2.5i and 3.0i Power Difference

IwantaZ4 · 08-29-2007, 01:50 AM

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the site but not new to bimmers. I had an E46 and now driving an E39 5 series. I'm getting a new car soon and instead of getting another E46 (facelifted one) I decided to do something crazier and go for a Z. (i've never owned a 2 seater roadster)..

Anyway I noticed that in my price range 20-23k, I see a ton of 2.5i and not much 3.0. I would like to stay in my price range so I have money leftover for 19s and a drop.

So my question is how big of a difference is these two engines in power? Not in HP numbers and such but I mean in real terms. Can anyone who driven both clue me in? 2.5i drivers, do you regret getting 2.5? Does it feel powerful? I'm definitely not a speed freak I don't need anything crazy but I don't want to feel sluggish either....any advice? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Danny
Future Z4 owner:rocks:

BZZZE · 08-29-2007, 07:33 AM

Power (HP and torque) can be very subjective. My GF thinks a 2.5i is fast. I don't think the M has enough power!

In reality, the 2.5i is enough as a fun daily driver. You just won't be posting a lot of 'kill stories' on the Bimmerfest forum with it.

ward · 08-29-2007, 10:58 AM

another thing to watch for is that you get a 5 speed manual in the 2.5, and a 6 speed in the 3.0

Hawkeye · 08-29-2007, 12:02 PM

If you are looking for something comparable (in acceleration) to your 5 series I would get a 3.0, the 2.5 wont accelerate as quickly. Having said that, you can't go wrong with the Z cause the best part about it is going around corners and turns. It just hugs everything.

IwantaZ4 · 08-29-2007, 03:16 PM

Awesome, thanks for the reply guys. Unfortunately stick is out of the question as my gf will be driving the car as well. I guess a 2.5 wouldn't be too bad, I'm not looking to go crazy in it. I'll wait until I can afford the M

BZZZE · 08-29-2007, 05:43 PM

The M only comes in a 'stick'!!!

You could replace the GF!

Aebous · 08-29-2007, 10:08 PM

IMO don't get the 2.5 at all. I wasn't impressed with the power it had. 0-60 was allright, but above that felt like nothing. The 3.0 0-60 is SWEET and 60+ is still sweet. Especially as a stick.
That said, if you never drive a 3.0 and compare it you'll never know what your missing and ignorance is bliss eh?
Yes I have driven both. I do agree though, whichever way you go, they both corner like crazy.

BlackSapphireZ · 08-29-2007, 10:26 PM

2.5 is fairly quick if u ask me. The gearing on the 2.5 is shorter which gives you "almost" equal feeling as the 3.0 with longer gearing with more power

just to give you an idea...i can do 14.7~14.9 1/4 mile bone stock

Yal · 08-29-2007, 10:40 PM

I've got the 2.5 and only want the extra power once in a while when I feel like really flaunting the speed laws.

I would like to have a stick instead of the steptronic.

If I was to do it all over again, i'd go the extra grand or so and get a 3.0 with a stick.

BlackSapphireZ · 08-29-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yal

I would like to have a stick instead of the steptronic.

meet me half way lol I want a step!

rabman5 · 08-29-2007, 11:36 PM

A 2.5 could be fun with a manual transmission. I test drove an auto 2.5 and 3.0 only because there were no sticks on the lot. They were both ok, but the 6 speed of the 3.0 was more enjoyable for me.

BZZZE · 08-30-2007, 05:50 AM

Whatever you do...don't drive an MC or MR! I almost went for a '06 3.0i. My thinking went "I had a '01 Z3 3.0i with sport package and the difference between it and the s52 MZ was not that noticable in power though handling was tighter but I can live with that." After driving the '07 Z4MR, the 3.0i handled and pulled such a distant 2nd there simply was no comparison. Geez, I could've saved a pile of money if I would never have driven the '07 M.

Hawkeye · 08-30-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZZZE

Whatever you do...don't drive an MC or MR! I almost went for a '06 3.0i. My thinking went "I had a '01 Z3 3.0i with sport package and the difference between it and the s52 MZ was not that noticable in power though handling was tighter but I can live with that." After driving the '07 Z4MR, the 3.0i handled and pulled such a distant 2nd there simply was no comparison. Geez, I could've saved a pile of money if I would never have driven the '07 M.

Anybody could have told you that was going to happen. You think you are going to drive a 330 HP race tuned car and then really enjoy its 215 HP couterpart? That is the main reason I have never driven an M is cause I know I can't afford it yet, and I really just don't want to know.

BZZZE · 08-30-2007, 11:50 AM

Well, I drove the '02 Z3MRs and that car wouldn't have won me over from a 3.0 si coupe I was looking at. Fortunately, I can afford it but please remind me to not drive the V8 version when it comes out!!

