2.2 Auto - thoughts ?

M

Mickemo

Member
 Hampshire
Hi Folks

Im searching for a Z4 and have found what appears to be a decent example in the right colour & sensible mileage however its a 2.2 Auto (2004)

I test drove Bing's 3.0si Auto several years back and was very impressed with it, does anyone have any experience of the 2.2 Auto...my concern is that it will feel a little lifeless but am keen to hear the thoughts of the experts on the forum :-)

Thanks

M
 
I have owned a 2.2 manual not auto and have had 2 3.0 I was dissapointed in the 2.2 and much prefer the larger engines but it really depends on what you are looking for if you want a great looking car and aren't bothered about performance the 2.2 will fit the bill but if you want it to go like it looks it's the 3.0 you want
 
The 3.0si has a newer 6 speed auto box where as the 2.2 has an earlier 5 speed. Something else to bear in mind. My advice is drive it and see if its for you, its very subjective this sort of thing, the 100bhp less may not bother you but for most it would.
 
MACK said:
The 3.0si has a newer 6 speed auto box where as the 2.2 has an earlier 5 speed. Something else to bear in mind. My advice is drive it and see if its for you, its very subjective this sort of thing, the 100bhp less may not bother you but for most it would.
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Sounds like a good plan - you may find it OK OP.

What you are used to at present may have a bearing on how it feels to you.
 
OK cheers all for your feedback - ill stick to a 2.5 or 3.0L then. I used to own a Boxster S so I guess a 2.2 auto would feel a little sluggish :-)

Im on a limited budget TBH so not hopeful of find a decent example without galactic mileage.

I like the clear headlight models but I think they are only available on the FL model (2006 onwards) - how easy is it to change to clear headlights & how much does it cost ?
 
Mickemo said:
OK cheers all for your feedback - ill stick to a 2.5 or 3.0L then. I used to own a Boxster S so I guess a 2.2 auto would feel a little sluggish :-)

Im on a limited budget TBH so not hopeful of find a decent example without galactic mileage.

I like the clear headlight models but I think they are only available on the FL model (2006 onwards) - how easy is it to change to clear headlights & how much does it cost ?
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Headlights swapping depends on whether they are xenon or halogen. Halogens are a straight swap xenons are not and require a bit more work. Halogens are also a fair bit cheaper both secondhand and new and more plentiful than xenons that really are like hens teeth. By the time you have bought some secondhand post facelift halogens and sold your existing ones your typically into a few hundredpounds net cost unless you get lucky.

It is possible to get 2005 pre facelift cars with a clear indicator headlight from the factory (or at least a dealer fit option) However it was an expensive option and I don't think I have ever seen one yet. All the pre cars I have seen have either had the cut and shut indicator swap, aftermarket sonar lights (halogen only) or post lights on a pre car (what I did)

If you want the go of your old boxster the 3.0 is really your only option and they do come with a bit more standard kit such as electric seats and bigger front brakes. You looking specifically at the auto or is the manual an option. Which boxster model did you have?
 
Mack - thats great info, many thanks

I had a 987 2.7 and then a 986 S 550 Anniversary model - both great cars (esp the 550)
 
I've had a manual Cayman S and then a 991 Carrera S PDK alongside my 2.2 manual.

You cannot and should not try to compare them. Chalk and cheese.

I know the limitations of the 2.2 and enjoy it for how it looks and how easy it is to drive. You never have to fight it like I did the other two at times. My 2.2 is a lovely drive, like a light go-kart compared to the other two.

If you want a comparable car, the 3.0l is your only option.

Never experienced an auto Z though
 
I test drove several Z4's (2.5 & 3.0 manual) and a 3.0 Si auto and really liked it but then bought a Boxster (no slight on the Z4 in any way I just had to scratch the Porker itch) so I am aware that they are very different cars and that is fine.

Im also pondering a decent Z3 (2.2 or 3.0 sport) - any ex Z3 owners on here have a view on them ?
 
I have had a 2.7 Cayman, a 2.5 E89and now have 2.2 Z4. As most are saying it depends what you want at the time. I loved all of my cars but now enjoy a more relaxed approach to my driving. Make sure you drive all the options before you make a decision. When I was looking I knew I wanted a six but then it was the condition and mileage which determined what I bought. I am really pleased with my purchase and enjoy driving it.
Good luck with your search. If you are patient I am sure you will find what you want.
 
