Any love for the 2.2

[rlavvy]

I have been trying to do a search for information regarding peoples love or indifference for the 2.2 Z4 but the search engine removes the 2.2 part of the search so I can't.

Who has a 2.2, likes it and why?
Who had one and changed to an version they now prefer and why?

I did get a reply to another post from a member saying they liked the handling but I don't know if they had owned another version to compare.

Interested because there is a nice looking one I am considering.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Mr Tidy]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the 2.2 Mark.

But given that the pre-facelift 2.5 and 3.0 models use the same engine just with a different displacement I can't see that they offer anything more than the bigger ones, other than less power obviously. And 2.2 buyers might have been less inclined to tick boxes on the options list!

It may depend on what you have had before, and how you plan to use it - they do tend to be cheaper though.

 

[Gwest44]

Great engine - very under rated in my opinion so plenty of opportunity to bag a deal.

Sold mine on to another forum member but this was what I thought about it https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1865526#p1865526

 

[enuff_zed]

I am currently using a daily 2.2 and it’s my second. If you live somewhere with big wide roads and go everywhere at Mach 3 then it’s not for you. But if you’re old school, enjoy changing gear and smaller roads then it is brilliant fun.
Anyone can creep round bends and catch up on the straights, but if you get from one end of a twisty b-road to the other, look back and feel that it was fun all the way then a 2.2 is more than sufficient.

 

[rlavvy]

Great engine - very under rated in my opinion so plenty of opportunity to bag a deal.

Sold mine on to another forum member but this was what I thought about it https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1865526#p1865526

Great link, thanks, very useful.

 

[rlavvy]

I am currently using a daily 2.2 and it’s my second. If you live somewhere with big wide roads and go everywhere at Mach 3 then it’s not for you. But if you’re old school, enjoy changing gear and smaller roads then it is brilliant fun.
Anyone can creep round bends and catch up on the straights, but if you get from one end of a twisty b-road to the other, look back and feel that it was fun all the way then a 2.2 is more than sufficient.

I am old school and so is my wife. Thanks.

 

[patriot66]

2.2i and 2.5i only have a 5 speed manual gearbox...if that matters to you ?

 

[enuff_zed]

2.2i and 2.5i only have a 5 speed manual gearbox...if that matters to you ?

So it’s never in the wrong gear

 

[Joez4]

I have a 2.2 and I think it's a great car, engine sounds great and it's certainly not a slow car.

To be honest I wanted a 2.5 but just couldn't find one anywhere near me at the time so I settled on the 2.2, I did read online when researching that it's regarded as a more difficult engine to drive than the 2.5 and 3.0 they said the engine needs to be revved which isn't an issue once warmed up, i can't compare as I've never driven the other engines.

What I do know is that the 2.2 is generally cheaper gets over 35mpg and pretty much uses all the same parts as the 2.5.

If you do buy a zed my advice would be to change the battery if it's old my car had an old battery that gave me alsorts of electrical issues, and if a manual removing the clutch delay valve makes the car more fun and user friendly to drive

 

[Mr Tidy]

Removing the CDV on a manual is definitely well worth doing.

The only car I've had with an M54 was an E46 325ti that averaged nearly 33mpg over the 23,000 miles I did in it.

It was great fun, but now I have my 4th car with the later N52 engine I definitely prefer the N52 with a 7K red-line. And they are just as economical!

 

[MikeyH]

Great engine - very under rated in my opinion so plenty of opportunity to bag a deal.

Sold mine on to another forum member but this was what I thought about it https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1865526#p1865526

And that member is me and I’m really glad you did ‘cause I love the car

 

[MikeyH]

I am currently using a daily 2.2 and it’s my second. If you live somewhere with big wide roads and go everywhere at Mach 3 then it’s not for you. But if you’re old school, enjoy changing gear and smaller roads then it is brilliant fun.
Anyone can creep round bends and catch up on the straights, but if you get from one end of a twisty b-road to the other, look back and feel that it was fun all the way then a 2.2 is more than sufficient.

I am old school and so is my wife. Thanks.

I must be as well, the most enjoyable car I owned before my z4 was an MGB roadster in the 70s and although slower than a hot hatch of the day, the sound it made and the way it drove still lingers in my head. Sad really

 

[IRD]

I have had 2.2 and 2.5 E85s, a 3.5is E89 and currently own a 1.8 E89. I found there to be little difference between the 2.2 and 2.5 in general driving. Finding a car in the best possible condition would be my top priority especially if you are just looking for a bit of ‘top down’ fun rather than track days etc. The 2.2 still has a straight six with that lovely ‘burble’.
Good luck with your search.

 

[rlavvy]

Thanks for the quick reply. Off to see one on Friday.

 

[Gwest44]

Great engine - very under rated in my opinion so plenty of opportunity to bag a deal.

Sold mine on to another forum member but this was what I thought about it https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1865526#p1865526

And that member is me and I’m really glad you did ‘cause I love the car

Glad to hear you're still enjoying it

 

[deltasierra]

We had a 2.2 manual for a short while, it was a good car but the gearing does not suit the touring driving that we do and the gearbox is not the greatest. So we swapped for a facelift 2.5 auto that is a great car, much better in traffic, more relaxing for touring, if you want to play just press the sport button or use the paddles.

 

[MikeyH]

Great engine - very under rated in my opinion so plenty of opportunity to bag a deal.

Sold mine on to another forum member but this was what I thought about it https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1865526#p1865526

And that member is me and I’m really glad you did ‘cause I love the car

Glad to hear you're still enjoying it

More and more everyday and the colour is amazing, what you say in your review is spot on.

 

[MikeyH]

We had a 2.2 manual for a short while, it was a good car but the gearing does not suit the touring driving that we do and the gearbox is not the greatest. So we swapped for a facelift 2.5 auto that is a great car, much better in traffic, more relaxing for touring, if you want to play just press the sport button or use the paddles.

Not found the gearbox too bad apart from 1st to 2nd but you get used to it and if I’m facing down hill it easily pulls away in 2nd. Grumpy owl who owned the car before Gwest44 changed the gearbox oil and I have heard this makes a difference

 

[paddy wright]

I’ve had my 2.2 for 16 years and love it. I test drove 2.5 and 3.0 when looking for mine but in those days there was a big difference in price given the cars were nearly new. I’ve always loved how the car drives and never find muse lacking in power on forum runs.

 

[MikeyH]

Yes I went on the Dartmoor run organised by buzyg and found that I managed to keep up with the others, you can't go fast on the moors so don't need the power. Got another run on the 15th October around the Cullompton area, see how that goes, should be fun