The BMW Z4 is dead, so I’ve just bought one – here’s what it’s like to live with

Earlier this year, BMW announced that the Z4 was no more, marking the end of this car’s 23-year run. Having always fancied one, I took this as a sign that I should take the plunge before prices inevitably skyrocket.

And now I own this. A 2004 BMW Z4 with a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated straight-six engine and a manual gearbox. I’m about a month in now, and in that time I’ve put around 1,500 miles on the odometer. I’m going to tell you why I chose this car, what it’s been like to live with and what to look out for if you fancy a Z4 for yourself.

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Living with a 22-year-old BMW Z4: why did I choose this car?

My BMW Z4 is the first generation model, called the E85 in enthusiast circles, and it’s a very early one at that. These cars first came out in 2003, and mine is a 2004 model. It had just under 62,000 miles on the clock when I bought it, and a month later it’s now at 63,500 miles.

Choosing the right Z4 is tricky, as I discovered when trying to pick the right engine. There are four to choose from: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, and a 2.2-, 2.5- or 3.0-litre six cylinder. There was also the Z4 M which used the 3.2-litre engine from the M3 of the day, but those are getting expensive these days.

I knew I didn’t want the 2.0-litre, because half the reason I wanted a Z4 was for the silky six-cylinder engine. I started out hunting for a 3.0-litre model, but when my car came up for sale it was just too clean to pass up.

It has the 2.5-litre engine, which is known for being completely bulletproof with regular servicing. I wasn’t left wanting for more power after the test drive, and it sounds great, too. So £5,500 later it came home with me.

But why a Z4 at all? Well earlier this year BMW announced the death of the Z4, and that made me quite sad. I’ve always thought they were fantastic-looking sports cars, especially the first generation, and this seemed like a sign that it was time to finally own one.

What’s the BMW Z4 like to live with?

Over the last month I’ve used my BMW Z4 for local shopping trips, long commutes and B-road blasts alongside my Skoda Fabia long-term test car, and it’s been a riot.

Driving something this old and simple is refreshing when you’re used to the bings and bongs of modern cars, and that engine is a real gem. It has 190hp on tap and plenty of torque, so it pulls strongly in pretty much any gear at any speed. It sounds lovely as well, although I’m already researching aftermarket exhaust systems to unlock some more noise.

There is a sport button in the centre console which makes a marked difference to how the car drives, because it weights up the steering and sharpens the throttle response. On a twisty road it feels great, if not quite as agile as my old Mazda MX-5. That’s what comes with having a massive, heavy engine up front.

I have noticed that the suspension is quite firm, even by sports car standards. You really feel bumps and potholes, but this isn’t helped at all by the run-flat tyres. These have reinforced sidewalls which are designed to be driven on with no air in an emergency, but they do make the Z4 feel harsh over broken surfaces. New rubber is on the shopping list.

I reckon the interior has aged really nicely. It’s neatly laid out, feels solid and there’s a surprising amount of storage space. The glovebox is a good size and there are a handful of useful cubbies, but the door bins are pretty useless and the lack of cupholders upsets me greatly.

As a weekend toy/occasional daily driver, my BMW Z4 is fantastic. I’ll definitely invest in some new tyres, and possibly aftermarket suspension to improve the comfort, but other than that I love driving it. (I also love parking it up, because then I can admire the gorgeous styling.)

What should you look out for when buying a BMW Z4?

These first-generation Z4s are getting on a bit these days, so it’s important to thoroughly check any potential purchase.

Thankfully, the BMW Z4 is a pretty reliable roadster, with only a few common issues to look out for. Make sure you check the electric roof is working properly, and that the motor doesn’t make too much noise. It lives in the lower rear wing where water can gather, soaking the motor and eventually breaking it. Relocating it to the boot is a common modification to remedy this.

The engines tend to be very reliable on the whole, especially the six-cylinder models. As with a lot of old BMWs, your main enemy is oil leaks. Make sure to check all around the engine bay for weepage, and look at the spot where the car was parked for any drips.

All versions are chain driven rather than having a timing belt, so there’s no need to worry about changing it. In rare cases the chains can stretch, and the plastic chain guides can fail, which will result in a pronounced rattle on startup.

With basic routine maintenance the first-generation BMW Z4 is a really reliable sports car. I love mine, and I reckon now is the time to buy one before prices start to increase.

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