So I've done it. My car is for sale to fund the a Z4!

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David_Z4

Member
 Essex
So, I've done it and put my car for sale on pistonheads, going to also whack it on autotrader...I'm still looking for a decent Z4 within my budget. I feel a bit sick (had to work hard to afford that Scirocco), but ultimately I want a nice Z4 for a weekend car and I'm also changing my boring Ford Focus estate for a VW/Audi estate.

IMG-20140727-WA0001.jpg

Seems as though there are loads of 2.0litre models - which don't interest me - I'm after a 2.5 litre from 2006 onwards. Is much of a difference between the 2.5 and 3.0 litre models? I realise that the 3.0 will be a fair bit quicker, but will the running costs be that much more, as in bigger brakes, much less economical etc.

I've got very limited experience with RWD, so I'm going to have to go and test-drive some examples and also make sure my wife won't stack it!
 
You should hold out for a 3.0si facelift (post 2006). They are sometimes hard to find but worth being patient.

The running costs between the 3.0 and 2.5 are not that different. Mileage is within a couple of mpg (I get 24 on a 'hoon' and you can achieve 38+ on the motorway)

All other running costs are similar as they are both 6 cylinder on the same platform.

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
+1 for holding out for a 3.0SI

Running costs are about the same as I understand it and fuel economy is more affected by having a 6speed box than the difference in half a litre of capacity.
 
I bought a 2003 3.0i a few weeks ago and I love it so i'm sure you will too when you get your one.

I actually prefer the pre 2006 as I prefer the round fog lights, front lights with the indicator and the rear lights look awesome on the older model too and make the back of the car look better than the 2006. Each to their own opinion and both models look lovely but my preference was a pre 2006 one when looking. :D

Naturally the 2006 has 265bhp but it's very little difference between that and the pre facelift really to notice. Mine is just sitting inbetween both at about 245bhp as it's had the superchips remap.

Both awesome cars and each to their own preference so enjoy shopping for one and you'll love driving it :driving: :D :D :D
 
sasker said:
I bought a 2003 3.0i a few weeks ago and I love it so i'm sure you will too when you get your one.

I actually prefer the pre 2006 as I prefer the round fog lights, front lights with the indicator and the rear lights look awesome on the older model too and make the back of the car look better than the 2006. Each to their own opinion and both models look lovely but my preference was a pre 2006 one when looking. :D

Happy shopping :driving:
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I too prefer the round rear light cluster & pre facelift bumper + fogs :thumbsup: but not mad on the 5speed box in my 2.5 which i believe is a 6 speed on facelift 2.5s ?
 
sasker said:
I bought a 2003 3.0i a few weeks ago and I love it so i'm sure you will too when you get your one.

I actually prefer the pre 2006 as I prefer the round fog lights, front lights with the indicator and the rear lights look awesome on the older model too and make the back of the car look better than the 2006. Each to their own opinion and both models look lovely but my preference was a pre 2006 one when looking. :D

Naturally the 2006 has 265bhp but it's very little difference between that and the pre facelift really to notice. Mine is just sitting inbetween both at about 245bhp as it's had the superchips remap.

Both awesome cars and each to their own preference so enjoy shopping for one and you'll love driving it :driving: :D :D :D
Click to expand...

I do prefer the round front fogs of the earlier models, but the facelift rear looks better to my eyes.

In terms of power I would say 265 vs 231 is a reasonable difference - but there are next to zero tuning options for the SI, whereas there is a fair bit of choice for the earlier 3.0's... depends what you're after I guess?
 
David_Z4 said:
Ah...I wouldn't want a 5spd. I guess I'll widen my search to at least include 3.0
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Facelift 2.5s from 06 onwards got the 6 speed box & in all fairness its only a issue on motorway miles as at 78 the revs sit at 3k so you are constantly looking for the 6th gear :cry:
 
sasker said:
I bought a 2003 3.0i a few weeks ago and I love it so i'm sure you will too when you get your one.

I actually prefer the pre 2006 as I prefer the round fog lights, front lights with the indicator and the rear lights look awesome on the older model too and make the back of the car look better than the 2006. Each to their own opinion and both models look lovely but my preference was a pre 2006 one when looking. :D

Naturally the 2006 has 265bhp but it's very little difference between that and the pre facelift really to notice. Mine is just sitting inbetween both at about 245bhp as it's had the superchips remap.

Both awesome cars and each to their own preference so enjoy shopping for one and you'll love driving it :driving: :D :D :D
Click to expand...

Did you do the superchips remap mate or was it already done, did you notice any difference at all?

Thanks

Ash
 
sasker said:
Here is a good post showing the pics of both too.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1118889
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Right, I think I've got it. Thanks for the useful posts guys, its really helpful. I'm still unsure if I need a 3.0 litre, I'm a little hesitant as I used to have a Corrado 2.9 litre VR6 and as that was the biggest 'special' engine, it always seemed to be a drama and much extra costs getting parts/service. It was always like, "Oh...we have the normal 1.8/2.0/G60 Corrado <insert required part/service>, but the VR6 one we'll have to order/you'll have to pay twice as much etc etc".

CIMG1130.jpg

I don't dislike the look of the pre-2006 facelift models, but there seem to be some incredible low mileage 3.0 litre models and is that as the owners have realised how expensive they are to run? Also the 2003/04 models worry me a bit as will I have to be constantly tinkering with them to keep them going as they're getting on a bit? Also its small details like only a few pre-2006 seem to have 6spd 'boxes, they won't play mp3's and the roof won't fold on the keyfob.

I'm not ashamed to say that in 10 months ownership of the Scirocco, I've opened the bonnet a total of once - and that was in the dealership when the salesman showed me what the engine looked like! I just don't have the time these days to spend hours and hours of tinkering myself...although I do get a lot of satisfaction cleaning and detailing my cars.

The MPG of the 3.0 litre model doesn't seem that far off the 2.5, but its just beyond reasonable (taking the stated MPG from autotrader). I have found a 2007 2.5 litre 'Si', but its £9k! I

I guess I need to get this Scirocco sold (advertised on pistonheads/autotrader/gumtree) and get test-driving Z4's and read as much of this forum as possible and keep my eye out for a BMW Z4 I like with as low mileage as possible.
 
Let's face it, you don't need a Z4, but you're going to get one, so you may as well get the one that is recommended, the 3.0. You won't be disappointed with the 3.0, you may be with a 2.5.

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
I would agree with the last post you will regret not getting the 3.0 in either pre or post as they seem to be the popular choice and are nice and quick. I drove a 2.5 and as soon as I felt the difference with the 3.0 power I was sold.

I would not be put off by high milesge. As long as it's been looked after and you keep it well serviced it should be good for a lot of miles.

The servicing and reliability is the same in both engines it's only the M series that take more upkeep and higher servicing and running costs as you would expect
 
Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0 Get a 3.0. Near as makes no difference on running costs.

As for your wife driving it. It's fine with the traction control on. It's a great system and pretty much fool proof :thumbsup:
 
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