2.0 owners corner

[Paradroid]

Who's got the 2.0 then? I bought mine after years of owning various S6/V6 cars and thinking I had to start thinking about economy and emissions for once. It's not been a disappointment either the 2.0 is brilliantly smooth and goes very well for what it is.

Any other 2.0 owners around and are you as chuffed as me?

My only disappointment is the brakes. I don't know if they're lower spec than the bigger-engined models. It could be just that a brake fluid change is overdue on my car.

 

[andysat]

Dont mention 2.0 and emissions to me

 

[Adamski]

What's the output from the 2.0i? Isn't it 150bhp?

When I was a young lad, 150bhp was mega power....

 

[andysat]

If you can do it without the chuffing light coming on!

 

[GaryH]

Yeah me too , my 2.0 has been a pain in the arse. Drives nice when its not stuck in the BMW garage being fixed!!! Im wondering if the 6 pot engines are more reliable!!!!

 

[Adamski]

From Andy's experience I would be tempted to say yes...

My 4 pot 3 series was ok.... it was a 1.8 though

 

[Paradroid]

Ummm ok. Jeez so I bought a lemon!?!?!

My missus has a 1-series with the newer direct-injection engine and there's definitely issues with those. It doesn't let us down but sometimes doesn't like starting and occasionally runs rough.

One of the reasons I bought the Z4 was because of the older non-DI engine, and I couldn't find anyone having issues with it online, it looked spot on. The engine in my motor is great.

Are we talking common problems here or one-offs?

I would have thought the 120i and 320i (pre ED) would have had the same problems but haven't heard anything.

 

[Adamski]

With regards to the brakes. Have you replaced the brakes during your owership?

My old boss had a 5 series, and didnt use genuine BMW parts when he replaced discs and pads. He had no end of problems with it. Since hearing of his woes, I have always replaced the brakes with genuine BMW parts... Never had any issues

 

[Paradroid]

No, only had it a week. It's 4 years old but very low mileage so only had one service. It'll still be on original pads, discs, and fluid. I reckon the fluid is definitely shot at!

 

[Adamski]

Yeah fluid should be changed every 2 years if I remember correctly

 

[Bing]

Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years IIRC, so that will need done

 

[Bing]

Oops, there's an echo in here

 

[paulgs1000]

Like you I bought a 4 pot for economy reasons. Delighted to see that in 'Which Car' this month best buy sports car for £8000 was the Z4 AND they went on to recommend the best buy as the 2.0l as 'smooth fast revving and economic with enough performance'. Was relieved to read this (and their pricing thoughts as I think I paid too much)- - according to them I was not fleeced - great). Like the idea of findiing out what other 4 pot owners have to say so I hope this string continues.
For me it was the look of the Z4 and whilst i would love the drama and sound of the 6's I had to consider all costs coming from an MX5. The car is in another league. It is a Sport and the cornering and handling is brilliant - tyres are going to cost however and the ride is hard but this will be common to all with low profiles - have got used to it. Performance wise I have just cleared 6 points so am happy not to have too much capability which might tempt me to higher speeds. But the 4 pot spins up quickly and will fly you past 80 very easily. One observation is the gearing from second to 3rd - on spirited runs on tighter corners 3rd drops me out of the highest power revs and dropping to 2nd I have limited revs to work with before hitting the rev limit and needing to change up again. This can be frustrating at times (though this might be me missing the 7500 rev limit the MX had which had a terrifically useful higher rev limit). In terms of the economy the 6 gears play their part when you are wanting to cruise - no 'lift' in 6th of course and essential to change down to maintain or increase speed at times. The numbers on the mpg gauge keep my wife happy anyway. Of course there are often times when I would wish for a more powerful 6 pot but planning ahead and using the full capability of the 2.0 litre is fun in itself. (Love the noise of the 6 pot but the 4 sounds good under load as well)
The brakes on my car are not instant or sensitive enough and do not pin the car down as I would like at times. I have put this down to a need for fresh fluid and hopefully new pads and discs in the future - in my experience this can really lift the braking performance of an older car - we shall see - if not I will try different pads. Ultimately this is a feel good car for me - it looks great and the performance is good enough to be fun and can be fully exploited without causing too much frustration on the public roads - The car can easily out perform safe cornering speeds on public roads - thats a lot of the fun with my 2.0l. What do other owners think?

