4-pot mileage

[enuff_zed]

A lot of that seems to be negative, but maybe that's because the people who are happy with those don't shout about it?

I don't know why, it's no less reliable than a 3.0; I have both, so I should know. The weak points on the 2.0 are different to the 3.0, but often far less to address; i.e., I've done the VVT on my 2.0, brand new, genuine part, £160; go and look at the cost of replacing/rebuilding a Vanos unit. Mine's done 130k, no chain slack, it's not burning oil, everything works as you'd expect.

As for reliability of the engine, again, I wonder how much of the negative stuff comes from people that don't own one; there are far, far, far more of these 2.0 BMW engines in the world than the 3.0 straight six or the 2.5, the 2.0 in your Z4 is the same unit found in the 3 series, X series etc., etc.

As for driveability, the 2.0 is perfectly good enough to have fun, and having considerably less weight over the front axle the turn-in is better than the 3.0. It's not as quick, but it's not what I'd call slow, and unless you're buying a Z4 because you want the ultimate acceleration or tractability then the 2.0 is plenty of fun. It has a different gearbox to the 3.0, you can tell it's "lighter weight", but it's a shorter throw and equally as slick so you don't feel like you're missing out. My reasons for buying a Z4, all those years ago, were because they looked good, they're very modern inside with regards to design, and still are, and they don't smell/sound like a traditional convertible; notice, power/speed wasn't really a main consideration for me and still isn't.

What I would absolutely say is that until I owned a 2.0, I would have been like the other nay-sayers and said "Get a 3.0, or a 2.5 at a push", but having owned a 2.0 I'd retract that in a heart-beat.

Thanks for the insight.
As it happens, this thread has resolved my need for a project by other means, but I would certainly at some point take on a 4-pot, if only to say I've had one. May slightly less than 191k though :roll:

 

[tiglon]

My 4 pot e85 experience was not a good one, for what it's worth. Major misfire and oil burning problems before 80k miles, in the end I gave up and sold it for less than 50% of what I'd put into it.

Great fun to drive during the one week out of 6 months when it was actually in full working order.

Obviously you'll find horror stories for absolutely any car you can think of, so maybe mine was just poor historic maintenance or bad luck.

When I asked my local BMW indy for advice on fixing it, he replied "get a 6 pot".

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

When I asked my local BMW indy for advice on fixing it, he replied "get a 6 pot"

Effectively the same story - First zed purchased was a nice 2.0 sport. It was replaced in fairly short order by a 2.5 after two indies failed to solve the recurring warning lights and running issues. Four years later the 2.5 is still great. Their advice on what to do with the 2.0 was the same as you had...

 

[True-Blue]

I’ve had a 3 series with the same 2.0 engine, my advice is avoid like the plague :thumbsdown:

 

[eddiemunster]

I’ve had a 3 series with the same 2.0 engine, my advice is avoid like the plague :thumbsdown:

Odd that the vast majority of Z4's you see being broken are 3.0, given clearly how reliable they are on this forum...

 

[tiglon]

I’ve had a 3 series with the same 2.0 engine, my advice is avoid like the plague :thumbsdown:

Odd that the vast majority of Z4's you see being broken are 3.0, given clearly how reliable they are on this forum...

I just googled "BW Z4 breaking" - it came up with 11 results in the shopping bit at the top.

2 x 4-pots
5 x 6-pots
3 x Non-specific engine size
1 x Mitsubishi

I suppose most 4-pots just go straight to the crusher 'coz they're worthless

Or... it could be that the vast majority of Z4s being broken are 6-pots because the vast majority of Z4s are 6-pots. Probably more likely to be that.

I expect there are more Toyota Hilux's being broken than Lamborghini Countach's. Same reason.

 

[True-Blue]

I’ve had a 3 series with the same 2.0 engine, my advice is avoid like the plague :thumbsdown:

Odd that the vast majority of Z4's you see being broken are 3.0, given clearly how reliable they are on this forum...

I’m not sure that tells you anything really. My guess would be there where a lot less 4 pots sold than 6 pots though.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I’m not sure that tells you anything really. My guess would be there where a lot less 4 pots sold than 6 pots though.

I would have thought so too. After all there was only one 4-pot model but three 6-pots (not including Alpina and Ms).

 

[enuff_zed]

Jeez! I only asked!
Anyway, problem solved for me. Asked about a 4-pot and lo and behold, all being well there'll be an N52 for me to learn all about next weekend.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Roll on next weekend then.

The N52 is a great engine.

 

[True-Blue]

A lot of that seems to be negative, but maybe that's because the people who are happy with those don't shout about it?

I don't know why, it's no less reliable than a 3.0; I have both, so I should know. The weak points on the 2.0 are different to the 3.0, but often far less to address; i.e., I've done the VVT on my 2.0, brand new, genuine part, £160; go and look at the cost of replacing/rebuilding a Vanos unit. Mine's done 130k, no chain slack, it's not burning oil, everything works as you'd expect.

As for reliability of the engine, again, I wonder how much of the negative stuff comes from people that don't own one; there are far, far, far more of these 2.0 BMW engines in the world than the 3.0 straight six or the 2.5, the 2.0 in your Z4 is the same unit found in the 3 series, X series etc., etc.

As for driveability, the 2.0 is perfectly good enough to have fun, and having considerably less weight over the front axle the turn-in is better than the 3.0. It's not as quick, but it's not what I'd call slow, and unless you're buying a Z4 because you want the ultimate acceleration or tractability then the 2.0 is plenty of fun. It has a different gearbox to the 3.0, you can tell it's "lighter weight", but it's a shorter throw and equally as slick so you don't feel like you're missing out. My reasons for buying a Z4, all those years ago, were because they looked good, they're very modern inside with regards to design, and still are, and they don't smell/sound like a traditional convertible; notice, power/speed wasn't really a main consideration for me and still isn't.

What I would absolutely say is that until I owned a 2.0, I would have been like the other nay-sayers and said "Get a 3.0, or a 2.5 at a push", but having owned a 2.0 I'd retract that in a heart-beat.

To be fair, you are lucky.

I’ve had a bad experience with this engine and the advice from two respected BMW specialists I took the car to was sell it.

One of them did a diagnostic check and put the car into a catalytic converter re-gen mode for free. Their advice was never buying anything with this particular engine in it’s BMW’s most unreliable engine… they should now.

I did some research, after the event, and the internet is awash with issues around this particular lump.

I maintain that if a prospective E85 purchaser has a choice between 2.2 or 2.0 I’d go 2.2 every day, nothing to do with power and noise, Sorry… but I, like far too many others, have been on the wrong side of this engine :thumbsdown:

Obviously some will be problem free, but why take a chance if you don’t need to.