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2.0i any good?

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Blueman
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2.0i any good?

Post by Blueman » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:35 am

Hello everyone, Last summer I owned a 2.2i and regrettably sold it due to it being a bit of a lemon but loved to drive it. I since bought a Clio 197 and while it's fun feels a bit gutless low down and lacks the convertible. I'm Looking at getting a newer Zed this time around (2007-2008 model) to hopefully save me on age related issues. How is the 2.0i to drive compared to the 2.2i?

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Post by Smartbear » Tue Apr 18, 2017 5:54 am

Hi, if you feel your Clio 197 is gutless low down you should forget the 2litre Z and get a 3litre 6 or a later 2litre turbo variety for the extra grunt they provide :thumbsup:
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2.0i any good?

Post by greg1953 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 6:55 am

I have a '07 2.0 and to be fair it is gutless but I'm not bothered about more power, I can get 42mpg on a motorway and 35ish everywhere else.
The engine is all top end, got to be over 3000 rpm to get any power but even then it's not much.
If you want some serious poke go for a six pot engine.
Greg

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Post by Smartbear » Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:11 am

greg1953 wrote: Tue Apr 18, 2017 6:55 am I have a '07 2.0 and to be fair it is gutless but I'm not bothered about more power, I can get 42mpg on a motorway and 35ish everywhere else.
The engine is all top end, got to be over 3000 rpm to get any power but even then it's not much.
If you want some serious poke go for a six pot engine.
Greg
Or a 20i or 28i four pot :wink:
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2.0i any good?

Post by paulgs1000 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:16 am

Depends what you want to do in your Zed Blueman. . .
The 2 litre E85s have a reputation for engine warning lights due to sensitive sensors (they can be reset) and the manifold has been known to split (my specialist said he would weld mine if it did this - it didn't).
There are a lot of 2 litres about and some with high specification (BMW seemed to roll them out with everything in 2008) so if you decide to buy take your time and get what you want - plenty to choose from. They are not sought after however so difficult to sell on.
They (2.0i Sport versions) have the same size tyres as 3.0 litres so no savings there but they use much less petrol and service costs are slightly less (4 pots). Basically - it's not much more to run a 2.5 or 3.0 litre version (except petrol). Check cost of insurance as it's often favourable for the 3.0 litre and not much different to the 2 litre.
The 2.2 I have not driven but have read that they need to be revved to give their best so if you want a more relaxed access to power you'll need to go to the 2.5 (215bhp version - don't get landed with the less powerful version) which is affordable or the 3.0si which is holding it's price as it's the best pick of the range.
I loved canning my 2 litre - it's not gutless (drive with some of the 2 litre pilots on the forum and you'll be surprised) as kept at high revs it's fun and can go around a bend equally as well (and being slightly lighter) even better in some circumstances. It's not all about absolute power. Yes it lacks the power of the 6 cylinder Zeds and it's felt in overtakes but on the road where absolute power isn't everything, you can still have lots of fun and enjoyment carrying speed and late braking (sometimes at more licence friendly speeds). The 2 litre gets to be driven at 90-100% far more often than the 3 litre (the Ms a different prospect). Like I said, depends what you want and it sounds like you want more power.
I moved on to the 3.0si as everyone raved about the 6 pot engines - have to say they were right - brilliant engine.
As folk have said - you might as well seek out a 6 pot if you can - more sought after and easier to sell (and in some respects easier to drive having low down grunt (torque) as well as top end power (3.0si 265bhp) The 6 pot is silky smooth but I felt the 4 pot (150 bhp) was also smooth bar the tickover which was always a little uneven (they are all like that).
Given your car background you're probably used to keeping an engine on the boil - test drive the 2 litre and a 3 litre and you'll easily make your mind up. Just keep in mind the different market of the two versions - lots of well specced 2 litres about and not sought after with a slightly less reliable reputation - all are older cars now so you will have to work in your search for a good 6 pot (2.5 cheaper and just as good on the road) - get a good one and you'll love it.
Good hunting :thumbsup:
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Post by paddy wright » Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:31 am

Everything Paul said! Get a 6 cyl, you will love it in any guise. Cars are older now so buy on condition and history. If you see a good 2.2 again don't rule it out. Good luck with the search.
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Post by MACK » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:15 am

Just in terms on reliability the 2.0 engine (N46) fitted to the E85 cars is the least reliable of any engine in the zeds, in fact it has a reputation of being one of BMW's worst engines ever. There are a number of issues prevalent and some of them aren't cheap to fix. That alone would steer me away from them and into a 6 cylinder. Your old 2.2 would have had similar in straight line performance to a 2.0 but would also have been a smoother engine as the 4 cylinder isn't great in this respect and the 6's are.

