Used 2004 BMW Z4 Consumer Reviews

What more do you want!

just simply a Fun, fast, unique car! i just bought a white 04 z4 with red leather and couldn't be happier! drove a TT for years, loved it, but like the z4 much better because of comfort and exterior design. interior isn't as fancy as i would like, but who needs a GPS when your having fun getting lost driving around! very low to ground, makes for a little awkward "in and out" ... but who cares! gets tons of compliments, looks amazing from all sides. you don't see these cars all over the place which makes them even more unique. great around corners, i live in pacific northwest, and wet windy roads are super fun! ... nice and quiet with top up!

Slammin' style and great to own!

Beats all other small convertibles. I tried Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Mercedes, Fiat, MGB, VW, and so on. I also own a 528i, but I'm not biased at all. If it is a great car, I say so. This is a phenomenal car. I work on it myself, but really, nothing has gone wrong...except the motor for the top. The design is such that water backs up (from clogged drainage holes) with debris and floods the top's electric motor. Water vs electrical component? Water will be the destroyer of every pump, every time. BMW knows, now, that this is a poor design. I relocated my pump, after replacement, into the trunk. Viola! Never another problem. In spite of this, this car is unmatched in fun, performance, handling, and coolness. I am going to buy another one so I can have 2! I want a 2.5 for comparison. These cars are that good! Just test drive one. You will be a believer and find a way to get one. Mark my words. Enjoy, and be safe.

Fun, fun, fun - but a bit impractical

Let's face it. People buy cars like this for their fun factor, and perhaps for their "cool" factor as well. The Z4 does a bang-up job of providing both while delivering upwards of 25 mpg. It's a bit of a chore getting in and out, especially for a 6'2" guy like me, but once you're inside it's surprisingly roomy if you lower the seats all the way. The power convertible top works perfectly, and the interior is gorgeous. The ride is stiff, but the car runs and handles fantastically. My only complaint: you have to be careful when parking or you'll scrape the underside of the front cowling.

A great car even after 6 Years

So I bought a 2004 Z4 with 17K miles on it a moth ago. Drove it from Pittsburgh to Chicago to get it home and it was a blast! Wow! This car is comfy, roomy, powerful, reliable, and fun! The 2.5 has quite the power and I can't really notice a difference vs. the 3.0. What more can you ask for? The prices are very competitive these days for a pre-owned. I test drove a Z3 10 years ago and hated it so I bought a MR2 Spyder. This vehicle tops them both by far. Fairly quiet with the top up, especially for a convertible. and you can't really feel the wind too bad when its down.

Z4 Review

This car is excellent in every way. I've had other roadsters, but this one is the best without exception. I think it will survive to become a valued collector car in a few years.

Very Impressive Indeed!

Just bought a 2004 Z4 with 17K miles and this vehicle drives very impressively. I drove the vehicle home 600 miles and it was very comfortable, handled nicely, and was just a blast to drive. This is my first BMW. In the past I've owned a 2000 MR2 Spyder and this Z4 tops it by far. Great trunk space, powerful motor, roomy interior. I really think I can drive this vehicle everyday if I wanted to.

As good as it gets

What a fantasic roadster, much better than the Z3, test drove the TT and Boxster. It's simply better than anything in its class.

Car Love

I've had my Z4 for 5 years after owning a Z3 for 12 years. Ultimate driving machine is a great name for these cars.

Zoom, Zoom but better than Mazda!

This is a FUN car not a daily commuter. It's low to the ground so you must go very slow over any bumps and concrete stopping blocks will destroy the nose if you are not very careful. It's not easy to get in and out of also. Visibility is poor with the top up but excellent with the top down. But let's be honest, I bought for the driving experience and that is where it shines. The 3.0l was faster but you can easily get arrested in this one with a 2.5l engine that gets 32MPG on the highway. It corners like its glued to the pavement and the few times the rear end broke free it still felt like I was in control. This far and above the best of 4 convertibles I've owned.

Great at first, then....

I bought the Z4 as what seemed like a natural upgrade from my Z3. I paid a premium to own this car, based on it's stellar styling and improvements, such as the fully auto top and glass rear window. However after owning it for the first 6 months, it began to annoy me to no end. It's horribly uncomfortable. From the unsupportive seats, the exaggerated door interior door handles that chafe my left leg every time I shift, to the un-adjustable seat belt that chokes me every time I drive. Plus the 1/4' inch clearance from the dash to my right knee, and I'm only 6'1! Add an ultra-harsh ride, and I feel like I'm in a torture chamber each time I get in. I wish I had kept the z3.

