23i vs 30i.. or 4 pot?

M

mr.tourette

Veteran
 north wales
looking to jump into an e89 in the next few months, now unfortunately I've not even test drove any e89 and cant find any locally to try, pretty sure i want a 6 pot though I'm not completely ruling out a 4 pot blower, not looking to any of the 35s... budget is 10k max.. would appreciate any and all opinions, market wise the 23i seems to have the most availability and if I'm completely honest would probably be quick enough, in some ways i almost prefer a smaller engine that you have to wring its neck a bit to get the best out of it... anyway I digress, would love to hear what current 23i owners think of their, happy with the power and drive.. anyone regret not getting the 3 litre.. opinions of all e89 appreciated regardless of what engine you plumped for :thumbsup:
 
I have the 30i and I love it. It can't be tuned for a huge amount of extra horses / torque like the 4 pot 18i or 20i can but that doesn't matter it's plenty quick already and the engine is creamy smooth and sounds fantastic and it's pretty good on fuel too, I get between 22 and 24 MPG in town or city driving and have seen 44 MPG on a long run. Downside is not so many around but in the longer term that could be an upside too!
 
Hi, lots of discussion written on here about this choice with plenty of plus points whichever way you lean.
Best option is to drive a few cars so you can make your own mind up which is best suited :?
Rob
 
I've no experience of the E89 but there certainly seem to be far more 23is around then 30is.

I had the same engine as the 30i in my 1st 2 E86s and loved it - so much that I bought an E91 325i as a daily. But after a year I thought it felt a bit unexciting so I swapped last year to an E90 330i which is much better! But in a Z4 there's probably less weight to shift than a 3 Series so a 23i might be fine - although a 30i will cost the same to run. :wink:

I'm not a fan of turbo engines so would prefer the straight 6, but plenty of people on here love the turbo 4s like Smartbear & PBondar for example.

Ideally you need to try both, but if there aren't any locally that can be tricky.

I wonder if anyone local on here might be able to help you out?
 
SWMBO had a 2.3 and replaced it with a 2.0.

Both automatics.

I prefered the 2.3. Better drive off roundabouts or slow corners than the 2.0. Sounded a lot better. More refined at low speed. I use the term 'sweet' when describing it.

But once on the move and at speed not so much difference.
 
Dryce said:
SWMBO had a 2.3 and replaced it with a 2.0.

Both automatics.

I prefered the 2.3. Better drive off roundabouts or slow corners than the 2.0. Sounded a lot better. More refined at low speed. I use the term 'sweet' when describing it.

But once on the move and at speed not so much difference.
Click to expand...

Can’t see that myself, the 20i has more torque than a 23i particularly at low/midrange rpm. It’s going to be better driving away from slow corners & roundabouts than the 2.5.
Rob
 
Interesting opinions, hope something localish comes up soon to test drive, i wouldn't ask a private seller unless i was genuinely interested in that car but happy to try at a dealer if its something im undecided about
 
When we did our Norfolk Coast run last Thursday I was 5th in a line of 6. Ahead of me were an E85 3.0si, E86 M, E86 3.0si, E85 2.2i and behind me a 35is. In my standard powered E89 20i I had no problem at all keeping up, albeit on a twisty narrow road, but even the straight bits didn't seem much different.
However, as Vall continually insisted on pointing out, mine didn't sound half as nice accelerating off roundabouts etc. It was popping nicely on lift off though.

It comes down to horses for courses really. The roads we use in Norfolk tend to really negate the advantages of a big powerful engine, unless you like lots of short sprints and hard braking. For a smooth and rapid enough run, my 20i is ideal and the run on Thursday put to bed for me any thoughts of trading up to the bigger engines.
(But I do love the sound of Vall's 2.5i :) )
 
I was originally looking for a 3.0, test drove one and was a little underwhelmed. I was expecting more power, although in hind sight the route I was taken on through a built up area didn't really help.
This was my first drive in a Z4. I dithered over the purchase, thinking I needed to drive another to compare. The car was then sold.
I couldn't find another 3.0. I did however find a 23i right spec, colour mileage and money. I test drove it (open country roads) gave it some beans and I was hooked. To me the 23i and 3.0 were fairly comparable power wise not much difference. Then again maybe the 3.0 was a pup.
I bought the 23i and haven't regretted it at all. Sounds fantastic and when you rev it through the gears is more than quick enough.
Just My Opinion.
 
flybobbie said:
23i, most reliable Z4.
Click to expand...

