Z4 Just bought 2003 Z4 SMG.....

I need to take my cashiers check this Sunday to pick up the car. I have not driven it. Only saw pictures since they are 150 miles away. What do I need to look for when I get there before I hand them my check? It's 3.0i with sport package and premium package. I think it has all the option but the navi. Please give me some advice!! Owned BMW's before but first Z4. Thank you!!!

How many miles?

Run your hands over the panel gaps. They should feel smooth. If either side is rough, the car has been repainted.

Common maintenance items are shocks at 50k miles; inside wear on rear tires due to -2.5 deg camber, FCABs (see how much play the wheels have by pushing/pulling on them while the car is on a lift); autodimming mirrors leaking (look for a cloudy appearance). Confirm top operation. Sticky steering is common to most cars.

Thank you for all yoir input. It has 68k. You're saying sticky steering is normal?

Ask them how many times there smg transmission has been replaced

Or run a carfax

i do have the carfax and it's clean of any accidents. It seems like all the maintenance has been done until recently. Does SMG transmission goes out often or need service more often?

The smg transmissions were indeed fun but a complete failer for BMW. Many broke constantly and were expensive to fix. I don't know too much about the smg other than BMW stopped making them as soon as they started. But I figure if the smg is still going strong then that car is one of the lucky ones.

Hey, First of all congradulations on your new car ! I own a 2004 Z4 3.0i SMG . The SMG tranny you and I have in our cars is not the same SMG that was put in all the other BMW's. We do not have a clutch speed button on our car. The SMG tranny in the Z4 is a great tranny. I have 80,000 miles on my car and have not had any issues with the tranny. I did have to replace the Hydro pump that controls the clutch at 68,000 because the wrong SMG relay was installed in my car at the BMW stealership and it burned out my pump. They covered the cost of the repair. I still have my origanal clutch that has a lot of miles left on it. The first thing I would do is check the tire's. The Smg Z4's are rare and VERY fun to drive, I love mine ! One thing I would advise you to do is get an extended warranty if you can. These cars are expensive to repair when they break ! I have never had to put new shocks on mine , They are still good. The SMG tranny does not need any service at all. Also check the top motor and make sure it goes up and down. These cars do have bad top motors because of the drains for the water to run off get clogged and it soaks the motor, killing it. If you can get those cleaned out A.S.A.P. ! Other than that enjoy your new baby ! I hope you have lot's of trouble free driving excitement in your new Ultimate Driving Machine ! Over and Out !

I thought 2003 and 2004 smg's were different. I'm just thinking about getting regular automatic since this vehicle is for my wife. She can't drive stick. Will smg be hard for her to drive even if i decide to pick this up.

No, it will be easy for her to drive. The SMG has two modes; a manual mode where you shift through the six speeds one at at a time (sequentially, thus, the name) or in automatic mode (put it in D-1 to start and it will automatically upshift through the six speeds - it also downshifts automatically as needed). You just move the gearshift knob to the right to change between the two modes.

I personally drive mine in manual mode most of the time but my wife (who does not drive a stick) has no problem with the auto mode. I will have to say that the shifting in the auto mode does feel different than a true automatic. However, I do like having to never deal with a clutch in stop and go city traffic and the paddle shifters are fun.

I actually have grown to love the SMG in the 3 years I have owned my 2003 2.5i. I have not had any problems with it. As I recall, there was a recall to replace the defective relay so your's has probably been replaced.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=965108


http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3666


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1545146

Here are a few threads on the smg. I originally wanted a smg transmission but as I did my research and talked to highly trained professionals I soon realized the old smg was a garbage transmission. Like I said there still are a few smg's that still work but your taking your luck into your own hands here.

I gave up on smg and went with different vehicle. Just regular auto. Much less miles with one owner with full service record. Also bought extended warranty. Peace of mind for next 3years for extra $50/month. Thanks for all your inputs guys!!!

Thats a shame, I would have gone for the SMG. Got one in the family and it's been bullet-proof. (I think the SMG fear comes from those who are the people who claim automatic transmissions are ticking time bombs and that every car should have a manual transmission or it's not a real car, just an appliance)

Wise decision. While the Z4's SMG is an intriguing system, it is an acquired taste that is best sampled first before buying. Anyway, an inspection is always highly advised for used beemers.

As a fellow SMG owner (2004 with ~67000 miles), I'll say that I was a little on the fence when I was spec'ing out my car. But looking back it was definitely the right call. While I do miss the full throw of a standard gear shift every once in a while, getting stuck in traffic makes you REALLY appreciate not having a heavy clutch pedal. I live in Boston and traffic is a way of life. And knock on my wood dash, I've not had a single issue with the SMG transmission!

Just sold my 2004 SMG with only 30, 000 miles. Had no problems with the tranny. The steering however, was beginning to stick.