z4 2.0 or e92 330i

R

road warrior

Senior member
 Burton On trent
contentious ?
Now i really like my 2.0 z4, i love the fact that every time i go out in it its an event, but.. its a 2.0 cus i just couldnt run to a 3.0 or even a 2.5 financially. I also loved my e60 20d after it was chipped it was lairy....

so.. do i stay with my 2.0 z4 or do i get a 330i series... that i CAN afford - im talking 3/4k here by thr way..

so... gentlemen ?? :fuelfire:
 
Yorkie Z said:
Why not a 3.0 Z

i refer the Honorable gentleman to the statement above that says.!.but.. its a 2.0 cus i just couldnt run to a 3.0 or even a 2.5 financially."

but i failed to say i want 2006 as a minimum upwards, but in fairness i have seen many fine examples since joining here.. many much nicer condition than mine now. Club members cars are a credit to them.
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not really contentious to me... i'd much rather an e92 330i! straight six petrol, absolute peach of an engine! plus its a lovely shaped car.

throw a z4 3.0si into the mix and its a different question!
 
It depends what you need a car for really.

If you don't need back seats I think I'd just look for a 3 litre E85 even if it was a pre-facelift, but if they would get used an E92 makes more sense.

But you'll get a great engine if you go for an E92 with the 3 litre N52, so it's going to be good either way! :)
 
i think i need a car to put a smile on my face.. i have done working so its just fun now, but i loved my 3 series and have happy memories of it, but now im having happy memories with the zed...whats the differance between a zed 3 ltr and the 3 series 3 litr ?
 
So for an earlier Z4 then. The M54 engines are bullet proof. The 3 series are nice cars, but boring after a Z4.
 
I agree, but what is the difference between 3 series 3 ltrs and the z4 3 litr and what years ect cus the power changed quite dramatically i think
 
I'm not too certain the e92 330i will put a smile on your face like a Z4 would, completely different driving experience in my opinion!

The N52 engine in the 3.0si facelift Z4 (2006 or newer) is similar to the 3.0 in the e9x 330i... various technical changes that extract more power, valvetronic system is probably the big difference.
 
i agree chris, thr 3 series is a nice car, but not the same, i think its a British thing where dropping in and crawling out and a little hardship vs comfort is part of our makeup somehow, although having now binned my set of run flats i positively relish holes and speed bumps now .. although im sure that novelty will wear off soon enough :) :lol:
thanks for the engine info. now you have me fantasizing about an si :headbang:
 
I owned a 330I e92 for 5 years and still regret selling it to this day. It was a hugely capable car a hoot to drive but horrible economy on anything but a steady motorway run to be honest though I actually actually preferred the power delivery and overtaking performance of the diesel variant but the noise of the petrol one won the day

I do however still have the 3.0 Z4 if that says anything :)
 
road warrior said:
i agree chris, thr 3 series is a nice car, but not the same, i think its a British thing where dropping in and crawling out and a little hardship vs comfort is part of our makeup somehow, although having now binned my set of run flats i positively relish holes and speed bumps now .. although im sure that novelty will wear off soon enough
thanks for the engine info. now you have me fantasizing about an si
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I had an E46 325ti Compact with the M54 engine - the same as pre-facelift E85 2.5is. Look out for banana shaped radiators and split expansion tanks (don't ask how I know)!

I replaced it earlier this year with an E91 325i with the N52 engine - it doesn't feel nearly as nimble, and you have to get it revving high to enjoy it's performance. But then you have to factor in the electric water pump (again, don't ask me how I know)! Although I'd expect an E92 to drive in a similar way to an E91.

But any Z4 is going to feel totally different to any 3 Series - no back seats, you sit lower and just in front of the rear wheels. Lovely!

Pre-facelift Z4 3.0i is 231 bhp M54 engine, facelift 3.0Si is 265 bhp N52 engine the same as early E92s.

From what you have said so far I think a facelift 3.0Si might suit you well! :lol:
 
I ran a 3.0Si Coupe alongside a 330i e91 for a couple of years and would summarise as follows:

- Both generally very reliable, other than the water pump went on the Z4
- 330 sounded bassier and I think had a better overall exhaust sound than the Z4 but there wasn't much in it
- The gearing in the 330 was quite a lot longer which combined with another 250kg made it noticeably slower
- The Z4 had better in gear acceleration whereas the 330 was fine keeping up with traffic but needed ragging to move
- Economy is better on a long run in the 330 due to the gearing but a few mpg worse otherwise
- Comfort in the Z4 is a joke, it rides terribly even with non-runflats and B12 suspension wasn't much better
- Comfort in the 330 was supreme
- The 330 is a lot quieter in the cabin and I really enjoyed the extra refinement as unless you're on it the extra road noise plus rattles in the Z4 make it feel cheap
- I preferred the handling on the 330... Depsite various modifications I could never get a really strong front end grip from the Z4 but the 330 was much more balanced and understeered less

Between a 2.0 Z4 and 330 I'd choose 330 all day long. I'd still choose 330 if I even remotely needed the extra space but really the 330 would be better with the turbo six due to the weight as it needs the extra torque lower down. My preferences led me to a C63 estate...
 
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