Differences between the sixes?

[ph001]

I wouldn't restrict yourself too much on any of the 6cyl. They are all pretty good - just choose the car on price, condition, spec, colour combo etc. Heated M sport seats are a must IMHO, xenons good to have also.

[Phoenixboy]

I wouldn't restrict yourself too much on any of the 6cyl. They are all pretty good - just choose the car on price, condition, spec, colour combo etc. Heated M sport seats are a must IMHO, xenons good to have also.

Good to hear a non biased sensible suggestion.
far too much, "the 3.0ltr is the only one to have"
the 6cyl motors all sound nice, and none are exactly slow.

[idej_z4]

Yeh, Chris1981 link tells you most of what you need to know....

Z4 models.jpg

I would add though that the 3.0Si did have a revised engine halfway through it's life with a black cam cover (engine build date Sep 2006 so tends to appear in 2007 cars) known as the N52K and has modifications in the following areas:

• Cylinder head cover
• Camshafts
• Crankshaft
• Stem diameter of exhaust valves increased to 6 mm instead of 5 mm
• Torsional vibration damper
• Crankcase ventilation
• Hot-film air mass meter (HFM)
• Throttle valve
• Digital motor electronics

...full thread with images here... viewtopic.php?f=2&t=105709&start=30

I did not know that - thanks for sharing!!!

[ERX]

Hello, to help with your choice it is worth checking the actual insurance of the N52 engines and the M54 engines. I am a young driver and for me the insurance on the N52 engines was a lot higher than the M54s. Even the 2.5si is more costly to insure than the 3.0i for me. For me also, the 2.0 had the same insurance cost as a 3.0i and for some reason the 3.0i has the same or lower insurance cost than the 2.5i.

With the M54 equipped cars, also consider that the 3.0i is the only one with a six-speed box which was a big selling point for me and also they generally have some more specs, I believe they all have electric seats for example.

[srhutch]

Insurance is a minefield, as others have said get some quotes for various cars.

I used to pay £500 for my 2.5si Sport. Then bought the ///M and instantly my insurance dropped to £400.