As is the 30i

Pickster said:
I was originally looking for a 3.0, test drove one and was a little underwhelmed. I was expecting more power, although in hind sight the route I was taken on through a built up area didn't really help.
This was my first drive in a Z4. I dithered over the purchase, thinking I needed to drive another to compare. The car was then sold.
I couldn't find another 3.0. I did however find a 23i right spec, colour mileage and money. I test drove it (open country roads) gave it some beans and I was hooked. To me the 23i and 3.0 were fairly comparable power wise not much difference. Then again maybe the 3.0 was a pup.
I bought the 23i and haven't regretted it at all. Sounds fantastic and when you rev it through the gears is more than quick enough.
Just My Opinion.
Click to expand...

Not sure if there was a problem with the 30i you drove but 54 bhp and 44.6 lbs/ft of torque more over the 23i and the performance difference is somewhat significant without any extra running costs.
 
Folks giving low 20 mpg, i get 30mpg on the 23i daily drive, 50:50 town and country.
45-50 if i could go m-way.
 
We have now had our 23i for 7 years and at the moment no plans to change it. We thought about a 35is for a while but it would just be used the same as the one we have due to the extra cost and common issues with them.
Its a lovely car to drive, really smooth and the noise from the engine taking it up the revs with the roof down is addictive.
Its not the quickest of the models but was not bought to be the fastest in the street.
Only thing I would change in it would be getting one with idrive, not for the nav but for the music storage as its great in the X6.
 
Silverstar said:
flybobbie said:
23i, most reliable Z4.
Click to expand...

As is the 30i

Pickster said:
I was originally looking for a 3.0, test drove one and was a little underwhelmed. I was expecting more power, although in hind sight the route I was taken on through a built up area didn't really help.
This was my first drive in a Z4. I dithered over the purchase, thinking I needed to drive another to compare. The car was then sold.
I couldn't find another 3.0. I did however find a 23i right spec, colour mileage and money. I test drove it (open country roads) gave it some beans and I was hooked. To me the 23i and 3.0 were fairly comparable power wise not much difference. Then again maybe the 3.0 was a pup.
I bought the 23i and haven't regretted it at all. Sounds fantastic and when you rev it through the gears is more than quick enough.
Just My Opinion.
Click to expand...

Not sure if there was a problem with the 30i you drove but 54 bhp and 44.6 lbs/ft of torque more over the 23i and the performance difference is somewhat significant without any extra running costs.
Click to expand...
As I said there may have been an issue with the 3.0, but I drove them both within a few days, both were on sale through a dealer and there was no discernible difference between the two. At least not enough to think yeah I must have the 3.0 over the 23.
 
Great to hear all your opinions, i think i will know straight away if the 23i is for me once i try one, there are more considerations than outright power on this purchase, i know the 3.0si engine well as i have it in my e85 roady and to be honest the amount of times I've used it to its potential is minimal, uk roads just dont allow it.
I think spec will be my biggest consideration this time round and even that isnt massive requirements, heated m sport seats are a must, pdc, 18 inch wheels max with our crappy roads, solid service history, i drive would be nice but not really essential, not really sure i need much else unless I'm missing something essential?
Body and interior colour may be my biggest priority, white, blue or black body with red or cream interior preferred, no black interiors and no silver cars, got enough of that in my daily :D
 
I have had a 2.2 E85, a 2.3 E89 and now have a 3.5is. I have never had a 2.0 so can’t really comment on those models. I love the sound of the straight six and have thoroughly enjoyed all three cars. I think your assessment of the situation that there is little opportunity to make use of any extra power available in the 3 litre engine is true. Unless you are going to use the car for track days. Because there are more 2.3s available I think you are more likely to find a really good one with the colour and spec you want without having to wait too long. My current car just happened to pop up for sale on the forum when I had bit of spare cash and it was my favourite colour and in the right condition with A comprehensive history and a low mileage. Too good to resist. Had I come across a 2.3 first with the right credentials I would have bought it.
It really depends on what your priorities are. As has so often been said. What the E89 brings to the table is more space and comfort with greater refinement than the E85/86. It is not, however, as sharp and precise to drive as it’s predecessor.
Last thought. Think carefully as to whether it is REALLY the bigger engine you want. Because if it is and you buy the 2:3 you won’t be satisfied and may well still hanker after the 3 litre. The itch won’t have been properly scratched!
Whatever you decide on good luck with your search. :thumbsup:
 
Silverstar said:
flybobbie said:
23i, most reliable Z4.
Click to expand...

