code P1345, "Misfire Cylinder 2 with Fuel Cutoff." I checked the plugs, and they were fairly fouled, so I replaced all 6 with Bosch Platinum's, the coil packs seemed fine. I reset the OBDII and went for a test drive, the car misfired ... Read More

BMW Z4 Electrical Problems

• Re: Power Steering Shutdown in Z4 [ahva]

  Written by: bauvois on Jul 11, 2008 7:37:46 AM

  Hello, I have the exact same issue with my Z4 (2003) and I nearly had 2 accidents already... BMW did reprogram the electric steering chip mechanism but I am still experiencing the same problem. This is very very dangerous... They plan to replace the complete steering mechanism, my car only has 60,000 km and I would like them to pay for the repair. Unfortunately they have a different opinion... Did you ... Read More

BMW Z4 Gas Mileage Reports

• Re: BMW Z4: Real World MPG [alp8]

  Written by: jking50 on Sep 25, 2006 6:05:18 PM

  I've been getting 29.4 mpg highway (and some city) driving with a 2003 Z4.

Porsche Boxster or BMW Z4

• Z4 is a great value; especially used

  Written by: vsaxena on Sep 7, 2006 11:02:48 PM

  The Z4 is definitely cheaper to own than the Boxter. And right now BMW has truly incredible lease rates on the Z4 (at least till August) with very low interest rates. I am quite sure that the lease programs are going to be aggressive since the end of summer is here. The good thing about leasing is that you can always buy the car if you want to keep it but ... Read More

• Re: Boxster or BMW Z4 [alp8]

  Written by: epbronw on Aug 31, 2006 5:03:14 PM

  Well, how about the perspective of another Porsche and BMW owner? I've previously owned 3 Porsches, and currently own a BMW 325i and Z4 2.5i (both from 2003). I thought about the SLK and Boxster as well as the Z4. The SLK didn't have the sport car handling I'm used to - I think it's beautiful and makes the best daily driver of the trio, and if I were looking for ... Read More

BMW Z4 Lease Questions

• Buying a Z4 this weekend

  Written by: lvrebel on May 12, 2006 6:29:22 PM

  Car Man, I'm leasing a 2006 Z4i or si this weekend and would like to get some of your thoughts. I will be turning in a leased 2003 BMW 325i with 16K. The lease was a 36 month term with 12k per year. Since the vehicle is being turned back in with so few miles, can I use that as leverage to get a better deal? In regard to leasing, what ... Read More

• Can I release my current leased car for one more year?

  Written by: dagsz4 on Mar 28, 2006 6:23:44 AM

  Car Man, I am now thinking that I may want to re-lease my current 2003 Z4 for one additional year. Would BMW do a one year lease? I would only want a one year lease and not a two year. What do you think the cost of doing this would be? I like the color and looks of my Z4 more than anything they offer on the 2006 model year. Any ... Read More

• Re: End of Lease [jamiew]

  Written by: Car_man on Jan 19, 2006 3:42:55 AM

  Hi jamiew. BMW is running a lease pull ahead program right now that will let current lessees of select vehicles out of their deals early at no charge if they finance or lease a new vehicle through BMW FS. Unfortunately the Z4 is not one of the vehicles that is eligible for this program. It's only available to current lessees of select 2002 and 2003 3-Series, 5-Series, 7-Series, and X5 models. ... Read More

• Re: BMW Z4: Lease Questions [Car_man]

  Written by: sparkleyes on Oct 4, 2005 3:27:50 PM

  Car_man My 2003 Z4 (3.0) lease expires 1/06. When my old Z3 lease was up, I leased it again for a second 36 month term, and cut my payments in half. What is your opinion about leasing my Z4 again when this lease expires? Do you have any good suggestions for lease expiration options, other than purchasing the car and keeping/or re-selling or signing up for a new car lease?

BMW Z4

• Z4 fuel pump

  Written by: bc05 on Sep 25, 2005 8:31:35 PM

  Has anyone else had problems with Z4 fuel pumps? I have had 2 new ones installed in a 2003 Z4. The first time the car had less than 5k miles on it. They said that the screen on the bottom of the pump had collapsed, gutting off the gas flow. Last month then engine died again, acting like a fuel pump problem. I had just topped the pass above Price, UT ... Read More

• Re: bmw z4 so low to the ground [jakenick]

  Written by: patb1 on Jul 8, 2005 5:36:06 PM

  Own 2003 $ for almost 2 yrs. Skirt is not as pretty as new, but worse than that, I damaged some electronic gizmo under there that cost me $500 to get fixed.

BMW Z4 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

• Re: Need Opinions on Z-4 Pricing [kyfdx]

  Written by: k2xx on Jul 2, 2005 1:47:30 PM

  I just wanted to let you know that I did buy the 3.0L Z4 with SMG. Apparently, it was the only SMG available in the northeast. The car has all the usual schmalz (xenon, heated seats, sport and premium packages, BMW assist, metallic paint and hardtop prep). The dealer's cost according to Consumers' Union was $40,915 (includes $4,500 incentive). I paid $40,851. It was the last day of the month, and ... Read More

• Also looking for affirmation

  Written by: dpz4 on Apr 7, 2005 8:32:40 PM

  While shopping for "something else" I test-drove a pre-owned Z4, and liked it! I then found one that I thought I would buy, and had made what I considered a decent deal. Then, while looking for other info on the web, I found this forum, and maybe wondering if I am doing a smart thing (being smitten sometimes makes you lose focus). details: 2003 Z4, jet black, tan leather, 2.5, 5-speed, ... Read More

• For what its worth

  Written by: ukjim on Apr 6, 2005 7:43:16 AM

  Hi: I own an RX8 6 Speed ( that forum seems much livelier than this one BTW) but I recently helped my GF buy a Z4. After much driving around including a horrible Bait and Switch at one dealer where we walked out with the manager on his knees trying to get us to go back( I have owned BMW's and was surprised at this behavior, both the grovelling, and the ... Read More

• Pre-owned BMW Z3 (2003 3.0i)

  Written by: ozrpm on Dec 17, 2004 6:32:56 PM

  Just picked up a pre-owned 2003 Z4 3.0i manual with 6300 miles on the clock. It is not fully loaded up, but has the neccessaries. Paid $33k before sales tax. Spotless body, not a scratch. I've trawled www.z4um.com and other forums, no major issues with the 2003 and my car has none of the usual wear items (e.g. low front panel under engine gets damaged).   Happy & safe driving all. ... Read More

• Re: I need HELP w/a very important decision..... [nmckain]

  Written by: vsaxena on Sep 8, 2004 12:13:44 AM

  With the current incentives a new Z4 is very attractive, especially since leases have very high residuals since they car calculated based on MSRP. You can get a 3.0 about $9K under MSRP. BMW offers leases upto 15K miles/year (or even more perhaps). In your case the best deal would be a CPO car. This will give you warranty coverage for upto 6 years from the start date or 100K miles. ... Read More

BMW Z4

• Cash Back

  Written by: tmthyp on Nov 10, 2003 4:31:12 PM

  I'm in the market for a Z4 and went to my local dealer last week to discover 20 or so on the lot.Almost all of them were 2003s. 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 ... Read More

• I ordered mine

  Written by: droptopz4 on May 21, 2003 9:03:37 AM

  I've been eyeing the Z4 since August 2002 when Automobile featured the car on its cover. Through a series of recent happenings, I was put in touch with two BMW dealers. One couldn't help but the other, a BMW/Ferrari/Maserati outfit, immediately got down to business, asked what I wanted and gave me a great below-MSRP quote right over the phone. I called back the next day to order a new 6-speed ... Read More