Z4 2.8i vs 3.0i

[mr wilks]

Nice to see the 4 potters standing together
I can see me trying one out in the not too distant future , remapped of course

[jabber]

Just get which one that you prefer to own everyone has their own preferences for me there is no right or wrong choice, personally I prefer the 6 cylinder 3.0 but also would have a 4 pot if I did more mileage in it

[john-e89]

If you’ve not had a DCT box before, which would make you ‘need’ a 35i or is, then 4 pot turbo seems the best choice.....get that blower spooling like a hooked Marlin on speed....

[Pbondar]

If you’ve not had a DCT box before, which would make you ‘need’ a 35i or is, then 4 pot turbo seems the best choice.....get that blower spooling like a hooked Marlin on speed....

The 8 speed ZF box on the 18/20/28 is a marmite issue...you can pooh pooh it if you haven’t tried it, and even if you have tried it, until you have explored all the options it offers to engage you you can’t reach a balanced judgement imho...

For sure the speed it changes gears (sub 200ms), the option for downshifts from say 6 to 2 direct and the sports mode plus manual mode when mated to the hard charging versions of the N20 (240bhp+) means it is the way to go...

It’s a long long way from a Ford 3 speed slushmatic...

[R.E92]

No reason a petrolhead wouldn’t like the 4pot, you’ve missed out it’s attributes of lighter weight giving improved handling & being able to out-perform the 30i with just a small tweak.
It’s far from being just a nice looking car that doesn’t cost too much to run
Rob

It seems the N20 engine is only 10kg lighter than the N52 engine. I don't think anyone is going to notice any handling benefits with the removal of 10kg from the front.

The fact the N20 has a turbo and tuning potential is a plus for the engine. Tuning potential was one of the reasons I went for the 35i, but then the 35i also has the bonus of being a nice smooth 6. If I had to sacrifice either power or cylinders from my engine, I'd lose the power all day. I enjoy the noise of the straight 6 even when the car is plodding along in traffic or sat at lights, not just when high in the rev range.

There's a 110kg difference. I guess only true petrolheads can feel the difference though.

Googling the N52 engine weight gives me 148kg, the N20 comes out as 138kg. Nice try adding 100kg though

[R.E92]

Well someone who had a 28i and tracked it, can tell you from my experience and stock 35is is no way capable than my old car. I had a few encounters with 35is - and loved the sound - but quite floppy and around mid-corner.

On a B road - My 28i would left every 35i/35is and even 135i (m-light) for dust. However, on an open A road was you can get stupid speeds, they be on my tail trying to overtake. Until the next hard break and sweeping corners.

It would enter and exit the corner slower, however, have the legs on the straights

Some one having a 28i makes me not a petrol head, sorry disagree - As I went to the next evolution and having an M2.

The first M3 E30 car was an 4 pot 2.3 Ltr - this, not a petrol head car? - it was an Ikonic car

Its everyone has different needs and requirements - this forum 4 years ago was full of biggets and slayted anyone with an 4-pot - saying it was not an true BMW. And over the last two years, it has become a more welcoming forum. With the increased number of 4-pot owners joining the forum.

I could say, if you dont do track days and track your car your not an petrol head - but thats not true.

As I am aware the fastest car doing the 1/4 mile in the UK is an N20 28i - not an 35is.

Regarding engine issues, the N20 is a popular engine - and I owned my car and achieved just under 40K miles - and no engine issues. The N20 is no more reliable or less reliable than an N54. As I had an 335i and had to have HPFP replaced under warranty.

Please guys, keep moving forward, and not coming out with rubbish statements.

You mean statements like "the fastest car doing the 1/4 mile in the UK is an N20 28i - not an 35is"?
Why did you bother going to the M2 if you could have a N20 equipped 220i (which in your world is the faster car )

We're not even comparing to the 35i here. The discussion is regards to the N52 vs the N20 and whether the trade-off of two cylinders in exchange for a turbo is noteworthy. My opinion is that inherent traits of an inline 6 engine, such as better engine balance and noise, are what make it the petrolheads choice. If those two traits are not of value to the OP then it makes sense to go out any buy the N20 car.

