Newbie looking to purchase a z4 2.0

A

ash1212002

Member
Hi guys

I am a new member but have been lurking around and browsing forum, impressed with the wealth of information, support, fixes and advice that this forum has to offer!

Looking to purchase as a daily driver, a 2.0 Z4 Sport facelift ideally between 2006 - 2008 the later the model year the better I guess ;)

Ideally with the following options, as I wish to keep the car long term

Xenons – if not available - can xenons, halo or angel headlights be fitted retrospectively? How difficult is this?
Full SH
Low mileage between 60-70k max
6 speed manual
Low owners
Preferably any variation of black, Montego blue metallic, or dark grey which is like a gun metal grey

Should I be considering any other options?

I have a budget of £5 to 6k, is this reasonable or am I being too ambitious to get a z4 with the spec/age I am looking for

I am looking for the 2.0 as it can achieve up to 40mpg, how solid/reliable is the 2.0 engine in the facelift model compared to the rest of the engines in the range

Is it fair to say there is more to go wrong with the other engines as they are more complex compared to the 2.0?

Are there any specific common issues to look out for specifically on the 2.0 apart from the rear springs which affects all

Cheers
 
Reliability is nothing short of horrific on the 2.0 4pot in my experience.

VVt issues,
Hesitation, idling, Nox sensors - Google n46/n42 reliability, unless insurance is an issue, go for the 6 pot
 
Scooba_Steve said:
3.0si will get 40mpg on the motorway. Avoid the 2.0.
Click to expand...

what does si represent? I've read alot of posts on the forum prior to posting and the 3.0 at a push you may achieve 36 37 mpg tops

how is it possible to get the same mpg from a 3.0!? :o
 
jamie_z4 said:
Reliability is nothing short of horrific on the 2.0 4pot in my experience.

VVt issues,
Hesitation, idling, Nox sensors - Google n46/n42 reliability, unless insurance is an issue, go for the 6 pot
Click to expand...

does that apply to the pre facelift and the facelift models?
 
ash1212002 said:
Scooba_Steve said:
3.0si will get 40mpg on the motorway. Avoid the 2.0.
Click to expand...

what does si represent? I've read alot of posts on the forum prior to posting and the 3.0 at a push you may achieve 36 37 mpg tops

how is it possible to get the same mpg from a 3.0!? :o
Click to expand...

3.0si is facelift. 3.0 is pre-facelift, less power, not as efficient. Read up on wiki.
For my daily commute, 10 miles each way, I get around 33mpg. Town only driving about 30mpg.

Heavy right foot weekends 20-25mpg and trackdays less than 20 :fuelfire:
 
ash1212002 said:
Scooba_Steve said:
3.0si will get 40mpg on the motorway. Avoid the 2.0.
Click to expand...

what does si represent? I've read alot of posts on the forum prior to posting and the 3.0 at a push you may achieve 36 37 mpg tops

how is it possible to get the same mpg from a 3.0!? :o
Click to expand...

The 3litre si models used the later n52 magnesium engine, they also utilise the valvtronic system which does away with a normal throttle body (an engines biggest restriction) this helps it produce more power & consume less fuel than the earlier pre 06 3 litre cars.
Both are great, the si is just a bit more advanced. Imho I wouldn't get a 2 litre over the 3 litre because of mpg-there just isn't enough in it.
There is also the added advantage of driving a z4 with bmw's superb six pot engine adding to the experience :driving:
Whereabouts are you based? Someone local may give you a run out in their car so you know what they are like.
Regards
 
Smartbear said:
ash1212002 said:
Scooba_Steve said:
3.0si will get 40mpg on the motorway. Avoid the 2.0.
Click to expand...

what does si represent? I've read alot of posts on the forum prior to posting and the 3.0 at a push you may achieve 36 37 mpg tops

how is it possible to get the same mpg from a 3.0!? :o
Click to expand...

