ESP said:paulgs1000 said:Would I be happy to return to a 2 litre - well yes of course!![]()
![]()
What do you know?
Wait until MACK see's this! He'll put you straight (he invented cars you know lol)![]()

ESP said:paulgs1000 said:Would I be happy to return to a 2 litre - well yes of course!![]()
![]()
What do you know?
Wait until MACK see's this! He'll put you straight (he invented cars you know lol)![]()

blackabbot said:ESP said:paulgs1000 said:Would I be happy to return to a 2 litre - well yes of course!![]()
![]()
What do you know?
Wait until MACK see's this! He'll put you straight (he invented cars you know lol)![]()
![]()
erm let me think?!
Oh my just bite the bullet man and buy yourself a geniune M! Your kidding no one. Your therapist will tell you "you know you wont be truly happy to you do!"
Oh no wait, I forgot you've got that Audi R8
sorry I meant A1.
#Billy BSTime to quit now fella your making a complete fool of yourself, you've given your opinion so just leave itMACK said:blackabbot said:ESP said:![]()
What do you know?
Wait until MACK see's this! He'll put you straight (he invented cars you know lol)![]()
![]()
Well there you go again with the snide comments and now you've got yourself a little cheerleader to revel in your 2.0 luvfest together. Hope you'll be very happy!
Interesting how you conveniently chose to ignore paulsg comment of;
"I did move to a 3 litre after long consideration - so much was said about the character of the 6 cylinder that I had to try one - it took all of about 200 yards and a couple of roundabouts (to check the handling) before I was convinced :lol: Brilliant."
and that was back when it actually cost a lot more to buy a 3.0. Seriously your claiming some sort of pathetic victory despite the guy saying 200 yards is all i took to ditch the 2.0. You in Politics? Just proves what I've been saying all along really, in the here and now, do I choose a 2.0 or 3.0 at the same sort of moneyerm let me think?!
Seems you two definitely have a case of "small engine syndrome" and that was before I spotted the "M" badge on the rear of ESP's car in a photo in another thread ! How very sad, be careful, you know how the forumites react to a non m with an M badge. #Laughing stock!![]()
![]()
Oh my just bite the bullet man and buy yourself a geniune M! Your kidding no one. Your therapist will tell you "you know you wont be truly happy to you do!"
Oh no wait, I forgot you've got that Audi R8
sorry I meant A1.
#Billy BS
I didn't invent the car, but unlike you two clowns I'm clearly light years ahead in at least knowing something about what hell I'm talking about. Seriously posting MOT history as proof that a car hasn't had engine issues now WTF is that about, how ridiculous! As for ESP aka Mr Billy BS, enough said really!

blackabbot said:Time to quit now fella your making a complete fool of yourself, you've given your opinion so just leave itMACK said:blackabbot said:
Well there you go again with the snide comments and now you've got yourself a little cheerleader to revel in your 2.0 luvfest together. Hope you'll be very happy!
Interesting how you conveniently chose to ignore paulsg comment of;
"I did move to a 3 litre after long consideration - so much was said about the character of the 6 cylinder that I had to try one - it took all of about 200 yards and a couple of roundabouts (to check the handling) before I was convinced :lol: Brilliant."
and that was back when it actually cost a lot more to buy a 3.0. Seriously your claiming some sort of pathetic victory despite the guy saying 200 yards is all i took to ditch the 2.0. You in Politics? Just proves what I've been saying all along really, in the here and now, do I choose a 2.0 or 3.0 at the same sort of moneyerm let me think?!
Seems you two definitely have a case of "small engine syndrome" and that was before I spotted the "M" badge on the rear of ESP's car in a photo in another thread ! How very sad, be careful, you know how the forumites react to a non m with an M badge. #Laughing stock!![]()
![]()
Oh my just bite the bullet man and buy yourself a geniune M! Your kidding no one. Your therapist will tell you "you know you wont be truly happy to you do!"
Oh no wait, I forgot you've got that Audi R8
sorry I meant A1.
#Billy BS
I didn't invent the car, but unlike you two clowns I'm clearly light years ahead in at least knowing something about what hell I'm talking about. Seriously posting MOT history as proof that a car hasn't had engine issues now WTF is that about, how ridiculous! As for ESP aka Mr Billy BS, enough said really!![]()

