bit of help understanding all the models please

[Winty]

Hi guys, I had been from a distance an admirer of the z4 since I started driving. I have recently hit the age (25) where my insurance wouldn't take a huge hit if i was to purchase one of these beautiful machines.

I have been hunting the forum to try and get an idea of the different trims / types etc of the z4 available to me but still don't think I've got it all worked out. Looking for some help to find the details i'm missing and help me decide on a final model to hunt down and buy.

I have currently decided that i much prefer the facelifted z4 so 06+ i guess is my starting point.
I have a very thin line on engine size and power as after consulting my insurance and looking at the figures, price / car performance, I have deemed the 2.0 not to pack enough punch and the 3.0 to be way too big of an insurance price jump to make it worth while.
Does this leave me with 2.2 or 2.5?
I also noticed there is a 2.5i (comes in sports trim?) and a SE (standard?) Whats the differences?

I'm a big fan of interior image as well as exterior and am keen on the car having sport seats and decent interior trim. I also would prefer all pet comforts like bluetooth, sat nav etc (does one of the packs include some of these kind of features?)
I haven't really found many pictures or information of the major differences in the styles.

I have up to around £8000 to spend.

Can any one give me any more insight or tell me if the amount i have to spend is not enough to get the z4 im looking for?

I would also consider doing a bit of modification myself if it is possible for a complete novice such as myself to do such a thing. (or paying for it if its not too expensive e.g getting decent seats put in, like the M seats?)

Thanks for all and any advice in advance.

 

[skelters]

2.5 SI Sport is what you're looking for then.

2.5si Sport 2d
0-60 6.3 secs
Top Speed 149 mph
214 bhp

 

[mr wilks]

Welcome
Sounds like a 2.5Si is the one to hunt down although always worth getting a ins quote on a 3.0 :wink:
The Si 2.5 will have almost the same output as the pre facelift 3.0 had so no slouch by any means
Your budget of £8k should also be more than adequete to land a well looked after sub 60k car with decent spec .
Feel free to offer up any possibles for us to help you out if you are at all confused by anything

 

[buzyg]

2.5 SI Sport is what you're looking for then.

2.5si Sport 2d
0-60 6.3 secs
Top Speed 149 mph
214 bhp

+1 This one fit's your brief, but definitely worth getting quotes for other models, you never know. The 2.0 and the 2,2 are four pots nothing wrong there. The 2.5 is a proper straight six though and as said the face lift model has a fair old power hike over the earlier model. :wink:

Good look hunting.

 

[TrickyTris]

The 2.0 and the 2,2 are four pots nothing wrong there.

Excuse me good sir, but the 2.2 is a straight six as well!

From 2003 the Z4 Roadster is available as a 3.0i (3.0 L I6 with 231 hp), a 3.0si available with the new generation 3.0 L I6 with 265 hp (198 kW), a 2.5si with a 2.5 I6 with 218 bhp (163 kW; 221 PS), a 2.2i with a straight-6 170 bhp (127 kW; 172 PS) engine, or a 2.0i with a 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS) 2.0 L I4.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z4

 

[TR4man]

Have you tried a quote for the 3.0? I just wonder if the premiums will be that much higher than for a 2.5

 

[mr wilks]

Don't think there is a 2.2 facelift though :?

 

[buzyg]

The 2.0 and the 2,2 are four pots nothing wrong there.

Excuse me good sir, but the 2.2 is a straight six as well!

From 2003 the Z4 Roadster is available as a 3.0i (3.0 L I6 with 231 hp), a 3.0si available with the new generation 3.0 L I6 with 265 hp (198 kW), a 2.5si with a 2.5 I6 with 218 bhp (163 kW; 221 PS), a 2.2i with a straight-6 170 bhp (127 kW; 172 PS) engine, or a 2.0i with a 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS) 2.0 L I4.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z4

 

[hopz121]

They did a 2.5 facelift and a 2.5si facelift the later had more power. I think the standard 2.5 was to replace the original 2.2 preface lift

 

[TrickyTris]

Yeah think you're correct, as the 3.0 face lift also replaced the 2.5 as the "base model".

