Do I go for the 2.5 or the 3.0

[ben g]

If you go for a 2.5, as said above, definitely go for the Si. Disregard the above post which is absolute bollox, although it is an opinion and you have to make up your own mind based on all opinions offered. The 2.5 Si is plenty fast enough and the engine is an absolute pearl.

Bollocks in what way exactly?

My other halfs soon to bw delivered fiesta st would be just as quick as the 2.5 and I for one would be gutted to be out done by one of those.

Thw mountune ones are quick however and keep up with standard 3.0i's.

Why would you be gutted to be beaten by a Ford. I hope you're not a brand snob Rob.!!!

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=74017&p=1087801#p1087801

Good grief. It was an example. I own a ford so no, definitely not a brand snob.

Put your knickers back on.

 

[Ewazix]

6.6 to 60 is slow. You want something under 6 ideally

0-60 in 6.6 is slow

0 - 60 is irrelevant and really only of interest to kids playing top trumps. Money spent on improving your driving skills will add far more to your A - B times than a few BHP so I'd concentrate on getting the best possible example for your money.

 

[Dewi]

I'll not argue with that. Pretty much what I wanted to say in the first place.

 

[ben g]

6.6 to 60 is slow. You want something under 6 ideally

0-60 in 6.6 is slow

0 - 60 is irrelevant and really only of interest to kids playing top trumps. Money spent on improving your driving skills will add far more to your A - B times than a few BHP so I'd concentrate on getting the best possible example for your money.

Ok then any speed any gear the 3.0 is quicker.

I also enjoy the occasional traffic light grand prix :lol:

 

[Zero4]

6.6 to 60 is slow. You want something under 6 ideally

0-60 in 6.6 is slow

0 - 60 is irrelevant and really only of interest to kids playing top trumps. Money spent on improving your driving skills will add far more to your A - B times than a few BHP so I'd concentrate on getting the best possible example for your money.

Cant agree more. I chose the 2.5 (early m54) as it was a really clean example. If people can actually feel that 0.6 in real world driving then I'd call that BS
A well set up car, 3.0 or 2.5 or 2.0 will out drive more than most with a better book number.

Buy a clean car, good history and well looked after and enjoy it. don't worry if its 2.5 or 3.0 just drive it. after all, neither of them is the //M

 

[Zero4]

Example.

My VX220 NA was only 195 ish HP but it was so well set up on Ohlins, semi slicks, short shift, 16'F 17'R rims and it raped 400hp eve's on track.

 

[ben g]

A vx220 is just a bit different though. For a start it probably weighs a good half a ton less :lol:

 

[AnttiO]

My only option was 3.0i M54 (not facelift) because M54 engine is more DIY than 3.0si engine which is more complicated and expensive to maintain. I saw 2 different cars in september, black 3.0i and maledivenblue 2.5i. I drove both. 3.0i was more fun and had more torque in low end. 2.5i was "ok" and it was more than enough in normal traffic and roads. It is not sports engine or any kind of WOW sensation when we are talking about performance. It sprints under 7 seconds 0-62mph which is enough for Finnish slow traffic..
Black 3.0i was poor condition, it would need couple of thousands to spend so it will be okay. That blue one was far better condition, mint exactly and really well keep example with lower mileage and most important lower price too. I bought that 2.5i because of condition and price. My budget was not so big after all, and i think that 2.5i was enough for me.

You should test drive all 4, 2.5i M54, 3.0i M54, 2.5 SI, 3.0SI and decide what you want and how much you want invest money for Z4.
My recommendation is 2.5i or 3.0i M54 with sport seats (M-Roadster sport seats). Those are best equipment you can get.. All other is not so necessary.

 

[inkey$]

Not read them est of the thread but going bu the title of the subject, your answer is: go for th 3.0.

 

[Zero4]

A vx220 is just a bit different though. For a start it probably weighs a good half a ton less :lol:

very much so but at the lights or quarter the EVO would have killed me. I guess my point was, depending on how the OP drives and what he wants from the car, a 2.5 can be a very very handy car if set up correctly and easily on par with performance of the 3.0 in real world driving. I base that on the roads I drive though ( B roads ) where I rarely get into 4th if I want to have some fun.

 

[ben g]

Yeah i guess i'd be inclined to agree with you there.

I drive on an arterial road into work, 3 lanes wide an NSL so cruise in 6th gear for economy. Couldn't do that with 2.5i. Unsure which box the Si has.

 

[Dewi]

6 speed same as 3.0 litre

 

[ledwardj]

Thanks for all the replys here, lots of things I hadn't considered.

One thing is you mention going for the Si as apose to the i. Given what you say, should I go for the 2.5 it would be the Si, but are these harder to come by. Looking on auto trader for example, the cars that are for sale are the 20i 23i 2.5i by I'm not able to find any SI models. Have I misunderstood something or is the SI model harder to come by.

Thanks again for all posts

 

[EdButler]

I bought my 3.0 Zed at 25 (had pretty quick cars before too). Do i regret it? Well im now 31 and still cant seem to get rid of it - so what do you think?

 

[Dewi]

Thanks for all the replys here, lots of things I hadn't considered.

One thing is you mention going for the Si as apose to the i. Given what you say, should I go for the 2.5 it would be the Si, but are these harder to come by. Looking on auto trader for example, the cars that are for sale are the 20i 23i 2.5i by I'm not able to find any SI models. Have I misunderstood something or is the SI model harder to come by.

Thanks again for all posts

Yes, the 2.5 Si is a bit harder to come by, everyone wants the 3.0 litre, so probably that's the reason more were made, hence most for sale used now are 3 litre cars.

