Is 3.0Si roadster worth extra over 3.0i ?

T

tonywilde666

Member
I am interested in a 4/5 year old low mileage 3.0 Z4.
From what I have read the pros and cons are below, am I correct ?:

3.0i STRENGTHS:
- is cheaper to buy (say £12000 for a low mileage 2005 model, £15000 for a 2006 Si)
- engine proven to be very reliable (is the more complex 3.0 Si engine reliable so far ?)
- slightly cheaper on insurance (3.0i is new group 43, 3.0Si is 44, however Si Sport comes with 18" wheels as standard spec (I would want 18" wheels)

3.0Si STRENGTHS
- no worry about "potential" electric power steering problem ?
- electric roof motor is better sealed from water damage.
- very slightly quicker and slightly more economical.

Both are great cars but my key question is whether a slightly newer Si is worth the extra and is less risky to own. I would probably keep the car for 5 years plus.
 
I bought a new 04 3.0, ran it for 6 years and had no trouble with it apart from a broken rear spring. :thumbsup:
 
I'm very happy with an 05 3.0 that i bought earlier this year.... just could not justify the additional 3-4k for the 06 model ...if i was going to push up into this price range it might not have stopped before the Z4MR.......and that would have been a bad thing... I think.

a lot of 05 3.0's come with 18" wheels (mine didn't....but I'm going to sort this out.).

some prefer the more classic look of the pre 06 cars others the more contemporay look of the face lift..

I would suggest looking at both and buy the one you like ... if you come across a nice low mileage pre 06 Z4 buy it you won't be disapointed...

I also would not discount a 2.5Si .

In terms of value the post 06 cars do look a little high at the moment .. and i would be a little worried about them dropping to closer to 05 cars ..for me this is the biggest risk.....but if you are keeping it for 5 years this is less of a worry.
 
Hi

the si engines and in fact all N52 engines in the Z4 are more complex and have an issue which is reported on here, the only one I am aware of if the HVA issue which I had as have others and this would be high on my radar in buying as post facelift Z4 as it will be expensive to fix if you have the problem.

The 2.5si is only 13bhp short on the old 3.0i engine so as above might be worth a look, but as said the price will probably be higher then pre facelift model 3.0i cars.
 
i have never driven a pre facelift 3.0 Z, but i did test drive a 2.5si before i bought mine(infact never even test drove mine, or a 3.0si before i bought mine :o ) however the power difference between a 2.5si and a 3.0si in everyday driving as bearly noticable.

However a few other advantages of an si, is that they come with bigger front disks and chunkier m sport steering wheel on sports (dont think this was an option on pre)

However like other i would give the 2.5si a try... is doesnt come as well equipped as a 3.0si but be more economical to orun and would be newer.
 
aquazi said:
However like other i would give the 2.5si a try... is doesnt come as well equipped as a 3.0si but be more economical to orun and would be newer.
Click to expand...

The differences for those that don't know are the 3.0si has the following that the 2.5si doesn't (both Sport models)

Headlamp Wash
Electric Seats
Chrome Grill
Chrome inners on headlights
 
Many thanks for the responses, I have searched the forum and cannot find any mention of n52 engine HVA issues.

Could someone include a link in a response or summarise this potentially expensive engine problem please ?

Cheers
 
srhutch said:
aquazi said:
However like other i would give the 2.5si a try... is doesnt come as well equipped as a 3.0si but be more economical to orun and would be newer.
Click to expand...

The differences for those that don't know are the 3.0si has the following that the 2.5si doesn't (both Sport models)

Headlamp Wash
Electric Seats
Chrome Grill
Chrome inners on headlights
Click to expand...

Also does the 2.5 have auto dimming rear view mirror?

imo the only thing extra i like is the electric memory seats.. i prefer the black headlights and black grille.. and headlights washers will come on the 2.5 if you go for xenons.
 
I have a 3.0 Si and don't have the lifter problem (knock wood).

The 3.0Si WILL have the electric steering, it's just they seem to have fixed it -- didn't appear during our recent heat wave where temps were at 101F and above for more than 7 days.

I haven't driven the 3.0i, but the difference in horsepower is significant.
 
aquazi said:
Also does the 2.5 have auto dimming rear view mirror?
Click to expand...

indeed it does.

For OP please note the new roof motor isnt 100% waterproof, their have been failures on the forum of the new motor type.
 
I have the 2.5si and the performance is very good, tried the standard 2.5i and felt it was very disappointing. I didn't try an older 3.0i as I wanted the sports trim level and the 3.0si was that little bit more expensive. happy hunting all the same :thumbsup:
 
The N52 engine does look very good, and lighter. Probably wont share the M54 oil problems as well, but saying that im not sure if the Z4 was effected as the E46 325/330's were.

And at least you can get an Msport model in the facelift version. That was my biggest gripe, i wanted the sport spec, but obviously they never did it on the pre facelift versions. Saying that ive swapped over the steering wheel, gear knob and a few other bits for minimal money, so im happy. Plus 15k was a tad out of my 11k budget. But mine is a 2004 3ltr SE and 35k on the clock.

Depends if you want to do anything to it, as i am quite happy getting bits that make it look my own, as the orange indicators really dont do it for me :lol:

Good luck anyway :D either way you wont be disappointed :thumbsup:
 
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