Electrical/Computer Problems

These cars are prone to electrical computer problems relasted to the Idrive system. If you search the Internet you will find hundreds of stories like mine. My Z-4 has stalled out unexpectedly at total of six times. The EML (Engine Malfunction Light)light came on, and I could not get the RPM's up for sufficient power. On 2 occasions this created life threating situations.

What a snow ride

I had this 2004 Z4 3.0 for the last 4 years. Silver titanium. It is impressive, I love it very much. Drove it all year around in Detroit and Minneapolis. This car is great on snow with the right tires. It is fun to drive. I test drove the SL55 AMG as my next car possibly. Let me tell you, I have to think twice now. Z4 is even more than what we may think. It has been difficult to choose something else after you drive this car. Most likely it will be SL55 AMG though for me tough decision to move from the Z4 even after more than 4 years driving it all year around. Never drove a car for that long. Go get one don't even think twice about Z4. :)

Z4 was the worst car i have ever owned.

I bought my car brand new with 6 miles on it. Ive had it a year and has 11,000 miles on it now. I had to bring it to the show 8 times. The instrument cluster needed replacing twice. The passenger side power seat went out. The gas cap lid cover fell off at the gas station. The passenger side window fell out. The dealer would not take it back. BMW America would not do anything, but they "made a note of it" In 2003, the domestic cars had less complaints then the european cars. Makes you wonder why. I should have bought a cadallac.

So much fun for so little money!

Long front end, so don't park into a curb. Tight and quick steering. Great acceleration with the smaller 2.5! Great braking. Fun Roadster!! Quick power top!

A great choice

I've had my Z4 for about a month now. Got all the options - Performance & Sport packages, Steptronic, heated seats. A little pricy, but lots of fun. The car drives extremely well and will behave as reserved as you want it to when in normal mode, but transforms into a real tiger when you push the Sports button or shift the Steptronic into sports drive. There is no comparison to the 2.5, which felt underpowered. It is a little bumpy with the 18" wheels, but not as bad as I had feared. Watch out for pot holes! It does not handle puddles very well (easily hydroplanes). It is a real eye-turner for young and old alike.

Blast

This little car is a real blast to dirve. I have owned 535s, a new M3, MGB, 442 and numerous fun cars, but none as much fun as this little ragtop. It gives you total feel of the road, which when bumpy perhaps too much. But once again it's a sweet ride. My Z is black with a tan top and while some are critical of the styling, I get lots of "I was admiring your car" and such. The 6 speed is smooth as silk and the 3.0 delivers pleanty of power. I can't wait to test drive the new M series. I can't recommend this car enough to anyone looking for a roadster.And your BMW dealer probably has a demo for you to check out before ordering. Thats what happened to me as a four test drive convinced me.

Z is good for me

I got this car when I finally could afford one and wow it did not disappoint. I got the SMG based transmission and that thing is a total blast. I love the car so much that I am leasing a new 07 Z4 3.0si starting in 2 days! My only gripe is that the Z series is always behind in cool technology that the 3 series has. No siruis radio. Pathetic. It's a very small gripe on a kickin' car!

Z4 tires

Overall, the Z4 is a nice car. The problem is tha run flat tires. They have a tread wear rating of 140 which translates about 15,000 miles. It will cost in excess of $1,000 to replace them. They cannot be repaired if punctured and they cannot be found in stock at any Bridgestone dealer I know of and they can only be replaced by a run flat certified dealer. The tires are not warrented by BMW so you are pretty much on your on. A tire problem on the road will probably result in a delay of several days.All of this so BMW could leave off the spare.

Z Best!

I was sold on the Z4 with my test drive! I opted for the five-speed automatic, which has been a perfect choice for someone who wants to have fun, but doesn't want the hassle of a clutch, especially in traffic. It is quick, responsive, and takes corners better than our 2000 Porsche Cabriolet.

AWSOME

THE BEST CAR U CAN DRIVE BEATS MERCEDES CARS IN THE SAME AND OVER LIKE $20000 PRICE RANGE EASILY AND CAN EVEN COMPETE WITH A PORSCHE 911 BEATS ALL CARS FORM ITS CLASS AROUND $20000 ABOVE ITS PRICE RANGE!!!. THIS CAR IS SUPER FUN THE PRICE.COMES WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT IN A CAR! FORGET THE NISSAN 350Z or the HONDA S2000 OR THE MAZDA RX* AND SURELY FORGET THE MERCEDES BECAUSE THIS BEATS ALL OF THEM BY FAR!!!.

Beautilful to look at but...

This car is beautiful!! Very sexy and sleek. Just looking at it, it drips of performance and wants to go fast. That's the only positive things I have to say about it and why I have kept it but am considering moving on. The car seems to have one malfunction after another with no end in sight. To list a few of the more recent issues that needed to be fixed: Convertible top motor, all abs sensors, new starter and new coolent reservoir. Add the regular maintenance cost such as breaks, tires and other miscellaneous things that just need to replaced and be ready to fork out some serious $$$! This is my second German car and all I have to say is, "So much for German engineering!"

wow

a woman magnet, sharp interior and exterior. superior ride, smooth carefree transmission.

