Loaded 2.5i or Base 3.0i??

[dragonfire6]

Just curious what regrets current owners may have with decisions you made during your purchase? I'm trying to avoid buyers remorse really so...

Car #1 - 03 2.5i Premium Package

Or

Car #2 - 03 3.0i No package, manual top

Prices are within a couple hundred or each other.

So faced with these two choices, what would you do now? Give up the bigger engine for the power top? I'm personally very fond of the idea of the power top. I'm also very fond of more power. Which one couldn't you live without?

[pungo]

Unless you need to have a car right now, hold off and find a loaded 3.0si for even more power.

[dragonfire6]

I don't think my budget will allow that to happen but I have my fingers crossed!

[ShakyDog]

Have you driven both? Drive them both and let your brain decide :-)

I wish I had an Si or M, until I drive my 3.0i and then I really do not care.

Steve

[Huz-Z]

If you are going to be driving the car in a very spirited way then clearly you will want the machine with more ponies under the hood. But if you are just dropping the top and enjoying the car for a relaxed drive around town, it won't matter much if its a 2.5, 3.0i or 3.0si.

What WILL matter to you though is the condition of the car. A well maintained gently treated clean car may be a much better buy than a car with more power and options that was owned by someone who was very rough on the thing.

Good luck!

[Vanne]

Huz is spot on, besides knowing a bit about ice bergs, he knows about these zeds.
I cant say it enough, condition, condition, condition...

+1 Huz

[MYovichZ4]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

What WILL matter to you though is the condition of the car. A well maintained gently treated clean car may be a much better buy than a car with more power and options that was owned by someone who was very rough on the thing.

Agreed!

Originally Posted by Vanne

Huz is spot on, besides knowing a bit about ice bergs, he knows about these zeds.
I cant say it enough, condition, condition, condition...

Ditto, for Vanne's comments.

I got my '07 3.0i in June and the local dealership that inspected was very impressed with the condition. In turn this should help keep the cost of maintenance down (knock on wood).

[chickdr]

I would tell you the manual top may be a great option considering the number of failed top motors we see in the Z4. The drainage is poorly executed and if you have a manual top you will never have to worry about it. The 3.0i motor in the prefacelift cars is a big step up. I would probably go for the 3.0 if you have to buy now.

[dragonfire6]

Well the 3.0i was mislabeled by the dealership as a 6spd and it was actually an automatic so that was a no-go... I am still looking for the perfect car but am realizing that these cars are rare compared to other cars and they definitely hold their value!

If anyone sees a silver on black leather, power top, manual in good shape, please point me in the right direction. I'm already combing Cars, AutoTrader, eBay and Manheim daily.

The search continues...

[chickdr]

Maybe see if this one is still around: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=989843

[dragonfire6]

Originally Posted by chickdr

Maybe see if this one is still around: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=989843

That car is perfect but a little bit more than I'm "allowed" to spend at the moment...