Just got a 2011 z4 35is and........

So, I got a brand new z4 35is this past Friday and I feel like I got a pretty solid deal:

The car was on the lot for months (intel gathered) and I got the dealer to drop about $7700 off the MSRP. I debated on going ED but after the math, I figured that on a 24 month lease with 10k miles, it's probably not worth my time to go through all of the trouble.

$71402 dropped to $63700 US MSRP

Black sapphire metallic
Beige Kansas Leather
Premium Package
Premium Sound
19" wheels
Comfort Access
Through Loading System
Heated Seats
Smartphone Integration
Navigation

$6000 down ($3550 MSDs)

**The good ol' commonwealth of Virginia with all taxes paid upfront screwed me out of $1900. I believe I would be closer to the lower $400's if I lived in a normal state. Tax laws need to be changed for 24 month leases in states like Virginia. No reason we should pay for all taxes up front when we will only have the car for 2 years!!!!**

$499/month

I'll save my ED for the NEXT "Lease Deal of The Year in 2013".

My questions:

1. Any thoughts on the deal?

2. I'm reading left and right about the cracking 19" wheels. I'm starting to freak out a bit..... I declined the BMW wheel and tire option. What now???

3. The smartphone integration--my z4 has a production date of 5/10 which means it doesn't have the "comm box". Retro fit? If not, why should I get the $100+ add on? To simply charge my phone?? Am I missing a feature? Can't I just plug in my iphone/ipod into the usb and get the same features?

4. Angel eyes--I thought I read somewhere that there was a setting where you could adjust the brightness of the daytime settings, but can't seem to find them anywhere on the car's computer. Any answers here?


I appreciate all of the knowledge base here at Bimmerfest and have learned SO MUCH in such a short period of time.

Cheers, boys and girls!

I'm considering buying one as well. Any impressions of the car? How's the ride quality? It the exhaust annoyingly loud when just driving casually? I would be coming from a 335, and am worried the Z4 will be a bit too hardcore and lose the comforts of the 335. I think you got a good deal - I'm looking at doing ED for about $350/month with all the MSD's similarly equipped.

Originally Posted by the J-Man

I'm considering buying one as well. Any impressions of the car? How's the ride quality? It the exhaust annoyingly loud when just driving casually? I would be coming from a 335, and am worried the Z4 will be a bit too hardcore and lose the comforts of the 335. I think you got a good deal - I'm looking at doing ED for about $350/month with all the MSD's similarly equipped.

I absolutely love the car, so far..... I have only put about 100 miles on it. It's not my daily driver, but I wanted the "extreme" kind of 2nd car. A 2 seater that's built for performance.

A buddy of mine has a 2005 m3 vert that I confidently outperformed this past weekend

Another friend of mine has a 2008 335i coupe that I have ridden in and driven many times. It is definitely a comfortable ride that can turn into an animal if you want it to, but his is completely stock. The aggressive look of my car makes it look fierce compared to the softer lines of the 335 coupe. Very vanilla.....

The difference that I notice is that the 335i has that variability while the Z4 35is is not as dynamic. It wants to just go no matter what. I love the exhaust note, personally.... It is tuned beautifully and I feel like I'm driving a true niche vehicle that was built for the exact purpose of open road driving with the top down.

Originally Posted by sf1984

I absolutely love the car, so far..... I have only put about 100 miles on it. It's not my daily driver, but I wanted the "extreme" kind of 2nd car. A 2 seater that's built for performance.

A buddy of mine has a 2005 m3 vert that I confidently outperformed this past weekend

Another friend of mine has a 2008 335i coupe that I have ridden in and driven many times. It is definitely a comfortable ride that can turn into an animal if you want it to, but his is completely stock. The aggressive look of my car makes it look fierce compared to the softer lines of the 335 coupe. Very vanilla.....

The difference that I notice is that the 335i has that variability while the Z4 35is is not as dynamic. It wants to just go no matter what. I love the exhaust note, personally.... It is tuned beautifully and I feel like I'm driving a true niche vehicle that was built for the exact purpose of open road driving with the top down.

After looking at your sig, you're already getting out of your car? Looks like you just got it.... and yours with the M package looks night and day compared to my friend's 335 stock coupe. Nicely done.

based on the numbers you posted, your payment should be under $400. Did you have the dealer print out the money factor and fees? The dealer can easily markup some of those numbers.

