Price guides - Z4

[Mattt]

Ment-Al said:

Mr Whippy said:

The 2.5i really isn't ever FAST though.

In which case, neither is the 3.0i... as there is very, very little in it.

There's not a great deal - but enough to make a difference. I don't know what the figures said, but the test drives felt significantly different.

[Ment-Al]

steeevvvooo said:

Ment-Al said:

Prices really are falling.

Now seeing 54 plate 3.0's for sub £11k with similar spec. Not that I regret it for a moment as Ive used the warranty as well as it being spotless as they did all the dings etc.

Where are you seeing these?

Mine was on my local BMW forecourt.

When i bought mine there seemed to be loads for sale, check the Z4/BMW forums.

Pistonheads cars are usually well priced or outrageous.

[Ment-Al]

Mattt said:

Ment-Al said:

Mr Whippy said:

The 2.5i really isn't ever FAST though.

In which case, neither is the 3.0i... as there is very, very little in it.

There's not a great deal - but enough to make a difference. I don't know what the figures said, but the test drives felt significantly different.

I disagree, there really want that much difference IMO - if there had have been then I would have been thinking "definitely worth the extra in insurance" but I just didnt, i had no qualms at all about buying the 2.5

There was much more of a difference between the 2.2 and the 2.5

[Mr Whippy]

Ment-Al said:

Mattt said:

Ment-Al said:

Mr Whippy said:

The 2.5i really isn't ever FAST though.

In which case, neither is the 3.0i... as there is very, very little in it.

There's not a great deal - but enough to make a difference. I don't know what the figures said, but the test drives felt significantly different.

I disagree, there really want that much difference IMO - if there had have been then I would have been thinking "definitely worth the extra in insurance" but I just didnt, i had no qualms at all about buying the 2.5

There was much more of a difference between the 2.2 and the 2.5

Outright there won't be much as I guess the 2.5Si is a bit lighter with more modern engine and less spec, 215bhp plasy 230bhp, gonna be close... but mid-range and low down the 2.5Si felt rather average.
The 3.0i has 20% more torque peak, and only 12% longer gearing final drive, so there is more there for certain. So day to day the 3.0i will be brisker I would say!

The 0-60 times even suggest the 2.5Si is a bit slower vs the 3.0i, but not sure if that is because (not sure) the 2.5Si maybe can't hit 60mph in 2nd gear!?

The 2.5Si is still nice of course, I liked that delivery, but it was a revvy performer. It only really got going after 5000rpm, wheras the 3.0i seems to be on the boil at 3000rpm.



If we are talking the old 2.5i, I'd not even bother personally. It just wouldn't ever deliver that proper shove except maybe in 1st gear. Isn't it 7.6s to 60mph, vs 5.9s? Huge difference!

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 7th January 15:23

[Fox-]

There is a noticeable difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0, I cannot really see any reason bar trying to convince yourself you didnt buy the wrong one to say otherwise..

[Ment-Al]

Fox- said:

There is a noticeable difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0, I cannot really see any reason bar trying to convince yourself you didnt buy the wrong one to say otherwise..

The reason for saying otherwise is the fact that I don't see much difference.

Purchase prices are almost identical, as are running costs - if id have thought there was much of a difference, Id have got one.

Maybe I just didnt need to see a difference, who knows.

Granted, and ive said all along, that there is little point going for the 2.5 over the 3.0 if insurance is similar for you. For me, there wasnt £300 a year difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0

ETA: At the time, I was also told that the 2.5i is slightly lighter at the front and therefore handling is regarded to be a bit sharper. There is also a lot of weight in electric seats - and mine never move anyway.

I made the decision so please dont try and persuade me it was the wrong one :P

Edited by Ment-Al on Wednesday 7th January 16:02

[Ment-Al]

Mr Whippy said:

[If we are talking the old 2.5i, I'd not even bother personally. It just wouldn't ever deliver that proper shove except maybe in 1st gear. Isn't it 7.6s to 60mph, vs 5.9s? Huge difference!

Dave

Only if you are dyslexic. It's quoted at 6.7s

Id imagine the 2.0 is around 7.6 - 8s ish.

[tomTVR]

Ment-Al said:

There is also a lot of weight in electric seats - and mine never move anyway.

I know what you mean. I am going to be carting arounf god knows how many extra kg in electric seats and im the only person who will drive it! Another reason to get sports seats if i see some at the right price.

[Ment-Al]

tomTVR said:

Ment-Al said:

There is also a lot of weight in electric seats - and mine never move anyway.

I know what you mean. I am going to be carting arounf god knows how many extra kg in electric seats and im the only person who will drive it! Another reason to get sports seats if i see some at the right price.

Are sports seats not electric? I would have thought they were?

I prefer manual seats, quicker adjusting too, which is going to be a bit handier if you use that little cubby hole behind them?

But... i prefer the SE seats as well as manual so perhaps I am an anomoly!?

