3.0 versus 3.5 power question.

[Nebraska99]

Good morning everyone....or good afternoon for our European friends. This may seem like a silly question however I've never owned this type of car before so here it is: Is the 3.0 horsepower/weight ratio good for that size of a car? Basically what I am trying to decide is if I can save some hard earned money by getting the 3.0 while at the same time have enough power to feel "thrilled" by the acceleration.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Colin

Scott AFB, Belleville, Illinois

[AndyE1976]

255hp is perfectly adequate, but when I looked at the spec I'd want the difference would be about $3-6k MSRP and I think 45hp for even $6k is pretty cheap, so I'd probably opt for the 35i unless your spec makes the difference much larger.

Resale on the 35i should also be stronger as it's theoretically more desirable.

[JJ_Wonderboy]

Another thing to consider is whether you plan on going with manual or automatic. The automatic within the 35i is DCT, Steptronic within the 30i.

DCT is better.

[epbrown]

I thought the 3.0si was pretty well powered with the same engine, but given the weight increase for the new Z4, I'd want the 35 if I were shopping, especially since the tuners will have piggyback ECUs taking it to 350hp or more in no time.

[gian335]

if u want a well powered car, go with the 3.0. But if you want a powerhouse, grab the 35 . the n54 motor with just a tune and intake can get you up to 340-350 whp. Thats 400 crank hp.

[strider41]

30i has more than enough power for almost any driving situation in the US, especially with the manual transmission. Go for the 35i if 0-60 times are important to you. Practically speaking, you just won't use the 35i's full range of capability driving legally in the states. Drove my E92 335i in Germany, Austria and Italy and it was a lot of fun. Here in the US, it's frustrating not being able to fully use the full range of the car's capabilities.

[siscobmw]

I agree, strider41.......I bought my 30i thinking the same thing.
Sisco from Italy

[toofeu]

You're right, 258 hp is more than enough, we tend to lose the sense of reality with all this power.

[KWY91]

Well I'd go with the 35i with you because most aftermarket performance upgrades would cater to the N54! and like the above poster's comments, re-sale would be much better!

Since you already plan to spend on this beautiful Z4, paying a little more in wouldn't hurt in the long run would it

Good luck!

[STLMCO]

Just depends on your priorities. I've had the 2.5L Z4 for 6 years now and have never regreted buying the one with the smaller engine. It has plenty of get up and go for me and I got a great deal. I never look at resale value, just think it's foolish to worry about something I can't control and is 3-6 years down the road. Instead, what's going to make me happy now. Getting in a Z4 six years ago for <$33K was it. So, next week I pick up my new Z4 30. I figure the bigger engine will compensate enough for the heavier car, and therefore no need to upsize to the 35. Now mind you, my 19 yr old son doesn't agree with this decision, but am definitely not buying the car for him.

[toofeu]

People that are talking about resale value is funny , if you want to be down to earth and rational, don't buy a Z4 but a Renault Clio or a Toyota Yaris for instance.
Purchasing this kind of car is a something crazy, so personally I even don't think about those things...

Follow your heart not your wallet ( as far as you can of course)

[Niels]

Originally Posted by toofeu

...Follow your heart not your wallet ( as far as you can of course)

I wish I could say that )

I've gone for the 2.5 because in Belgium the tax difference between a 2.5 and a 3.0 is about the double... Not to mention insurance for a "young" guy like me.

My next car will be a Porsche with plenty of power

[JJ_Wonderboy]

I test drove the 23i and thought it was pretty nippy (in a hot hatch kind of way) so the 30i should be super fun. Mind you, saying that, I've got a 35i on order

[155MPH]

Originally Posted by STLMCO

Just depends on your priorities. I've had the 2.5L Z4 for 6 years now and have never regreted buying the one with the smaller engine. It has plenty of get up and go for me and I got a great deal. I never look at resale value, just think it's foolish to worry about something I can't control and is 3-6 years down the road. Instead, what's going to make me happy now. Getting in a Z4 six years ago for <$33K was it. So, next week I pick up my new Z4 30. I figure the bigger engine will compensate enough for the heavier car, and therefore no need to upsize to the 35. Now mind you, my 19 yr old son doesn't agree with this decision, but am definitely not buying the car for him.

Or for me...because if you were you would have ordered the 35i with premium, sport, 19" wheels and lots of the other goodies too

But for now I will keep my Z4M until I see how this new model does in the market and I get to drive. My dealer ordered me one the way I want it configured with no obligation to buy it. When they tell me it is in and I drive it I will make a decision.

[toofeu]

Originally Posted by Niels

I wish I could say that )

I've gone for the 2.5 because in Belgium the tax difference between a 2.5 and a 3.0 is about the double... Not to mention insurance for a "young" guy like me.

My next car will be a Porsche with plenty of power

I know, Belgium is terrible for its taxes upon cars with lots of horses.

In France I had to pay a 1600 euro fee because the gas emissions of my future Z4 are higher that 200g/co2
But let's face it we all gave to make some effort regarding our environment

[zEdP]

To be honest you should not complain! I life 3 km from the Belgian border, but in the Netherlands you have to pay beside the VAT of 19% also an extra luxury tax of 40%. For a standard 23i almost 11836 euro luxury tax and 5854 euro VAT.

EdP

[strider41]

Here's a review of the Z4 30i that I did recently. BTW I forgot to mention that the acceleration is more than adequate unless you're looking at 0-60 time in the 35i but it is still good in the 30i.

Saw the new Z4 30i and 35i at Passport this afternoon. Opted to drive a Black 30i with MT and Kansas Coral Red w/o sports package. Know what the N54 can do. This is a luxurious and pleasurable cruiser.

Exhaust sound similar on start up to N54 but not when driving. Steering does not feel quite as tight as my E92 and suspension softer than my 335 with ZSP even on sport setting. Focus is on luxury and comfort as opposed to sportiness. Good torque in 5th or 6th gear. You can feel it pull. Just not like an N54 but more than adequate. Silky smooth shifter and lots of fun running throught the gears.

Trunk space still very limited with the top down and would probably accomodate two 15"W x 28-30"L duffles with top up. Good head space for me at 5'11" and good driver ergonomics but my E92 has more comfortable driving position for my build. Forward visibility is good but rearview mirror did obstruct some forward viewing angles. Rear vision is adequate with top up. Top mechanism is less complex in operation than the E93 which I think is a strong point. Appears more solid and less fragile.

Great looks and toy as a daily driver and day weekend cruiser and very nice with the top down. Not the car I would take for a weekend or week long distance trip as space is at a premium. Overall a fun car and focused on luxury rather than sportiness.

I wondered if I would prefer the Z4 30i over my E92 and got my answer. Now I have to drive the 35i to confirm my conclusion.