thinking of buying a 2.0 as they seem to be better on fuel as I have to do 300 mile round trips about 3 times a month and I see the 2 litre does much better mpg than the 2.5. Is there that much difference in driving them? and are the figures at http://www.whatmpg.co.uk/BMW%20MPG%20Information.html right?
2 litre
- Thread starter Hellequin
- Start date
lacroupade
Veteran
Real world....if I drive briskly within the speed limits, 37-38mpg is the norm.
Motorway cruising at 70-80 gets me 40-42mpg.
Driving to and from Wales late at night in...ahem...more than two figures.....its around 32mpg.
One of the main reasons I picked the 2.0 over anything else (apart from the fact that I didn't want to kill myself or lose my licence) was the fact I refuse these days to buy any vehicle that doesn't have a real-world combined >30mpg.
Motorway cruising at 70-80 gets me 40-42mpg.
Driving to and from Wales late at night in...ahem...more than two figures.....its around 32mpg.
One of the main reasons I picked the 2.0 over anything else (apart from the fact that I didn't want to kill myself or lose my licence) was the fact I refuse these days to buy any vehicle that doesn't have a real-world combined >30mpg.
so, the figures I have seen are pretty accurate then. That is reassuring. Any idea if the driving experience is that much different?
Eldest daughter, (20), and wife reckon I am on a mid-life crisis with wanting to buy one ....am 54 and been driving 3series for years, current one is a 330d, (180k miles)
Eldest daughter, (20), and wife reckon I am on a mid-life crisis with wanting to buy one ....am 54 and been driving 3series for years, current one is a 330d, (180k miles)
You'll miss the 6 cylinder heartbeat & it definitely sounds better, but if MPG is your thing it might be sensible. I'd definitely suggest going to a dealer & trying to drive both, then you won't reflect.
I saw a 2.0 for 7k on a forecourt the other day so that's lots of fun for the money.
However I'd read that table the other way - the 2.2 does 32.1mpg combined & the 3.0Si 31mpg.. but then the 3.0si gets to 60 in 5.9s.....
I saw a 2.0 for 7k on a forecourt the other day so that's lots of fun for the money.
However I'd read that table the other way - the 2.2 does 32.1mpg combined & the 3.0Si 31mpg.. but then the 3.0si gets to 60 in 5.9s.....
I normally reset my MPG when I fill up and it normally ends up being around 35 ish with a mix of town and motorway. Lowest ive had on a tank is 31 which was purely around town in winter, best was about 37. Overall fuel costs are going to be somewhere between 10 and 15% less than 3.0. Some would say its not worth the saving!
I think if you are used to a 330d you will miss the grunt of a 6-cyld diesel as its a big step down in torque. The best thing to do is go have a play! Get as long test drive as you can over a road that you know well which will give you a good indication of the cars performance.
I think if you are used to a 330d you will miss the grunt of a 6-cyld diesel as its a big step down in torque. The best thing to do is go have a play! Get as long test drive as you can over a road that you know well which will give you a good indication of the cars performance.
Hellequin said:
Yes there is. I tested a 3.0 and a 2.5, couldn't really tell them apart on short tests....but they were both CRAZY!
I brought a newer/lower mileage 2.0 that also put a massive
on my face. I'm no speed merchant. If you are I'd highly recommend getting the 3.0. As for the mid-life business, you're never too old 
I got my 2.0 to help with my mid-life crisis. My racing days are over, helped of course by the large number of speed cameras now all over Ireland (we have to pay our EU debt somehow!). In real life/legal speed limits I think the 2.0 is just fine. Also saves me a fortune on tax/insurance and petrol. I did put a K&N panel filter in to give it a little more aggressive noise. Nothing can beat the way you feel with the roof down cruising on a summers day
Usa
Hellequin said:
Don't worry about the midlife crisis. Bought my 3.0i last June when I was 52. My previous car was a smart FourTwo so a bit of a difference.
My wife and kids mock me about my obsession with the car. Also my wife thinks I have a bit of a microfibre cloth fetish as I have about 2 dozen of the buggers in various shapes and colours. That's not to mention the poishes,waxes,QD's,mitts,brushes,etc when previously I made do with a sponge and a chamois.
Go get your 2.0 and enjoy.
the mid life crisis isn't something that I am really worried about. If that is what it is, I intend to enjoy it!
The choice of a 2 or 2.5 is a good one, the 2 makes some sense in the head, but a 6 cyl makes sense in the heart. Well, when I say sense, in a sprts car sort of way
The choice of a 2 or 2.5 is a good one, the 2 makes some sense in the head, but a 6 cyl makes sense in the heart. Well, when I say sense, in a sprts car sort of way
Hellequin said:the mid life crisis isn't something that I am really worried about. If that is what it is, I intend to enjoy it!
The choice of a 2 or 2.5 is a good one, the 2 makes some sense in the head, but a 6 cyl makes sense in the heart. Well, when I say sense, in a sprts car sort of way
Whatever you get and for whatever reason, it'll still be a Z and a thing of beauty.
johnlondonw3
Member
If this has turned into a mid life crisis session then count me in ,especially when it comes to cleaning jimbo ( I bought a orbital polisher a couple of years ago if you want to have a go !)
johnlondonw3 said:If this has turned into a mid life crisis session then count me in ,especially when it comes to cleaning jimbo ( I bought a orbital polisher a couple of years ago if you want to have a go !)
I have Balls but they're not made of steel but thanks for the offer.
lacroupade
Veteran
Hellequin said:
the facelifted 2.0 has a 6-shpeeda thank you.
And in all honesty, if you want to keep your driving licence and not have sky-high insurance premiums, a car that does sub-8 secs to 60 and just under 140 is perfectly adequate in my book. And whatever people say, driving a ragtop with the roof down at more than 100 for sustained periods isn't that comfortable IMHO.
A
Anonymous
Guest
lacroupade said:
+1,
A 2.0 engine would have been quite adequate for me given the way I drive 99.9% of the time.
TBH a 2.0 is quick enough most of the time (I'll never say that again!) as as lacroupade says, sub-8secs to 60 isn't exactly slow. It's just not three-litre-fast though 
Seriously though, a 2.0 is probably enough for most folk, but I'm not "most folk" and I wanted the noise of a 6-cyl having been seduced by the same engine in a mate's E46 330i. And a genuine 30.38mpg for my 3.0i over my lifetime of ownership of 12k miles is damn impressive IMO.
Seriously though, a 2.0 is probably enough for most folk, but I'm not "most folk" and I wanted the noise of a 6-cyl having been seduced by the same engine in a mate's E46 330i. And a genuine 30.38mpg for my 3.0i over my lifetime of ownership of 12k miles is damn impressive IMO.
Bradders75
Senior member
Yep, the 3.0 is an amazingly efficient engine for the performance on offer. As I told anyone who will listen after the Skye trip, I averaged just over 35mpg over ~1050miles, including some bursts of extremely 'progressive' driving. I appreciate that everyone has different requirements but the 2.0 never even registered as a possibility in my buying process, the straight six adds so much to the ownership experience.