Is e85 2.0 unreliable compared to 3.0?

M

Mr_E85Bim

Member
Just been watching 'itJoel' on YouTube and they seem to state the 2.0l is not very reliable. Is this the common consensus?

Thanks
 
There’s a range of opinions on here, I’ll summarise.

The 6-cyl engine in both M54 (2.2, 2.5, 3.0) and N52 (2.5, 3.0) versions is considered very strong, with few if any major weaknesses.

The 4-cyl is “ordinary”, by which I mean not particularly noted for its reliability or unreliability.

I guess that makes the 3.0 more reliable than the 2.0, although it’s a sweeping generalisation.
 
I think the consensus of opinion is that the 2.0 is not as reliable as the six-cylinder lumps. The same engine features in other models where it suffers similar problems. It may be a generalisation, and there are owners who swear by their 2.0 zeds, but from personal experience I've only ever sworn at a 2.0 (albeit just the one, but then we weren't going to go out and buy a second one!)
 
Thanks gents! Appreciate the info. Wish I had just taken the plunge and bought the prettiest low priced e85, without doing much research haha

Things are getting complicated :headbang:
 
I've only had 6s so don't know about the 4 cylinder models. But when I was thinking of replacing my E46 325ti I asked my BMW Indy for his advice and he said stick to 6s, preferably petrol!

And to be fair a straight 6 engine is one of the Z4s unique features, whereas there are other 4 cylinder Roadster options.
 
Mr Tidy said:
I've only had 6s so don't know about the 4 cylinder models. But when I was thinking of replacing my E46 325ti I asked my BMW Indy for his advice and he said stick to 6s, preferably petrol!

And to be fair a straight 6 engine is one of the Z4s unique features, whereas there are other 4 cylinder Roadster options.
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I think Morgan also use a straight 6 in their roadster?
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
I think Morgan also use a straight 6 in their roadster?
Rob
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Only for the last year or two though so they aren't at E85 price levels! And it's a BMW engine anyway.
 
Mr Tidy said:
Smartbear said:
I think Morgan also use a straight 6 in their roadster?
Rob
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Only for the last year or two though so they aren't at E85 price levels! And it's a BMW engine anyway.
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So the straight 6 isn’t unique to the z4 then :poke:
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
So the straight 6 isn’t unique to the z4 then
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OK then for the pedants among us a naturally aspirated straight 6 is one of the E85's unique features! :P :thumbsup:

And I'll add "post 2000 build" before anyone starts including Healey 3000s, TR Triumphs, earlier Merc SLs, etc.
 
Ive been using my 2.0 as my daily for over 7 years now & she has never let me down, apart from when the VVT packed up just a few yards from my local BMW indie & in walking distance from 'ome. And a coil pack gave up 2 miles from 'ome.

Its still on the original water pump & clutch approaching 150k. Last year i gave her a full suspension refresh new disks & pads all round. Not long ago after a MOT failure, had the brake lines replaced. (she sailed through apart from that) This was the only MOT failure in 7 years :)

I can confidently say that this is by far the best car i have ever owned and still love driving her.

Cheers, tug :thumbsup:
 
I owed an e46 3.0ci m54,best engine and most reliable car i ever owned 145k miles,then got myself an e85 3.0 m54 this then became the best and most reliable car i ever owned 140kish miles.
Until now my e85 3.0 m54 84k miles seems to be the best and most reliable car i ever owned.
Seems a pattern emerging.
I would add i have never owned a 2.0 z4 so cannot comment on their reliability
 
Mr_E85Bim said:
Took the plunge earlier today and went for a 2.5!
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Congratulations - I'm sure you'll love it. :thumbsup:

Don't forget the photos!
 
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