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2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2025 6:18 pm
by Jeziahs97
Hi, looking for a low milage and owner z4, am new to these so bare with me. I’m happy with either the 2.5 or 3L, but will also go for the 2.2 if it is really tidy. I’m based in Oxfordshire but happy to travel. Please let me know if you know of any for sale, thanks!

2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 9:08 pm
by enuff_zed
You won’t get a facelift with a 2.2 as that’s an M54.
Your facelift choices are 2.0, 2.5i, 2.5si or 3.0si
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:52 pm
by srhutch
Buy on condition rather than mileage.
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 11:18 pm
by Mr Tidy
Welcome aboard.
Most of it covered already but I'd agree with srhutch about mileage, especially after seeing this:-
viewtopic.php?t=152362
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 11:24 pm
by MikeyH
I looked at a 3.0i and it needed so much doing to it and had been serviced every 20,000 miles every 2 years or so. I chose to buy a 2.2 that was much cheaper and had been owned by a forum member and serviced every year and needed nothing doing. I have enjoyed my car for 3.5 years and will do so for as long as I can. Do I regret not buying the 3.0? Sometimes, but it would have been a money pit. For me service was king as long as it had the 6 cylinder engine.

enjoy your search.
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 11:52 pm
by Zedebee
2.5i (which was the facelift replacement for the 2.2i) can be a bargain and is relatively easy to upgrade to 2.5Si spec for not much outlay.
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 8:09 am
by Jeziahs97
I see, still new to these z4s so thanks for the info. Is the 2.2 as good as the 2.5/3?
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 8:20 am
by pvr
So you are now only talking pre facelift then.
As good - in what way? It just has less power but is “as good” in all other ways. Probably unlikely to have M sports seats as well.
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 8:40 am
by raymond.harper
The 2.2 has around 170 BHP, and it depends on what you want regarding performance. For some tastes it is adequate, for others not enough! The 6-cylinder unit is quite reliable, but only has the 5-speed box and no sport button. The 2.5 pre-facelift does have a sport button and 5 5-speed box, the 3.0 has a six-speed box. The 6-cylinder facelift cars have the N52 engine, again a reliable unit, and an electric water pump, which does cost a few pounds to replace. You have to test drive the 2.2 to see if it is suitable for you. Take your time!
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 9:46 am
by MikeyH
2.2s are quite a bit cheaper and some were specked with heated m sport seats, mine was, although not electricity adjustable. The preface lift cars have the M54 engine with an oil dipstick, I’m old school and wanted this. Face lift cars with the N52 don’t. Of course once you have decided on the specific car and engine you want you will then need to hunt it down, it might be a long wait for the exact car and you will need to go far to find it. Be prepared to compromise on speck and colour etc.

2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 11:24 am
by RMB
OP I recommend you get yourself legacy brochures and price list on eBay so you can see all the options and specs and these will show all the differing features too.
A nice thing to have as well.
Something like this, some asks are very high and I can’t see a price lists..
https://ebay.us/m/b47XPk
(Not my listing or know to me).
2.2/2.5/3L e85/facelift
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 7:58 pm
by Mr Tidy
Jeziahs97 wrote: Sat Jun 28, 2025 8:09 am
I see, still new to these z4s so thanks for the info. Is the 2.2 as good as the 2.5/3?
You said you wanted a facelift model, so as Zedebee said above the engine options are 2.5i (177bhp), 2.5Si (218bhp) or 3.0Si (265bhp).
The benefit is that facelifts came as SE or Sport models, and the Sport ones had the desirable M-Sport seats as standard. They were quite a rarely specified option on SEs (or pre-facelifts).