Recommendations/Advice

bbiess · 07-15-2012, 09:22 AM

I'm looking for some pre-purchase advice on the differences between a 3.0si and a 3.0i.

When I started my serious search for a Z4 a few months I was convinced that only a 3.0si would do, however, I'm beginning to second-guess myself. I understand the slight hp increase and certainly appreciate it, but the 'si' package seems to carry a $3K - $4K price bump compared to a comparably equipped 3.0i Z4. So what beyond a tweaked motor and really nice wheels does one get with an 'si'?

Does an 'si' actually include M suspension and brakes? (I read that somewhere).

Are there any differences/limitations on performance tuning either motor?

What does the 'Sport' option on a 3.0i provide? Are the features comparable to an 'si'?

I've driven a couple of 3.0i Z4s that are for sale locally and was impressed with the performance. I've not driven an 'si' as none are for sale anywhere near me so no 'seat-of-the-pants' comparison has been done.

The reality is I can get a low-mileage 2006 3.0i for about $4K less than a comparably equipped 2006 3.0si and I'm beginning to think there's a helluva lot of upgrades/mods you can do for $4k!

Should I modify my WTB ad?

Any thoughts/guidance/suggestions are appreciated.

3002 tii · 07-15-2012, 09:24 AM

Get the 3.0i and add the necessary hardware to bump to 3.0si, essentially the 3 stage intake manifold which can be sourced from junkyards (x3, e90 330i, z4 3.0si) and get the AA stage 2 tune for the n52)

bigbacon · 07-15-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Get the 3.0i and add the necessary hardware to bump to 3.0si, essentially the 3 stage intake manifold which can be sourced from junkyards (x3, e90 330i, z4 3.0si) and get the AA stage 2 tune for the n52)

More info please....

phoenixbmwlife · 07-15-2012, 03:17 PM

Don't waste your money getting a 3.0si. As much as I love my si, for less than $4k more I could have gotten an M. If you're that close in terms of what you have to spend, you might as well get the M. Also you will have more difficulty finding mods for the N52 engine in the Si vs the 3.0. So either get the M or the 3.0 is the way to go.

My 2c.

3002 tii · 07-15-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbacon

More info please....

check e90post, tuning section, na... the e90 328i is the same motor as the z4 3.0i and the 330i is the 3.0si. The only difference between the motors is essentially the 3 stage intake manifold + software. a lot of guys have done the upgrade successfully.

bbiess · 07-15-2012, 03:53 PM

An M Roadster is really tempting, however, it represents about a $10k jump fom where am with a low mileage '06 / '06 3.0i. Cars with 30Kish miles can be had for less than $20K.

DataStream18 · 07-15-2012, 04:02 PM

Or with a few more miles and supercharged, mine! Haha, good luck though!

phoenixbmwlife · 07-15-2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbiess

An M Roadster is really tempting, however, it represents about a $10k jump fom where am with a low mileage '06 / '06 3.0i. Cars with 30Kish miles can be had for less than $20K.

Yeh I hear ya! Whatever you decide the difference in the 3.0 and the si is not that huge. You will love either of them as stock. I'd still go for the 3.0 with your price range. Hope that helps.

bigbacon · 07-15-2012, 06:10 PM

Anyone know a thread off hand that explains the 3 part manifold?

bbiess · 07-15-2012, 06:54 PM

Found it in the 'engine and performance' forum.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...ighlight=stage

Huz-Z · 07-15-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3N R3D

Yeh I hear ya! Whatever you decide the difference in the 3.0 and the si is not that huge. You will love either of them as stock. I'd still go for the 3.0 with your price range. Hope that helps.

Numerically, the difference is 40 hp extra for the SI. Here is a review of the SI where the reviewer comments on the difference from the 3.0i. Don't get me wrong, the 3.0i is a great car too. I know someone with one and that car can hustle nicely. Knowledge is power and good luck with the search!

The article I mentioned:

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

imom · 07-16-2012, 02:54 AM

I would say get the 3.0SI, unless it's really just a header and tuner software that you can buy. The 3.0SI I had; had extended leather and M sport package... fat steering wheel, seats, and also sport wheels...but depends on the car you get.

Far as the M, unless you want to do Mods on it... I say 3.0SI for you...you'll be happy. off the line, it's a little bit happier... the M comes alive after 4K RPM...if you are daily driver, the suspension is a little bit rougher, drinks more gas than the 3.0SI and higher maintenance.

Unless you track your car or want to do mods, I recommend for you the SI. For my daily driving...if done again...I would have gotten a SI instead of my M. They are both great cars with character traits of their own. Good luck.

P.s. I saw your Wanted ad, I am planning to sell my 07 MR replace it with a tacoma truck or BRZ. I am replacing the original stock rear tires with Ventus V12...tire rack is delivering today. I need to take it to my preferred guy to do mount and balance and then do alignment. Also just broke that I need to fix is the center console button. Otherwise it just got 33K miles on it...just did oil change, brake/clutch fluild flush, tranny fluid change with RE tranny mount and stainless steel clutch hose swap same time at my mechanic. My M will not be much more than SI price you are looking. PM me if you are interested in going this route.

pmmjarrett · 07-16-2012, 08:26 AM

Here's the factory brochure with specs for the 2006 Z4 3.0i, 3.0si and the coupe.

I'm quite happy with my 3.0i with the sport and premium packages...... And it was $9k less than the SI I was getting ready to buy. Honestly the Biggest reason I was wanting an SI was for the 108 style wheels.

Mines a daily driver, will probably never track the car. Only mods I plan for right now is wheels and ditch the run flats.

