Best all-round Z4 engine?
Discussion
As per the title really.
I've posted afew 'what car' threads for 2 seater convertibles for approx sub £6K. Would like a 2.7 Boxster really, but reliability/ reputation is closer to the 996 911 than I'd like. S2000 appeals, but they're not tickling me like they used to.
Z4 doesn't seem to be bulletproof either, but I think I'd sleep better with one of these in the underground carpark than I would with the Boxster.
Which engine is the pick of the range? I enjoy a spirited drive, and don't care too much about mpg, so the 3.0 would seem to be the pick of the bunch. It was also a well liked engine in the Z4 in early reviews.
There are also 2.0s, 2.2s and a 2.5 I believe.
Which lump would fellow PHers opt for, or perhaps more importantly, avoid?
I've posted afew 'what car' threads for 2 seater convertibles for approx sub £6K. Would like a 2.7 Boxster really, but reliability/ reputation is closer to the 996 911 than I'd like. S2000 appeals, but they're not tickling me like they used to.
Z4 doesn't seem to be bulletproof either, but I think I'd sleep better with one of these in the underground carpark than I would with the Boxster.
Which engine is the pick of the range? I enjoy a spirited drive, and don't care too much about mpg, so the 3.0 would seem to be the pick of the bunch. It was also a well liked engine in the Z4 in early reviews.
There are also 2.0s, 2.2s and a 2.5 I believe.
Which lump would fellow PHers opt for, or perhaps more importantly, avoid?
Have to agree with the 3.0l, can't see any advantage in any of the other engine options other than maybe initial purchase price. I guess the 4 cylinder may have lower running costs but regarding the sixes, insurance, fuel, tax and maintenance will be near identical across the range. I suspect you'll find more choice of 3.0l's as well.
Jurgen said:
The 3.0(s)i and 3.2M engines are great choices. I'm sure the other engines are pretty decent, but have zero interest in them. Your budget should be more than enough for a decent 3.0i, so just forget about the others 
Agree with this owned a Z4M and have a 330i N52 and that's a lovely engine also, I am positive the other engines in the range are great but its nice to have the added smoothness of extra cylinders and a little more capacity. 3l or 3.2M
The 3L got the sound generator, a tube from the inlet into the cabin to make it sound louder inside the car.
Also remove the clutch delay valve if you go for a Spanish gearbox, very easy 10min job to do, or cheap to get removed. Ditch the Runflats and you have a very nice car.
The 3L got the sound generator, a tube from the inlet into the cabin to make it sound louder inside the car.
Also remove the clutch delay valve if you go for a Spanish gearbox, very easy 10min job to do, or cheap to get removed. Ditch the Runflats and you have a very nice car.
cerb4.5lee said:
Jurgen said:
The 3.0(s)i and 3.2M engines are great choices. I'm sure the other engines are pretty decent, but have zero interest in them. Your budget should be more than enough for a decent 3.0i, so just forget about the others
Agree with this owned a Z4M and have a 330i N52 and that's a lovely engine also, I am positive the other engines in the range are great but its nice to have the added smoothness of extra cylinders and a little more capacity. motco said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Jurgen said:
The 3.0(s)i and 3.2M engines are great choices. I'm sure the other engines are pretty decent, but have zero interest in them. Your budget should be more than enough for a decent 3.0i, so just forget about the others
Agree with this owned a Z4M and have a 330i N52 and that's a lovely engine also, I am positive the other engines in the range are great but its nice to have the added smoothness of extra cylinders and a little more capacity. 
J4CKO said:
Trouble is, OP is talking about 6 grand or less rather than 12 or more, Z3M's are still more than six grand.
I would be careful about a Z3M rather than a Z4M because of the boot floor weld problem. Unless dealt with, this can be a nightmare when the final drive wrenches itself free of the sub-structure. I prefer the look of the Z3 over the Z4 in roadster form, and the Z3M Coupé is still strikingly attractive, (as is the Z4M Coupé). But they're rare and expensive. A member of my family has a Z4M Coupé and it is a cracking car. Still quite expensive though. Any ///M with a S50 engine might have vanos problems.The 3.0 is the only choice if you don't care much more MPG, especially given that the difference between the 2.0 and 3.0 is marginal a best.
There are some* who seem to think that the 2.5 revs better than the 3.0 but I'd still rather have the extra power to start with and I'd expect most 3.0s to have better spec than the lower models.
There are some* who seem to think that the 2.5 revs better than the 3.0 but I'd still rather have the extra power to start with and I'd expect most 3.0s to have better spec than the lower models.
For 6k or so I suspect the OP would be looking at cars with the earlier 3.0 M54 engine as opposed to the trick N52 in the facelift Z4. (Si models)
Not tried the latter, but it's quite a high tech lump (alloy magnesium block, valvetronic etc), 265bhp or so compared to 231bhp in the M54.
M54 is a lovely smooth engine, my only complaint about it in the Z4 is that I'd have preferred it to be more rev hungry. IMO you definitely want a 6 pot and as mentioned the difference in economy is minimal, so you might as well have the 3.0.
Not tried the latter, but it's quite a high tech lump (alloy magnesium block, valvetronic etc), 265bhp or so compared to 231bhp in the M54.
M54 is a lovely smooth engine, my only complaint about it in the Z4 is that I'd have preferred it to be more rev hungry. IMO you definitely want a 6 pot and as mentioned the difference in economy is minimal, so you might as well have the 3.0.
danp said:
For 6k or so I suspect the OP would be looking at cars with the earlier 3.0 M54 engine as opposed to the trick N52 in the facelift Z4. (Si models)
Not tried the latter, but it's quite a high tech lump (alloy magnesium block, valvetronic etc), 265bhp or so compared to 231bhp in the M54.
M54 is a lovely smooth engine, my only complaint about it in the Z4 is that I'd have preferred it to be more rev hungry. IMO you definitely want a 6 pot and as mentioned the difference in economy is minimal, so you might as well have the 3.0.
I agree about the M54. I have a 2.2 in a Z3 Roadster. It is fairly puny in only 2.2 litres, though, and doesn't make for a 'proper' driving sports car experience.Not tried the latter, but it's quite a high tech lump (alloy magnesium block, valvetronic etc), 265bhp or so compared to 231bhp in the M54.
M54 is a lovely smooth engine, my only complaint about it in the Z4 is that I'd have preferred it to be more rev hungry. IMO you definitely want a 6 pot and as mentioned the difference in economy is minimal, so you might as well have the 3.0.
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