If I were in your shoes I would look for a 2.5 or 3.0 either pre or post facelift. Again the engines in the pre facelift cars are generally more reliable and when they do wrong are cheaper to fix (no £500 water pump repairs) but of course the facelift cars have the clear headlights and most are sport models with the M Sport Seats/steering wheels. There are however a number of pre facelift cars out there with some/all of these options fitted these days.
other factors in favour of the 2.5 and particularly the 3.0 is they are a higher standard spec from the factory and tend to be more optioned up than their smaller engined siblings. Not all of this extra spec is toys, some is safety related such as bigger brakes etc.

I'm not trying to offend anyone but all in all a 2.0i might have made sense 10 years ago when the price differential was £10k to a 3.0i but today when the prices are so close I dont think they do. I for one would rather have a 3.0 with a few extra miles and a couple of years older for the same money as 2.0, when you couple that with the reliabity of the N46 it becomes a bit of a no brainer. Unless of course insurance premiums and MPG are critical then the 2.0 has all other E85's licked!
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Post by Marlon » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:26 am

I had a 2.0 E85 and found it disappointing in terms of straight line power. It also suffered from intermittent engine warning lights. I upgraded to the 3.0si and haven't looked back :driving:
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2.0i any good?

Post by Tabz123 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:30 am

Hi

I bought a 2012 2.0 20i a week ago and though its only 184bhp and the 4 pot it is still great fun and with the eye opener that Rob ( aka SmartBear) provided I will be getting an upgrade to 270bhp at a reasonable price. So definately worth considering. For me reasonable power output was important but also wanted to avoid any age related issues on a potentially older car. Especially since I am not good with mechanics!
Tabz :thumbsup:

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2.0i any good?

Post by Blueman » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:05 pm

Fellas, thank you for the warm welcome and helpful and detailed advice on my question I very my appreciated it.

Believe it or not my old 2.2 had plenty of low down torque as opposed to the 197 I currently own. I didn't realise that it was a deal breaker for me until I mad the switch. The Clio goes like a rocket once you get out of the flat spot after 3,000 rpm but that I'm sure will give any straight 6 Zed time to pull away. Two different cars as I can push the Clio to 7,500 rpm before I shift but I'm always having to grab it by the scruff to get any fun out of it which I know allot of people enjoy.

The reason I asked about the 2.0i is it is newer and had the facelift. My budget is 5-6k. I'll shop around for the bigger engines and see what's about but not ruling out the 2.0i just yet.

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2.0i any good?

Post by hopz121 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:10 pm

You will be able to get a 3.0Si JUST in your budget I reckon, it will have a few miles on it but as long as it has been maintained then you will be all good. :thumbsup:
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2.0i any good?

Post by Blueman » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:18 pm


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Post by Blueman » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:20 pm

hopz121 wrote: Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:10 pm You will be able to get a 3.0Si JUST in your budget I reckon, it will have a few miles on it but as long as it has been maintained then you will be all good. :thumbsup:
Good news, I'll keep looking.

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Post by Ewazix » Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:57 pm

All good advice so far, but for me the sweet spot is currently the facelift 215bhp 2.5 Si. They are slightly overlooked compared to the 3.0Si and are going to be cheaper allowing a better car and will deliver most of the benefits on the road.
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2.0i any good?

Post by paulgs1000 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 4:51 pm

hopz121 wrote: Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:10 pm You will be able to get a 3.0Si JUST in your budget I reckon, it will have a few miles on it but as long as it has been maintained then you will be all good. :thumbsup:
Ewazix wrote: Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:57 pm All good advice so far, but for me the sweet spot is currently the facelift 215bhp 2.5 Si. They are slightly overlooked compared to the 3.0Si and are going to be cheaper allowing a better car and will deliver most of the benefits on the road.
Blueman wrote: Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:18 pm Found this one 28 miles from me http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... sed&page=1
Taken a look and you'll be wanting the Sports seats very quickly after purchase. You are in 3.0si money just - as mentioned above and also we have Cherrym who drives with us in his 2.5si and I've driven it - great further advice above - cheaper, less sought after and nearly as good on the road. :thumbsup:
Yep - keep looking :thumbsup:
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