Hello from potential owner

B

bigfootisblurry

Member
 Darlington
Hello all,

I've joined as I'm likely going to be looking for an E85 around the turn of the year and always find forums like this useful.

My car history is eclectic, ranging from modified Japanese cars (200sx, MX5s), older BMWs (e34, e36) and I have a soft spot for SAABs after running a 9-3 Aero for a while.

Sensible decisions (boo) mean I've not run anything interesting for a few years but I'm just about in a position where I can justify a fun car that doesn't need to be used every day. I've always loved my convertibles and BMWs so a Z4 seems the obvious choice.

No doubt I'll start with the questions eventually but likely just lurking for now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B21
Hi and welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

There is loads of useful information on here, and forum members can usually answer any questions you have.
 
Welcome to the forum. Both are great engines, although they have different characters. If you are a keen DIYer, there’s probably more to do on the M54 and easier. Both are reliable and capable of high mileages. DIY servicing is easy. The N52 series is more powerful and higher revving like for like, whereas the M54 has a more “grunty” delivery. Both can tend to leak oil, but most gaskets are fairly easy to replace (except the sump), and oil leaks tend not to be problematic. The weakness on both (worse for the older M54) is plastic/rubber getting brittle and sensors starting to fail. The N52 has an electric water pump which generally has a life of <100k miles, so often preventatively replaced. Apart from that, no real weaknesses.
 
Tbh, I wouldn't get too concerned about either engine. What I would warn you of in the earlier pre-facelift cars is the airbag system. They use a different system to the facelift, utilising 3 control modules. These are starting to fail due to water ingress or just old age and the left side ones in particular are getting very hard to find. There is no new option, so it's pot luck on a used one, for which you'll be paying up to £200 before you even look into getting it coded.
 
I've only had an M54 in a 3 Series and really liked it, but somehow IMHO the higher revving N52 seems to suit a 2 seater better. Although having had two Z4s with the N52 I like it so much I'm now on my second 3 Series with the same engine.

The other advantage with the N52 is that the facelift cars came with SE or Sport trim, and the latter have the very desirable M-Sport seats as standard that were very rarely fitted to pre-facelifts as an option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom