which engine is best in a Z4

[Olliebeak]

I am considering changing my Z3 1.9 118 hp for a Z4, which engine is recommended i.e 2.0,2.2,2.5, thanks

 

[Sean d]

I am considering changing my Z3 1.9 118 hp for a Z4, which engine is recommended i.e 2.0,2.2,2.5, thanks

Only ever been in one and that was a 3.0l, I wouldn't consider anything other then that but then I wouldn't consider a Z4

 

[billz]

Depends on what year you are looking at. The N52 3,0si is probably the best of the bunch both performance and economy wise

 

[gookah]

how about the 2.5 litre..... That was great when i had one.
or how about the Z4M..... That was the best engine when I had it
How about the 3.0 M54.... That is best now my wife has one


The answer you get can usually depend on who has what,



When they were new, the standard trim cars all got more expensive for a reason, and that was mostly down to engine.
Second-hand cars though bring condition of car and mileage into the mix, not just the engine.

the 2.0 and 2.2 I think will be suitable if you just want a relaxing drive, and as they are in the newer facelift cars, you will get clear headlights and MSport seats. It is quite a heavy car, so really 2.5 and upwards I would advise, if you want to drive a bit sportier.

they all can get issues,
M54s can need attention, water pumps, vanos seals, starter motors.
Si's can need attention, water pumps and sometimes hydraulic tappet issues, both are expensive on the SI.

The BMW rear springs are made of chocolate,
and the roof motor can rust away in a pool of water and stop working, however most of them can be resurrected successfully and repositioned in the boot so no further problems with them afterwards.

 

[Olliebeak]

Thanks for the info, just looking for a bit more power the 2.5 sounds about right. I prefer the shape of the Z3 particularly my facelift widebody, love the flared arches. Are Z3's better than an earlier Z4 or is it a matter of personal choice?

 

[andyglym]

Thanks for the info, just looking for a bit more power the 2.5 sounds about right. I prefer the shape of the Z3 particularly my facelift widebody, love the flared arches. Are Z3's better than an earlier Z4 or is it a matter of personal choice?

I should think that as the E85 Z4 followed the Z3 logically speaking it should be a more technically competent car. Manufacturers rarely make a car that is worse than the last. That aside, personal choice.

The Z3 is better in every respect and the pre-facelift Single VANOS 2.8 is the best of the lot. To go one step further, a Cosmos Black Z3 with full extended red leather interior is better still

 

[billz]

The Z4 is a lot more refined than the Z3 (i have had both)
The early 3.0 Z4s are the same engine as a Z3 3.0 the 2.5 177bhp is a bit down on power compared to the 2.8 189bhp. Going to the Si range gives you 2.5Si 218bhp to a 2.8 Z3 189bhp and the 3.0Si 265php has an extra 34bhp than the either of the Z3 and early Z4 3.0s both 231bhp
Hope this helps

 

[t-tony]

Depends what you want a car for really. For an every day use (like me) it would be a Z4 every time.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

Depends what you want a car for really. For an every day use (like me) it would be a Z4 every time.

Tony.

Stop it.

 

[Grumps]

Not owned a Z4 but if your going into any of the 6 pot engines you may as well have a 3.0. The running costs are almost identical. Saying that @Paul Rice has a 2.5 and loves it after having a 1.9 Z3 previously.

 

[Paul Rice]

Early 2.5's have 192bhp and after 100k mine has 193bhp so more than enough to shift the larger Z4 specially comparing with the 1.9 8v Z3. The early 3.0 ltr had M sport suspension so a bit lower and firmer. The one plus with the 3.0 you are guaranteed a better spec than a standard 2.5 although i can live without electric seats, light washer jets and folding mirrors. Although the steering wheel audio & cruise etc would be nice.

 

[t-tony]

Mine doesn't have folding mirrors and I had to add Cruise steering wheel audio controls.

Tony.

 

[Paul Rice]

Mine doesn't have folding mirrors and I had to add Cruise steering wheel audio controls.

Tony.

I stand corrected, new to this 4 business ask me one on Green keeping

 

[billz]

Yeh mine has not got cruise either

 

[billz]

ooops double post. Note to self dont multi task as i am s*** at it

 

[Felix79]

One thing that people have not mentioned is the 2.5 only has a 5 speed box, where as the 3.0 has a 6 speed, which makes doing longer journeys much easier IMO.

While the M is one of the best, if not the best car I've owned, it's not without it's faults. Because my M is basically for fun/hobby, I don't mind putting up with the much higher running costs, when compared to a normal 3.0 . One thing I am planning on doing is getting some better spring/dampening sorted with the car, as it's too stiff on the rear for B road hooning on UK roads and the rear does like to "Skip" on really bumpy sections of road, when going at speed.

Also, my M's gearbox is an utter pig to deal with going into 2nd when it's cold and due to that stupid valve, makes it difficult to do smooth gear changes at urban driving speeds. When the car is warmed up properly and I'm going through the gears more quickly, the box is actually really smooth and precise, but even after 1400 miles/2 months ownership, I'm still having moments when I fail to get the thing in gear and I hear a crunch and feel shame at a bodged 2nd gear change.

Fuel costs are pretty normal for a car of it's performance, but after my dad has been out driving the car, I've seen the MPG figure go down to 16mpg, normally I am getting about 24-26mpg with the sort of driving I do every week in my M.

I find my M to be a really nice place to be and the car feels tight, well made and has quality parts making up the cabin. I choose an M for a few reasons over the Alpina and normal Z4's, which the hydrolic steering, LSD and S54 being the main reasons I went with one. But these reasons might not be enough for someone else to put up with the negatives of having the M over the normal 3.0

 

[Mint]

... One thing that people have not mentioned is the 2.5 only has a 5 speed box...

Not sure about that. My 2006, 2.5si had a 6 speed box

 

[Nodzed]

Thanks for the info, just looking for a bit more power the 2.5 sounds about right. I prefer the shape of the Z3 particularly my facelift widebody, love the flared arches. Are Z3's better than an earlier Z4 or is it a matter of personal choice?

Z3 is better! (Disclaimer: though there are other opinions that should be considered )

 

[Felix79]

Not sure about that. My 2006, 2.5si had a 6 speed box

Could it be the pre facelift cars that only came with the 5 speed box?

When I was down in Surrey with Joel, when he was filming with my M, his dad had turned up in his '03 2.5 and his dad was telling me one of things he doesn't like about his 2.5 was the fact it had a 5 speed, rather than a 6 speed like Joel's 2004 3.0.

Is there very much difference between your face-lift 2.5 and the 3.0? Am I correct in thinking they basically have the same engine and it's just stroked differently inside, to cause the difference in cc?

 

[Mint]

That could be right as mine was a facelift E85. Not sure about the difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0, mine had the N52 engine and I think about 215 bhp.
I could not get on with the Z4 so sold it and got another Z3.