Marlon said:
paulgs1000 said:
Thanks Paul,
the 2.0 was great fun, and like you say handled so well - it was a good introduction to the Z4 experience. I'd still be happily driving it if this hadn't turned up in my local garage. Now I feel Im driving an out and out sports car, and although I've had the occasional flat out blast its just as much fun cruising around listening to the sweet engine noise

I noticed you had a 2.0 previously, how long have you had your 3.0si?
I'm a great advocate for the 2.0 litre, it's a very under-estimated Zed and I found it brilliant fun on our Northumberland back roads. It's a Zed you can rev out in 1,2,3 (and 4th) in a licence friendly way and there was a long thread on this forum from me over whether to move to a 3.0 litre. I heard so much about the 6 cylinder engine I just had to try one and it took 200 yards to see what the fuss was about and like you I traded in my 2006 2.0i sport for my 2008 3.0si Dec/Jan 2014 and have not regretted it.
Saying that, I would be very happy if I had to go back to a 2.0 litre (or an early Mk1 or 2 MX5 - all terrific fun). Chezsherman comes out with me and Cherrym in his 2.0 litre and he has no problem keeping up on the road and even setting the pace - all about the driver, on the road.
I find the 3.0 litre less manic to drive of course and it has the extra punch which is so useful in an overtake - the brakes are better than the 2.0 litres too but still fade on me at times, even on the road.
Where does it end - I suspect that after a time you'll be wishing for an ///M - for the performance but also for the more focussed handling. I often feel that would be too much on the road but until I drive one I don't know. My wife thinks I'll drive one and that will be it - a bit like the change to a 3.0 really.
The 3.0si is a great compromise for now though and is far cheaper to maintain (and it does use a third more fuel than the 2.0 litre ( I use it for spirited rides out and get around 22mpg - though if I use a great deal of restraint it can go as high as 36mpg).
You're going to love it!