Wanted: E85 Z4 Roadster 6cyl

[Dangti6]

I'm looking for a Z4 and have the following criteria:

Budget - up to 5k for the right car
6cyl - 2.5 would be ideal
Manual
Leather and a few other interior options would be nice.
Under 100k miles
Ideally not silver
Reasonable MOT


I appreciate that's quite specific, but we want the right car and don't want to compromise and not enjoy it.

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, don't discount the 3.0 engined cars-they are just as economical & have a fair amount of extra grunt
Good luck with your search & don't forget there's a classified section on this forum.
Rob

 

[Dangti6]

That's interesting to hear, thanks.

I suspect it will come down to condition etc in the end. I did discount the 2.0 thinking it would perhaps feel slightly under powered but maybe I am being unfair there.

 

[srhutch]

That's interesting to hear, thanks.

I suspect it will come down to condition etc in the end. I did discount the 2.0 thinking it would perhaps feel slightly under powered but maybe I am being unfair there.

The 6cyl engine in you price range is pretty bullet proof. Same can't be said for the 4 pot. You won't regret getting the 6pot. The 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 are all M54 of that age pre 06.

 

[firebobby]

You should be able to get a decent car for £5k, there have been a few on here lately. Welcome by the way

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, welcome to the forum OP!

Hope you find one that suits you.

 

[GILKEEN]

Hi I have a E85 BMW 2.5si (218BHP) roadster, 6 speed manual gearbox. Colour Sapphire Black in very good condition. HPI clear with paperwork to prove. MOT till May 2017. 105000mls. 18" BMW wheels powder coated in Titanium . Good tyres. New rear disc's and pads, new pad's on front. New rear brakes pipes to pass MOT. Electric heated front, two tone leather seats, heated wing mirrors. Electric roof works as it should. Service in 7000mls Phone 07940593. Looking for £4800 ono.
Gilbert

 

[goldbcfc]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/222286812402?

 

[GILKEEN]

2.2 and doesn't say what mileage!!

 

[goldbcfc]

Sorry it doesnt its 101k miles. Yes 2.2i is that bad?. I had a 3.0i this year and this one actuallly feels like there's more torque available much more revvy. Apart form not having 6 gears only 5 feels the same to me im suprised how quick it is but it is lighter than a 3.0 also. The clutchis much more freindly too lighter without the jerkness you get on 3.0 you get the same in E46 ive had a few. There not fun in the city too much power you cant use freely like smaller engine. I just wanted the fastest so got a 3.0i. The reviews i read did say try them all the amount of 2.2,2.5 i disregarded because they wasnt 3.0 is carzy now ive driven this 2.2i. remember its all about the weight. Tracked my 3.0 it was ok very nose heavy being big engine which is why all the best lotus elise/exige,mx5 and S2000 have 1.8 light engines

 

[Pastry]

Sorry it doesnt its 101k miles. Yes 2.2i is that bad?. I had a 3.0i this year and this one actuallly feels like there's more torque available much more revvy. Apart form not having 6 gears only 5 feels the same to me im suprised how quick it is but it is lighter than a 3.0 also. The clutchis much more freindly too lighter without the jerkness you get on 3.0 you get the same in E46 ive had a few. There not fun in the city too much power you cant use freely like smaller engine. I just wanted the fastest so got a 3.0i. The reviews i read did say try them all the amount of 2.2,2.5 i disregarded because they wasnt 3.0 is carzy now ive driven this 2.2i. remember its all about the weight. Tracked my 3.0 it was ok very nose heavy being big engine which is why all the best lotus elise/exige,mx5 and S2000 have 1.8 light engines

The 2.2 is the same engine (m54) as the 2.5 and 3.0 so I don't know where you get the idea its nose is lighter, maybe because its a 2.2 your trying to sell! In fact you could argue the 3.0 is lighter as it has bigger holes in it

 

[Rorybeanbutler]

I just wanted the fastest so got a 3.0i.

Is the 3.0i the quickest? :| what about the 3.0si and the ///M

To the OP. I was looking at getting a 2.5. Then reading up on the specs I noticed the 3.0 has identical mpg and the same tax too. For your 5k price point I'd definitely be Looking for a 3.0i. The one GILKEEN has advertised with the pictures looks a good buy if your happy with a 2.5 as it is the si so just as fast as a 3.0i

 

[goldbcfc]

Sorry it doesnt its 101k miles. Yes 2.2i is that bad?. I had a 3.0i this year and this one actuallly feels like there's more torque available much more revvy. Apart form not having 6 gears only 5 feels the same to me im suprised how quick it is but it is lighter than a 3.0 also. The clutchis much more freindly too lighter without the jerkness you get on 3.0 you get the same in E46 ive had a few. There not fun in the city too much power you cant use freely like smaller engine. I just wanted the fastest so got a 3.0i. The reviews i read did say try them all the amount of 2.2,2.5 i disregarded because they wasnt 3.0 is carzy now ive driven this 2.2i. remember its all about the weight. Tracked my 3.0 it was ok very nose heavy being big engine which is why all the best lotus elise/exige,mx5 and S2000 have 1.8 light engines