The N20 is tuneable and has better economy figures. It's not quite as reliable as the N52 but the Z4 as a whole has its fair share of problems.

I expected all the 4pot owners to get upset as people always want to defend their purchase choices.

[Smartbear]

Well someone who had a 28i and tracked it, can tell you from my experience and stock 35is is no way capable than my old car. I had a few encounters with 35is - and loved the sound - but quite floppy and around mid-corner.

On a B road - My 28i would left every 35i/35is and even 135i (m-light) for dust. However, on an open A road was you can get stupid speeds, they be on my tail trying to overtake. Until the next hard break and sweeping corners.

It would enter and exit the corner slower, however, have the legs on the straights

Some one having a 28i makes me not a petrol head, sorry disagree - As I went to the next evolution and having an M2.

The first M3 E30 car was an 4 pot 2.3 Ltr - this, not a petrol head car? - it was an Ikonic car

Its everyone has different needs and requirements - this forum 4 years ago was full of biggets and slayted anyone with an 4-pot - saying it was not an true BMW. And over the last two years, it has become a more welcoming forum. With the increased number of 4-pot owners joining the forum.

I could say, if you dont do track days and track your car your not an petrol head - but thats not true.

As I am aware the fastest car doing the 1/4 mile in the UK is an N20 28i - not an 35is.

Regarding engine issues, the N20 is a popular engine - and I owned my car and achieved just under 40K miles - and no engine issues. The N20 is no more reliable or less reliable than an N54. As I had an 335i and had to have HPFP replaced under warranty.

Please guys, keep moving forward, and not coming out with rubbish statements.

You mean statements like "the fastest car doing the 1/4 mile in the UK is an N20 28i - not an 35is"?
Why did you bother going to the M2 if you could have a N20 equipped 220i (which in your world is the faster car )

We're not even comparing to the 35i here. The discussion is regards to the N52 vs the N20 and whether the trade-off of two cylinders in exchange for a turbo is noteworthy. My opinion is that inherent traits of an inline 6 engine, such as better engine balance and noise, are what make it the petrolheads choice. If those two traits are not of value to the OP then it makes sense to go out any buy the N20 car.

The N20 is tuneable and has better economy figures. It's not quite as reliable as the N52 but the Z4 as a whole has its fair share of problems.

I expected all the 4pot owners to get upset as people always want to defend their purchase choices.

No one here begrudges a difference of opinion, it’s when you compared the 20i to a diesel TT that you crossed the line-that’s just insulting
Rob

[R.E92]

No one here begrudges a difference of opinion, it’s when you compared the 20i to a diesel TT that you crossed the line-that’s just insulting
Rob

Can't resist a little wind-up!

[Twin Turbo]

lol - I love and getting bites

However, I agree that an N52 is a bulletproof engine - as I confirmed in my first post.

And you mentioned 35i as a reference point,

The M2 is a quick car, but an M4 is quicker - if you are a A road warrior - as anyone can drive fast in a straight line - is that why you have an 35i

[TONYL]

If your a petrol head then the 6 pot 3 litre
If your a hairdresser then the 4 pot will be ok

[Smartbear]

If your a petrol head then the 6 pot 3 litre
If your a hairdresser then the 4 pot will be ok

So your car handles worse & is also slower?
I’ll just have a trim please
Rob

[RustyZ4]

If your a petrol head then the 6 pot 3 litre
If your a hairdresser then the 4 pot will be ok

See from your sig, you have a 318ci coupe,, just remind me how many pots it has

[TONYL]

Yes..thats the wifes..and shes a hairdresser! Ha ha!
Ruffled a few on this one!

[Smartbear]

Yes..thats the wifes..and shes a hairdresser! Ha ha!
Ruffled a few on this one!

I’m not ruffled Tony, I’d even wait for you to catch up on a run
Rob

[Mr Tidy]

Yes..thats the wifes..and shes a hairdresser! Ha ha!

Brilliant! Shame it isn't a convertible though!