A dream to drive for 3 days

This was a loaner. I drove the heck out of it. It corners like on rails. Acceleration was smooth. Never oncehydroplaned in rain. The most ironic thing is that the car got hit on: at the gas station, at the grocery store, at the ofcie supply place. My only complaint as it got pushed around by the wind from Semis when you drive at above 80MPH. But it gets stared a and is a blast to drive.

The BEST sports car out there.

The body style is great!I don't understand why the editors at edmunds.com are complaining about it.The BMW Z4 won the JD Power APEAL Award.And is number 1 in it's class.I would highly recommend this vehicle to any one looking for dynamic style and performance.

Landshark; Rules the road

This is truly the Ultimate Driving Machine. I have an SMG transmission which allows you to shift manually with automatic clutching. I have the control of the manual with no clutching hassles! With the Sports mode on, the car gives an amazing feel. The engine sound and in the gut acceleration really gets the juices flowing. The steering is responsive and the suspension tight; this is not a touring sedan. I test drove the Z3 before buying this, and this car feels and drive very differently. It is a lot more powerful and "manly". When I look at it from the front it reminds of a shark & the Z4 rules the road like one. BMW leases are not expensive; get a Z4. Money well spent.

Fun and practicality in one package

I bought this car as a CPO with 13,000 miles on it. I have not been disappointed at all. Living in Southern California, this car does it all for me, from running to the grocery store to taking it for a run in the mountains. This is not a weekend toy for me; I use it regularly. I drove this car cross-country and was pleasantly surprised by comfort level it gave me on a 6000 mile trip. Its performance is excellent; it sticks to a mountain road like glue even on wet/icy pavement. I have every option but the nav system; the power driver's seat definitely ups the comfort level. I definitely recommend the 6 speed manual; it's a pain sometimes in LA traffic, but worth it overall.

Watch that paint!

This is a wonderful car to drive. The 2.5 is a little sluggish from the line but makes up for this with impressive high speed power on the highway and in the turns. The car is an attention getter. The top works well and quickly. The paint job on this car leaves a little to be desired. This is a $40k with features, but it has the paint job of a car costing about $10k. This car scratches easily. It requires copious amounts of wax to cover these imperfections.

BMW Evaluation

BMW is a car that you spend more money fixing it than your car payments. The BMW corp and specially Santa Monica dealership have stolen so much from me.

Should have kept the Z3

I love the look of the car but it didn't drive as well as the Z3 and not as roomy as my Audi TT. Z4 has a lot of power and fun to drive, but wish I had my Z3 back.

Not a low maintenance toy.

Had this Z4 since it was a baby, bought it in 2007 with 14,000 miles on it and still love it. It has proven to be more expensive to drive than I anticipated but still... I have kept meticulous records of all costs since I bought it and it runs me about sixty-five cents a mile to run it, counting gasoline, maintenance and repairs, with the repairs making up most of that. It has run as low as fifty-two cents and is now at ninety-two but that is due to a lot of repairs coming up in the same two year period. Given I paid only $24,000 for it in 2007 with 14,000 miles on it and it is now worth between six and nine thousand, not a bad deal? I take care of it and it has 174,000 miles on it now and I fully expect it to run for another 200,000. All in all, it has been a great car.

Small car, fat man.

I love the car it’s surprisingly smooth to drive. My mechanic is amazed at the overall condition. It is however a challenge for an aging fat man to get in and out of. And my golf clubs only fit with top down.

BMW Z4

I have the v-6, the car is a great car for performance and power, however, the car does burn a hell of lot of gas, but then again, when you pay over 42000, for a sports car, you can't complain too much about gas. The car is extremely fun to drive and I love the automatic top that you don t have to latch yourself.

Z4

Excellent handling very responsive. Classic design. Trunk will fit two soft bag golf clubs. Love the power top. Seat adjustment is superb over my ex '99 corvette. I am able to stand when exiting the car rather than rolling out of it with the corvette. Very quiet ride with the top up and with the windscreen in place with the top down. Quality craftsmanship both in the exterior and interior desgn. After all, it is the ultimate driving machine.

Awesome Performance !

Great performance - braking, corners, pickup. Comfortable but stiff ride - but expected in a roadster. Actually gets better gas mileage than expected.

Not So Hot

Sorry to say, but my Z4 performs hot, but is uncomfortable, and rattles like a crib toy. The trunk is so small that literally it won't hold a golf bag. The Z4 looks good, and drives well, but for 45 grand it should be more comfortable and not rattle and squeek.

