Used car buying guide: BMW Z4 (2009-2016)

Find a good example, though, and the Z4 is a thoroughly usable sports car with a decent-sized boot (aftermarket luggage racks can be found from around £200 if you ever have big loads to lug), palatable fuel economy and a wealth of support.

Facebook pages and forums dedicated specifically to the E89- generation Z4 are gold mines of information on the model’s most common failures and how to rectify them, while replacement parts aren’t prohibitively expensive, particularly if you’re willing to trawl scrapyards.

A long and recent production run plus a wide range of specifications mean there’s a Z4 for most budgets: prices start at about £7500 for early 2.0-litre cars, usually with more than 100,000 miles on the clock, and climb to the high-£20,000s for run-out range-toppers. Pick your poison and drink it before this model starts disappearing from our roads.

An owner’s view: Zhaotong Li

“There’s no need to avoid any engines: it all depends on what you want the car for. The sDrive35i with the N54 engine offers strong performance but suffers from injector and fuel pump issues.

The newer N20 turbocharged 2.0-litre engine gives good economy and up to 270bhp when you map it but suffers timing chain issues. The sDrive23i and sDrive30i have the N52 engine, which is older but more reliable.”

Buyer beware…

Engine: Expect a maximum of 41mpg from well-kept entry-level cars and around 30mpg from the range-topping six-pots. Lots of companies offer ECU tuning for substantial power gains on all engines, but read plenty of reviews to check reputability, ask to see all relevant paperwork and notify your insurer of any such modifications. A professional pre-purchase inspection will scan the ECU for details of any work that has been carried out.

Bodywork: The scary-looking roof mechanism was built to last and shouldn’t cause any undue hassle, provided the car has been maintained. Any overhead noise on rough surfaces can often be rectified with lubricant and sound-deadening material. Brake light seals can deteriorate and allow water ingress, but more serious would be moisture around the roof mechanism and battery.

Interior: The firm ride experienced across the Z4 line-up can cause trim in the cabin to rattle – an issue that will be most prevalent on earlier, higher-mileage cars. Taller drivers might want to consider an automatic gearbox, because seat travel is limited, making the clutch pedal difficult to operate. Audiophiles may be disappointed by the efforts of the standard stereo.

Wheels: The 10-spoke, 19in alloys often crack and then gradually let air out of the tyres. This will be hard to check for on a test drive, but consider setting aside £500 for an emergency replacement set (they will add value at resale) and check your tyre pressures regularly.

Also worth knowing: BMW’s N54 straight-six engine was the subject of a high-profile class-action lawsuit in the US after it emerged that failure of the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) would cause the car to come to a halt without warning. The problem also affected UK cars, but most pumps were replaced with sturdier items early in the Z4’s life cycle. It’s still worth seeing how long the N54 engine takes to start, both when warm and cold, and checking for any lumpiness under acceleration.

How much to spend

£7500-£8999: 2009-2010 four-cylinder cars, some with aftermarket wheels and suspension.

£9000-£10,999: A mix of 2011-2013 cars, including some leggier 2.5 and 3.0-litre examples.

£11,000-£14,999: Facelifted models with LED headlights and interior improvements.

£15,000 and above: Well-specified six-cylinder cars, mostly in desirable M Sport trim.

One we found