2.5 vs 3.0 ride and handling

[ErrErrminator]

I’ve been considering jumping in and buying my first Z4 for a while now and the old question of which engine version to go for has come up. I have always thought that it would be the 3 litre, without a second thought. With more power and very little difference in running costs why wouldn’t I? Performance issues aside though, what are the differences between the two in terms of ride and handling?

I have read criticism of the Z’s hard ride and handling better suited to Smooth A roads than rural twisties, but am sure some of it is down to original figment fun-flats. Is the suspension set-up différent as standard between the 2.5 and the 3.0? Is one better than the other if regularly used on less than perfect twisty country B roads?

[Tyreman]

I don't know the answer but imagine that they are the same, isn't the 2.5 & 3.0 basically the same with regards to weight etc ?

I would think the best handling would be the 2.0 albeit down on power somewhat

[mmm-five]

Probably depends on a combination of factors, e.g age/condition of spring/dampers, wheel size (16 vs 17 vs 18”), tyre type (rft vs non-rft), tyre brand (some have stiffer sidewalls than others), and whether it’s SE or Sport suspension.

[ErrErrminator]

I may be wrong, but think I had read that the 3.0 is fitted with sport suspension even in SE guise.

[DaveD]

I may be wrong, but think I had read that the 3.0 is fitted with sport suspension even in SE guise.

It’s not - my coupe is SE with softer springs for the reason of B road compliance. Still pretty firm but better than sport. Non runflats make a big difference especially re tramlining and dealing with sharp hits.

[Crazy Harry]

My 3.0si rarely sees an A road - mostly 'white' (not yellow) B roads in my travels around Norfolk. Its more than up to the task even on run flats.

I wouldn't want anything that felt softer/less precise. Compared to some other cars I've had the ride isn't that harsh and in any case its a sports car and I want to feel the road and know the car will go where I put it.

[ben g]

I may be wrong, but think I had read that the 3.0 is fitted with sport suspension even in SE guise.

Only the early ones. My April 03 build has/had sport suspension. Rock hard and not very nice to drive. Eventually the shocks failed and I've just replaced them with B4's and eibach springs.

Much better, not as crashy, but still firm.

[jamie_z4]

I may be wrong, but think I had read that the 3.0 is fitted with sport suspension even in SE guise.

this is correct for pre-facelift cars as there was no 'sport' optioon as such,

changed in 2006 with the introduction of the facrlift, there was a dedicated 3.0si SE with high suspension and 3.0si Sport with lowered supsension

[ErrErrminator]

I may be wrong, but think I had read that the 3.0 is fitted with sport suspension even in SE guise.

this is correct for pre-facelift cars as there was no 'sport' optioon as such,

changed in 2006 with the introduction of the facrlift, there was a dedicated 3.0si SE with high suspension and 3.0si Sport with lowered supsension

I am likely to be in pre-facelift territory with my budget, so this concerns me if buying an early 3.0 as the roads I mostly use are the twisty B’s. Love the twists and turns but don’t love the surfaces which tend to be fairly poor.

[csquire4]

Pre-facelift 3.0 SE's could have sport suspension deleted from the options list at no cost but I suspect no one did. I bought a 3.0 SE assuming it had softer springs, it wasn't until afterwards that I realised it had sport suspension.

I have switched to 17 alloys and normal tyres and it's OK but would prefer a bit softer for crappy UK roads.

[Mr Tidy]

this is correct for pre-facelift cars as there was no 'sport' optioon as such,

changed in 2006 with the introduction of the facrlift, there was a dedicated 3.0si SE with high suspension and 3.0si Sport with lowered supsension

I didn't know that - you learn something every day.

Shame they didn't fit them all with the M-Sport seats instead of M-Sport suspension.

[Ewazix]

Since most Z4's have had springs changed due to the coils breaking and a lot have been modified with sport or aftermarket sets it can be difficult to know for sure what they are riding on TBH. A lot of owners probably don't know for sure.

I'd say that the wheel & tyre choice makes more difference than SE Vs Sport suspension set-up and wouldn't run anything over 18" wheels. Definitely get rid of Bridgestone RFT's even if they were new as they ruin the drive, pound for pound it's the best mod you can make on a Z4 IMHO, Bridgstone RFT's are that bad!

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

You'd be better of buying the right car spec, colour and engine wise and then changing the shocks and springs.
A good set of H&Rs will change the drive outright as well as ditching those runflats.

Don't worry too much about the ride harshness, it's not particularly cheap to change but ultimately shocks and springs fail anyway so it's a coat to bear in mind.

[ErrErrminator]

You'd be better of buying the right car spec, colour and engine wise and then changing the shocks and springs.
A good set of H&Rs will change the drive outright as well as ditching those runflats.

Don't worry too much about the ride harshness, it's not particularly cheap to change but ultimately shocks and springs fail anyway so it's a coat to bear in mind.

I was thinking about it last night and I think this is the approach I will take. If I can get the 'right' car at a good price with change from my budget then I can make the changes if I feel it necessary.

[jamie_z4]

You'd be better of buying the right car spec, colour and engine wise and then changing the shocks and springs.
A good set of H&Rs will change the drive outright as well as ditching those runflats.

Don't worry too much about the ride harshness, it's not particularly cheap to change but ultimately shocks and springs fail anyway so it's a coat to bear in mind.

As much as people will disagree having fitted Jom coilovers to mine it's much more compliant and comfortable than the ageing sport oem stuff that was fitted 13 years prior