2.0 vs 2.5 how different are they?

[wayne2]

Hi,

I'm looking at a Z4 (of course), and at my price range around £5k there are lower mileage, nice spec 4 cylinder cars, and a few higher mileage 2.5i 6 cylinder cars.

In the past I had 3.0 Coupe, and Alpina, but never driven a 4 cylinder car.

So from a driving perspective, is there much different, I guess the 6 is smoother, but is it noticeably quicker, does the lighter 4 cylinder handle any different?

Also, any comments on the M sport seats vs the regular seats - both my old cars were the M sport ( if that's what they are called).

When did the 6 speed gearbox come in? Was this just with the 3.0?

At the moment I am leaning towards a 2.5i 'cause I love a straight 6, but should I discount the smaller engine.

Any thoughts welcome...

Wayne

[raymond.harper]

The four-cylinder Z4 is not the most reliable of engines so I would avoid it. The pre-facelift 2.5 came with a 5-speed box, after the facelift it came with a six-speed.

[weegeoff]

I had a 4 cylinder for 15 years with no problems with the engine

[enuff_zed]

I'm guessing at £5k you're maybe looking at the facelift models?
In which case note that the N52 engine came as a 2.5i (177bhp) and 2.5si (218bhp)
If you are looking at the earlier M54-engined pre-facelifts then you have the 2.2i (170bhp), 2.5i (192bhp) and 3.0i (231bhp). you should easily pick up a good one of those for your budget. 2.2 & 2.5 have a 5-speed box.
Note that over the last couple of months the market has stagnated, but there are still a lot of dreamers out there waiting for top dollar.
There are a lot of people trying to sell the 4-pots as better for insurance but I'm not entirely sure that is a valid argument.
Whilst the 4-pots can be reliable in the right hands, they are undeniably more fragile at higher mileages and with no way of knowing how they've been treated I think I would opt for the straight six options every time.
I have had both 4s and 6s and they are different beasts, but I have to say every time I went out in the 4-pots I was more focused on the dash lights than I ever am in a 6.

[j3nks79]

I wouldn’t touch a 4 pot. Underpowered and unreliable.
6 cylinders when buying a BMW only

[Zedebee]

Part of the essential character of the Z4 that differentiates it from, say, a MX5 is the 6 cylinder engine. There are a few fans of the 4 pot on here however, but they are not in the majority.

[wayne2]

Thanks for the comments

Looks like the 6 for me.

How does the pre facelift 6 compare to the post 2.5. I see the later engine had a bit less power, but has the 6 speed box, is the torque and real world performance much different.

What’s the benefit of the later engine ?

Thanks again

[enuff_zed]

Thanks for the comments

Looks like the 6 for me.

How does the pre facelift 6 compare to the post 2.5. I see the later engine had a bit less power, but has the 6 speed box, is the torque and real world performance much different.

What’s the benefit of the later engine ?

Thanks again

Did you note what I said? Two versions of the later 2.5. One with much more power than the other.
Both M54 and N52 have their advantages. The M54 is rock solid but it’s forte is wads of torque, The N52 has higher bhp on average but needs revving to use it fully.
On a real world run out there is very little difference in a to b times, just the way they achieve it.

[raymond.harper]

The 6-speed face-lift is better on the motorway, it also has hill start assist. My 2008 2.5i does around 42 mpg whereas my 2.5 2003 did around 38.7. The five-speed 2.5 was more flexible, she could still pull hard in 5th gear. My 2008 2.5i, N52 engine, has less power and no sports button. You can chip the car for around £300 to 197 bhp. However, you can also do the 3-stage manifold conversion to get even more power.

[Mr Tidy]

A straight 6 is definitely the way to go, especially as you've had them before. I think you'd soon regret a 4!

On the topic of seats it's definitely worth looking for the M-Sport ones. Used sets change hands on here for £600/700 a pair, sometimes more if heated and electric. They were an option on pre-facelifts (that hardly anybody chose) but were standard fit on facelift Sport models, optional on SEs. I'm pretty sure all facelifts have a 6 speed box too.

If it's relevant all 3 litres pre- and post-facelift have electric seats with driver's memory.

Good luck finding the right one.

[Zedebee]

Agree the M-sport seats are much nicer than the ordinary ones, although they can be uncomfortably tight if you are larger.

[kis]

Our 2.0 was trouble free for a decade but as these cars age it’s only a matter of time before something fails.

Inversely the M54’s are plentiful (and reliable) 2.2 or 2.5 or 3.0 is the better option all round.

[FunkyGBrown]

You only need to take a look under the bonnet of a 2.0 to see it should be a 6 cylinder there.

[deltasierra]

For £5k you will get a good 2.5si facelift 218 hp and a 6 speed is well worth having, auto for relaxed cruising or in traffic or manual is your choice, engine does need reving to get the best. N52 engine has got a electric water pump many fail at 70k or so, budget for replacing that if not done.

[Rucky]

A 2.5 was my first Z4, loved it so much after an Alpine Pass tour all the way down to Lipica in Slovenia and back - had so much fun that I opted to buy a 3.0si with more power, bigger brakes and paddle shifts. The right decision IMO.