2.0L engine why so bad.

M

Magicarcher

Active member
 Warwickshire
Considering a 2.0L engine, I know it is nothing as good as 6CYL but interested in lower running costs.

I have heard it is a really bad engine. Is this relative or absolute?

What are the key issues?
 
it's not a bad engine, it's just this purist bs where people think any bmw can only be with a 6cyl engine.

4 pots are fine if you're not fussed about maximum performance etc.. but even those can be mapped to good numbers.
 
Mapping gives big gains but only for the E89 - not sure if OP is referring to the E85, in which case there's little point in a remap.
 
Marlon said:
Mapping works but only for the E89 - not sure if OP is referring to the E85, in which case there's little point in a remap.
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assuming e89 as it's in the e89 category.. :driving:
 
Not sure why you think it’s bad?

I went from an e89 23i to a 20i and am more than happy with it. It’s certainly quicker in daily use as the available power is more instant.

Granted it doesn’t sound quite as good but that’s about all I miss of the 6 cylinder.
 
It's the e85 older version of z4 where the 2.0 n46 engine is regarded as a bag of shite... The n20 is fairly well respected around here
 
Kugaman1 said:
Not sure why you think it’s bad?

I went from an e89 23i to a 20i and am more than happy with it. It’s certainly quicker in daily use as the available power is more instant.

Granted it doesn’t sound quite as good but that’s about all I miss of the 6 cylinder.
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I did exactly the same thing and must agree :)
 
I went from a 6cyl 3 series coupe to a new 20i turbo e89. It's the 4 pot engine isn't as silky smooth or sound as good as the 6cyl but the exhaust more than makes up for it. More importantly, a remap has got me extra bhp and around 350ft lbs of torque. It's totally transformed the car. :driving:
 
warmasice said:
I went from a 6cyl 3 series coupe to a new 20i turbo e89. It's the 4 pot engine isn't as silky smooth or sound as good as the 6cyl but the exhaust more than makes up for it. More importantly, a remap has got me extra bhp and around 350ft lbs of torque. It's totally transformed the car. :driving:
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Who did you use for a remap? I want to get mine done but there’s very little choice up here near Aberdeen!!!
 
Nowt wrong with doing it this way nowadays.

https://www.racechip.co.uk/

4 POT:

BMW Z4 (E89) 18i:GTS (201 HP/ 312 Nm) From 156HP for £399, not too bad

BMW Z4 (E89) 20i: GTS (236 HP/ 349 Nm) From 184HP for £399, better.

BMW Z4 (E89) 28i: GTS Black (311 HP/ 445 Nm) From 245HP for £549, better still


Then you have the 6 POT:

BMW Z4 (E89) 35i: GTS (383 HP/ 505 Nm) From 306HP for £449

BMW Z4 (E89) 35is:GTS (409 HP/ 478 Nm) From 340HP for £449

This is the way to go id say... :driving:
 
Kugaman1 said:
warmasice said:
I went from a 6cyl 3 series coupe to a new 20i turbo e89. It's the 4 pot engine isn't as silky smooth or sound as good as the 6cyl but the exhaust more than makes up for it. More importantly, a remap has got me extra bhp and around 350ft lbs of torque. It's totally transformed the car. :driving:
Click to expand...

Who did you use for a remap? I want to get mine done but there’s very little choice up here near Aberdeen!!!
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Evolve Automotive. You get a pre and post dyno run included. They've reduced their price now to £499: https://www.evolveautomotive.com/makes/bmw/bmw-z4/bmw-z4-e89-2009-on/bmw-z4-e89-2009-on-20i/bmw-z4-e89-2009-on-20i-ecu-tuning.html
 
Kugaman1 said:
Not sure why you think it’s bad?
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I read some posts on e90 where it was suggesting the 2.0L engines are unreliable, timing chains and coil packs spring to mind. I was assuming it would be the same engine since lot of componentry share between 3 series and z for gen 1 Z4s. I am not interested in tuning it I've my 3.0L E85 gives all the performance I need, just want reliability and low running costs.
 
I wouldn’t get a 28i for low running cost. I seem to get around 30mpg average now but that’s a lot of motorway miles. I’m confident I could get very similar mpg from a 35i/is.

I love my 28i though and with a map / Tuning Box is happily stays with other cars you just wouldn’t expect it to :thumbsup:
 
Magicarcher said:
Kugaman1 said:
Not sure why you think it’s bad?
Click to expand...

I read some posts on e90 where it was suggesting the 2.0L engines are unreliable, timing chains and coil packs spring to mind. I was assuming it would be the same engine since lot of componentry share between 3 series and z for gen 1 Z4s. I am not interested in tuning it I've my 3.0L E85 gives all the performance I need, just want reliability and low running costs.
Click to expand...

Hi, they’ve been selling the n20 engined z4 for some years now and the forum seems pretty quiet regarding problems, that’s got to be a good sign.
Rob
 
JimsZ said:
Nowt wrong with doing it this way nowadays.

https://www.racechip.co.uk/

This is the way to go id say... :driving:
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Hmm, really not sure about a plug in chip tune box. Aren’t these just like those generic diesel tuning boxes that just boost pressures, fuel and air flows? I’d rather have a custom tune that’s matched to the car.
 
Theres no way I would map past 245bhp of the 28i.
Problems with the n20 are
Mitsubishi turbo normally reliable but runs hot in the Z4 the intake seal fails allowing oil in overnight and puff of smoke on startup. Bmw advise a one way pipe install that takes 6 hours that may or may not mask problem-needs a turbo rebuild budget 1k in all which mine did

Timing chain slap with wear breaks plastic guides causing plastic to get caught in the oil pump writing off engine, if caught early needs timing chain and guide replacment. Budget 1k

Oil pump is high tech variable displacement, can fail writing off engine- 12k at a bmw dealer

Valvetronic motor fails due to heat in cylinder head can and does take out ecu which mine did - Budget 2.5k to fix

Ecu aka dme is mounted to hottest part of engine behind oil cooler. Runs crazy hot and will fail sooner or later. Ive put a heat shield behind cooler now

Fuel injectors fail early as do ignition coils due excessive heat and yes can take out ecu

Spark plugs are dear for this engine

Fuel economy whilst much better than the 6 on paper is the same in reality a fair trade for the improved response I guess but dissapointing

Most oil coolers that are plastic crack internally allowing coolant to mix with oil writing off engine bmw had a recall on this as they panicked-poor r and d

Exhaust flap for noise can and does fail

The cylinder walls are aluminium with micron iron coating sprayed on any wear and a rebore is not possible and the engine is likly weaker than it should be

Its not a terrible engine but fact is most people dont know $hit about these engines, the turbo fails at 30k miles evidenced by black internals of the exhausts and they all have them. The dmes are on borrowed time due to the heat and location and the high tech oil pump and poor plastic chain guides are also waiting to fail. I very much dobt these engines will see 150k miles , I could be wrong but I dont think so.
 
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