Is there a great difference between the 2.5 and the 3litre

[Area six]

Looking into buying a second hand z4 with £6k to spend , new to all the information could someone tell me which engine is best to go for I do like the thought of a 3 litre as I have had powerful saloons before but is it the right size for fun in a z4.

 

[wantanM]

3.0? Yes. It absolutely flies. Sounds great and is reasonably economical when you want it to be (thanks to having the sixth gear) I uses to average about 32 mpg combined

My experience of the 3.0i prefacelift was nothing but superb

 

[JamieMcDermott]

3.0 all the way.................I test drove many 2.5's before I purchased the 3.0, they're guttless in comparison. Dont be fooled though, I get between 18-23 mpg!

 

[wantanM]

3.0 all the way.................I test drove many 2.5's before I purchased the 3.0, they're guttless in comparison. Dont be fooled though, I get between 18-23 mpg!

18-23? You got something wrong with car or just town driving?

 

[JamieMcDermott]

lol, just town driving im afraid. I cant remember the last time I even ventured off a B road, There's only one A road through Cornwall, and even thats like a B road! I do about 30 miles a week!

 

[wantanM]

Ha ha. Traffic light grande prixs can be fun though ... :evil:

 

[sars]

This depends on which year you purchase, the face lifted 2.5 Si isn't that far behind in power the of the earlier 3.0l, 218 bhp and 231 bhp respectively, however performance is a little lower due to gearing, however here is a list of the 6 cylinder models

2003-06 - 2.2 = 170 bhp 0-62 is 7.7 seconds
2003-06 - 2.5 SE = 192 bhp 0-62 is 7.0
2003-06 - 3.0 SE = 231 bhp 0-62 is 5.9
Facelift
2006-06 - 2.5 SE = 177 bhp 0-62 is 7.1
2006-09 2.5 Si = 218 bhp 0.62 is 6.5
2006-09 - 3.0 Si = 265 bhp 0.62 5.7

 

[shortfuse 2]

3.0 ltr all the way for the money you have plenty out there

 

[RichardG]

Loads of people on here will just scream get the 3.0.

Truth is ask what kind of driving are you going to do and where, afterall if you are stuck in town with 30mph...........

Been out on several runs with the entire range in attendance and no one has ever been left behind proving the old adage it's not what you drive but how you drive it.

I have had a 04 2.5 from new and have only ever fleeting regretted not getting the 3.0 usually when reading this forum.

I would simply say make a list of must haves (Sat nav, Carver amp, etc) and then search one out then take it for a drive and see what fits you, whichever you decide you will not be dissapointed.

 

[srhutch]

This depends on which year you purchase, the face lifted 2.5 Si isn't that far behind in power the of the earlier 3.0l, 218 bhp and 231 bhp respectively, however performance is a little lower due to gearing, however here is a list of the 6 cylinder models

2003-06 - 2.2 = 170 bhp 0-62 is 7.7 seconds
2003-06 - 2.5 SE = 192 bhp 0-62 is 7.0
2003-06 - 3.0 SE = 231 bhp 0-62 is 5.9
Facelift
2006-06 - 2.5 SE = 177 bhp 0-62 is 7.1
2006-09 2.5 Si = 218 bhp 0.62 is 6.5
2006-09 - 3.0 Si = 265 bhp 0.62 5.7

Should be

2006-06 - 2.5 = 177 bhp 0-62 is 7.1

SE designates trim level not engine size.

 

[no fit state]

The difference is more than just about power. The 3.0 comes with 6 gears, auto lights and wipers, electric seats, silver inner headlights and silver grill.

 

[no fit state]

They also sit lower on M-sport suspension if I remember correctly?

 

[Adamski]

If you really wanna know, test drive both and you'll get a feel for the difference


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hunter]

The main thing to concider when chooseing which z is for you...make sure you get one that has a retractable roof, there are quite a few that bmw let skip through the quality checks that dont have a roof that retracts....

 

[Area six]

Great thanks for your help everyone , starting to get a picture , went to a garage today and tested a 2004 2.5l which was great but I think a 3 L would be for me.
Patrick

 

[c cunningham]

2,0 is good as well !
dont LOL
big differance in weight m8
but yes 3.0 would be NICE

 

[JamieMcDermott]

2.0 ltr wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding :lol:

 

[markeg]

ah, you'll want an ///M or Alpina if you want to remove skin from puddings

 

[JamieMcDermott]

:lol:

 

[sars]

This depends on which year you purchase, the face lifted 2.5 Si isn't that far behind in power the of the earlier 3.0l, 218 bhp and 231 bhp respectively, however performance is a little lower due to gearing, however here is a list of the 6 cylinder models

2003-06 - 2.2 = 170 bhp 0-62 is 7.7 seconds
2003-06 - 2.5 SE = 192 bhp 0-62 is 7.0
2003-06 - 3.0 SE = 231 bhp 0-62 is 5.9
Facelift
2006-06 - 2.5 SE = 177 bhp 0-62 is 7.1
2006-09 2.5 Si = 218 bhp 0.62 is 6.5
2006-09 - 3.0 Si = 265 bhp 0.62 5.7

Should be

2006-06 - 2.5 = 177 bhp 0-62 is 7.1

SE designates trim level not engine size.

You are absolutely correct, but have to say that was quite anal and not particularly helpful to the op