 

[nightyard]

I have a 2.0 and I'm happy with its performance.

 

[Merrsh1]

Another current 2.0 and M owner here. I bought my 2.0 as I loved the look of the z4, I don't think there is another car to match the looks of the e85/e89, to me its the best looking road car around (excluding telephone number priced super cars).

It's certainly fast enough for every day use and is great fun on country lanes. When I bought it I wasn't remotely interested in cars at all. To me they were a 'tool' for getting from A to B, the 2.0 Z4 changed that. That in itself must say something!

The only reason for moving to the M was that in my lifetime cars like it will be taxed and 'petrolled' off the road, so it's buy now and enjoy or always wonder what they were like.

I'd recommend the 2.0 ltr to anyone.

 

[slick]

I too came from MX5s......and I also searched for a 2.0 as the power was almost identical.... but I was offered such a good price for the Mazda in part ex for the 2.5 I was looking at I took the plunge......shows 32.8 average on the fuel computer so far after over 300 miles of mixed driving.
I couldnt be more pleased

 

[Merrsh1]

Regarding brakes and reliability...

Mine has never had a single problem and the brakes are fine, just had an Mot and it sailed through.

Fluid change I reckon...

 

[GaryH]

Bought my 2.0 last year for the same reasons as everyone else, liked the looks and refinement compared to the MX5 and wanted economy, though I do now wish i went for a 2.5 just for that extra torque.

Cant say ive been overly pleased with the car though. I bought it at 35k after the previous owner had the rear springs replaced (common problem) - (everything done at BMW in the entire cars history). I thankfully took out a warranty with BMW which has been a godsend!!

Immediate concern was the lumpy idle which is slightly better due to advancing the revs a bit more, but still there which I find incredible given that any other car I have driven idles nice and smooth - surely BMW can build a car that doesnt feel like its going to cut out at idle?

Then at 44k miles the windscreen wiper motor had to be replaced as it wasnt parking the wipers back in the normal position (common fault). Then at 47k miles it had its oil service, and just before this, the emissions light came on.

The light was caused by a split in the exhaust manifold (common problem). During inspection, it was also found to need a new vacuum pump and there was an oil leak so a new gasket seal was needed. Again, all done at BMW under warranty.

The past few weeks the car has been slightly hesistant and yesterday the car died on me on my way to work. No power and needed to be towed to the garage. BMW called me yesterday to say its a fuel injector which needs replacing but cant get the car back until Wednesday (tomorrow) as it has to be ordered in.

So overall, while I like the way the car looks and drives, i'm far from happy with its reliability and shoddy build quality. Especially for what is essentially a low mileage car. There seems to be a lot of common faults with these cars, and a lot of faults with bits breaking/falling off which ive never heard about with other cars, e.g. wing mirror glass, door handles etc.

I'm just waiting now for the roof motor to fail on me, im sure thats in the pipeline just around the corner!!!!! Seriously glad I got the warranty though, the faults so far would have cost me in excess of £2000 to have fixed if I was paying myself.

The warranty is up in November and i'll be getting rid of the car, will be buying Japanese again I think. Pity because I had high expectations of the Z4.

 

[Georgio]

Had the 2.0l for a couple of months now and it's a nice package. Ok if money was no object then an 'M' would have been even nicer, but I have to balance family finances with having my fun so the 2.0 won out.
Plus I've had my balls to the wall fun in my previous car which was a series 1 IIIs Elise...the Zed makes a more refined change

 

[JimmyPop]

Have a 2.0 and chuffing love it

Only problems I've had really have been a cracked exhaust manifold which was changed before I bought it and a new starter motor at the start of this year which was replaced under AUC. Mine isa 2005 model.