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Should I Buy The N46

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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Gwest44
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by Gwest44 » Tue Aug 03, 2021 5:46 pm

Following the sale of my E89 I'm looking to get back in to Z4 ownership.

I've seen a lovely E85 but it's the 2.0i model with the N46 engine which doesn't seem to get many reviews.

Can anyone provide me their thoughts on the car from first hand experience please?
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tiglon
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by tiglon » Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:14 pm

A couple of years ago I bought one with fairly low mileage for £2,500 as a bit of a project. After spending loads on tyres, suspension etc it started misfiring so I changed plugs and coils. Got a bit better but still not right, ended up selling it for about £1k as a MOT failure 5/6 months after purchase (emissions) with the indie saying it was likely a worn concentric(?) shaft or something and could cost £1k+ to fix - can't really remember the details.

The indie's recommendation... get a 6-pot instead. My recommendation... make sure it's in very good condition if you really have to have 4 cylinders. I only bought the 2.0i because I have a strange addiction to eBay "bargains". If you are making a considered purchase then I can't really see any good reason not to get 6 cylinders.
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by enuff_zed » Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:39 pm

I think the day after you buy it you'll hear a 6-pot and think you've made a mistake.
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Mr Tidy
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by Mr Tidy » Tue Aug 03, 2021 7:42 pm

Sorry I've no experience of the N46 engine.

But personally I'd stick to the straight 6s - it's one of the unique features of the Z4!
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LittleZ4
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by LittleZ4 » Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:45 pm

It just has to be a straight 6 all the way! Hold out for one, I think if you don't you'll regret it when one pulls up next to at the lights
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tug
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by tug » Sat Aug 07, 2021 7:29 am

I've owned a 2.0 N46 for nearly 7 years now & haven't regretted a minute of it. Don't get me wrong, there have been a few things that needed sorting like the vac pump needed replacing early on & about 4 years ago the vvt had to be replaced, not stupidly expensive though. :thumbsup:

Apart from the usual serviceable parts needing attention from time to time, this car has got to be the best car i've ever owned. If you take into account the well documented little niggles as in, the emission code & a slight lumpy idle which have over time led a lot of folk to assume the N46 is not a very reliable product.

In my experience the N46 is as 'bullet proof' as other 6 pot engines have been described. My advice is that the N46 needs to be thrashed whenever possible to "keep it clear" so to speak & i very rarely have any codes thrown by driving in this fashion.

Also "cracked Manifolds" have also been discussed, mine has never suffered this but did have a cracked Cat Casing once which was quickly sorted by TIG welding at little cost. :thumbsup:

It has now passed 135000 miles and still drives like a goodun. :)

Just a few things i have learnt over time bout my little 4 potter.

Cheers, tug :thumbsup:
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Z4paul
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by Z4paul » Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:47 pm

Absolutely echo points made by Tug. For real world driving in town, camera blighted main roads etc the 2.0 /N46 does it all and more. I actually find the standard exhaust gives a lovely raspy but muted note and the journey to licence losing speeds is quickly achieved. Also experienced eml very occasionally but these seem to reflect the type of driving / how the N46 was engineered rather than any particular fault with the car - a brisk drive and occasional use of Catacleane cures any issues.
If you're anywhere near herts /essex border / stanstead would be happy to meet up and let you have a drive :thumbsup:
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by kis » Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:23 pm

No.

If you need to get a “small engine” get a 2.2

I’d avoid the 2.0 ... for the simple reason if you get a lemon you’re fcuked!

The pre facelift 2.2 / 2.5 / 3.0 engines are m54 and generally they’re bullet proof. Easy to fix when little things go wrong too...
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Should I Buy The N46

Post by Richfarr » Sun Aug 08, 2021 12:27 pm

I've had my 2.0 /N46 for a year today :D and I'm very happy. No engine problems, on first service in asked the garage to check the timing tensioner for peice of mine which was fine.
In my mind it is a performance issue, how fast do you want to go?
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