[tomTVR]

I just assumed they werent for some reason - im probably wrong!

I dont collect my car until tomorrow so not had chance to really pull some G's round bends however if the seats do become a problem (as i am quite skinny so rattle around!) i might consider one of these:

http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/

[Fox-]

I'm not trying to persuade you that you made the wrong decision, just pointing out that the 3.0 is most definately noticeably quicker than the 2.5, in all applications across the BMW model range.

[Ment-Al]

Fox- said:

I'm not trying to persuade you that you made the wrong decision, just pointing out that the 3.0 is most definately noticeably quicker than the 2.5, in all applications across the BMW model range.

On paper perhaps.

Real world, the demo 3.0 I had for the weekend, when compared to the 2.5 i finally bought really didnt feel all that different.

Same feeling of speed, same shove, same excellent handling. Im yet to come to a situation since buying it where ive been lined up against any BMW 3.0 in any BMW car, where ive thought dammit i wish i had THAT engine.

I just don't drive in such a way as it would make any sort of difference. When i plant my foot in the 2.5, it feels the same as when i plant it in the 3.0 except, as i pointed out before, above legal speeds.

[Fox-]

Ment-Al said:

Fox- said:

I'm not trying to persuade you that you made the wrong decision, just pointing out that the 3.0 is most definately noticeably quicker than the 2.5, in all applications across the BMW model range.

On paper perhaps.

I've no idea what the difference is on paper. I meant on the road.

[Ment-Al]

Fox- said:

Ment-Al said:

Fox- said:

I'm not trying to persuade you that you made the wrong decision, just pointing out that the 3.0 is most definately noticeably quicker than the 2.5, in all applications across the BMW model range.

On paper perhaps.

I've no idea what the difference is on paper. I meant on the road.

In which case, I most definitely disagree.

No doubt if you line them up side by side and have a drag race, the 3.0 will pull away - slightly. Its never going to 'lose' a 2.5 however.

On the road, blasting along, enjoying yourself, theres no less to be had from the 2.5 than the 3.0 - the smile is no smaller.

[Mattt]

Ment-Al said:

I just don't drive in such a way as it would make any sort of difference. When i plant my foot in the 2.5, it feels the same as when i plant it in the 3.0 except, as i pointed out before, above legal speeds.

Around town I noticed extra torque low down, I found the noticable difference came on the test drive when accelerating onto a dual carriageway.

[Fox-]

I'm sorry but I feel your judgement is clouded by the fact insurance meant you had to settle for the 2.5. I used to try and convince myself my 2 litre Mondeo was only 40bhp down on the V6 and in the real world it was no different, honest, no really..

[Ment-Al]

Fox- said:

I'm sorry but I feel your judgement is clouded by the fact insurance meant you had to settle for the 2.5. I used to try and convince myself my 2 litre Mondeo was only 40bhp down on the V6 and in the real world it was no different, honest, no really..

Insurance didn't mean I had to settle for the 2.5 - the very little difference meant that I saw no reason to go for the 3.0 and pay the extra.

I paid £12k for a weekend car, the extra £300 is hardly going to be restrictive, just pointless.

Im telling it how I see/saw it.

[Mr Whippy]

tomTVR said:

I just assumed they werent for some reason - im probably wrong!

I dont collect my car until tomorrow so not had chance to really pull some G's round bends however if the seats do become a problem (as i am quite skinny so rattle around!) i might consider one of these:

http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/

Both leccy if you want, and both heated if you want.

The sports seats are nice, mainly the bits that nip your ribs rather than the base... thats my worry with the non-sports one, and in all such seats they are what really make the differece when pushing on, they stop your shoulders moving half a foot side to side.

Silly BMW!

Grrr

That said, have you seen that Alpina Roadster project on z4-forum? The owner had buckets made up for not *that* much (leather with stiched headrests, really nice), and they look bloody lovely!

Not sure what I will do, but I rekon if you keep your eyes peeled and are happy to pay the right price some M sport seats could be had for under £1000... and the normal ones in good nick seem to go for about £400 on eBay, so no huge outlay considering they will make the car loads more saleable when you do!

I even wondered how hard it would be to have the bolsters made bigger... again, not cheap, but if they really are that bad when pushing on!?

Dave

[cramman]

Looking at these myself, almost exactly what I'm after is being talked about here.

Seen this one on auto trader, probs a little out of my price range and the minute. May have been posted before but I don't know, looks good tho.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...

Sorry, don't know how to make that clicky thing.

[Ment-Al]

cramman said:

Looking at these myself, almost exactly what I'm after is being talked about here.

Seen this one on auto trader, probs a little out of my price range and the minute. May have been posted before but I don't know, looks good tho.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...

Sorry, don't know how to make that clicky thing.

Add carver and a manual box to that and it is perfect. Absolutely perfect. One, if not THE best colour combination.