Mickemo said:
Mack - thats great info, many thanks

I had a 987 2.7 and then a 986 S 550 Anniversary model - both great cars (esp the 550)
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So if memory serves their both circa 250BHP and comparable in weight to the zed. So either a pre 3.0 at 230BHP or a post at 260BHP will have similar straight line speed.
If you want the auto the BMW box, especially the later 6 speed box is much nicer than the Porsche auto in the 986/7 pre the PDK. Another thing I have seemed to notice is the 3.0i/3.0si seems to have a bit more low down grunt than my old boxster did, especially after I did my vanos seals. However I did have a 5 year hiatus from my last boxster s to buying my zed so I might be wrong on that.
 
Thanks gents - I'm less interested in straight-line speed as I need to slow down a bit :driving: which is why I was initially considering the 2.2

Id be keen to hear from any Z4 owners who used to own a Z3 and how they compared....im expecting you all to say the Z3 is carp, buy the Z4 LOL
 
Mickemo said:
Thanks gents - I'm less interested in straight-line speed as I need to slow down a bit :driving: which is why I was initially considering the 2.2

Id be keen to hear from any Z4 owners who used to own a Z3 and how they compared....im expecting you all to say the Z3 is carp, buy the Z4 LOL
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The Z3 was a decent package of it's era but felt heavy and 'loose' with rattles when I drove one particularly compared to the MX5 or Z4. Z3 Torsional rigidity was poor which probably explains the floppy feel since the Z4 Roadster is nearly three times stiffer, even an MGF was 50% stiffer than a Z3. These are the base numbers for comparison of torsional rigidity, but don't forget that low weight is the big factor in nifty handling, a flea like the the Elise doesn't need to be as stiff as a barge like the Aston so the Elise is more agile. The Z3 and Z4 are by and large similar weight at about 1375 kg depending on engine, so you can see why the Z4 feels more sorted.

Aston Martin DB9 Convertible - 15,500 Nm/deg
BMW Z4: 14,500 Nm/degree
Lotus Elise: 10500 Nm/degree
Mazda MX5 NC: 8800 Nm/degree
MGF: 7100 Nm/degree
BMW Z3: 5600 Nm/degree
 
Thanks Ewazix - great info that, if you don't mind me asking what is the info source - id like to check the Boxster models to see how they compared to the Z4. I'm geeky like that :-)

It sounds like the Z3 is style over function then....still its a nice looking car and I can see them becoming a classic (as will the Z4 in time)
 
Mickemo said:
Thanks Ewazix - great info that, if you don't mind me asking what is the info source - id like to check the Boxster models to see how they compared to the Z4. I'm geeky like that :-)

It sounds like the Z3 is style over function then....still its a nice looking car and I can see them becoming a classic (as will the Z4 in time)
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No probs, I've not seen Boxster numbers but are sure to be out there on the web so long as you check the correct model number (sorry I'm not up on Porsche 99' whatever's). It has to be said that TR numbers are not the whole story for example the S2000 is a floppy rice noodle at 7000 Nm/degree so will suffer scuttle shake and some 'loosness' but drives pretty sweetly.
 
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the S2000 is a floppy rice noodle at 7000 Nm/degree so will suffer scuttle shake and some 'loosness' but drives pretty sweetly.
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Yes and what a gearbox too....typical Japanese looks though (which IMHO isn't a good thing)
 
The Porsche 987 boxster is 16,000 which is about 10% up on the the older 986. I'm a geek with sort of thing!
You can really tell the difference with say a e46 cab which is 10,500. This is further compounded as the e46 cabs are circa 1,700kg to the z4 circa 1,300kg.
However it can also be a case of diminishing returns. The 987 Cayman is about 30,000 and feels a bit stiffer/ better to drive for it, but not twice as good etc than the boxster.
 
Well in the past year I have gone from a 2.5 Z4 to a Z3 2.2 and now a Z3M. I loved the Z4 but had issues with the reliability and got a Z3 2.2. The Z3 did not go round corners as well as the Z4 but you seem to have a better view of the road. The engine on the 2.2 had enough power and I used to keep it in fifth year most of the time. The Z3 is a more simplier car on the mechanical and electric front which is one of the reasons I bought a Z3. The roof design on the Z3 is far simplier but not as good quality as the Z4. The 2.8 and 3.0 litre versions would be very fast indeed but prices are rising. Regarding numbers go into autotrader and do a national search for a particular car. Today there are 154 Z3's 805 Z4's 783 Boxsters and 91 Honda 2000's so based on numbers alone there are plenty of Z4's available. The Honda would be probably the better investment long term due to the low number of examples. But you should buy the car you like the most and just enjoy it and not worry. It will probably cost you money no matter what you buy. My Z3M is a bit of a money pit but I just enjoy driving it. And the attention!
 
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