| RUNNING COSTS RATING: |
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With an official average fuel consumption figure of 31.7mpg for the 2.5, and 31.0mpg for the 3.0-litre, the Z4 is impressively frugal for a sports car. Maintenance costs will be in line with the mechanically similar 3-Series, with service intervals dictated by how the car is driven. Insurance groups are relatively high at 18 and 19 respectively. Crushable sections behind that hefty plastic bumper/front panel absorb some impacts without damage to the main structure, which should help reduce accident repair costs. Residual values will be very strong, especially during the first year or so of the car's lifetime. Given that there'll be a waiting list for new Z4s for a while to come, used examples will remain expensive while demand exceeds supply. That does mean, however, that you shouldn't lose much money when you come to sell. The Z4 is actually very good value for money. The 2.5-litre, at around twenty-seven grand, usefully undercuts rivals like the Audi TT and Mercedes SLK, and comes well specified. The 3.0-litre is slightly harder to make a case for, because at around thirty grand it's close in price to the Porsche Boxster 2.7 and the latter is our favourite roadster. Nevertheless, the Z4 still undercuts it and has more standard equipment.
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