Used 2003-2006 Z4, advice needed

[mazdaspd96]

Hi folks,

First off all, sorry for my bad English, I'm a French Canadian.

I'm looking to buy a 2003 to 2006 BMW Z4.

I think to go with a 3.0i since I'm scared with the lack of torque of the 2.5i... am I right?

For the transmission, manual is my choice. I like 6 speed, so the 3.0i is my choice... Is it true that I need to stay away of the smg transmission for its poor reability?

It's gonna be a roadster for sure, black top... I think the Brown top is ugly on some pics... right?

Bluetooth for my cell phone... I need to go with a 2006 and up, right?

I hesitate to buy a 2003 since it is the 1st year of the z4... reability problem??? Do you suggest me a 2004, a 2005 or a 2006? What are the main diffrences between those?

Thanx!

[TCZ4]

Get a 2006. It has the updated design, which looks more modern in my opinion. And it also has bluetooth (not sure about other years). Depending on which rims you like, they typically come with different wheels as well. I love the rims on my 3.0si sport package.

You can probably find a really good price on a 2003-2005 if you can find a low mileage model.

If the additional price is palatable, I'd highly recommend the 3.0si model. Otherwise a 3.0 should be plenty as well.

[newbizie]

3.0 vs. 2.5 is really a personal choice both will perform well

smg i cant speak on as i have the auto with sport drive steptronic and i couldnt be happier, sport when i want auto when im in heavy traffic

bluetooth im not sure when it started but i have bluetooth in my 05 3.0i

as for the 03 being the first year i havnt heard of any reliabilty problems from them and they didnt change much until the facelift in 06

with an 06 you no longer have the round fog lights they are bar lights and the rear taillights are one piece instead of two as with the 03-05

and im not sure but i think the 06 has the N52 engine instead of the M54

[Huz-Z]

Not all 2006 to 2008 Z4s have bluetooth. Mine is a 2006 3.0si and it has the feature, but two of my friends have 2007 and 2008 3.0si's and neither of those cars have Bluetooth.

I think you can check by pressing the R/T button on the steering wheel to see if the radio display changes to "searching", meaning it has Bluetooth and is looking for a device to pair with.

The 3.0si makes 255 horsepower and almost the same torque as a Z4m so It really feels nice and quick.

good luck!!

[WAMz4]

If it's a torque issue and your going with a 2006 anyway, look for a good 2006 3.0si. 35 more horses with a higher tourqe, that kicks in at lower rpm's.
I have owned both a 2004 3.0i (214 @ 3500 rpm) and a 2006 3.0si (220 @ 2750 rpm), and I can tell you the difference in giddy-up is very noticeable.

[Huz-Z]

Here is a nice review of the 3.0si:

http://www.auto123.com/en/bmw/z4/200...00&artid=90628

[mazdaspd96]

Thanx!
Is there a big difference between the 3.0i and 3.0si???

[Huz-Z]

For 2003 to 2005, the 3.0i produced 225 hp. That engine I'm told can be modified to pump out significant extra power, if you are a motor monkey.

For 2006 to 2008, the 3.0i produced 215 hp and the 3.0si produced 255 hp. Both of these cars have the same base N52 engine - they are "tuned" differently. The N52 is a new engine - the older cars have a diferent motor altogether.

While you may not find much difference in a 3.0i and a 3.0si if you are just driving around town, BMW tended to put more toys on the 3.0si. And the 2006 and later cars have some things that weren't found on the 2005 and earlier cars. And the styling is uopdated too.

[Huz-Z]

And note what the reviewer said:

"3.0si power and performance
The "si" designation represents the install of BMW's latest I-6: the 3.0-litre N52, featuring a lightweight magnesium block and BMW's latest Valvetronic, variable valve timing technology. Not only is this engine considerably more powerful than the standard Z4 3.0-litre mill, it provides much better mid-range response while improving cornering by lightening the load bore by the front wheels.

The N52 generates 255-horsepower @ 6,600-rpm and 220 pound-feet of torque @ just 2,750-rpm. That's 40 horsepower and 35 pounds of torque more than dispensed by the standard 3.0-litre engine; and what a difference it makes. Having driven the less powerful Z4 and been quite content with its gusto, I was absolutely elated burying my foot into the 3.0si. This engine pulls ferociously- especially on the highway where passing power is frankly startling."

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by mazdaspd96

Thanx!
Is there a big difference between the 3.0i and 3.0si???

