Nearly there!

[Jellybaby38]

Afternoon all,

Having ummed and erred too long over buying Peeblez's car, I find myself down to two options, which are in broadly the same ballpark price-wise but quite different in terms of heart vs head. One is a 2011 30i MSport, the other a 2016 18i MSport - so couldn't be much further apart enginewise. They both have approx 65k miles on the clock, and the insurance the quotes are about the same. Both tick all my must-have boxes and different ones of the nice-to-have.

My head says the 18i is better in terms of fuel efficiency, the engine is "newer" despite the mileage, and I can remap it for extra speed
My heart says the 30i goes VROOOM and sounds nicer, but everything is older

What would you do?

[Johnny h]

Hi

What a lovely problem to have. Personally I have the hard top and much prefer that for the old problem of the potential of it being cut with a knife. I know what you mean about the sound of a 3.0 but my 2.0 m sport is more than enough for me….good luck!

[Argyll Andy]

Manual/Auto, colour and interior?

As I said when you asked your original question, only you would know and it would be personal choice that would eventually make your decision, I’m still in the same place

Are you going to remap the 18i? If not there’s a world of difference between the two. The 18i makes all the sense in the world given your daily requirements, and it’s newer so less age related issues (hopefully) but same/similar mileage related ones.

For me being a weekend car the 30i every time but that’s me. Also IF you’re looking at resale value as a consideration I’d be leaning towards the 30i as you’re evidencing with your query, they’re holding their money better the fact a 5 yr newer car is at the same money with everything else more or less equal.

Choices, choices……………..

[Mr Tidy]

Only you can decide really - if you are undecided ideally driving both might help make your mind up.

I'm not a fan of turbo engines, and see the straight 6 as one of the unique features of Z4s so I know which I would choose!

[Pondrew]

As Mr T says, it's your car, your choice.
If it's a choice of the two, I would buy the best one.
Only thing I would say of the two mentioned; 65k miles is a lot for a 2016 car, especially a Z4, so may have had quite a hard life. I would also be a little cautious of mapping an engine with those miles. I know people have done, and do, but it would concern me.

[Deepseaskateboard]

As Mr T says, it's your car, your choice.
If it's a choice of the two, I would buy the best one.
Only thing I would say of the two mentioned; 65k miles is a lot for a 2016 car, especially a Z4, so may have had quite a hard life. I would also be a little cautious of mapping an engine with those miles. I know people have done, and do, but it would concern me.

The N20 specifically?

Is this the timing issue?


As for the OP’s dilemma: 30i.

[mr wilks]

Short term ownership & you enjoying that sharp feeling when the throttle is poked then 20i mapped is the obvious choice .
Longterm ownership & appreciate the straight 6 tone & torque then it would have to be the 30i .

Current condition , history , spec , colours have to factor in decision too

[ronk]

I had a 2010 3.0i MSport (auto) and couldn't fault it _ fast enough to get into serious trouble and as non daily it was economical enough
I suspect the mpg figures aren't massively different - The 3.0l six will be under a lot less stress than a 2.0l four.

[Pondrew]

Is this the timing issue?

Don't think so mate. They both are available to buy at the same time.

[R.E92]

If the 30i is a manual then that would be my choice. The increased running costs would easily be offset by the increased future value.

A 2.0 Z4 will be worth pocket change when you come to sell it but the 3.0 might actually go up in value.

[Nictrix]

Nothing has been mentioned about the actual cost of both these vehicles.
One could be overpriced and one could be underpriced, you cannot compare until you know this.

[Silverstar]

Just my two cents but for me it would be the 30i. As others have said the straight 6 is a unique feature of the Z4 and it sounds and feels way more refined than the 4 pot, I have driven a 23i 18i 28i and own a 30i and from my experience I can tell you the 6 cylinders are way more refined and sound a heck of lot better too, just makes the car feel a bit more special, especially top down. Also as others have said it will hold it's value better as well and from my experience with many cars I can tell you that more than likely there won't a big a difference in fuel costs as you might think. But in the end it's your money your choice.

[Jellybaby38]

Narrowed down to two cars now. My head is saying lower mileage and smaller engine, but we'll see what it says after I test the 3L! Only concern there is the mileage, but the service history looks pretty good.

2.0 20i, 2012 with 47k miles on it, auto. £12,500
3.0 30i, 2010 with 75k miles on it, auto. £13,000

Possible option, but it's above top end of the budget:
3.0 30i, 2011 with 68k miles on it, manual. £14,500

[Argyll Andy]

Narrowed down to two cars now. My head is saying lower mileage and smaller engine, but we'll see what it says after I test the 3L! Only concern there is the mileage, but the service history looks pretty good.

2.0 20i, 2012 with 47k miles on it, auto. £12,500
3.0 30i, 2010 with 75k miles on it, auto. £13,000

Possible option, but it's above top end of the budget:
3.0 30i, 2011 with 68k miles on it, manual. £14,500

Drive them and see, re the two 30i, the slightly lower mileage and year newer wouldn’t make me go for the 2011. Spec, colour and extras would make my mind up between those two.

One thing I’d mention is make sure you put the cars in sports mode, particularly the 30i

[B21]

A key variable is to re-map or not a N20 powered car..

The 20i tend to feel ‘flat’ as their ‘natural’ BHP / torque has been suppressed..

If for whatever reasons you can’t / don’t / won’t remap a 30i auto with a xHP is pretty good…some may argue it’s got to be manual but xHP gives you the best of all worlds..

If you plan to re-map a 20i with the ZF8HP box is the winner by far..