Z4 Question

[400SE Dave]

Thinking of buying a Z4 and was set on a 6 cylinder model so the question is whether the 2.2 engine is worth the extra money over the 4 cyl 2.0..

Seems loads of choice in 2l models but is the engine powerful enough?

Look forward to any insight

[chrisch77]

The four cylinder 2.0 engine doesn’t have the best reliability record, and is generally less desirable than a 6 cylinder model, so I’d recommend you try to get at least the 2.2 or better still 2.5 or 3 litre version instead. If you are concerned with fuel economy and CO2 then get the 2 litre, however that seems an unlikely priority if you are looking at a 10 year old sports car!

Have you discovered the Z4-forum yet? You’ll find lots more useful information about Z4s on there.

Chris

[Mr Whippy]

Get a 3.0i unless you really are up against it on mpg or insurance.

Also try find msport seats.

[Hyy]

The "2.5" is slower and thirstier than the turbocharged 2l N20 engine.
I have rarely heard of any issues regarding the N20 engine.

I had an E89 20i, it wasn't fast or slow for me, but do note that I came from an E92 stage 2 remapped 330d with N57 engine.
The E89 28i (same 2L engine) should be more than sufficient.

[Mr Whippy]

Only 2.2 6 pot was on E85 so I think we're talking E85s here?

[400SE Dave]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Been looking at 2004 - 2007 area, not looking to spend too much as will not be used that often. Not bothered about mpg or insurance, both are fine. Also, not looking for the fastest either as I have a car already that does that.

Just want something that has a ‘reasonable’ turn of speed, is pretty reliable for a long journey or a country blast, has enough room for stuff to have weekends away with the misses and looks good.

Will look for the Z4 forum.

Thanks again. David

[Mr Tidy]

400SE Dave said:

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Been looking at 2004 - 2007 area, not looking to spend too much as will not be used that often. Not bothered about mpg or insurance, both are fine. Also, not looking for the fastest either as I have a car already that does that.

Just want something that has a ‘reasonable’ turn of speed, is pretty reliable for a long journey or a country blast, has enough room for stuff to have weekends away with the misses and looks good.

Will look for the Z4 forum.

Thanks again. David

My BMW Indy told me to avoid anything with less than 6 cylinders, and to stick with petrol if possible - so I have!

Anyway as a heads-up, there was a facelift in 2006 when there were loads of changes to the E85 range in engine terms.

Pre-facelift 6 cylinder ones came in 2.2i, 2.5i and 3.0i versions of the M54 engine (as used in E46s), so fundamentally they are all the same engine - just in different sizes! But they all have pretty much the same running costs (and VED) so the bigger the better!

Post facelift they got the N52 engine (as used in E9*s) in 2.5i, 2.5Si and 3.0Si and again running costs are pretty much the same - so obviously the 3.0Si is the one you should look for!

I had no choice as I only wanted a Coupe (E86) and they only came with the 3.0Si or the S54 engine like the E46 M3, which really wasn't in budget for me.

+1 for getting on the z4forum - it includes adverts so you might be able to find a more cherished one on there!

Good luck.

[Mr Whippy]

Another good reason for just getting 3.0i or whatever is the spec.

Standard leccy seats, more have heated seats or prefitted looms.
More have xenon and hifi upgrades.

2.2 and 2.5 can be pretty spartan unless specced up.


3.0Si is best if you can stretch... but imo the pre-facelift has nicer styling.

[mon the fish]

BMW are famed for their sixes - even if the 2.2 isn't that much more powerful than the 4-pot (don't know the figures off the top of my head), it's still an infinitely nicer thing to use so no way I'd be looking at fours

[SebringMan]

Mr Whippy said:

Get a 3.0i unless you really are up against it on mpg or insurance.

Also try find msport seats.

WHS.

If you must get a 2.5. The 2.2is don't have much grunt low down and aren't amazing on fuel ; my M3 is comparable/better than what an E39 520i 2.2 was!

[helix402]

Go for the 3.0 if poss, doesn’t use any more fuel than the 2.2 or 2.5.

[Vroomer]

In an E86 the 3.0 six is the one to have.

The 2.0 in the E89 is fine.

[Sticks.]

The pre facelift 3.0 also had M Sport Suspension, auto wipers and headlight washers as standard.

[hilly10]

Power delivery on the 3.0si knocks socks off the 4 pots.

[400SE Dave]

Thanks for the extra info everyone

Sounds like I need a 3.0 then but a lot for sale are high milers. In general do they carry the miles well??

[helix402]

They take the miles very well. Just make sure you clean the roof drains to prevent motor death.

[TwoStrokeNut]

Yep, high miles aren't a problem.

Get the roof motor relocated to the boot for a couple of hundred. Even with clear roof drains, the roof motors will eventually submerge and die otherwise.

There is also the usual ABS pump issues on these and most other similar beemer etc. ECU testing can usually fix them, or DIY if you are brave.

Great cars and beautifully smooth in six cylinder format.

[flight147z]

400SE Dave said:

Thanks for the extra info everyone

Sounds like I need a 3.0 then but a lot for sale are high milers. In general do they carry the miles well??

Depends what you class as high miles - most BMWs with the same engine range are used a lot more than a z4 with the same engine so typically you will probably find that there are other BMW cars with the same engine and much higher miles... If that makes sense!

[SebringMan]

400SE Dave said:

Thanks for the extra info everyone

Sounds like I need a 3.0 then but a lot for sale are high milers. In general do they carry the miles well??

Yes.

Like any BMW it's not the miles but the owners, especially for the age. At that age you should be doing a few things:

-Does the car look well for its age?
-Does the owner look he poses in it or cares for it?
-How bad does the MOT history look?
-What is the servicing like and how have the parts been selected? Cheapest crap or something reasonable
-What state is his house in? Unkempt or reasonable?

The last one isn't foolproof but for me and a bloke who buys more cars than me it's not a bad indicator at all.

Put it this way. I kept driving a Mondeo 3.0 on 260k because alot of the stuff I saw with less than a 1/3rd of the miles was abused chod ; All I met were bodged up cars and owners who didn't know a cambelt from a leather clothing belt.

[Mr Tidy]

Vroomer said:

In an E86 the 3.0 six is the one to have.

In an E86 the 3.0 is the only option, unless you go for the 3.2M - but neither is likely to be in the OPs budget if he is considering E85 2.0 or 2.2is!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 2nd March 00:17