3.0si

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I have been looking at a 2006 3.0si. 85k miles.
I have noticed it has heated leather seats but not the M sport seats. I thought the si came with the M sport seats as standard?
 
Hi, no unfortunately the M sport seats were only supplied as part of an optional “sports” package, which also included uprated suspension I believe. The standard Si came with the standard SE seats, which could be heated and with memory.
 
Thank you Davros.
Think I’ll maybe hold out for an M sport then.
Like hens teeth in Northern Ireland.
 
You can always retrofit seats... if the right car comes along bar perfect seats...
 
Are you looking at the forum sales section - I know its a pain traveling over to mainland UK but a forum car might take a lot of the risk out of buying by photo.

I travelled from Norfolk to Devon to buy mine - paid by bank transfer and taxed and insured on line after I'd seen it; and you get the benifit of an epic first trip in it on the way home :thumbsup:
 
Most Si cars are Sport spec - I guess most original buyers who opted for the greater performance also preferred the seats, and suspension and 18" wheels, to go with it.
But, as you've discovered, there are some Si SE spec cars too.
 
IIRC all the 3.0Sis had the memory seats, but heated seats were an option.

And as you've discovered the M-Sport seats were an option as well, albeit one that most owners seem to have gone for.

If you think of buying a car without them and retro-fitting them bear in mind a used pair of M-Sport seats will probably cost the thick end of £1,000! :o
 
Thanks that’s good advice. Just need to be patient. Budget is around £5k.
Crazy Harry that is good advice about buying a forum car. I would be happy enough going to mainland if the price was right and for the right car.
Thanks for all your input.
 
montymog said:
with or without the sports seats the SI is all about the engine :)
Click to expand...

That’s all the Si relates to, the engine. Had nothing to do with trim levels and equipment.
 
With a £5k budget, is it fair to assume your looking to purchase a “roadster?”
Have you considered auctions like
Charles Trent?
Co-part?

Coupes/roadster Z4’s do feature from time to time, some have minor to major damage, some stolen recovery and some are finance reclaims.
 
At that sort of mileage you might want to have a bit extra to budget for.....

Water Pump
Suspension refresh
Brakes
Possibly a Clutch

Unless it's all been done.

Check out the buyers guide and read up on what's recommended on here.
 
Yes Thonderous One I’m after a convertible rather than the coupe.
I will have a look at those two companies.
Thanks
Yes thanks Skelters that’s good advice
 
There is a lovely 3.0 for sale over here but it is the 3.0se.
Was very tempted but probably safer holding out for the 3.0si.
Is there a major difference in performance in the two models?
 
Keith96 said:
There is a lovely 3.0 for sale over here but it is the 3.0se.
Was very tempted but probably safer holding out for the 3.0si.
Is there a major difference in performance in the two models?
Click to expand...

The si is available in se spec, as above-the si moniker applies to the engine only & not the trim. :thumbsup:
Rob
 
Keith96 said:
There is a lovely 3.0 for sale over here but it is the 3.0se.
Was very tempted but probably safer holding out for the 3.0si.
Is there a major difference in performance in the two models?
Click to expand...

As Rob says the performance is exactly the same.

But as you've already found out, the main difference is that the Sport models have the M-Sport seats as standard! :lol:

The Sport also has stiffer suspension and a lower ride height than the SE - 10mm IIRC.

I wouldn't rule out an SE so long as it had the M-Sport seats in it - as you say there aren't too many to choose from in your part of the world.

Good luck finding the right one. :thumbsup:
 
Sorry I should have said the car I found was the 3.0i rather than the 3.0si
I assume there is a fair difference in performance in these two?
 
3.0i is a 230hp M54 engine which is robust and in many, many E46 generations of cars.

The 3.0si is a 265hp N52 which isn't as heavy duty but is still very reliable.

However the 2 engines do have different characters where the M54 is slightly more lazy but the N52 does like to rev.

They sound different too, the M54 is more bassy and boomy and the N52 has more of a "zing" to it (think almost E46 M3 esque)

Performance wise there isn't a great deal in real world performance but you're looking at about 1 second difference in the 0-60mph and the N52 being slightly more flexible in terms of in gear performance.

I would drive both and see which you prefer as you will pick up a really nice 3.0i for 5k but probably a shabby 3.0si for the same cash.

Good luck with the search :thumbsup:
 
coupedan said:
3.0i is a 230hp M54 engine which is robust and in many, many E46 generations of cars.

The 3.0si is a 265hp N52 which isn't as heavy duty but is still very reliable.

However the 2 engines do have different characters where the M54 is slightly more lazy but the N52 does like to rev.

They sound different too, the M54 is more bassy and boomy and the N52 has more of a "zing" to it (think almost E46 M3 esque)

Performance wise there isn't a great deal in real world performance but you're looking at about 1 second difference in the 0-60mph and the N52 being slightly more flexible in terms of in gear performance.

I would drive both and see which you prefer as you will pick up a really nice 3.0i for 5k but probably a shabby 3.0si for the same cash.

Good luck with the search :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I think the acceleration difference is much smaller than 1 second, it’s more like 0.2 of a second :thumbsup:
Rob
 
The difference between the engines is clear on a dyno graph, the red is m54, blue is n52 & gold is s54 (M)
917BB37A-0918-4B66-A0E6-1461CE9DD779.jpeg
Rob
 
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