New member - Help!

[Lammy74]

Hi Everybody I've just joined the forum as I'm looking to enter the Z4 world. I've a relatively low budget of £2.5k-ish and don't want to end up buying a car that's going to cost me a fortune when the next MOT rolls along, as I'm not mechanically minded and wont be able to do the work myself.

If anybody has any advice on what's the best age/mileage/engine combination that would be massively appreciated as I'm going round in circles the only thing I'm set on is it needs to be 6 cylinder.

Thanks, and thanks for having me in the forum.

[bigwinn]

What’s your location?

I know Martin has a few for sale at the mo

enuff_zed

[Lammy74]

Hi bigwinn, I'm near Bristol.

[bigwinn]

Welcome to the forum!

[enuff_zed]

What’s your location?

I know Martin has a few for sale at the mo

enuff_zed

One sold last week and the second left the drive ten minutes ago. Sorry.

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

A straight 6 is a good choice as that was always one of the Z4s unique features. Might be worth deciding whether you have a preference for manual or auto.

[buzyg]

Welcome on board Lammy. The 6 cylinder engines have the best reputation in the early z4's. check the roof motor has been moved to the boot. check the steering has no notchy spots in it. As always general condition and looking cared for count for a lot with older cars. Happy hunting.

[Lammy74]

Hi Thanks for the reply's - Its going to be a weekend car not a daily driver so I'm definitely after a manual. Cant afford a decent 3.0 so I would prefer a 2.5 but it seems like with my budget I might need to lower expectations and consider a 2.2. it would be good to get peoples experiences of whether a 2.2 feels underpowered compared to a 2.5?
Thanks again.

[enuff_zed]

Hi Thanks for the reply's - Its going to be a weekend car not a daily driver so I'm definitely after a manual. Cant afford a decent 3.0 so I would prefer a 2.5 but it seems like with my budget I might need to lower expectations and consider a 2.2. it would be good to get peoples experiences of whether a 2.2 feels underpowered compared to a 2.5?
Thanks again.

I doubt you're going to find a huge difference in price at the moment.
The 2.5 and 2.2 only have a 5-speed box which makes long motorway trips a bit of a pain.
I daily a 2.2i and I love it, but most of my driving is Norfolk B-roads. I think it has a lower diff ratio than the the 2.5i? Or possibly different geaerbox ratios? Either way, it is quite a close ratio box and 70mph is about 3300rpm in 5th.
If you want to use it for whizzing round smaller roads then it's more than adequate. I have had several other bigger engined ones pass through my hands recently and yet I just can't give up the 2.2.
In whizz mode I get about 36mpg, and on a motorway trip I set the cruise to 3000rpm (about 65mph) and get 42mpg.
To compare the power isn't really the best way to do it in my opinion: the 2.2 is a different experience. You keep it balanced and flowing rather than relying on grunt to regain your speed after a twisty bit.

[MikeyH]

I love my 2.2 but have recently started wondering if I’m missing out on more power

[Lammy74]

Hi Thanks for the reply's - Its going to be a weekend car not a daily driver so I'm definitely after a manual. Cant afford a decent 3.0 so I would prefer a 2.5 but it seems like with my budget I might need to lower expectations and consider a 2.2. it would be good to get peoples experiences of whether a 2.2 feels underpowered compared to a 2.5?
Thanks again.

I doubt you're going to find a huge difference in price at the moment.
The 2.5 and 2.2 only have a 5-speed box which makes long motorway trips a bit of a pain.
I daily a 2.2i and I love it, but most of my driving is Norfolk B-roads. I think it has a lower diff ratio than the the 2.5i? Or possibly different geaerbox ratios? Either way, it is quite a close ratio box and 70mph is about 3300rpm in 5th.
If you want to use it for whizzing round smaller roads then it's more than adequate. I have had several other bigger engined ones pass through my hands recewntly and yet I just can't give up the 2.2.
In whizz mode I get about 36mpg, and on a motorway trip I set the cruise to 3000rpm (about 65mph) and get 42mpg.
To compare the power isn't really the best way to do it in my opinion: the 2.2 is a different experience. You keep it balanced and flowing rather than relying on grunt to regain your speed after a twisty bit.

Thanks that's really useful advice

[Mr Tidy]

To be fair whether a 2.2i would fit the bill or you'd want a bit more power may depend on what sort of cars you have been used to.

BMW quote the power outputs in PS; the 2.2i is 170bhp, 2.5i is 192bhp and 3.0i is 231bhp.

Sometimes the spec can be a factor too given how many features were on the options list. I know most Roadster owners reckon heated seats are pretty much essential, Bi-Xenons are very desirable and if you get really lucky you might find one with M-Sport seats - these sell for £600-800 on here!