3.0l se z4 vs 3.0l si sport

[Hot1]

Hi guys in the next 6 weeks depending when my TVR sells I am going to be in the market for a 3.0l z4, my question is, is the 3.0l si sport that much different from the 3.0l se?? I realise there's a power difference but is it that much noticeable am I right in thinking the sport has m suspension and seats? I Cannot decide if the sport is worth the extra money!! Apologies if this topic has been brought up before I could not find anything when searching! Thank you!

Zach

[bbr92]

Buy this months BMW Car magazine it has a whole article on this very subject along with buying advice/tips

[Hot1]

Thank you I shall take a look!

[Fox-]

You are confusing two different questions.

The first is Sport versus SE. There is not much difference - the SE has Sports Suspension as standard and there is no M Sport bodykit as per the 3 and 5 Series. The main thing you miss out on is the Sports Seats.

The next is 3.0i v 3.0Si.

The 3.0i Z4's are fitted with a 231bhp M54 engine and do 0-60 in 5.9.

The facelift Z4 - in 2006 - brought with it the newer N52 engine, with 265bhp. It does 0-60 in 5.7

Really your budgetn dictates 3.0i v 3.0Si - the 3.0Si's are all newer and therefore all more expensive. If you can afford one, go for one, if you can't, don't worry as the 3.0i engine is fantastic and it's still a quick car.

[anonymous-user]

Fox- said:

The first is Sport versus SE. There is not much difference - the SE has Sports Suspension as standard and there is no M Sport bodykit as per the 3 and 5 Series. The main thing you miss out on is the Sports Seats.

Just to confuse matters further, my old Z4 was a 3.0i SE but had the sports seats fitted so they were an option!

[Hot1]

What I want to know is a 2006 si sport worth the extra money over an older z4! Thank you for the replies so far!

[DiseasalDriver]

Hot1 said:

What I want to know is a 2006 si sport worth the extra money over an older z4! Thank you for the replies so far!

Yes, it also looks a hell of a lot better. Much more modern looking.

[anonymous-user]

Just seen you have a Chimaera. I've had both and would most definitely keep the TVR over a Z4!!!!!

[Hot1]

St John Smythe said:

Just seen you have a Chimaera. I've had both and would most definitely keep the TVR over a Z4!!!!!

The chimaera has been my favourite car so far the looks the sound, it just feels very special, but the running costs are too much for at the moment, a z4 Should be cheaper to run!!

[DiseasalDriver]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No, I wasn't joking.

Facelift makes an old school roadster look like a modern sports car.

Obviously it's subjective but I'm assuming you drive a pre-facelift Z4.

[DiseasalDriver]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Congratulations on proving my point.

[Fox-]

So we have a detango on the front, a new front bumper and some new back lights. Hardly totally changes the car does it?

[anonymous-user]

DiseasalDriver said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Congratulations on proving my point.

Actually, I have to agree with cmoose. As far as facelifts go it's pretty minor tbh!!

[Patrick Bateman]

To say the facelift looks much more modern would require a visit to specsavers.

[Hot1]

There really is little difference from a visual perspective between the two! Saying that both look great and Would be exacly what I am after I do fancy sapphire black with red leather as well

[ngdragon]

Those updated rear clusters look as though they were designed for another car- original purity is nearly always best- certainly in this case

[anonymous-user]

Hot1 said:

There really is little difference from a visual perspective between the two! Saying that both look great and Would be exacly what I am after I do fancy sapphire black with red leather as well

Make sure you find one with the 108s (alloys pictured on both cars above) as they are the best wheels IMO. I did enjoy my old Z4 and took it all round the Alps last summer (pic in my profile).

[Sticks.]

FWIW having had mine almost 8 years, the only thing I regret is not having sports seats, though not having had them maybe I'd not like either. However, SE seats are not good imo. Don't regret changing the 108s for 107s.

Iirc there are a few mods the facelift has which you might prefer as well as the bhp. MP3 cds play, paddles with auto, and roof motor failure less common afaik, though cruise control ceased to be an easy retro fit.

I think I'd aim for the facelift but not rule out a good earlier car, or an auto for that matter. No major issues with owning mine, been largely hassle free and cheap to run.

Btw, getting rid of the rfts changes the handling into what you'd expect it to be, but there are a lot of threads about that.

[Hot1]

I do hope to get one with the 108 style wheels! We will see what comes up! It's reassuring to hear that after 8 years it has been cheap to run! Is the mpg as good as people say for the engine size?

[Sticks.]

There are issues with 108s and corrosion I've read. Mpg on the auto is 25-30 over short journeys, 32 on a run is the best I've had. Manual will do better.