3000cc_E85-E86.pdf

07-15-2012, 09:22 AM	#1
bbiess Private 10 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI iTrader: (0)	Recommendations/Advice - 3.0si vs 3.0i? I'm looking for some pre-purchase advice on the differences between a 3.0si and a 3.0i. When I started my serious search for a Z4 a few months I was convinced that only a 3.0si would do, however, I'm beginning to second-guess myself. I understand the slight hp increase and certainly appreciate it, but the 'si' package seems to carry a $3K - $4K price bump compared to a comparably equipped 3.0i Z4. So what beyond a tweaked motor and really nice wheels does one get with an 'si'? Does an 'si' actually include M suspension and brakes? (I read that somewhere). Are there any differences/limitations on performance tuning either motor? What does the 'Sport' option on a 3.0i provide? Are the features comparable to an 'si'? I've driven a couple of 3.0i Z4s that are for sale locally and was impressed with the performance. I've not driven an 'si' as none are for sale anywhere near me so no 'seat-of-the-pants' comparison has been done. The reality is I can get a low-mileage 2006 3.0i for about $4K less than a comparably equipped 2006 3.0si and I'm beginning to think there's a helluva lot of upgrades/mods you can do for $4k! Should I modify my WTB ad? Any thoughts/guidance/suggestions are appreciated.
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07-15-2012, 09:24 AM	#2
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Get the 3.0i and add the necessary hardware to bump to 3.0si, essentially the 3 stage intake manifold which can be sourced from junkyards (x3, e90 330i, z4 3.0si) and get the AA stage 2 tune for the n52) __________________ Follow for latest mods
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07-15-2012, 03:17 PM	#4
phoenixbmwlife Brigadier General 1913 Rep 4,128 Posts Drives: M235i & G30 540i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boynton Beach iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW/M235i [0.00]	Don't waste your money getting a 3.0si. As much as I love my si, for less than $4k more I could have gotten an M. If you're that close in terms of what you have to spend, you might as well get the M. Also you will have more difficulty finding mods for the N52 engine in the Si vs the 3.0. So either get the M or the 3.0 is the way to go. My 2c. __________________ Lack of money is not the problem. It is merely a symptom of what's going on inside of you! - T Harv Eker Follow me on Insta https://www.instagram.com/bmwm_life_/ https://www.instagram.com/autogiftua/ https://www.instagram.com/phoenixbmwlife/
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07-15-2012, 03:53 PM	#6
bbiess Private 10 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI iTrader: (0)	An M Roadster is really tempting, however, it represents about a $10k jump fom where am with a low mileage '06 / '06 3.0i. Cars with 30Kish miles can be had for less than $20K.
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07-15-2012, 04:02 PM	#7
DataStream18 Lieutenant 45 Rep 556 Posts Drives: 2003 ESS TS1 Z4 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Muskegon, Mi iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 ESS Supercharg ... [4.00]	Or with a few more miles and supercharged, mine! Haha, good luck though! __________________ TS2/Cat-Less Headers/Jet Hot Coating 2000/CF Engine covers & Oil Cap/RPi Scoop/Matte Black Grills/H&R Sport Springs/15mm Spacers Rear/12mm Spacers Front/Flowmaster 40 series/Alcantara Shift Boot/CF Vinyl wrap/SPEC Stage 2+ clutch/8 Lbs Fly wheel/ZHP Shift knob/Hawk HPS Pads/Cross Drilled/Slotted Rotors/Performance Pedal Set/Stewart water pump Love is like a fart; if you have to force it, it's probably shit.
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07-15-2012, 06:10 PM	#9
bigbacon Private First Class 21 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 03 Z4 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Anyone know a thread off hand that explains the 3 part manifold?
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07-15-2012, 06:54 PM	#10
bbiess Private 10 Rep 74 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI iTrader: (0)	Found it in the 'engine and performance' forum. http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...ighlight=stage
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07-16-2012, 02:54 AM	#12
imom First Lieutenant 29 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Subaru BRZ ....... Z4MR (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	I would say get the 3.0SI, unless it's really just a header and tuner software that you can buy. The 3.0SI I had; had extended leather and M sport package... fat steering wheel, seats, and also sport wheels...but depends on the car you get. Far as the M, unless you want to do Mods on it... I say 3.0SI for you...you'll be happy. off the line, it's a little bit happier... the M comes alive after 4K RPM...if you are daily driver, the suspension is a little bit rougher, drinks more gas than the 3.0SI and higher maintenance. Unless you track your car or want to do mods, I recommend for you the SI. For my daily driving...if done again...I would have gotten a SI instead of my M. They are both great cars with character traits of their own. Good luck. P.s. I saw your Wanted ad, I am planning to sell my 07 MR replace it with a tacoma truck or BRZ. I am replacing the original stock rear tires with Ventus V12...tire rack is delivering today. I need to take it to my preferred guy to do mount and balance and then do alignment. Also just broke that I need to fix is the center console button. Otherwise it just got 33K miles on it...just did oil change, brake/clutch fluild flush, tranny fluid change with RE tranny mount and stainless steel clutch hose swap same time at my mechanic. My M will not be much more than SI price you are looking. PM me if you are interested in going this route.
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07-16-2012, 08:26 AM	#13
pmmjarrett Retired Paratrooper 5 Rep 146 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Here's the factory brochure with specs for the 2006 Z4 3.0i, 3.0si and the coupe. I'm quite happy with my 3.0i with the sport and premium packages...... And it was $9k less than the SI I was getting ready to buy. Honestly the Biggest reason I was wanting an SI was for the 108 style wheels. Mines a daily driver, will probably never track the car. Only mods I plan for right now is wheels and ditch the run flats. 3000cc_E85-E86.pdf
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