So, options for face lift would be: 2.0i, 2.5i, 2.5si & 3.0si..

If it were me buying all over again, I'd have to go with the 3.0l (or M/Aplina). I found I got used to the power of the 2.2 too quick & have found myself wanting to upgrade to something bigger already..

You might not get that feeling with the 2.5 but surely the minor jump in engine size to a 3.0 when you're 25 amounts to a few pounds? I insured mine at 26 and it was £150 cheaper than my 1.6 Alfa 147.. lol

 

[DPG]

If it were me buying all over again, I'd have to go with the 3.0l (or M/Aplina). I found I got used to the power of the 2.2 too quick

I agree with this too. I only had my 2.2 for 8 months before upgrading.

If you can afford and insurance isn't too bad then I'd go for the 3.0Si.

 

[Winty]

Yeah think you're correct, as the 3.0 face lift also replaced the 2.5 as the "base model".

So, options for face lift would be: 2.0i, 2.5i, 2.5si & 3.0si..

If it were me buying all over again, I'd have to go with the 3.0l (or M/Aplina). I found I got used to the power of the 2.2 too quick & have found myself wanting to upgrade to something bigger already..

You might not get that feeling with the 2.5 but surely the minor jump in engine size to a 3.0 when you're 25 amounts to a few pounds? I insured mine at 26 and it was £150 cheaper than my 1.6 Alfa 147.. lol

For those that have driven the 2.2 or 2.5 then the 3.0:

is there much difference in the mpg you get out of the car? I also have this to consider as well as the insurance and possibly slightly higher priced car.

 

[hopz121]

Nope, the 3.0i in pre-facelift is actually better on fuel as it has 6 gears whereas the others have 5!

Go for a 3.0i and don't look back, go for a cheaper one and save some cash for the insurance etc, the m54 is bullet proof too!

 

[mr wilks]

Get on this OP & let the fun begin

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=78864&p=1161047#p1161047

 

[Winty]

Get on this OP & let the fun begin

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=78864&p=1161047#p1161047

how does the 03 3.0 run in comparison to the 06+ 3.0si sports?

could you also explain the key differences the aero kit body pack offers

seems like this is a good price and would give me some room for modifications out of the original cash pot

 

[mr wilks]

Get on this OP & let the fun begin

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=78864&p=1161047#p1161047

how does the 03 3.0 run in comparison to the 06+ 3.0si sports?

could you also explain the key differences the aero kit body pack offers

seems like this is a good price and would give me some room for modifications out of the original cash pot

Lets just say the aero sideskirts are a very coveted option across the whole E85/E86 range & a cost of around £500/£600 for the pair all in .
Then the rear diffuser & front bumper are also aero kit , all together a rare & desirable look .
Throw in the decent level of spec / heated seats,nav,elipsoid alloys etc + it looks to be in terrific condition
The 3.0 engine is a masterpiece , that gives very decent performance with good MPG when required .
£6k imo is cheap for that car & you will come across far worse,higher mile cars for much more money in your search

 

[Winty]

Ok thanks for that, while i understand what you are saying i still think i prefer the facelift even over the bodykit (although it is very nice)

skelters was kind enough to find several 2.5si sports for me too look at.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...z4-m-si-sport-roadster-2006-low-miles/4400622

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ke=bmw&model=z4&sort=default&page=1&logcode=p

I would appreciate thought on these in particular.

 

[mr wilks]

Ok thanks for that, while i understand what you are saying i still think i prefer the facelift even over the bodykit (although it is very nice)

skelters was kind enough to find several 2.5si sports for me too look at.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...z4-m-si-sport-roadster-2006-low-miles/4400622

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ke=bmw&model=z4&sort=default&page=1&logcode=p

I would appreciate thought on these in particular.

The red one is a forum car & surprised it hasn't sold already ?
The grey one looks a bargain if it checks out on paper,test & condition