paulgs1000 said:Marlon said:Where's Paulgs1000 when you need him - he drives an ///M now but started in a 2 litre and . . . (well I will leave him to say)
Ha - thanks Marlon - it's nice to be recognised for supporting ownership of the 2 litre :lol:
Now then blackabbot - I was delighted to see your title and enjoyed reading through your well presented post![]()
I've always championed the 2 litre. I think it's an overlooked and maligned Zed. I had mine for 19 months and loved it! I didn't know what I was buying but fell in love with it on sight. It was only later, through this forum, that a learnt more about the Z4 and have consequently moved on to a 3.0si (brilliant Zed) and now the M version (that I'm slowly getting the way I want and learn more every drive).
It's disappointing that the thread has got a bit combative - I have to say that there are a lot of knowledgeable folk on this forum and they are well worth listening too. For me much of what has been posted makes sense - including that the 2 litre engine has it's issues - mainly exhaust manifolds cracking (my independent said he would weld it up if it did - it didn't) and Engine Management Lights which can be difficult to sort due to sensitive sensors (get a plug in and cancel). I don't know about the chain tensioner issues but I'm listening . . .
Despite that I find a lot of the comments about the 2 litre are more based upon it's lack of power and the perceived greater smoothness of the 6 cylinder motor. Regarding the lack of power, well on the road the driver can make a huge difference and I had great fun chasing 'bigger' engine Zeds on forum runs and revving out my 2 litre on the back roads of Northumberland - absolutely brilliant fun. I've also driven with some terrific 2 litre drivers (Chesherman, Geezer and others) that make the most of and have surprised quite a few with, the capabilities of their Zeds. I'm convinced the 2 litre handles better in some circumstances due to the lighter engine (and location of the engine as already mentioned). Keeping the engine on boil is all part of the fun of the 2 litre. I always found it a willing and smooth engine and can't understand when folk say the 6 cylinder is smoother - for a 4 pot I thought it was incredibly smooth and would rev all day at high revs then start the next morning ready for more - brilliant. The only roughness is with the slightly hunting tickover that seems at odds with the rest of the rev range (they all do it).
I came from a 6 year love affair with a Mk 2 MX5 and then the extreme of a TVR Chimeara to the Zed (all after years of motorcycles) - the 2 litre Zed offered terrific looks, fun involving handling, and relatively licence friendly top end commitment in the lower gears.
The only draw back was the gulf between 2nd and 3rd gear - changing down to second left too few revs to play with and changing up to 3rd dropped the revs too far - frustratingly didn't quite work - close ratio box anyone![]()
I did move to a 3 litre after long consideration - so much was said about the character of the 6 cylinder that I had to try one - it took all of about 200 yards and a couple of roundabouts (to check the handling) before I was convinced :lol: Brilliant.
The M initially caused me more anguish (check my posts and see) waited a long time for the M I wanted. I've found the M a very different kind of Zed and much of my initial concern about it has been answered by reinstating the rear muffler and back boxes - it's amazing how psychologically it's allowed me to use the higher rev range - probably tells you more about me than the M though. I was lucky enough to keep both my 3 litre and my M for 6 months before deciding which to keep. In the end it was the specialness of the M and it's greater capabilities that won me over - that and my wife felt it was a safer (in having more capability) sports car.
I'm lucky to have had the opportunity to have all 3 versions. Having a 3 litre made driving easier - extra punch for overtakes and a torquer engine at the bottom end. The M has made driving more interesting and challenging. I've enjoyed all three versions but would always champion the 2 litre as a great fun machine which needs the driver to make the very best of it and this can be done on the road - that's where the enjoyment and fun comes in. You have to be careful on the road in the 3 litre and the M (very careful) if you want to get near their potential. It's cheaper to run as well!
Would I be happy to return to a 2 litre - well yes of course!![]()
greg1953 said:I'm gradually starting to hate mine, it's been a nightmare since I bought it in November...so far, new wishbone bushes, new rear springs, new calipers, discs & pads, new ABS pump £2090 and now I have the eng light on showing cam position sensor which may well indicate a new timing chain needed...but the biggest problem is that I love driving it and not sure if I can bear to part with it, yes, the 2.0 is as lame as a one legged duck but I get my speed kicks from my bikes and drive at a steady pace, I just wish it was more reliable.....is the E89 2.0 any better ?
Greg
P.S. at least when everythings sorted it should be ok...or is there some other major issue waiting to ambush me ??
Hi Greg, Sorry to hear about the problems your having, Oh no Macks going to have a field day with your postgreg1953 said:I'm gradually starting to hate mine, it's been a nightmare since I bought it in November...so far, new wishbone bushes, new rear springs, new calipers, discs & pads, new ABS pump £2090 and now I have the eng light on showing cam position sensor which may well indicate a new timing chain needed...but the biggest problem is that I love driving it and not sure if I can bear to part with it, yes, the 2.0 is as lame as a one legged duck but I get my speed kicks from my bikes and drive at a steady pace, I just wish it was more reliable.....is the E89 2.0 any better ?
Greg
P.S. at least when everythings sorted it should be ok...or is there some other major issue waiting to ambush me ??
RyanB88 said:Just my opinion but I don't understand why anyone would buy a performance car with a none performance engine?
Marlon said:RyanB88 said:Just my opinion but I don't understand why anyone would buy a performance car with a none performance engine?
The MX-5 has been, and still is, a hugely successful 'sports car' without having what I would call a performance engine.
Just to clarify Ryan, when I went to view the 2.0i I bought I spent three hours looking it over and about 40 minutes driving it, when I found how agile the car was in cornering and the steering so positive it blew me away, I drove on a dual carriageway which was quiet and took it to 80 mph with what to me still seemed to have loads left on the throttle. The 2.0i will do 0-60 mph in 7.7 sec with a top speed of 137 mph I personally will never rev the backside out of the car or need the top speed.RyanB88 said:Just my opinion but I don't understand why anyone would buy a performance car with a none performance engine?

ESP said:
" or at least the R8 badge your A1 is no doubt wearing!!!!

Adam D said:Cracked exhaust manifold?
Lynchy said:It ain't finished yet![]()
and might never be