08-29-2007, 01:50 AM	#1
IwantaZ4 Registered 3 Rep 4 Posts Drives: E39 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	2.5i and 3.0i Power Difference Hey everyone, I'm new to the site but not new to bimmers. I had an E46 and now driving an E39 5 series. I'm getting a new car soon and instead of getting another E46 (facelifted one) I decided to do something crazier and go for a Z. (i've never owned a 2 seater roadster).. Anyway I noticed that in my price range 20-23k, I see a ton of 2.5i and not much 3.0. I would like to stay in my price range so I have money leftover for 19s and a drop. So my question is how big of a difference is these two engines in power? Not in HP numbers and such but I mean in real terms. Can anyone who driven both clue me in? 2.5i drivers, do you regret getting 2.5? Does it feel powerful? I'm definitely not a speed freak I don't need anything crazy but I don't want to feel sluggish either....any advice? I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Danny Future Z4 owner:rocks:
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08-29-2007, 07:33 AM	#2
BZZZE Evil Clown 16 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2007 MZ4 Roadster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FloraBama iTrader: (0)	Power (HP and torque) can be very subjective. My GF thinks a 2.5i is fast. I don't think the M has enough power! In reality, the 2.5i is enough as a fun daily driver. You just won't be posting a lot of 'kill stories' on the Bimmerfest forum with it.
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08-29-2007, 10:58 AM	#3
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	another thing to watch for is that you get a 5 speed manual in the 2.5, and a 6 speed in the 3.0
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08-29-2007, 12:02 PM	#4
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	If you are looking for something comparable (in acceleration) to your 5 series I would get a 3.0, the 2.5 wont accelerate as quickly. Having said that, you can't go wrong with the Z cause the best part about it is going around corners and turns. It just hugs everything. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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08-29-2007, 03:16 PM	#5
IwantaZ4 Registered 3 Rep 4 Posts Drives: E39 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Awesome, thanks for the reply guys. Unfortunately stick is out of the question as my gf will be driving the car as well. I guess a 2.5 wouldn't be too bad, I'm not looking to go crazy in it. I'll wait until I can afford the M
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08-29-2007, 05:43 PM	#6
BZZZE Evil Clown 16 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2007 MZ4 Roadster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FloraBama iTrader: (0)	The M only comes in a 'stick'!!! You could replace the GF!
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08-29-2007, 10:08 PM	#7
Aebous The Rambler 7 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 03 3.0l Z4 sports package Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	IMO don't get the 2.5 at all. I wasn't impressed with the power it had. 0-60 was allright, but above that felt like nothing. The 3.0 0-60 is SWEET and 60+ is still sweet. Especially as a stick. That said, if you never drive a 3.0 and compare it you'll never know what your missing and ignorance is bliss eh? Yes I have driven both. I do agree though, whichever way you go, they both corner like crazy. __________________ "Without engine maintainers pilots are nothing but pedestrians with cool leather jackets and sunglasses" "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet" -Marine rule of gunfighting
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08-29-2007, 10:26 PM	#8
BlackSapphireZ Major 99 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	2.5 is fairly quick if u ask me. The gearing on the 2.5 is shorter which gives you "almost" equal feeling as the 3.0 with longer gearing with more power just to give you an idea...i can do 14.7~14.9 1/4 mile bone stock __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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08-29-2007, 10:40 PM	#9
Yal Lieutenant 10 Rep 490 Posts Drives: '03 Z4 2.5 Maldives Blue Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0)	I've got the 2.5 and only want the extra power once in a while when I feel like really flaunting the speed laws. I would like to have a stick instead of the steptronic. If I was to do it all over again, i'd go the extra grand or so and get a 3.0 with a stick. __________________
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08-29-2007, 11:36 PM	#11
rabman5 Captain 113 Rep 686 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	A 2.5 could be fun with a manual transmission. I test drove an auto 2.5 and 3.0 only because there were no sticks on the lot. They were both ok, but the 6 speed of the 3.0 was more enjoyable for me.
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08-30-2007, 05:50 AM	#12
BZZZE Evil Clown 16 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2007 MZ4 Roadster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FloraBama iTrader: (0)	Whatever you do...don't drive an MC or MR! I almost went for a '06 3.0i. My thinking went "I had a '01 Z3 3.0i with sport package and the difference between it and the s52 MZ was not that noticable in power though handling was tighter but I can live with that." After driving the '07 Z4MR, the 3.0i handled and pulled such a distant 2nd there simply was no comparison. Geez, I could've saved a pile of money if I would never have driven the '07 M.
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08-30-2007, 11:50 AM	#14
BZZZE Evil Clown 16 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2007 MZ4 Roadster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FloraBama iTrader: (0)	Well, I drove the '02 Z3MRs and that car wouldn't have won me over from a 3.0 si coupe I was looking at. Fortunately, I can afford it but please remind me to not drive the V8 version when it comes out!!
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