I have early 3.0i auto... My first, quite like the Z thing..... Seen a little better spec newer version, 3.0si auto... Is there much differnce in the driving and living with a newer version? .... Or should I go for the later 2009 on version... I350 DCT perhaps.... They look a bit big and bulky and 3 times the price.....nice interior.
Much difference between 2004 & 2008????
- Thread starter 9designs
- Start date
The si will give you an extra 34 bhp and some subtle 'face lift' changes to the front and rear. The 2009 Z4 (E89) is a whole different ball game; I've not driven one so I can't compare - but I prefer the classic look of the earlier Z4 roadster (E85)
Spec sheet E85 (& E86 coupe) :
Spec sheet E85 (& E86 coupe) :
9designs said:
The E85 (roadster) si Sport and the E86 (coupe) si Sport have the same N52 engine and suspension.
If you compare the pre facelift E85 (pre 2006) with the post facelift E85 si Sport then there are differences - suspension is harder and, as already mentioned, the engine has more bhp.
the post facelift cars have sound deadening in the doors so they shut with a noise more a kin to a BMW rather than a Peugeot 205 in the pre facelift cars. (although you can easily add it)
The later cars have a 6 speed autobox which is supposed to be nicer as well as better on fuel on a run due to its extra gear. Then theres the obvious visual stuff such as the clear headlights, teardrop shaped rear lights and black interior plastics, m sport seats (an option on later pre facelift cars), M sport steering wheel, different wheel & colour options plus all the stuff everyone else has mentioned such as the bigger brakes (which are easy and cheap to upgrade to)
on the plus side, cars manufactured before 10/04 (pre facelift cars) have all the wiring looms in place. so adding extras such as cruise control and heated seats etc is a doddle and although still possible on the later ones its a pain (just ask marlon!)
The later cars have a 6 speed autobox which is supposed to be nicer as well as better on fuel on a run due to its extra gear. Then theres the obvious visual stuff such as the clear headlights, teardrop shaped rear lights and black interior plastics, m sport seats (an option on later pre facelift cars), M sport steering wheel, different wheel & colour options plus all the stuff everyone else has mentioned such as the bigger brakes (which are easy and cheap to upgrade to)
on the plus side, cars manufactured before 10/04 (pre facelift cars) have all the wiring looms in place. so adding extras such as cruise control and heated seats etc is a doddle and although still possible on the later ones its a pain (just ask marlon!)
srhutch said:
Ok, I'm confused now. Are we saying pre facelift M Sport equipped cars have a harder ride than post facelift M sport equipped cars or not?
Real Oem does list different part numbers for front & rear shocks between pre facelift M sport cars and the post face lift M Sport ones, which does imply they ride differently. However it could also be a result of the weight differences between the pre and post cars rather than a change in ride hardness.
MACK said:
Very true
- its a big plus having all the extra wiring looms in place if you have a pre facelift and want to retrofit stuff. Also good point about the 6 speed box on the post facelift cars (did all pre facelift cars only have 5 gears?) - that extra gear is a must for me. So OP many pros and cons - lots to consider.
Slightly different take on it from me is that they are all old cars now, some are pre and some post. There are minor changes between the 2 variants (in the bigger picture) but bottom line is budget, spec. colour, mileage, condition, history, etc.
Work out what you want to spend, key features such as manual/auto, colour, type of seats, etc., whatever really matters to you then get the best matched car based on condition and history.
Work out what you want to spend, key features such as manual/auto, colour, type of seats, etc., whatever really matters to you then get the best matched car based on condition and history.
Now all the cars are old, I start to prefer the original pre-facelift with the red/white spot rear lights again.
The original one looks now a bit more classic whilst the post-facelift looks a bit more old - new car.
The nicest pre-facelift for me now is the Alpina but only with the clear front indicators and red/white dots - preferably on a black car.
The original one looks now a bit more classic whilst the post-facelift looks a bit more old - new car.
The nicest pre-facelift for me now is the Alpina but only with the clear front indicators and red/white dots - preferably on a black car.
Smartbear said:Number5 said:
Unless it's an si with 218bhp
Rob
Just to clarify my earlier comment regarding number of gears. I was referring to the autoboxes only, as that's what the OP was posting about. Its true all manual 3.0 cars pre & post had a 6sp box as standard. The 6 sp box in the pre and post facelift cars is basically the same GS6-37BZ/DZ box. Its only the auto cars that had a completely different box between pre and post facelift cars.
2.5 and 2.2 pre facelift cars had a 5 speed manual as standard with a 6speed a cost option. One of the daft things with the earlier cars is that a 2.5i SE specced up to the same equipment level as a standard 3.0i SE would basically have cost what a 3.0i SE did, if not slightly more.