Engine size......What size suits all ?????

[sata]

Hi all

Being new to this forum I was wondering if some of you could help make my mind up as to what size... engine wise to go for.... for instance....

Yes we all would like to go down the 2.8 route, but is that only because we like the roar of that straight 6....

Looking on normal sales sites... ebay, autrotrader etc.... there seems to be an awful lot of 1.9's for sale... is this just because they are under powered.... or are they under powered... you tell me ????

I ask as I am trying to get ready for when I do go for one... (probably after christmas)

Any help on this appreciated...

rgds

Sata...aka Lyndon

 

[Low Rider]

Well for me it was always going to be a 2.2

 

[andyglym]

Hi all

Being new to this forum I was wondering if some of you could help make my mind up as to what size... engine wise to go for.... for instance....

Yes we all would like to go down the 2.8 route, but is that only because we like the roar of that straight 6....

Looking on normal sales sites... ebay, autrotrader etc.... there seems to be an awful lot of 1.9's for sale... is this just because they are under powered.... or are they under powered... you tell me ????

I ask as I am trying to get ready for when I do go for one... (probably after christmas)

Any help on this appreciated...

rgds

Sata...aka Lyndon

I think the 1.9 is 140 BHP which is plenty nippy in a small car with a lighter front end too boot. 2.0 > are all 6 pots I think so apparently the 2.8 doesn't come into its own until higher up the speed range, 50 mph+ by all accounts. Where it wins over the other cars I believe is the torque (50>70 mph = 4 seconds faster than the equivalent Boxster of the day). Less fuel consumption though not by much though. Really depends what you want I suppose, if its just top down driving with a smile any would do. I went for the 2.8 purely based on its interior colour and wheels, that said I wouldn't swap it for a Kings ransom

Meep meep

Hope this helps?

 

[Davyhoogy]

Id agree with the above, I went for my 2.8 as it had the hard top and the red interior.
If I'm honest I rarely use the power, I chill out with the top down, so again fuel consumption isn't much an issue either as it only differs by a couple of mpg.
Mind you, Its nice to know that when some kid in a 'hot hatch' pulls along side me I can show him who's boss!
I would say go for a 2.2 unless you have to have POWERRRR in numbers

 

[Davyhoogy]

Also, if you ever had to sell and had a 1.9, you can see how many you have to compete with, so having a slightly less common engine stands in good stead for resale

 

[hard top]

I would say go for a 2.2 unless you have to have POWERRRR in numbers

Not that much difference between the 1.9 M44 and the 2.2 to be honest.

 

[GazHyde]

There are 2 1.9 engines. The M44 which has 143ish horses and the later M43 which has around 118ish, so make sure you research which you are looking at! The 1.9 is a really good drive, a little more nimble than the heavy 6 pot hanging over the front wheels. Plenty of options to tinker with the 1.9 engine, and there is a great thread on here about potentially getting 200+ bhp from one. Should make it a 2.8 killer when it's finished.

I've had the 2.0 6pot (150bhp) and found it needed to be driven hard, I then got a 2.2 (170bhp) and it's a lot more drive able. Doubt any 2.8 could get away from me now I've got the suspension sorted.

Whichever you choose, you will have one of the best 2 seaters out their!

 

[andyglym]

There are 2 1.9 engines. The M44 which has 143ish horses and the later M43 which has around 118ish, so make sure you research which you are looking at! The 1.9 is a really good drive, a little more nimble than the heavy 6 pot hanging over the front wheels. Plenty of options to tinker with the 1.9 engine, and there is a great thread on here about potentially getting 200+ bhp from one. Should make it a 2.8 killer when it's finished.

I've had the 2.0 6pot (150bhp) and found it needed to be driven hard, I then got a 2.2 (170bhp) and it's a lot more drive able. Doubt any 2.8 could get away from me now I've got the suspension sorted.

Whichever you choose, you will have one of the best 2 seaters out their!

Race ya (on a track) but not in your Z4 though

 

[Sean d]

I have the 2.0l and love it, the exhaust roar is wonderful, it has a vacuum damper the opens the second pipe at certain revs so the tone changes when you floor it.

