ash1212002
Member
i think i'll stuggle to get a 3.0 facelift, low mileage within my budget 
Newbie looking to purchase a z4 2.0
- Thread starter ash1212002
- Start date
I've had a 2006 2.0i Sport (Facelift) and now have a 2008 3.0si. I had the 2.0 litre for 18 months.
As a driving experience the 2.0i is an under appreciated version of the Zed - I loved mine and it was terrific using the higher revs at more licence friendly speeds on the back lanes of Northumberland. It corners as well as other Zeds and in the real world on the road is quite capable of keeping up on a hoon (depends more on the driver of course but that's part of the attraction). The 3.0 litre offers two characters - it's fast enough at low revs and has lots of torque and grunt, or you can take it to the red line in the lower gears for more acceleration. This makes it a more efficient overtaking tool. As soon as you use the performance though, the mpg dives - in my experience a third worse in the 6 cylinder than the 4 cylinder. Driven like a 'normal' car in the 3.0 litre you might achieve over 30+ mpg and with a lot of restraint, I've achieved 36 at 78 mph on motorway runs - 40 only achievable at less speed. The post 2006 3.0 (265bhp) is known as the si and is a slightly more efficient engine than the 3.0i (231bhp).
I had no issues with my 2.0 litre engine and I was amazed how it would just keep coming back for more week after week despite being used to its full on nearly every run (12000 miles a year leisure use). The tick over is known to be 'lumpy' but it is a very smooth engine through the rev range. As I said I loved my 2.0 litre and thought it great fun.
HOWEVER - there is a lot of posts about issues with this engine - exhaust manifolds crack and there does seem a great deal of problems getting sensors to operate without triggering the engine warning lights.
It's not the case that the more complex the engine the more problems, as the pre facelift 3.0i is renowned as one of BMWs best 6 cylinder engines and the magnesium crankcase 3.0si engine has a good reputation. There can of course be problems with both but they are well known and in the case of the 3.0i engine easily sorted. A little more concerning if there are issues with the varied valve timing on the 3.0si but mostly sorted under warranty. Don't dismiss the 2.5 facelift version as there may be more about. As Marlon has said the 3.0si are quite rare and hold their prices.
I would go for a 3.0 (i or si) version but whatever you get you are buying an increasingly ageing sportscar so try to find one that has good tyres, brakes and is well cared for and cherished. the Zeds have long service intervals and you don't want to buy one that's been used and abused and moved on before an Inspection 2. Having said that, by using a respected specialist, rather than a dealer for work on your Zed, they are a surprisingly cost effective way of getting great performance, fabulous looks and a brilliant driving experience.
As a driving experience the 2.0i is an under appreciated version of the Zed - I loved mine and it was terrific using the higher revs at more licence friendly speeds on the back lanes of Northumberland. It corners as well as other Zeds and in the real world on the road is quite capable of keeping up on a hoon (depends more on the driver of course but that's part of the attraction). The 3.0 litre offers two characters - it's fast enough at low revs and has lots of torque and grunt, or you can take it to the red line in the lower gears for more acceleration. This makes it a more efficient overtaking tool. As soon as you use the performance though, the mpg dives - in my experience a third worse in the 6 cylinder than the 4 cylinder. Driven like a 'normal' car in the 3.0 litre you might achieve over 30+ mpg and with a lot of restraint, I've achieved 36 at 78 mph on motorway runs - 40 only achievable at less speed. The post 2006 3.0 (265bhp) is known as the si and is a slightly more efficient engine than the 3.0i (231bhp).
I had no issues with my 2.0 litre engine and I was amazed how it would just keep coming back for more week after week despite being used to its full on nearly every run (12000 miles a year leisure use). The tick over is known to be 'lumpy' but it is a very smooth engine through the rev range. As I said I loved my 2.0 litre and thought it great fun.
HOWEVER - there is a lot of posts about issues with this engine - exhaust manifolds crack and there does seem a great deal of problems getting sensors to operate without triggering the engine warning lights.
It's not the case that the more complex the engine the more problems, as the pre facelift 3.0i is renowned as one of BMWs best 6 cylinder engines and the magnesium crankcase 3.0si engine has a good reputation. There can of course be problems with both but they are well known and in the case of the 3.0i engine easily sorted. A little more concerning if there are issues with the varied valve timing on the 3.0si but mostly sorted under warranty. Don't dismiss the 2.5 facelift version as there may be more about. As Marlon has said the 3.0si are quite rare and hold their prices.
I would go for a 3.0 (i or si) version but whatever you get you are buying an increasingly ageing sportscar so try to find one that has good tyres, brakes and is well cared for and cherished. the Zeds have long service intervals and you don't want to buy one that's been used and abused and moved on before an Inspection 2. Having said that, by using a respected specialist, rather than a dealer for work on your Zed, they are a surprisingly cost effective way of getting great performance, fabulous looks and a brilliant driving experience.
ash1212002
Member
paulgs1000 said:
Great post!, appreciate your thoughts. I think I will keep my options open in terms of what engine size I go for however a must for me is low mileage between 60-70k 2006 and above, max upto 3 owners, full sh, and xenons
I had two 3 Series at the same time - a 328iC and a 318 Touring. I didn't keep the latter long enough to find out how reliable it might have been. Totally gutless and uninspiring engine.
Have you made enquiries about insurance? You may be surprised that the 3.0L could be less to insure than you think.
Whatever you go for, good luck!
Have you made enquiries about insurance? You may be surprised that the 3.0L could be less to insure than you think.
Whatever you go for, good luck!
ash1212002 said:
There is no comparison in terms of outright power - the figures speak for themselves (150 bhp compared with 261 bhp). This is why I change up after only 8 months, I felt the 2.0 was under powered. That said, it was fun to drive and took the corners just as easily. My 2.0 was on 100k and did have a recurring engine warning light that I never got to the bottom of. The new car has done less than 40k so I can't really compare like with like in terms of reliability.
ash1212002 said:
It took me 8 months to find my 3.0si at a price point I wanted, so be patient it may take you quite some time to find the right one. (it turned out to be a BMW warranted Authorised Used Car surprisingly)
We are coming into the right time to buy however. There are many 2.0 litre versions for sale so you could hold out for exactly what you want and quite a few 3.0i (pre facelift). Less facelift about (don't forget to consider a 2.5 si). Keep an eye on the For sale section of this forum.
ash1212002
Member
andy.c said:hi ash i have had my 2.0l for 3yrs and I have done over 50,000 miles in it now and its never missed a beat,
good luck with your search
Hi Andy
Are you looking to sell? :wink: