2.5Si or 3.0Si

[pvr]

I’ve owned both, 3.0Si all day long…

Very much so. The weekend loaners I had when they came out, was the 2.5 litre engine and it fell very sluggish compared to the 3.0

 

[Abbas]

Note that video is not comparing the SI versions which are significantly different.

Ah yes, fair point!

Overall, if both are within budget, and reasonably clean, and sensible things like fuel economy etc aren't a deciding factor. Only one way to go

 

[True-Blue]

I’ve owned both, 3.0Si all day long…

Very much so. The weekend loaners I had when they came out, was the 2.5 litre engine and it fell very sluggish compared to the 3.0

The 2.5Si feels a bit like an S2000 engine that doesn’t rev as high and isn’t as manic at the top end. It’s a very smooth experience, much better than the 2.5 non-Si, but lacks torque. You’ll probably be eaten alive by something like a Fiat 500 Abarth :|


The 3.0Si would be my choice for sensible real world performance at a palatable price, the additional power is noticeable


Condition and service history/maintenance over mileage OP.

 

[sars]

Funny I found the 2.5Si more zingy than the 3.0Si, shorter stroke etcetera

 

[True-Blue]

Funny I found the 2.5Si more zingy than the 3.0Si, shorter stroke etcetera

What do you mean by ‘Zingy’

The shorter stroke does make the 2.5Si more ‘sewing machine’ revy like the Honda, but the 3.0Si is a significantly quicker car

 

[sars]

Sewing machine, really, are you twelve years old how can you describe a 215 bhp six cylinder engine as a sewing machine oke:

and my meaning of zingy, an engine that revs freely. Also the difference in performance between the 2.5Si and 3.0Si is similar to the difference between the 3.0Si and the Z4M, and many 3.0Si owners on here have argued that that was enough. IMHO all the six cylinder models offer lively performance and the OP won't be disappointed with any of them.

 

[True-Blue]

Sewing machine, really, are you twelve years old how can you describe a 215 bhp six cylinder engine as a sewing machine oke:

and my meaning of zingy, an engine that revs freely. Also the difference in performance between the 2.5Si and 3.0Si is similar to the difference between the 3.0Si and the Z4M, and many 3.0Si owners on here have argued that that was enough. IMHO all the six cylinder models offer lively performance and the OP won't be disappointed with any of them.

‘Sewing machine smooth’ revs freely… like a sewing machine… it’s not a slur! I’m not saying it’s got the power of a sewing machine FFS :rofl:

There’s a marked difference between the 2.5Si and 3.0Si

 

[Mr Tidy]

Funny I found the 2.5Si more zingy than the 3.0Si, shorter stroke etcetera

Admittedly I've only had both in a 3 Series but despite the longer stroke I've found the 3 litre far more "zingy" than the 2.5 because the 2.5 took some time to get back up to speed and didn't rev any higher!

2.5 made a claimed 215PS at 6,500rpm, 3 litre was 258PS at 6,600rpm. But the torque was way better for the 3 litre with 300Nm at 2,500rpm rather than 250Nm at 2,750rpm for the 2.5. And as they were both very high-geared 70mph in 6th was around 2,500rpm so my 2.5 just felt a bit gutless. Accelerating in that from 60 often meant dropping down a gear or two but my 330i just goes.

Claimed outputs for facelift Z4s were 218PS at 6,500rpm for the 2.5Si and 265PS at 6,600 rpm for the 3.0Si with torque at 250Nm @2,750rpm for the 2.5Si and 315Nm@2,750rpm for the 3.0Si, but they are also lower geared than my E9*s.

Put simply I'd just get a 3 litre!

 

[deltasierra]

There is a big difference in torque 180 v 230ft/lbs that’s to be expected with a short stroke engine, in the real world on the road you have to change down a lot more because under 3000rpm it’s not quick. Change down and use the revs and it’s quick enough but there are going to be hot hatches that are quicker, wether you have a 2.5 or 3.0, to be sure of putting them down you need a Z4M. So decide where your price point is, today a decent 2.5si is going to be £5k+, a 3.0si £7k or a Z4M £15k.

 

[coldel]

So buy a 3.0si, enjoy the extra performance, make sure its in great condition, and enjoy the fact you didn't get sucked into focusing on mileage when you are wringing all that extra power out the N52

 

[highflyer79]

Thanks for all the help and information peeps.

I see one poped up on AT other day. Looks very suspicious to me, they wnt £13k but there are mileage doscrepancies, lol. I'd be steering well clear of that one. At the mo its on 45k but MOT shows a lot higher in the 100k.

 

[Lynchy]

I’ve had both models within the last couple of months and the 3.0si is quicker and more responsive but not as much as you would think. If you drive fairly sensibly then both are excellent but if you like to push on then the 3.0 Si is the one.

 

[Zedebee]

Strange MOT history that one, unless the plate has been on another car. £13k is extremely toppy for a roadster, you should be able to a very nice 3.0Si on 60k for about £9k.
This one’s lovely, but automatic https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307059322281?

 

[highflyer79]

So this is the one I’m interested in. It’s on 85k and is priced at £7k. Let me know your thought on price please? It’s hard to gauge as they vary so much on sites.

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[sars]

That looks tidy, not sure about the blue seats against the silver, but that's just down to personal taste. Only one point of real concern, what size wheel and tyre is fitted to the front, they should be 225/40 R18 not 255/35 R18. Depending on offset there could be a some rubbing

 

[pvr]

Servicing a bit odd - 4 years in between?

 

[coldel]

Does the ad talk about the number plate, is that whats on it at the moment? A quick check shows H7NMS on a white Nissan with model 'unknown' with no records at the DVLA.

And please dont pay 13 grand for a 45k mile Z4 E85. Its hugely overpriced.

 

[pvr]

I checked H7NWS as well to see if my eyes were playing games, funny enough also Nissan and also unknown MOT

 

[highflyer79]

That was a precious plate on it. It’s on a different plate now.

 

[highflyer79]

Servicing a bit odd - 4 years in between?

What should it be? It’s got lots of receipts.