2003 BMW Z4 Review
2003 BMW Z4 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Superb road manners, plenty of standard technology and safety features, range of transmission choices, brand cachet.
Cons
- Price shoots up when you add options, exterior design doesn't inspire lust.
What’s new
The all-new Z4 roadster picks up where the Z3 left off. Well, sort of. There's no coupe version this time around. And the jury is still out on whether the Z4's "flame-surfaced" body is a welcome replacement for its predecessor's sexy corporate styling. In other respects, the newcomer offers much to like -- a more rigid chassis, a real glass rear window and, starting in the spring of 2003, a Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) like the one in the M3. All in all, the driving experience is exhilarating -- so if you can get past the styling and come up with the requisite cash, you know where this one belongs on your test drive list.
Edmunds says
While it sacrifices some of its predecessor's sex appeal for the sake of "flame surfacing," the Z4 roadster is even more fun to drive.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 BMW Z4 2.5i 2dr Roadster (2.5L 6cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.32 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$250/mo for Z4 2.5i
Z4 2.5i
vs
$180/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 BMW Z4.
5 star(87%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(1%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
202 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Would be great if I could steer it!
Joe M, 05/09/2010
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i 2dr Roadster (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Very nice and fun to drive, however when the temperature gets over 80 degrees the power electronic steering stops working. This is a known problem to BMW (bulletin # 4515500-02) and a safety issue but they want $3000 to fix it. - So much for German Engineering, maybe it never gets above 80 degrees in Baveria!
5 out of 5 stars
Love this little car.
Edmunds Shopper, 04/26/2017
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i 2dr Roadster (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Ok. I know it's not new, but it's totally fun. I love my little car. My friend calls it my go-cart, but that's because he's jealous. It has great pick up when I need to move or go up a hill, I know it will go swiftly. I feel safe in the car. Because it's older, it doesn't have a lot of the new technology that newer cars have. No blue tooth or navigation, but I don't need that where I … drive. I enjoy getting in my car every day. I get loads of compliments on how the car's style has stayed "in style" and everyone thinks its a new car and is 14 years old! I couldn't be happier with my lil Z4.
5 out of 5 stars
Bad ass 3.0
Jeff P, 03/21/2016
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i 2dr Roadster (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
I bought this car in May of 2015 with 55,000 miles for only $12,500 ( I now have 62,000 on the odometer). I cannot wait to drive each and every day and wow does the 3.0 automatic ever haul ass. The torque curve is steady throughout the entire ride from 0-100++. No lag, just ferocious power. My only complaint is the amber light cluster for exterior temp and mpg is partially burned out. … Also, it's very hard to see objects in the rear view mirror due to some peculiar bmw dimming system. Other than that, drop the top and boogie!
4 out of 5 stars
2003 Z4 3.0 manual
Don Avirett, 10/24/2015
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i 2dr Roadster (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
I have driven this car on the highway at 80 mph for 50 miles to work each way for the last 4 years. I bought it with 107k miles and it now has 276 k miles and runs like new and looks almost new. I drive the car through hailstorms, snowstorms, and windstorms of the West Texas Panhandle, and it performs amazingly well. It gets about 27 mpg on the highway. This car has held up … well.
2003 Z4 Highlights
2.5i
| Base MSRP | $33,100 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $250/month |
| Seating | 2 seats |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
| Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover5 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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