2.0 or not 2.0 that is the query

N

Nigel

Member
Evening all, in my first post (many thanks for your brill responses) i asked if i would be better off looking to buy a 3.0 litre or 2.0 litre to replace my TT (225BHP).
the overwhelming response was to go for a 3.0, however, having trawlled the usual sites such as Auto trader, i've realised that a 3.0 is probably out of my price range. I tend to hang on to my cars for a while so would look to buy as new as possible for arond £13k (not much i know but you should have seen the struggle with the wife to get this much :( So, finally the question is (now i've rambled on and on..) is the 2.0 litre a decent buy or is it too underpowered ?
many thanks
 
Welcome Nigel. :)

The wise ones will tell you that 6 cylinders is good, 4 is bad. Theres no doubt a straight 6 is what a Z4 should be about and if you can stretch to a 2.5si or 3.0si then you should. The 2 litre especially in 'sport' trim is a very good car but it's more MX5 in pace than 'hot hatch'. My mate has one and he loves it and it is a very nice car to drive.

Coming from the TT you might find the 2 litre a bit limp. Only way to find out is to drive them then make up your mind. Good Luck! :)
 
Ask Woots, he has one and rags on us overpowered folks all the time.

Personally, I think that as long as you don't try racing anyone with a 3 litre you won't be at all embarrassed, in fact you wil love the car. (I scared a lot of higher powered cars in my 2 litre Passat(s) for years, :D )
 
Agree with last post, 2.0 is an ok car if your coming from something smaller. I went from a Boxster S to a 2.0 Zed and regretted it within the first 48 hours, I would sooner have a 2 litre MX5 than a 2.0 zed cos they got more bhp, they re lighter and handle better. Sorry to say this on here but its true !
 
13K will get you a great 3.0i - maybe a little older, but these cars tend to have lower mileages than TTs. If you are thinking of the 3.0 - the 2.0 will disappoint. I had one as a courtesy car and came away very underwhelmed - felt the soul of the car was missing.
 
Hi,i'm running a 2.2 straight 6 and love it,previous car was a E46 320 ci sport coupe which had the same engine but the zed feels quicker.I know 2.2's are now gettting on a bit but it is a great engine.good luck with your search.

More doesn't always mean better :poke:
 
If you like the styling and want more show then go then the 2.0 will be just fine, and cheaper to insure, run and maintain. And i am pretty sure the whatcar.com recommened spec is a 2.0 SE trim.

To the untrained eye all Z4's regardless of engine size will look the same (that includes the Z4M - which despite its extra exhausts my GF cant tell them apart!) The bigger engines tend to get more toys - but a 2.0 in sports trim will be great... will feel slow from the TT, much less bhp and even less torque - especially without that turbo kick you would have had...

But then if you live in the city who cares about the extra 2 cylinders and enjoy brilliant hood down motoring.
 
Yes, the 3.0 is going to be a faster car, no arguement there. But I have a 2.0i se and its a really nice car, lovely to drive and also fairly cheap to run.
I think unless you absolutely power crazy then the 2.0i will do you fine :thumbsup: my car is on a 06 plate with 35k and I got it for £13,500.
And the car is in mint condition :)
 
Putting my sensible hat and not just saying 3.0 (beacase I drive one) then I think you have to consider is it performance, or looks and newer model that matters. If you want to cruise but still have a car that will perform really well, is lighter and turns in better, then the 2.0. If you have to have the '6' and have it considered a 'proper' sports car then the larger engine.

Personally since the 3.0i's are so underworked to drive, largely bullet proof and tend to be better specced, already depreciated a lot more, I'd get a 2 year older 3.0 and know it will last longer and be a better keeper than a 2.0
 
i came from a Supra to my 2.0 Z4. the reason was fuel ecconomy.

Yes the performance is completely different but i think i've learned to drive better in this car as you cut a line through corners better to keep pace rather than relying on power. I love it and have a lot of fun in the twisties but if its straight line pace you want look elsewhere.
 
Ahhhhhh
reading some of these posts brought a small tear to my eye
the 2.0 is fantastic isnt it...
its an inspiration to us all and everyone should open our hearts to what is engineering majesty at its greatest :thumbsup:
HAHAHA
 
i would say if you dont your not bothered about that little extra power id go for the 2.5si. i have the SE pre facelift, it is mid range, has some grunt from the 6pot and isnt too bad on fuel.

it was an insurance reason for me, i think i was getting quoted an extra £500 for the 3.0 to the 2.5 but i dont regret it at all. i love the car.

no matter what engine you go for they are great cars, just expect a little banter from the 3.0's every now and again if you go for the 2.0, isnt that right woots :thumbsup: .

good luck :thumbsup:
 
to be honest, i had a TT 225Coupe and although was a pile of shi*, the days it did work it felt quite rapid, i drive a 3.0 Z4 now and i have to say it feels only marginally quicker, so im guessing a 2.0 would leave you a bit dissapointed. the thing is to try one, and see how it feels i guess?
 
I drive a 2.0 and do wish i had a 3.0Si at times but then with an average speed of 11mph and 18mpg my sensible side says the power will just go to waste.

I went for the 2.0 for 2 reasons, first i wanted a facelift and had a budget of 13.5k and second i was only 25 with 0 NCD, 2 claims and 3 points.

Will be going 6 pot next in the form of a E92 330d
 
As above power go 3.0 a nice stylish two seater 2.0.

Lady i work with has an 07 2.0 and its a lovely car well specced M.Seats M.Sports.suspension 18s green met cream interior looks a really stylish car.

Keep my cars a long time so i waited another year almost did a lot of overtime and got what i wanted 3.0 just over 3 and only 11k on the clock so if you can wait a little longer thats another option.
 
Personally Id try and get a 2.2 or 2.5 just for the 6pot engine for its smoothness and sound, and also at least it looks like you have a engine when you lift the bonnet up :P
 
I have just bought a 2.0 having had MX5's for the last seven years and had set my mind to buy a 2.0 mx 5 sport but I tested the Z4 fist and then went for a drive in a nearly new Mx5 I was very disapointed in the mazda having been in love with them for some time the Z4 was just class. I know the MX5 has more BHP but it did not feel like it, the Z$ just feels so much stronger and more torque on low revs. I am very pleased with it so far it is the same tax and only a little more on the insurance. BUT I will go for the big lump next time.
 
Just back from a 360 mile round trip today. Managed 34.0 dead and I might have gone over the 70 limit somewhere sometime :wink: and certainly had some traffic queues like the Dartford tunnel to contend with.

Now that's not bad for a big ol 3 litre :)
 
I bought a 2.0 SE and I just love the car.It has class,is a headturner and is great fun to drive.Even more so with the roof down!Which I do as often as I can.
Wether you go for the 2.0 or the 3.0 just remember that there are a lot of people around who would love to own a Zed irrespective of engine size.
Most people don't even see the engine size, just a nice looking car.
Bottom line - I get the same buzz driving my 2.0 as much as the 3.0 guys do driving theirs.Its not all about speed! :driving:
 
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