23rd Jan 2007, 11:55

Gents, you make me scared to buy it. The Z4 is my dream car and I am thinking to buy a new 2007 next month, so are there any major issues, or is it just standard car problems?

Regards.

6th Aug 2007, 18:21

Bought a 2003 Z4 brand new and have had NO problems in four years. 55K miles now and she has never had any real issues. Not only is this car fast and fun to drive, but it gets decent gas mileage (avg 25 mpg). Had an Audi TT previous and the wife had a MB SLK, and by far our Z4 is our favorite.

23rd Oct 2007, 15:49

I bought my Daughter the 2003 BMW z4 she loved the car, but has now become a crying little girl. The automobile has 31000 mile on it. The battery went out the other day and had to replace then the coolant gauge has went crazy and the engine has been diagnosed as having a bad lifter. The specialist we took the car to called BMW to express that the auto was just out of warranty and requested that BMW incure the cost, but in no way will BMW foot the bill now this is going to cost a third of what the auto value. Please be aware of this situation.

25th Oct 2007, 18:20

I was loyal to BMW for 10 years until I bought this junk. Long story worth it until you reach the 30,000 mile mark at best. after that dump it! but if you don't..don't ever bring it in to Life Quality in Brooklyn for service. They cause more problems then it's worth.

6th Nov 2007, 13:31

I am looking to purchase a 2003/2004 Z4 with 60K KM/30K Miles in Ottawa, Canada. Any comments in regards to reliability. I currently own a Lexus IS and love the reliability, however used to own a MB SLK and was in the garage almost every second month. I have never tried a BMW and in terrible need of advice from current owners.

22nd Jan 2008, 02:37

I absolutely love the 2003 Z4 3.0i! I bought this 2nd hand here in New Zealand with 28,000kms. I have had this almost a year now and have had no problems what-so-ever. It drives beautifully and apart from being watched everywhere I go, (which I must admit that I don't mind the attention), all the horror stories I have heard just don't exist with this car. It is my 2nd BMW purchased from BMW New Zealand, and the help and service I receive when servicing has been due is wonderful. I have no negatives at all and love the Z4! Would only part with it if I won the lottery as I would buy an M6! Now that is saying something, yes? Simon - New Zealand.

6th Nov 2008, 03:47

I sold mine, just prior to the warranty expiring... too many issues to list, but in the end it proved to have been a liability and money pit had I kept it... I would go for a used Lexus SC430, not much goes wrong with Japanese cars.

6th Nov 2008, 09:14

I haven't had any problems with my bmw yet. had it over a year. I think its just luck as to wether you get reliable one or not. bmw is meant to build reliable cars, and so far that has been the case for me. its 11 years old.

6th Nov 2008, 16:55

I am planning to buy an 03 or 04 next year, can somebody tell me if the cars reliable, and if the cost of maintaining it is cheap or not? like routine mainteance, repairs, and anything else you might like to add. The car seems pretty reliable from what people on edmunds say, the 03' Z4 got a 9.5 rating. Please reply.

8th Nov 2008, 14:37

The cost of maintaining the Z4 I think was high, even a minor service at a BMW dealership was approx $500 AUD, which I thought was high, for an oil change and some checks they did on the computer, the build quality has really gone downhill, all of the 3 series, excluding 2 door coupes are made in South Africa, and the Z4's and X5's made in the USA, I am not saying all vehicles made in the US are poor, but BMW, I believe have really let down their customers.. I have always been a BMW owner and advocate, but the Z4 has now changed all that. The car was good to drive, but just didn't live up to what I thought a BMW should be.. I sold mine because I could see, had I kept her, would have cost me big $$$$$ once the warranty ran out...

26th Jan 2009, 20:30

Faithful BMW owner, we bought our 3.0 Z4 new in 06- LOVE IT. Scoots like a rocket. It is one fun car to drive. Would not buy a MB or Japanese car because of the high repair cost. I've worked for an Japanese automaker for the past 14 years.

Talking about spending some money, how about $1800.00 for a 60k service and that's without anything being wrong with the car. Once you drive this car you will buy it.

28th Jan 2009, 17:42

Sounds like that person was taken for a ride, the most I have ever paid for a major service on my Lexus GS300 2002 model was $620 AUD, the difference between Japanese and European cars, nothing ever goes wrong with Japanese cars, they basically keep going.

I had bought my wife a new Nissan X-Trail back in 2001, now has 237000kms, and still going strong...

European cars are only good, if you plan to trade or sell before the warranty expires, after that you are in for many nasty and expensive surprises.

20th Feb 2009, 12:43

I purchased new a 2003 BMW Z4 with a automatic transmission; my wife doesn't drive a standard transmission. The steering has been terrible since I bought the car. Just driving on normal roads the car will dodge from one side to the other. You would not even feel a reaction in any other car. BMW explains it as "the tires are wide and it is just a reaction because of ruts in the road. Maybe, but it is still a $45K car and drives terrible.

I also have a 2004 X3. The second major service was expensive, almost $1800. Say what you will about BMW quality & performance, I will never buy another one. I will take my chances with a Lexus.