The 2.2 is the same engine (m54) as the 2.5 and 3.0 so I don't know where you get the idea its nose is lighter, maybe because its a 2.2 your trying to sell! In fact you could argue the 3.0 is lighter as it has bigger holes in it

So you think beacuse their the same M54 engine the 2200cc is the same as 2500cc and 3000cc in weight....have a think about it

the 2.0i is the lightest obviously having the smallest engine but as the 2.2i is the 6cyl M5 engine it the lightest 6cyl its just over 1300kg the 3.0 is heavier. It has a heavier engine its bigger...lol

im only comparing havng owned both the 2.2i is geared better for torque its lighter you fel it more its basic pyhsics power/weight. Too much front end weight upsets the balance which is why mx5 never fitted a big engine and is best roadster.

 

[mr wilks]

Sorry it doesnt its 101k miles. Yes 2.2i is that bad?. I had a 3.0i this year and this one actuallly feels like there's more torque available much more revvy. Apart form not having 6 gears only 5 feels the same to me im suprised how quick it is but it is lighter than a 3.0 also. The clutchis much more freindly too lighter without the jerkness you get on 3.0 you get the same in E46 ive had a few. There not fun in the city too much power you cant use freely like smaller engine. I just wanted the fastest so got a 3.0i. The reviews i read did say try them all the amount of 2.2,2.5 i disregarded because they wasnt 3.0 is carzy now ive driven this 2.2i. remember its all about the weight. Tracked my 3.0 it was ok very nose heavy being big engine which is why all the best lotus elise/exige,mx5 and S2000 have 1.8 light engines

The 2.2 is the same engine (m54) as the 2.5 and 3.0 so I don't know where you get the idea its nose is lighter, maybe because its a 2.2 your trying to sell! In fact you could argue the 3.0 is lighter as it has bigger holes in it

So you think beacuse their the same M54 engine the 2200cc is the same as 2500cc and 3000cc in weight....have a think about it

the 2.0i is the lightest obviously having the smallest engine but as the 2.2i is the 6cyl M5 engine it the lightest 6cyl its just over 1300kg the 3.0 is heavier. It has a heavier engine its bigger...lol

im only comparing havng owned both the 2.2i is geared better for torque its lighter you fel it more its basic pyhsics power/weight. Too much front end weight upsets the balance which is why mx5 never fitted a big engine and is best roadster.

To equate the weight difference from a 2.2i to a 3.0i in simpletons terms its approx a grown Labrador

 

[goldbcfc]

Before i bought the Z4 i had many years of E46's with M54 engines owning a 330ci for 5 yrs. I just wanted a faster car with same engine reason i never went for a facelift Si model with different problematic engine. The reviews for Z4 said whilst the 3.0 is quickest the 2.2i is the lightest of the 6cyl engines and gives fine balance. Its a bit like the old days when everyone loved 16v Gti but the 8v was actually more revy and more lively to drive than waiting to build up the power like in 16v. The Z4 is same from my experience in both. The 3.0 was quick but on corners you need to back off and the wheels will spin easier at the limit. The 2.2i is a lot smoother having a more managable clutch. The 5 speed box is rev happy and the front end is noticably is lighter its not just engine weight smaller brakes and components reduce weight. You only need to look under the bonnet of both to see the differnce. The 3.0 there's no space around the engine to hardly work. The 2.2i i could probably stand down the side and get in . i tracked my 3.0 the first thing all the mx5 and lotus boys said was that engine was not made to go in that car. The huge heatsheild along the drivers side gives that away.........anyway Good luck in your search

 

[Nictrix]

Hi I have a E85 BMW 2.5si (218BHP) roadster, 6 speed manual gearbox. Colour Sapphire Black in very good condition. HPI clear with paperwork to prove. MOT till May 2017. 105000mls. 18" BMW wheels powder coated in Titanium . Good tyres. New rear disc's and pads, new pad's on front. New rear brakes pipes to pass MOT. Electric heated front, two tone leather seats, heated wing mirrors. Electric roof works as it should. Service in 7000mls Phone 07940593. Looking for £4800 ono.
Gilbert

I recognise this car from about 4 years ago if its the same one. Same seats anyway.
It was being sold by a garage near Hillington.

 

[MrPT]

You only need to look under the bonnet of both to see the differnce. The 3.0 there's no space around the engine to hardly work. The 2.2i i could probably stand down the side and get in .

Madness.

OP - 3.0i is probably the best bang for your buck. A high mileage 2.5si might be tempting if you like the look of the facelift and doors that go "thunk" instead of "pannggg!".

 

[Dangti6]

Sourced one. Search is over

 

[Chris_D]

haha, i would have described it as '...instead of KLANNK'
E85 doors are hideously tinny - my friends have all passed comments. I'll be rectifying that soon with some insulation.

 

[Chris_D]

Sourced one. Search is over

well done mate, that was quick!
What did you end up with?
pics!