Is the N52B25 engine a bit of a dud?

[skelters]

There's more info here on the engines....

http://www.bmwz4roadster.net/bmw_z4_engines.htm

and here...

http://www.bmwz4roadster.net/bmw_z4_specifications.htm

 

[Storini]

I hope I'm not sounding too negative: I've a good year's fun with the car, particularly with the roof down: but clearly it isn't the perfect match.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Ah, well, let me bring up the other gotcha. WTF is the 6-speed manual gearbox so effing notchy? You would have thought after God-knows-how-many years they would have figured that one out. The cold weather doesn't help, but still.

And there's that wierd suction/vacuum thing with the clutch that tries to stop you stalling the car.

Yes @Mr Tidy, Alpina is fab but really rare.

So DCT for me I think...

Well I think all the manual ones had Getrag gearboxes, but the Ms use a ZF box and in my limited experience it seems much better, especially with the CDV removed!

 

[Storini]

FWIW, I drove a friends X3 3ltr auto a couple of hundred miles last and found it pretty gutless to be honest. It had to kick down to accelerate up the slightest incline on the motorway. Better not mention the ride either.

I had the Bilstein suspension kit fitted to the E83 X3, so am happy with that. But IMO one needs to use its auto gearbox options:
- pottering around town and everyday driving: default Drive mode
- hiilly conditions and normal overtaking manouevers: switch to Sport mode
- serious engaged driving: switch to Manual mode

The setup for the default Drive mode is entirely motivated by emissions and fuel economy targets from an EU/US corporate mandated eco-directive, and hence it can not always be totally ready-to-go and equally there's no doubt it is a bit thirsty in the other modes. Also only 5 "manual" speeds does leave a gap in the power band at times. I have seen a few true manuals for the E83 but most of the time the auto is a better fit IMO.

Apologies if this is a little off-topic :wink: