How much difference from E85 to SI

[G-A-R-Y]

I sold my E85 2.5 2004, I'm looking at buying a 2.5 SI. I know about listening for rattles on start up, how different are the later cars with the SI engines?

Will I notice the extra HP, are the cars made any better, what are the usual things to look out for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[csl1973]

In a word none. Other than bhp and torque the performances are near as damit the same. The only benefit of the N52 is better economy. That's my opinion chap.

 

[KERMIT1970]

Buy 3.0si far better package & same running costs even insurance is the same.

 

[paulgs1000]

Cherrym's 2.5si is a fair match for my 3.0si on the road - the driver will make the difference in most cases. 3.0si will be more sought after and therefore dearer. In all other ways very similar. Can't compare with prefacelift - sorry.

 

[Rorybeanbutler]

Buy 3.0si far better package & same running costs even insurance is the same.

+1 for this. Economy and insurance are identical. Why not go for the big brother.

 

[G-A-R-Y]

I was going the auction route, it's what's available and 30 don't usually make it to the auctions.

 

[Smartbear]

Buy 3.0si far better package & same running costs even insurance is the same.

+1 for this. Economy and insurance are identical. Why not go for the big brother.

^^agree^^ with its extra torque the 3.0si is a great power plant that's nicer to drive than its smaller sibling imho, no extra costs involved in running it (apart from purchasing, but that's recovered on selling) so it's win win for the 3 litre :driving:
Regards

 

[aquazi]

The si would also be a facelift so you get those refinements... Most noticable would be the better sound deadong on the doors so they sound less tinny.

Not to mention it would be a 6sp and not a 5 like your old car.

And power wise the 2.5si is pretty competant... Almost on par with a prefacelift 3.0.

So if you cant get a 3.0si then a 2.5si is not a bad runner up.

 

[srhutch]

As above, very little difference between pre and post lift except for the engine. Will you notice the difference, hard to say in the real world, but the six speed box is a bonus.

I had a 2.5si for over 4 years which I was more than happy with. Quite often used to have a little go with a 3.0si Coupe. No matter which on of us was in front we could never loose the one behind.

 

[Mike6]

Still getting my head around all these different engine specs I have a 2005 pre facelift 2.5 i SE which my BMW folder says has 189 BHP but when I did the check using the link on this forum it says 177 BHP. Further research suggests it is 189BHP and that the 177BHP version is the early 2005/2006 facelift version which for some reason has a fairly drastic drop in power whereas the 2.0 version seems to be almost on a par. Not sure whether the SI is affected in this way but it does seem you can buy a later vehicle and end up with less bhp or am I missing something.

 

[Rorybeanbutler]

Still getting my head around all these different engine specs I have a 2005 pre facelift 2.5 i SE which my BMW folder says has 189 BHP but when I did the check using the link on this forum it says 177 BHP. Further research suggests it is 189BHP and that the 177BHP version is the early 2005/2006 facelift version which for some reason has a fairly drastic drop in power whereas the 2.0 version seems to be almost on a par. Not sure whether the SI is affected in this way but it does seem you can buy a later vehicle and end up with less bhp or am I missing something.

I think you're missing 0.5L oke:

 

[Mike6]

Dont think so - it says the 2.0l facelift is a powerful car

 

[GJC72]

Still getting my head around all these different engine specs I have a 2005 pre facelift 2.5 i SE which my BMW folder says has 189 BHP but when I did the check using the link on this forum it says 177 BHP. Further research suggests it is 189BHP and that the 177BHP version is the early 2005/2006 facelift version which for some reason has a fairly drastic drop in power whereas the 2.0 version seems to be almost on a par. Not sure whether the SI is affected in this way but it does seem you can buy a later vehicle and end up with less bhp or am I missing something.

I think you're missing 0.5L oke:

I went through similar confusion when I was looking to change from my pre face lift 2.5i. From memory:

Pre-facelift:
2.5i - 192 BHP
3.0i - 230 BHP

Post face lift:
2.5i - 177 BHP
2.5si - 218 BHP
3.0si - 265 BHP

 

[MrPT]

2.5 pre-facelift is 192bhp, facelift is 177bhp. 2.0 looks close, but with 4cyls is an entirely different proposition and is perhaps also a little less reliable on the engine front.

Agree with other comments re. the doors and 2.5si vs 3.0si being very close in the real world. The other thing you get on the facelift is watercooled fog lights.

 

[paulgs1000]

I believe there were two power outputs of the pre facelift 2.5 engine. 177bhp and 184bhp (I think - anyone know for certain?)

The pre facelift 3.0i 231bhp

The post facelift 2.5si is 218bhp

The post facelift 2.0i is 150bhp

The post facelift 3.0si is 265bhp

 

[cherrym]

When I was looking for a Z4 I tried a 2.0 first but found it needed quite high revs to get the grin factor.I couldnt find a 3.0 in my price range but there was a 2.5si sport 07 albeit with 90,000miles and quite tidy privately.I had a drive and was smitten.It doesnt have the power of Pauls 3.0si but in the real world on the back roads there is more than enough power in my humble opinion.If you want a trackday tool then it would be slower in a straight line.18 months on,11000mls and I cant get enough of it.

 

[Mike6]

Just rechecked my handbook and it says my early 2005 2.5 i SE has 192bhp but I read that in late 2005/06 ie facelift date the cars bhp drops to 177. Cannot see why this should be so but I think it is a warning that if you are looking to upgrade to a facelift model you need to be aware that you will see a drop in power. That 15bhp might be fairly noticable .

 

[Rorybeanbutler]

Cannot see why this should be so .

It's because on the facelift there is the more powerfull Si also available at that engine size so they lowered the power of the i to encourage people to buy the more expensive Si.

 

[mr.tourette]

Just rechecked my handbook and it says my early 2005 2.5 i SE has 192bhp but I read that in late 2005/06 ie facelift date the cars bhp drops to 177. Cannot see why this should be so but I think it is a warning that if you are looking to upgrade to a facelift model you need to be aware that you will see a drop in power. That 15bhp might be fairly noticable .

there were 2 2.5 editions with the facelift... the 2.5i with 177 and the 2.5si with 219... si has the sport button and the i doesn't

 

[Smartbear]

Just rechecked my handbook and it says my early 2005 2.5 i SE has 192bhp but I read that in late 2005/06 ie facelift date the cars bhp drops to 177. Cannot see why this should be so but I think it is a warning that if you are looking to upgrade to a facelift model you need to be aware that you will see a drop in power. That 15bhp might be fairly noticable .

Facelift cars are 06 onwards mike6, not 05 8)
Regards