2.5 or 3.0 any advantage?

[Acestumacher]

Hello guys and gals hope everyone is fine and enjoying this lovely weather!!,

Regarding the 2.5 or 3.0 engine versions of the Z4 is there really much difference in performance to notice up to 70 mph of course?, I really want to get back into these cars and enjoying our summer to come, I have seen a few cars around and I don't plan on spending too much, happy to buy something that needs some TLC.

Also do all the 2.5 and 3.0 come with a sport mode button?.

Cheers Stu.

 

[Brian H]

Best bit of advise is to go and drive the different engined cars and try before you buy, we all want different things from our cars and we also tend to put our foot down in a different ways

 

[t-tony]

Hi Stu, back again mate. I haven't driven a 2.5 but I'm very happy with my 3.0i (Auto) and yes it has a sport button.

Tony.

ps. The Si models have slightly higher HP but they hold a higher price too.
Best to go out and drive some mate.

 

[Grumps]

2.5 is 193bhp same as the old 2.8 which is a good strong lump. The 3.0 older car is 231bhp so a decent uplift and the newer 3.0si is 265bhp so a big jump over the 2.5. As already said try before you buy.

 

[t-tony]

2.5 is 193bhp same as the old 2.8 which is a good strong lump. The 3.0 older car is 231bhp so a decent uplift and the newer 3.0si is 265bhp so a big jump over the 2.5. As already said try before you buy.

Can't you sleep mate?

Tony.

 

[JAJ278]

I've owned 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and now 3.2, and as they say, there is no substitute for displacement. For most legal driving conditions in the UK you aren't going to use the full potential of even a 2.0, but what I found is the larger engined cars make driving more relaxed and smoother. When you aren't having to wind up the engine all the time for overtaking, changing lane, or avoiding Audi drivers, driving is a lot more fun.

 

[Jack Ratt]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52

Both the 2.5 and 3.0 are versions of the N52 engine and was tuned differently depending which car it was used in.

 

[Grumps]

Can't you sleep mate?

Tony.

You know me mate up with the Larks.

 

[Olliebeak]

I have been considering changing my 1.9 Z3 for a 6 cyl Z4 but have been put off by all the comments regarding Vanos. Exactly what is it, is it fitted to all 6 cyl engines, how do you spot if it is on the way out?

 

[Paul Rice]

To me the biggest difference on early cars if you are looking at a manual transmission 2.5 5 speed 3.0 6 speed. Find more than enough power in the silky 2.5 but six speed would make for more relaxed cruising.

 

[JAJ278]

To me the biggest difference on early cars if you are looking at a manual transmission 2.5 5 speed 3.0 6 speed. Find more than enough power in the silky 2.5 but six speed would make for more relaxed cruising.

Totally agree with you Paul.

My 3.0 was an auto with paddle shift, so that was even easier. But I do love the six speed manual in the M.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I have been considering changing my 1.9 Z3 for a 6 cyl Z4 but have been put off by all the comments regarding Vanos. Exactly what is it, is it fitted to all 6 cyl engines, how do you spot if it is on the way out?

Vanos is the name given to BMW's "variable valve timing" . On early BMW engines it just applied to the inlet cam but on the facelift cars it was added to the exhaust cam too. As long as the car gets regular on time oil changes it wont or shouldn't give you any problems.

 

[Redline]

There is a big and noticeable difference between the 3.0i and 3.0si

With an auto and paddles, it is fabulously quick and nice to drive, but, because it changes up so quickly you’re very soon way on the wrong side of the limit.
The 6 pots are much heavier up front and this affects the handling.
The extra power and torque makes for more relaxed cruising if you’re doing lots of miles.
Can’t compare the 3.0 against a 2.5 as I’ve never driven one.