BMW guys on FerrariChat?

Personally, I think the (1st gen rounded tails) Z4 looks far less dated and feminine than the Z3. I like the handling a bit more too. But make sure you find a drive-in if you can with whatever you get. I did with my heated seats, it was awesome and great visibility.

You can also see the "Z" and "4" in the side view of the car. and OMG, those widebody cars
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I like both the Z3 and Z4 but man it would be difficult going from a plush 4-seat cruiser to a more cramped 2-seat convertible. I have always loved and wanted a E36 M3 and I found one locally that may just be my "cup of tea". Going to look at and test drive this car on Monday, I made the appointment already.

 

It would be or would have been great if the Z3 and Z4 had been offered with a retractable hard top option, best of both worlds.

 

Second generation Z4 e89 does.

Matt

 

Now that you mention it I believe I did see one or two in years past but Z4's, even Z3's, are rare in Houston.

 

My dad had a first generation Z4, manual transmission and manual roof. After getting used to the technique, I could have that roof fully up to fully down to fully up and secured again in less time than a powered roof to even put the roof down or put it up. In the first generation Z4, you don't even have to get out of the driver's seat or unbuckle your seatbelt to do it - it's a very easy one-armed action. Furthermore, cloth roofs tend to take up less space that hard tops when folded (I'm generalising). If you're going to have a retractable roof, it might as well be as fast, light, small, and simple as possible.

Personally, I really like the thought of a Z4M Coupe with a manual transmission. I've not felt entirely relaxed in convertibles since I was in a wreck in 2001, which wasn't even in a convertible.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I could open and close the top on my Miata in a matter of seconds from the drivers seat as well so I guess there is not much difference between the two. My heart is more into M3's so I am checking off the Z3 & Z4.

 

Been driving her all weekend. A simple car that makes me very happy. (That's my brother in the picture...not a car guy but he likes the 6er)
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They are very cool with the retractable hard top option... that little car has really grown on me. Alas, for me I am currently stuck in the world of vintage BMW.

Though I must admit that the itch for something newer has been growing.. we'll see!

 

I also imagine that they are very cool. One thing I have noticed from some of the hard top Z4 pictures posted is that the roof appears to have a "double bubble" for additional head room, is this true and if so may I assume it was to resolve the head room issue that the Z3 coupes had?

I am in the opposite boat in that I would love a more vintage BMW hence my love of the E36 M3 although I could not be more happy with my E60 525i.

 

Good car back in the day. A friend in high school Dad had one new back in 88 or 89. Our local BMW dealer had one new same time frame in their showroom. Someone ordered it and canceled when it arrived. My Dad took it home for the weekend, it was good but not as good as his new at the time 928S4.

I've looked for one here but they all seem to have high kilometers for the money. For sale in Toronto is a decent looking 1991 M5 that tempting me.

I like the 80's and early 90's BMW's, latter ones till now, rather have a Merc.

 

I also love the heck out of the early Mercedes and especially the 190E's so if you are in the market....1986 Mercedes-Benz E16, $0 - Cars.com

 

really a beautiful car

 

They are nice cars and not bad driving wise. The key with either Mercedes or BMW used is low miles and excellent condition. If its not near show car, it becomes very hard to resell. That 190 is nice but the interior and engine is a little more worn looking then it should be with those miles.

 

Viewing this specific 190's CARFAX raises a lot of red flags after viewing the CARFAX report unless these issues are irrelevant (and for some they are)....CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 190E 2.3-16: WDBDA34D1GF188918 .

 

OMG!! $99 for a single HID headlight bulb!! Thank heaven it was just the bulb and not the ballast!!!

 

I spoke too soon as both the bulb and ballast/igniter went out, there goes another $90. So with both (still need the igniter) and then the inspection fee that's $225 and I still have a $70+ registration fee. Most expensive registration process I have ever or will ever go through again. I was told though that the ballast/igniters rarely fail and then again the car is 12yrs (96.9K miles) old so I guess it could be worse.

Rant over for now LOL!

 

There is a real nice '89 635CSi for sale in Vancouver. Its a Euro spec, imported into Canada from Japan. 115k kilometers. $11,500 CDN is the ask. Drawback its an automatic. If it was manual, well it would be mine!

 

New bulb and new igniter but still no low/high beam. Any idea?

 

Was told it could possibly be the control module for the headlight which is another $200 online or $500 from the stealership.

Last BMW I will ever own, anyone in the market for a 97K mile 2004 525i??

 

1959 BMW Isetta 300. Also my first car I bought in 1979 is a 1971 240Z. Hoping it will be running in another month.
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Loving the Z restoration.

 

Hi,

Unless I am incorrect, today is the 100th birthday of BMW. Happy Birthday.

Regards,

Ramin

 

May their next 100 years bring cars as good as my 635csi, and so many others...
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