The 3litre si models used the later n52 magnesium engine, they also utilise the valvtronic system which does away with a normal throttle body (an engines biggest restriction) this helps it produce more power & consume less fuel than the earlier pre 06 3 litre cars.
Both are great, the si is just a bit more advanced. Imho I wouldn't get a 2 litre over the 3 litre because of mpg-there just isn't enough in it.
There is also the added advantage of driving a z4 with bmw's superb six pot engine adding to the experience :driving:
Whereabouts are you based? Someone local may give you a run out in their car so you know what they are like.
Regards
Click to expand...

My heart was set on the 2.0, from what you have told me i think i'm now leaning towards the 3.0 :roll:

Is it fair to say the bigger the engine, more to go wrong compared to the 2.0?

How about the 2.5?

I am based in Coventry, West Midlands
 
Scooba_Steve said:
ash1212002 said:
Scooba_Steve said:
3.0si will get 40mpg on the motorway. Avoid the 2.0.
Click to expand...

what does si represent? I've read alot of posts on the forum prior to posting and the 3.0 at a push you may achieve 36 37 mpg tops

how is it possible to get the same mpg from a 3.0!? :o
Click to expand...

3.0si is facelift. 3.0 is pre-facelift, less power, not as efficient. Read up on wiki.
For my daily commute, 10 miles each way, I get around 33mpg. Town only driving about 30mpg.

Heavy right foot weekends 20-25mpg and trackdays less than 20 :fuelfire:
Click to expand...

my daily commute would be 25 miles, hence why I thought the 2.0 would be perfect for me
 
jamie_z4 said:
There is a lot Less that goes wrong with a 3.0 than a 2.0 trust me
Click to expand...

lol your lucky! so far the users on the forum with a 2.0 are not backing it up :P I had read alot of positives on the 2.0 to be fair
 
ash1212002 said:
my daily commute would be 25 miles, hence why I thought the 2.0 would be perfect for me
Click to expand...

Except there's not much in it with real world use, the figures are similar for most of the models.
 
I've had both 2.0 and now have a 3.0si. If the only reason you are wanting a 2.0 is mpg and a concern over more problems with the 3.0 then you shouldn't be concerned. I agree with Smartbear. If you can afford it go for a 3.0si facelift model with the N52 265hp engine. The only problem you will have is finding one - there aren't many around (compared with the 2.0) and they cost more.
 
ash1212002 said:
jamie_z4 said:
There is a lot Less that goes wrong with a 3.0 than a 2.0 trust me
Click to expand...

lol your lucky! so far the users on the forum with a 2.0 are not backing it up :P I had read alot of positives on the 2.0 to be fair
Click to expand...

I've owned over 35 bmw's in the last 10 years - the only one I had major issues with was a 2.0 n42 318ci which shares the same engine as the z4 2.0
Go on e90 post & read the 100+ page thread on people's problems with that engine,


We're trying to help here, not be a case of my dads harder than your dad!
 
Marlon said:
I've had both 2.0 and now have a 3.0si. If the only reason you are wanting a 2.0 is mpg and a concern over more problems with the 3.0 then you shouldn't be concerned. I agree with Smartbear. If you can afford it go for a 3.0si facelift model with the N52 265hp engine. The only problem you will have is finding one - there aren't many around (compared with the 2.0) and they cost more.
Click to expand...

what were you experiences going from a 2.0 to a 3.0

how about the 2.5 best of both worlds?
 
I have a 2.5i now, I'd wish I'd gone for another 3.0 as I have had 2 3.0 z4s before & there no different to insure, tax & run.
 
There are only two types of 6 cylinder engine.

Pre face lift M54 in 2.2i, 2.5i and 3.0i

Face lift N52 2.5, 2.5si and 3.0si

So issues issues be common across the M54 range and likewise the N52 range.
 
Cracked exhaust manifolds and the emissions light coming on are some of the other problems with the 2.0L .
The 2.2L is a six pot and I love it ! ??
 
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