As is the 30i

Pickster said:
I was originally looking for a 3.0, test drove one and was a little underwhelmed. I was expecting more power, although in hind sight the route I was taken on through a built up area didn't really help.
This was my first drive in a Z4. I dithered over the purchase, thinking I needed to drive another to compare. The car was then sold.
I couldn't find another 3.0. I did however find a 23i right spec, colour mileage and money. I test drove it (open country roads) gave it some beans and I was hooked. To me the 23i and 3.0 were fairly comparable power wise not much difference. Then again maybe the 3.0 was a pup.
I bought the 23i and haven't regretted it at all. Sounds fantastic and when you rev it through the gears is more than quick enough.
Just My Opinion.
Click to expand...

Not sure if there was a problem with the 30i you drove but 54 bhp and 44.6 lbs/ft of torque more over the 23i and the performance difference is somewhat significant without any extra running costs.
Click to expand...

That’s odd, you’ve said numerous times on here that a remapped 20i offers no increase in performance over the 30i e89 despite the thumping 70lb/ft advantage the 2litre holds, yet when comparing the 30i to the 23i when there’s only a much smaller advantage of 44lb/ft it’s enough to enable a “significant performance advantage”
You can’t have it both ways :poke:
Rob
 
mr.tourette said:
looking to jump into an e89 in the next few months, now unfortunately I've not even test drove any e89 and cant find any locally to try, pretty sure i want a 6 pot though I'm not completely ruling out a 4 pot blower, not looking to any of the 35s... budget is 10k max.. would appreciate any and all opinions, market wise the 23i seems to have the most availability and if I'm completely honest would probably be quick enough, in some ways i almost prefer a smaller engine that you have to wring its neck a bit to get the best out of it... anyway I digress, would love to hear what current 23i owners think of their, happy with the power and drive.. anyone regret not getting the 3 litre.. opinions of all e89 appreciated regardless of what engine you plumped for :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Steve, send me a message near the W/E if you want run in my e89.
 
Mr Tourette IMHO makes some astute observations which of course we all have our own personal predilictions..

I've not had any 4 wheel 'toys' before my Z4 but had dozens of motorcycles, ranging from the gutless to the (at the time) way overpowered..

I can truthfully say that the most fun I had on the wide/wide range of bikes was on those with modest amounts of power but with a strong 'character' Honda TransAlp, Yamaha TDM850, Honda XR600, Ducati 900...the rocketships (in their day) Laverda 1200 Mirage, Yamaha FZR100 EXIP, Kawasaki GPZ1000, Kawasaki GPZ100RX, Honda CBR1000F all scooted along at seriously daft speeds that would leave even today all most cars for dead..but..I never got the same buzz as I did when I could push the smaller bikes along..

Towards the end of my motorycling period I had 7 bikes in the garage including the Exup/CBR/Duck..most times I took the TDM or Transalp...

Bit of a ramble but...I could see how being able to 'push' a less powerful car along with a great soundtrack and feeling may be much more rewarding than squirting and breaking from one corner or another or one mobile obstacle to another!

For me a well specc'd E89 is a must..so iDrive/decent music support/heated M Sport seats/Cruise/PDC are all musts..I'd like to drive a 6 speed manual vs 6 speed auto to see if the auto is a handicap..some guys can now re-program the shift times on the 6HP box to be quicker to the 8HP found on the N20 4 potters..on the N20 IMHO the 8 speed auto is a no brainer but its a slighly different animal especially when re-mapped..

Anyway just a few rambles..
 
[ref]Pbondar[/ref], all very good points.
And wasn't it James Hunt who drove an Austin A30 or A35 van as it was the only car he felt he could use to the limits and keep his licence?
 
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