BMW Z Series 2.0i SE 2dr

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum OP.

There are some 4 cylinder owners on here who are happy with their cars, but you really don't want to be buying one with faults like that unless it's cheap and you can fix it yourself.

As others have already said the 6 cylinder models seem to be less troublesome and in any case a straight 6 is one of the Z4s unique features, whereas there are other 4 cylinder roadster alternatives.

Anyway good luck finding your Z4.

[Zedebee]

Notwithstanding the fine offers of help from enuff-zed and Scooba-Steve, you would be much better off buying a car that is in good order than one you know needs work. Fixer-uppers are great if you are handy with the spanner’s, but garages are expensive.

I do agree with the others regarding the six-pot over the four-pot; it’s what gives the Z4 its character.

Edit: I could have saved myself some typing by agreeing with Mr Tidy.

[iiNNeX]

Do not buy a 4 cylinder Z4...

Can your budget stretch to a 2.5Si or 3.0i (prefacelift) ?

TBH, I have this 2.2i straight 6 here and it is a cracking little car. Returning nearly 40mpg as well.
So whilst everyone says go for the biggest and most powerful, I would suggest that finding one that suits you is most important.
Living in Norfolk with predominantly twisty B-roads, the 2.2 has ample torque coupled to a close ration 5-speed box and that lovely 6-cylinder soundtrack. I doubt I'd get any more fun from a 3.0Si in this neck of the woods.

You still have a 6 cylinder though mate, that was more my point. It's not so much the litres (I have a 2.5 afterall) its more to not get the 4cyl variant. At that point its better to just get an MX5

[True-Blue]

The 2.0 N46 is one of the worst engines ever made

[veryverydarkblue]

The 2.0 N46 is one of the worst engines ever made

The performance specs aren’t terrible, however unless you are in the right gear and using all the revs, a 2.0i Z4 will be embarrassed by some very modest modern machinery and feel slow. Not to say you can’t have fun trying to maintain momentum in one. They also sound OK for a I4.

Coupled with fuel efficiency that’s maybe no more than 10% better than a 3.0SI for the same progress, and generally low cost maintenance and insurance on the 6s of all sizes, the 4 pot is a hard sell even before the questionable engine reliability.

The main benefit of the 4 pots today are for plentiful donor parts to keep the 6s going

[tug]

PAH! you lot should be reported for "size discrimination"

The N46 has got character, and loves to let the owner know when it needs a good thrashing by lighting up the emissions symbol on the dash! Which is a nice touch if you ask me.

The lumpy engine idle is also a nice touch by Bavaria, its there to make you think that you've got a V12 throbbing away under the bonnet at traffic lights.

The common oil leak around the top of the magnificent block is there so you can see and feel the true viscosity of the internal oil without having to empty the sump. Another well thought out, helpful tool for the owner.

All in all a very helpful and underestimated engine is the N46.

Hope this helps the O.P. decide.

Cheers, tug

[veryverydarkblue]

The N46 has got character, and loves to let the owner know when it needs a good thrashing by lighting up the emissions symbol on the dash! Which is a nice touch if you ask me

I'd forgotten all about that gem. Demanding more expensive petrol to ensure all of the efficiency benefits are comprehensively negated!

I did just check to see whether you owned my old car (which I had from 2009-11 and sold in the midlands). Alas not, but sounds like it came from the same batch

[True-Blue]

PAH! you lot should be reported for "size discrimination"

It’s not the size of the engine that’s an issue… it’s the size of the constant repair bills

Had this engine in a 3 series, never, ever again

[tug]

You must have been really unlucky there mate. I have owned my 4 potter for 7 years now, it has not been completely trouble free in that time though.

A replacement vac pump & a new valvetronic, a new timing chain tensioner and that's about it really apart from serviceable parts wearing out.

Its now done 138,000 almost trouble free miles, she still pulls like a train & leaves Golf Gti's standing!

It has passed 6 MOT's in my ownership with a few miner advisories which have been sorted ie. rear brake lines for example.

I would love a 3.0Si but for now im keepin me ol' N46.

Also it helped me get a bit of notoriety on the forum way back in the day. viewtopic.php?t=79593
Cheers, tug