I was after a 3.0 litre coupe when I was looking for mine but after going to see a couple decided to go look at a black 2.5Si Roadster (I'd come from an MX5 so wasn't convinced I wanted a hard top) which wasn't too far away from here. I never actually drove it because it was at a dealers and he wanted to see my licence (odd!) before he let me have a go, but he took me out in it and I was very impressed with how well it went, it felt bloody quick! I was going to go back at the weekend with my licence to try it and buy it, but my lad spotted the Phoenix Yellow one and sent me the link - much lower miles and a bit cheaper. It was 150 miles away in Lincs but I went to see it anyway.

As soon as I drove it I was convinced it was the right car for me so did a deal. Believe me, if you see the right Z4 and it's a 2.5Si, buy it - don't discount it just because it's not a 3 litre, if you do you'll be making a big mistake. The 2.5Si is plenty quick enough - and in real terms on todays roads, it's not that much slower than the 3 litre anyway. Mine is great fun, I fnd it totally addictive to drive, I can't leave it alone. It's got all the right bits as well - eg M seats, steering wheel etc. The "Sport" button works too, it weights up the feel of the steering nicely and gives a nice bit of extra punch to the acceleration

 

[paulgs1000]

ledwardj, welcome to the Forum,

Was out today in my 3.0si with a mate I often drive out with, Cherrym. He has a 2.5si and I exchanged Zeds with him today to see what he thought and so I could try his 2.5.

So, on absolute full bore my 3.0si will have the edge on acceleration but everywhere else the 2.5 was a very impressive drive. I really enjoyed it and it felt well planted and set up. Afterwards we talked about the Zeds and Mike wasn't full of regret at not having a 3 litre, he felt that with the sport button, his 2.5 was an effective Zed and I have to agree with him - I really enjoyed driving his Zed. It certainly keeps up when we're out on a spirited drive and that's the point - good drivers will exploit the capabilities of the Zed and you just cant be using all its performance, for most of the time, on public roads.

I have the 3.0si and I was impressed with Mike's 2.5si. (I've also had a 2.0i Sport and I loved that - had to keep it wound up but it was great fun on back roads in Northumberland - I also drive with Chezsherman who has a 2.0i Sport and he keeps up as well. . . then there's Geezah , an ex biker that gets the very best out of the 2.0 litre - further emphasising it's the driver as much as the Zed especially on the road).

I would buy on condition with the only reason to buy a 3.0si being it might be easier to sell in the future as they are quite sought after (and for that reason command more money). I guess it really depends on what you are like and what you want - if you enjoy using a car in a spirited (but safe and responsible) way on the road, either of the Zeds will offer that; if you want numbers, bhp and such matters are important to you, then only go for the 3.0si which will also be wonderful on the road. (The ///M is altogether a specialist Zed with associated high running costs - great if you can afford it).

Why have I gone for the 3 litre then? Well, having had a 2.0 litre I wanted to go for the best I could afford (£10500) in terms of performance and running costs and I was able to wait for and successfully find a BMW Authorised Used Car (AUC) at my price point. The 3 litre is not much more expensive to run than the 2.5 (it does use 4 or 5 mpg more fuel though) and when I test drove mine I was convinced within 200 yards. . . . it felt wonderful and I knew I would have a great time using it on the road - and my wife continues to agree with our decision.

Whatever you end up with you'll have a brilliant involving driver's car - do try getting out on a run with other owners - it will add another dimension to your ownership experience!

All the best with your search

 

[Zero4]

ledwardj, welcome to the Forum,

Was out today in my 3.0si with a mate I often drive out with, Cherrym. He has a 2.5si and I exchanged Zeds with him today to see what he thought and so I could try his 2.5.

So, on absolute full bore my 3.0si will have the edge on acceleration but everywhere else the 2.5 was a very impressive drive. I really enjoyed it and it felt well planted and set up. Afterwards we talked about the Zeds and Mike wasn't full of regret at not having a 3 litre, he felt that with the sport button, his 2.5 was an effective Zed and I have to agree with him - I really enjoyed driving his Zed. It certainly keeps up when we're out on a spirited drive and that's the point - good drivers will exploit the capabilities of the Zed and you just cant be using all its performance, for most of the time, on public roads.

I have the 3.0si and I was impressed with Mike's 2.5si. (I've also had a 2.0i Sport and I loved that - had to keep it wound up but it was great fun on back roads in Northumberland - I also drive with Chezsherman who has a 2.0i Sport and he keeps up as well. . . then there's Geezah , an ex biker that gets the very best out of the 2.0 litre - further emphasising it's the driver as much as the Zed especially on the road).

I would buy on condition with the only reason to buy a 3.0si being it might be easier to sell in the future as they are quite sought after (and for that reason command more money). I guess it really depends on what you are like and what you want - if you enjoy using a car in a spirited (but safe and responsible) way on the road, either of the Zeds will offer that; if you want numbers, bhp and such matters are important to you, then only go for the 3.0si which will also be wonderful on the road. (The ///M is altogether a specialist Zed with associated high running costs - great if you can afford it).

Why have I gone for the 3 litre then? Well, having had a 2.0 litre I wanted to go for the best I could afford (£10500) in terms of performance and running costs and I was able to wait for and successfully find a BMW Authorised Used Car (AUC) at my price point. The 3 litre is not much more expensive to run than the 2.5 (it does use 4 or 5 mpg more fuel though) and when I test drove mine I was convinced within 200 yards. . . . it felt wonderful and I knew I would have a great time using it on the road - and my wife continues to agree with our decision.

Whatever you end up with you'll have a brilliant involving driver's car - do try getting out on a run with other owners - it will add another dimension to your ownership experience!

All the best with your search

good to hear from someone who has drove 3 different ones.