2007 BMW Z4 Si Sport

This is a pleasingly presentable Coupé 3.0 Si with only one previous owner, a BMW main dealer. It’s equipped with the punchy N52 engine mated to a six-speed ZF manual transmission – one of the more reliable and downright fun combinations. (We believe that only 1598 UK cars were built to this spec, according to information online.) Thanks to its optional ‘Sport Package’, this Z4 has a slightly lower and stiffer ride and quicker electronic power steering than in other models. Today there are still only 68,000 miles on the clock.

“I used the car daily up until around 2018, then kids came along,” the owner tells us. “For the last couple of years it’s hardly been used, but I’ve made sure to look after it and run the engine every now and then. It’s a lovely car, a lot of fun to drive. I don’t really want to part with it!”

Our photographer has provided a large range of detailed images so please take a moment to examine them. There are a few minor cosmetic issues but nothing severe, and given this car’s underlying strength and desirable spec, the next owner will find it worth investing in ongoing improvements. Not that there’s anything major required. It’s a great example of a beautifully built machine.

Very close inspection will reveal some minor blemishes, but fewer than might be expected for a car of this age. These include a small black scuff on the paintwork behind the rear off-side wheel and in front of the front nearside, and a light ding to the nearside rear arch. These imperfections are only skin deep and the panel gaps are all spot on, so the next owner may find it worthwhile to have this car’s few cosmetic issues addressed. There doesn’t appear to be any sign of rust, commensurate with the car having been kept indoors all its life.

The 10 double-spoke 18in M Sport wheels complement the car beautifully (the best of the designs fitted to first-gen Z4s, we reckon) and they fill the arches perfectly, although this particular set has seen better days. They’re verging on scruffy, though not as bad as some others on the market, and the car’s overall appearance would benefit greatly from getting them refurbished.

The lamps and lenses are all clear, and there is no damage to be found to any of the glass or exterior trim.

The interior trim has shrugged off the passing years with typically Teutonic ease. It’s very smart in here, and everything is as BMW intended.

The cockpit houses a superb pair of black ‘Oregon leather’ M Sport bucket seats, heated and fully electric, with four memory positions. Any discolouration to be found along the edges of the driver’s upper bolster could be cheaply rectified, and the small scuff on the passenger seat could be diminished. The leather steering wheel is another M Sport item, also in good condition, with some areas of fading that should also re-colour nicely. The treadplates, plastics, brushed aluminium and switchgear are all in lovely condition, as our photos testify, and under the well-preserved overmats you’ll find the footwells to be dry and clean. 

Driver’s goodies include rain sensing wipers, automatic air conditioning and an auto-dimming interior mirror, as well as cruise control and optional Xenon headlamps for those long drives through the night. We’re told that all the equipment is fully operational.

It’s worth looking through the many boring photos of this car’s underneath – boring because, as far as we can tell, there’s no drama to report whatsoever. These first-gen Z4s aren’t known to suffer too badly from rust, and this one seems only to have only surface corrosion in a few corners. The owner tells us he has kept the car garaged throughout its life, and the clean underside is free from the kind of country-lane dirt that might cause concern. It’s all clean and tidy. 

The engine bay is equally undramatic, with no leaks or corrosion or perishing materials. The N52 looks clean and unmolested, and it reportedly starts, idles and performs perfectly. We’re told the car behaves just as impressively on the open road, with no knocks or vibrations – just as its MOT certificate would suggest.

The car rides on a set of Bridgestone Potenza run-flats, as per the original spec. 

Sytner BMW is believed to have used this car as a demonstrator for its first 4000 miles, before the current owner took possession. He tells us it has hardly produced any issues since then, the biggest drama being a brake pipe that BMW struggled to source way back in 2010.

There’s an excellent service history showing plenty of return visits to a Sytner for routine service items, and basic maintenance such as suspension and brake parts. The paperwork also shows that the electronic water pump – one of this engine’s few weak points – was renewed in 2017 at a cost of £280 plus labour.

Earlier this month the car it sailed through an MOT with only one small advisory for a worn brake pad, so it’s in fine fettle and ready for action.

This is a beautiful machine and a proper driver’s car, especially with this combination of engine, gearbox, Coupé bodyshell and Sports Package. Its unmodified appearance is a credit to its current owner.

Your bids will determine its value, but to give some idea, we sold two manual 3.0 Si Z4 Coupés like this one around this time last year, and both fetched over £12k.

The E85/E86 represents great value for money at the moment, especially given the rise in popularity of good Z3s. Equally outstanding Z4s may follow suit, and with just a little bit of investment, this one could be among them.

But this is a car to enjoy, rather than fuss over its value – especially in today’s uncertain times. A feel-good machine, if ever there was one. We estimate that it will sell for £9,000-£13,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.