 

[BMBabe]

2.2 it sounds awesome pops and bangs and puts a smile on your face

 

[roadvoyager1]

Try to get a ride in as many cars with different engine sizes as possible. They are a friendly lot on here and always looking to help anybody interested in getting a Z3. Let us know where you live and I am sure there will be opportunities to take a ride with a few people. I have a 2.8 and it can cruise steadily in a very relaxed manner or be quite lively when required. Never driven a 1.9 but with a lighter body and 140bhp I imagine it will be more than adequate for most.
Another thing to be aware of is the styling and equipment differences of the pre-facelift (up to mid 1999) and post facelift. The rear wings and lights are quite different and there are personal preferences as to which is best.
Many cars get SORN'd over the winter so early next year may not see so many available. October is a good time to buy when prices are low and they tend to go up in April.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tracy Dee]

It's a classic car should be driven as such in my opinion.
All depends what you have driven before or drive now if it's modern no classic can ever compete
Technology moves on in all departments power roadholding braking economy and so on.
Don't see the point of ragging a cruising classic.
Iam sure all engines do the job.
If it's all about how fast it goes why not buy something fast in the first place plenty out there to choose from.
Regards sound any car can be made to sound different with exhausts.

 

[t-tony]

True, even an Auto sounds better when driven in Step, you get the burble and pops from the exhaust on over run. Try as many as you can Lyndon, and don't be scared of trying a Z4, you might even like it.

Tony.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

6 pot all the way for me, the pinnacle would be the Z3M but that depends if your finances are up for it.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

If you're passing Woking one day I'll take you for a quick spin in my 1.9, it's quick.enough for general road use.

Although the effortless power for overtaking of my old 2.8 was awesome .

The 3.0 is meant to be even better

 

[Tfp]

For me it has to be a six cylinder one, mainly because of how it sounds, and looks when you lift the bonnet.

 

[madleemark]

hi, i had the alledgedly underpowered m43 1.9 engined z3, a 99 facelift, a good friend has the more powerful m44 1.9 engined z3, and i have the 2.8 z3, i like them all, i got my 2.8 because i like the shape of the pre facelift car, a z3 is a fun car to drive whatever the engine it has in it, tho i would like to try a z3m, as you have seen there are plenty to choose from, a six cylinder sounds lovely, a four cylinder will be cheaper to run, i doubt you will be disappointed with either.

 

[Paul Rice]

Mine is the 1.9 M44
Its all about budget I could have bought a rough 2.8 or a sorted 1.9
went for the sorted 1.9 and absolutely love it
In a straight line can not keep up ( but not far behind) give me corner and i am there better balanced true 50/50 weight distribution
and at the end of the day i have a 1 series diesel that goes like sting but with the top down the Z beats it hands down.
Has had been said numerous times any Z will give you smiles per miles
" if it looks right it probably is"

 

[Mike Trident]

I have the 2.0l and love it, the exhaust roar is wonderful, it has a vacuum damper the opens the second pipe at certain revs so the tone changes when you floor it.

Is that what it is ? I thought it was the vanos changing the cam timing cos it sure has hell gets quicker when it opens.

Mine is a 2.0, but to be honest I bought it because of the general condition and mileage of the car, the engine it came with wouldn't have really bothered me simply because I don't wrag it. I drive it quite steady really, I am more on a nostalgia trip than anything else, it actually feels kinda older than it is, and when the top comes down all is forgiven anyway. My wife and I did look at a Z4 but as good as it is in our opinion it lacks the "nostalgia" feel and look that both my wife and I were looking for.

I must admit however I am totally addicted to the exhaust note of a six! It sounds really powerful even though it's only got 150 BHP.
I would say if you are after speed then look elsewhere, there are a lot of modern runabouts with over 150 BHP these days. In my opinion it's all about "Style" and you don't need a powerful engine for style. You get looked at by just about everyone!

I haven't owned mine very long but so far I have only really found one slight problem to Z3 ownership!
I found out very quickly that every man and his dog wants to race you, I am treated very differently when driving the Z3 and not my daily driver, VW UP! If you get one I am sure you will quickly find out what I mean.

 

[NZ00Z3]

6 cylinder dual VANOS for me please. I have two face lift Z3's. A 2.0 L manual and a 3.0 L auto. I enjoy driving both as they both perform well around town and on the open highway. The 3.0 L will get you to legal speeds very quickly and into trouble just as quickly if you don't watch out.

The secret to getting the 2.0 L to perform is to:
- Replace the VANOS (variable valve timing) seals so you get all the low and mid level torque the engine was designed to deliver. The original seal don't last long and you loose the torque at the rev range used for normal around town driving.

- Run the engine on the highest octane petrol you have available. The compression ratio is 11:1 which is very high and higher than the other 6 cylinder engines in the Z3. Its designed for 98 Octane fuel for optimal performance. It will run on fuels right down to 91 Octane but its a struggle to get it to perform and the smile fades from your dial.