Love this car!

My husband got me this car for Mother's Day this year. I had been looking at this car for months, and I have not been disappointed in the least! I love it! It is a really cool ride. It is fun, fast, and makes me feel 20 years younger just being in it. Strangers, young and old alike, comment to me about it all the time. It is smooth and sleek. It is very convenient the way the top folds down on its own. I couldn't ask for a better car!

A good, fun drive

Love it! Small defects, tho: open glove compartment, everything falls out. Open storage bin between seats, it's so high up you can hardly get to anything. Side door compartments are difficult to reach into. But there's more trunk space now, than the Z3. Glass window in the back instead of plastic. Neat-looking with topdown. Still a blast to drive. Love it!

Z4 SMG

Great Drive, especially with the SMG trans. Once you get use to the SMG, you wouldn't want a an auto.,less a 6spd. Needs a better beverage holder and interior storage, especially if you have 6CD in compartment. Had a Audi TT,which was great. This gave me best of both worlds-Speed, fun and a convertable.

Z4 rating

this car is fun to drive,gets almost 30 MPG on the road, and about 20 MPG city driving. It is very comfortable and a six footer can be seated rather comfortably.

Fun but Uncomfortable

This car is a lot of fun to drive, especially with the top down. With the top up, there is a lot of rattling noises and a very bumpy, unpleasant ride. I would not recommend this as an everyday car.

Slice of Heaven

Had a Z3, but was hesitant to buy the new Z4. Well, I should have. The new rear suspension makes the Z4 an entirely different car. The ride is smooth, tight. The new glass rear window contributes to a very quiet ride. The automatic top is a must, and the built in tonneau cover is great. 5 speed is a little slow off the line, not lots of low end tourque, but once you hit the open road, pure delight. Trunk space is a massive 9 cu ft, awesome for a two seat roadster. There is enough room for a golf bag and luggage for those weekend getaway's. I would highly recommend - Enjoy!

Great Weekend Toy

Great toy for the weekends. Never even a warranty item. Corners great. I have the SMG package which takes getting use to. Boxster S killer and Porsche owners always hate to loose! Drawbacks, cup holders are useless but necessary to have drinks in the Florida heat. This is a sports car and a bumpy sports car ride with stiff seats. Anything past a couple hours it hard on the butt.

good looking and powerful

after driving a z3 for three years, this new z4 is like a new car altogether. i feel much more confident and comfortable driving this car.

BMW Z4

terrific car!

Although many must disagree, I love the look and handling of this car. It's got plenty of power, as opposed to the jaguar and mercedes convertibles i previously owned. The new lines make it unique. The lack of the idrive makes it the only BMW I have any interest in driving, since I am not a nuclear engineer or software designer, which I assume is a requirement to be able to understand the idrive.

Need more on the inside

The car is small, not much more they could do for comfort. For that price more should have been included like Mercedes. We were told BMW's are such great cars they don’t need to include the fluff. I strongly disagree. At that price, heated seats, CD changer, automatic softop, dimmer light, car mats should ALL BE INCLUDED. Customer service-lousy. The car is gone as soon as the fun wares off. My daughter drives a ercedes and we are having second thoughts. If you want fun, go for it. If you want comfort, class, fluff, and great customer service: Look elsewhere. Feel free to email me with any questions @ shahzadee@aol.com

Candygram

My Z4 (3.0i) brings smiles to my face with each drive. With the exception of a harsh ride (hey its a sports car), it is very comfortable to just cruise around in with the top down. But it really shines when you get into the curves. This thing sticks to the road like nothing I've driven before, with the exception of the C5 Vette. Good steering feel, great handling, more than enough power, and pleny of torque at lower RPMs make this one helluva sports car. And while the styling hasn't exactally been lauded by the critics, I absolutely love it; the way the sun plays off its many creases gives it a new look each time you see it.

THE ZESTY Z4

The Z4 3.0 really gives an amazing experience. It has an amazing combination of the BMW high standard luxury and the powerful 268 horsepower engine.

3.0 Z4 is the best of the roadsters

I recently drove every roadster under $60,000, including the Boxter, Nissan Z, Honda, etc. Without qualification, the BMW is the superior all-around car- pure fun, great power, superb quality, and I- unlike the magazine critics- love the style. So do lots of other people, as I've gotten great reaction when driving. No other two-seater in its class has the total package- & plenty of trunk space for groceries. BMW picks up the service for 4 years! This is the most fun car I have ever had.

Love Struck

As with all BMW's quality is tops with the Z4 roadster. It's a fun ride, very responsive maneuvering, and it's speed is impressive. This is not a car, it's a machine.