Difference between 2.5i and 3.0i?

M

Motto

Member
 Central Scotland
Hi,

Can people who have driven both let me know what difference they felt between the 2.5i and the 3.0i please? I have tried to do a search for this but as the words are short I can't find it properly.

Also has anyone seen any significant differences in the running costs between the two - because if the 2.5i was cheaper to run by more than just a few quid then it may be worth it - problem is I've heard many different MPG figures mentioned.

I would prefer the 3.0i but there seem to be a lot more 2.5i's out there for my price range so this maybe my only option.

Many thanks.
 
I previously had a 2003 3.0i and a friend of mine (flyboyaj) previously had a 2003 2.5i which I drove on a few occasions. As a daily drive I could not see a big difference except with the 2.5i and the 5 speed seemed to reach the red line pretty quickly in lower gears. The US 2003 specification actually gave the 3.0i a slightly high MPG rating as I recall. I can look it up if you like. In any case I would say that operating cost would be about the same and not a huge difference in preformance as a daily driver. I did prefer the excellent 6 speed tranmission in my 3.0i.... :driving:
Hope this helps and both are great cars... :thumbsup:
 
WLH said:
I previously had a 2003 3.0i and a friend of mine (flyboyaj) previously had a 2003 2.5i which I drove on a few occasions. As a daily drive I could not see a big difference except with the 2.5i and the 5 speed seemed to reach the red line pretty quickly in lower gears. The US 2003 specification actually gave the 3.0i a slightly high MPG rating as I recall. I can look it up if you like. In any case I would say that operating cost would be about the same and not a huge difference in preformance as a daily driver. I did prefer the excellent 6 speed tranmission in my 3.0i.... :driving:
Hope this helps and both are great cars... :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Cheers and very interesting. I have UK MGP figs of 31.74 mpg for the 2.5i and 31.04 for the 3.0i not sure how accurate these are, maybe someone can let me know.

Obviously I would prefer the 3.0i but then again I hardly ever do motorway driving which would mean less use of the sixth gear maybe....
 
Motto said:
Obviously I would prefer the 3.0i but then again I hardly ever do motorway driving which would mean less use of the sixth gear maybe....
Click to expand...

Which will also means lees use of the fifth gear in a 2.5i since the only 6th gear on a 3.0i and 5th gear on a 2.5i are overdrive gears. You might be more confortable with the torquier 3.0i in town driving.
 
I have a 3.0i and I'm getting on average 33.2 MPG. This is using the car everyday to commute to work (35 miles each way) which is a journey along dual carraigeway and country roads. I also like to plant my right foot quite a bit so the car isn't being driven that conservatively. I was quite amazed at how fuel efficient the 3.0i was... but because it's such a big powerful engine I find a lot of the time I'm in 6th gear with only 1200-1500 RPMs being used because there's soo much torque. the engine can almost be at idle when driving along.... however when yuo want to overtake and need some power.. it's there! :D

I was advised to go for the 3.0i by a friend who used to work for BMW and I'm very glad I did!
 
I've had a 2003 2.5 for two and a half years.

Averaged up to 32mpg around town.

On the Motorway I usually got between 37 and 38 mpg. Although I've seen it up to 41, 42 mpg. Depends on the qaulity of the petrol and how you drive it.

Ditch the runflats and either of the engine sizes will give you a grin on your face every time you drive it!

Although the Z4 is now gone, the 2007 Audi S3 is just a different story altogether. Faster, better acceleration and much more comfortable, better hifi too! MPG not as good though.

Have a look on http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-comparison.aspx to compare up to 3 cars. It will at least give you the specs and performance figures.
 
Thanks all. I really want the 3.0i - will see what's available when I sell my car....!
 
Can this be right - a 2.5i with 6 gears?? Take it the trader has it wrong? Nice car though....

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+Z4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-240-4294965351-4294967202/advert.action?R=200846323013867&distance=324&postcode=EH54+9LB&channel=CARS&make=BMW&model=Z4&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=
 
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