As HuzZ has stated the 3.0i can be built to much higher horsepower than stock.
Several ZPost members have supercharged there 3.0i including myself with great success, one member has his dyno tested with over 285 rwhp.

I have never driven an N52 engined Z4 so I cannot attest to its attributes but the M54 3.0 or 2.5 is a very smooth running motor with lots of grunt from stock.

Good luck with your search
BTW check the classified section there is a really good looking roadie in there for 12 K

[ZeroGravity]

I'm a long time lurker, finally decided I should register...

Anyway, I have a 2003 SMG and I don't have any apparent issues (touch wood) yet. Although, I'm still under 50k km as far as mileage goes. The sport pack on the older ones have slightly different package as the later years... namely, the seats. My 2003 3.0i has the sport pack (i.e. sport button and all), but the seats are not the m-seats...

[WAMz4]

Originally Posted by mazdaspd96

Thanx!
Is there a big difference between the 3.0i and 3.0si???

Yes. I have owned both, The difference in acceleration is big. The 3.0i didn't really kick in till over 3k rpm, sometimes with a noticeable kick. The 3.0si, is smooth "stick you to the back of the seat" power all the way up the rev count.

[twosbrs]

Originally Posted by WAMz4

Yes. I have owned both, The difference in acceleration is big. The 3.0i didn't really kick in till over 3k rpm, sometimes with a noticeable kick. The 3.0si, is smooth "stick you to the back of the seat" power all the way up the rev count.

Car and Driver tested the 2003 3.0i and the 2006 3.0si - both with the 6 speed manual. 0-to-60 times were measured at 5.4 seconds for the 3.0i and 5.3 seconds for the 3.0si. The difference is not so much in actual acceleration, but rather in the perception of acceleration due to the midrange boost provided by the later version. On the road, you will hardly notice any real difference in acceleration in day-to-day situations. I would venture to offer the OP that the 3.0i would not disappoint at all.....Whatever model you choose, you will be making a great choice!

[chickdr]

I would bet the 06-08 "i" motor would also do fine for the op. 215hp isn't bad at all.

[WAMz4]

Originally Posted by twosbrs

Car and Driver tested the 2003 3.0i and the 2006 3.0si - both with the 6 speed manual. 0-to-60 times were measured at 5.4 seconds for the 3.0i and 5.3 seconds for the 3.0si. The difference is not so much in actual acceleration, but rather in the perception of acceleration due to the midrange boost provided by the later version. On the road, you will hardly notice any real difference in acceleration in day-to-day situations. I would venture to offer the OP that the 3.0i would not disappoint at all.....Whatever model you choose, you will be making a great choice!

Numbers on paper are fun to read, but I feel the difference every time the light turns green. I owned the 3.0i for 3 years. Then just out of curiosity i test drive the 3.0si after reading reviews, so I had a side by side, same day same road comparison. That was the day the 3.0si came home with me.
I would venture to offer the OP, if you find a 3.0si that you like, don't pass on it.
And if your lucky enough to test drive them both at the same time i'm pretty sure you'll feel the difference too.

[Huz-Z]

I think you may find that at highway speeds and in roll on acceleration tests, say 50 - 70 mph, the SI may be stronger. Just the same, a babied 3.0i with a good option package may be a better choice than a roughly treated 3.0si.

Here is a real world experience for you. I imported my SI from the US so its speedometer has mph in big numbers, with kph in much smaller numbers. I took it for a spin on the highway one day and passed a slow pick up truck, mainly to see how well the car accelerated at highway speed. I wasn't disappointed and the SI blew past the guy in the Silverado like he was stopped. Cognizant of the fact that the local cops were having problems with excessive speeding on that road, I effortlessly hit what I thought was 100 kph and made sure not to go much beyond that, the car was handling nicely, with tons of guts still available.

Its at that point I realized that the "100" I was looking at was actually, yes, mph. With visions of losing my license and a huge fine appearing before me, I found out just how quickly the SI's brakes can scrub off speed. But trust me, these things can move.

[Jstic]

Another thing to consider is to do what I did, and a few other 2006-2008 3.0i owners have done. By simply purchasing and installing the 3 stage manifold that is native to the 3.0si engine, and getting the ECU flashed, the engine will perform like the 3.0si. I spent about $400 doing this conversion and am very pleased with the results.

I did the mechanical work and software tune myself, so if you are not mechanically inclined, and know how to use the various BMW software tools, the cost will obviously be higher after paying for labor. 40+ HP for $400 is well worth it IMHO.

There are other threads about this retrofit that go into detail.