I am still on the fence, my local dealer has several of them probably sitting there for awhile. Unfortunately I need more than two seats.

[QUOTE=sf1984;6088337]

1. Any thoughts on the deal?
I know it's hard and only natural, but try not to second guess the deal. The car is great and you'll love it!

2. I'm reading left and right about the cracking 19" wheels. I'm starting to freak out a bit..... I declined the BMW wheel and tire option. What now???
The "is" 19s" are not the suspect wheel. I have the 296s (19") on my 35i which is the wheel you are reading about. I avoid road imperfections as best I can and so far so good. I love the look of bigger rims/tires on my cars--I have the 20s" (214) on my X and it's just a risk we have to take. I don't have the extra insurance.

3. The smartphone integration--my z4 has a production date of 5/10 which means it doesn't have the "comm box". Retro fit? If not, why should I get the $100+ add on? To simply charge my phone?? Am I missing a feature? Can't I just plug in my iphone/ipod into the usb and get the same features?
You can, but you won't get the extra features from the box that everyone is talking about.

4. Angel eyes--I thought I read somewhere that there was a setting where you could adjust the brightness of the daytime settings, but can't seem to find them anywhere on the car's computer. Any answers here?
You cannot adjust the brightness of the AE
[QUOTE]

I was somewhat ripped off on my first lease, back then we didn't have such wealth of info. We all have to learn and start somewhere.

Congrats, looks like a good deal, enjoy the car. Don't pay too much attention to the 'you payment should be ...' comments, the devil is in the detail, and the lowest numbers posted are usually for one off cars or have all fees upfront.

Check out Display name's post. He traveled 1400 miles to get it. $367 per month!

I wish I could have done a deal like that too, but can't afford it. I am actually paying more on my 2007 Z4 but will own it in under 4 more years.

Exactly mine point. Display got an excellent deal, I call it a one off. He had to search, and wait, and travel, and it's yellow, which some might not like. After all, there is a reason the car was heavily discounted. That does not take anything away from his enjoyment. Personally, i like the colour

But it does not mean somebody who pays more is SOL as some posts imply.

Originally Posted by skier

Exactly mine point. Display got an excellent deal, I call it a one off. He had to search, and wait, and travel, and it's yellow, which some might not like. After all, there is a reason the car was heavily discounted. That does not take anything away from his enjoyment. Personally, i like the colour

But it does not mean somebody who pays more is SOL as some posts imply.

I definitely agree. You always find someone else who paid less or got better terms. Just enjoy it when you drive it!

Some of the posts I saw on my 2007 had me paying a few thousand too much. I felt sad for a second, then thought "I have a Z4 - awesome!" Just do what you can do at the time.

BTW - I love the yellow too. I sent a picture to my wife and she said no way! No black (we have 2 black BMWs now), no red and no yellow. So, as you said, yellow is not everyone's choice!

Originally Posted by madurodave

I definitely agree. You always find someone else who paid less or got better terms. Just enjoy it when you drive it!

Some of the posts I saw on my 2007 had me paying a few thousand too much. I felt sad for a second, then thought "I have a Z4 - awesome!" Just do what you can do at the time.

BTW - I love the yellow too. I sent a picture to my wife and she said no way! No black (we have 2 black BMWs now), no red and no yellow. So, as you said, yellow is not everyone's choice!

The OP asked for thoughts on the deal. What's wrong with telling the truth? I don't think he should feel bad, we all learn and get better at it.

He actually got a great selling price off the MSRP, but the dealer marked up the hidden rates and fees, this is a very important thing to know when it comes to leases.

Enjoy the car, it is only a two year lease, you will be much better at it next time. My first lease was a four year deal, I had to wait four years to apply what I learned from that first lease.

Originally Posted by dtc100

The OP asked for thoughts on the deal. What's wrong with telling the truth? I don't think he should feel bad, we all learn and get better at it.

He actually got a great selling price off the MSRP, but the dealer marked up the hidden rates and fees, this is a very important thing to know when it comes to leases.

Enjoy the car, it is only a two year lease, you will be much better at it next time. My first lease was a four year deal, I had to wait four years to apply what I learned from that first lease.

I think I did. Just said don't worry about it, just enjoy it!