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thanks...

The notorious cracked brake light...LOL...every person who owns a Z4 has experienced that one, (perhaps when the car is assembled, the factory employees take a champagne bottle and perform a Christening of the third brake light...mine is still cracked but very unoticeable, because it is straight down the middle :) Much thanks and appreciation on your comments.

Re: some random ideas, comments appreciated

Sorry to hear of the problems with your Z4. I traded my '03 Z4 3.0 in on a 128i convertible with MT and ZSP last April and I'm very pleased with it.

Not caring for turbos, I did not test drive a 135i but I'm satisfied with the 128i performance - it's about .5 second slower to 60 mph and doesn't have the low speed torque of the Z4 3.0, but the gas mileage is equal to the Z4, even though the 1 is about 400 lbs. heavier. I find the handling to be very good (stock SP tires are V rated Goodyear NCT5 RFT). While one is aware of the added bulk, the 1er seems to me to corner nearly as well with a planted feel. The only downside is some additional understeer, exacerbated by the staggered wheel/tire sizes. And the ride is much, much smoother than the Z4.

As my wife and I used the Z4 mostly for touring, the additional trunk and interior space of the 128i is appreciated, but the 10" longer body isn't much of a problem, although I would recommend ordering the PDC (rear camera) as rear vision in any droptop is compromised. The sport seats in the 128i are more comfortable for long distances than the standard seats I had in the Z4, and getting into and out of the 1 with the top up is so much easier on my arthritic neck!

As I only put 44,000 miles on the Z4 in 5 years, I can't comment on reliability (it had the normal warranty recalls but only one problem out of warranty - a defective gas cap). So far, with 13,000 miles in about 10 months, the 128i is the first new car I've bought (going back to 1965) which has not had to go back to the dealer for any warranty repairs, or even any adjustments. I'm quite impressed with the build quality. Note that two problems have been reported by some owners, a cracking third brake light lens (sound familiar?) and (more serious) a failing high pressure fuel pump on the 135i models only.

Hope this is of some help.
Tom

some random ideas, comments appreciated

Background:
I am an owner of a 2004 Z4 3.0 (with 141,000 miles).
I have serious and unusual mechanical problems with my Z4 and considering to trade in for a 1 series convertible maybe in the near future, (I am also pending a response from customer relations).

I appologize if this seems like a dumb question, but jumping from a Z4 to a 1 series, does that seem like a step in the right direction? I have yet to test drive one but I am curious about the feel between the 128i and the 135i? And lastly in comparison to the feel vs a Z4?

I know it may seem like comparing apples and oranges and I might even step into another Z4 (however, with a little reluctancy due to the unfortunate whipping I've endured on repairs), or possibly ride this out until the new Z4 comes out.

Some of my friends have suggested to stay clear of BMWs and buy a different more reliable car "Japanese," yuk!...Honestly I have test driven some others in the same price range (I don't want to bash any makes or models online). Yet none of these new cars made me smile as much as my Z4. I am assuming that when I test drive the 1 series I will feel the same. I guess what I am trying to say is that once you buy BMW it is very hard to drive anything else. Thanks for reading.