I am looking to purchase a 2003 Z4 but having trouble deciding on either a 3.0 or 2.5.

I've had both. A 2.5 auto and a 3.0 manual. They are both fun, but the 3.0 is more fun. Get one with a sport package & auto dim mirros if it's available.

Drive them both, then decide. Likely better gas mileage in the 2.5. Six-speed tranny in the 3.0, and more horses. Lots of happy people in both versions, so really up to you.

whatever you get ..make sure it has sports package? (sport button)...

my opinion, that makes a big big difference....

first I tried 2.5 with no sport button, then tried 3.0 with sport/premium...
huge difference...

once you push that button, you move to a different level of madness...:evil2

i am happy with my 2.5 6 spd auto

Dealer let me take a 2.5 home (approx 45 miles away on back roads) and while it was fun, the motor was always revving to the high side. The next day took a 3.0 on the same roads and it was more satisfying without the excessive motoer revs. Both had SS. Bought the 3.0.

GT

I have a 2.5 for sale ;)

Drive them both, then decide. Likely better gas mileage in the 2.5. Six-speed tranny in the 3.0, and more horses. Lots of happy people in both versions, so really up to you.

3.0i gets better gas mileage than the 2.5i. 6 gears v.s. 5 gears. 3.07 final drive ratio v.s. 3.46.

I have had an 03 2.5 sport manual for about 6 weeks. I regret not waiting it out and finding a 3.0. Top end and acceleration in first and second is plenty enough to have fun, but torque at low revs leaves alot to be desired and mid range accelaration in 3rd and 4th I think is weak considering its size. The 5speed has a very low first and second ratio which means you shift alot around town (so make sure the clutch feels perfect on a test drive- mine is not and will soon be replaced - at 17,500miles!). Also 5th gear is high revving - 3500rpm at 75mph, which is very high if you are used to an auto, however these engines are silky smooth, and there is near zero vibration.

I sound terribly negative, I do love it nonethe ess, but just pointing out its weak points. I advise driving both, then decide. I did not drive both and wish I had.

maybe u have the low-powered version. there was a 2.5 si version pre-2006. so either get the si version, or get post-2006 model, if u are considering a 2.5.

also, have u guys noticed how much the car understeers with ATC off and ASC on... its like the car is winking at me telling me she wants more, then when i give more gas, she winks more and slows down even more :(

perhaps after 2 weeks i should feel comfortable enough to turn trac control off and powerslide a bit....

If money was no object, I would've bougth a 3.0 new. But, money was very much an object for me. At the time I got my 2.5, I got a very good deal on it, a similiar 3.0 would've been at least 30% more.

That said, maybe I miss a 3.0 2% of the time. Generally, I just don't drive in conditions where there's much to miss. I don't hang around with guys all bragging about how buff their cars are, so this isn't a problem either - some of my friends hate sports cars just 'cause they're too fat to comfortably get in and out of 'em :D

jeremyjohn, the options available are significantly different here in the states. The 2.5 only came in a 2.5i flavor, with a 5 speed stick or auto. No si, no 6-speed. It was available with or without "sport" mode, which equates the the 'si' in the rest of the world, I believe.

I have had an 03 2.5 sport manual for about 6 weeks. I regret not waiting it out and finding a 3.0. Top end and acceleration in first and second is plenty enough to have fun, but torque at low revs leaves alot to be desired and mid range accelaration in 3rd and 4th I think is weak considering its size. The 5speed has a very low first and second ratio which means you shift alot around town (so make sure the clutch feels perfect on a test drive- mine is not and will soon be replaced - at 17,500miles!). Also 5th gear is high revving - 3500rpm at 75mph, which is very high if you are used to an auto, however these engines are silky smooth, and there is near zero vibration.

I sound terribly negative, I do love it nonethe ess, but just pointing out its weak points. I advise driving both, then decide. I did not drive both and wish I had.

3500 RPM at 75 MPH in 5th? Your right, that does sound high (and I am a steptronic owner). I drove my Z4 3.0i in to work this morning (yes, I'm working hard surfing the forums) and I want to say it cruises at about 2800 RPM at 80 mph. My X5 with the same 3.0 and steptronic cruises at about 3000 RPM at 80 MPH. How is your mileage running at that RPM, just curious?

On a side note, I share your feelings about the need for speed. My 3.0i is plenty of car for me 90+% of the time. The other < 10% of the time, I should be in another vehicle (my old 383 stroked vette - God I wished I never sold that car!). When reading the forum, I feel I need to be in a Z4M or start thinking about twin-screw superchargers or such but for my daily driving, I have plenty. I got out of the streetlight challenges more than a decade ago. I do still have fond memories of the Berlin Turnpike in CT. Back in my day there, Camaros, Mustangs, Corvettes and my buddy's 'charged 5.0 ford equipped Volvo deisel sedan ruled the streets. Now its all civics with neon lights underneath. But I digress.

Enjoy your 2.5i, Summer is here and the sun is shining!

Chrisp0410

Hey Reach, where'd you get your tail lights?

I'm thinking about selling my 99 323 vert and getting a 03 or 04 z4. The big thing I need to know is........can I get my golf clubs in the back?

A soft bag will fit in a Z4.

I'm going to go look tonight. I just need to remember to bring my bag with me.

When reading the forum, I feel I need to be in a Z4M or start thinking about twin-screw superchargers or such but for my daily driving, I have plenty.
Chrisp0410

+1 Amen to that brother, Whenever I read about the kill stories I start wishing for a ///M I don't care which one.

I have a 03 3.0 with all options. I would not consider anything less. I also drive a 545i which if was available in a convertible, I would throw the e85 out! Something about that v8!

it is! It's called the 645Ci convertible. :)

I have had an 03 2.5 sport manual for about 6 weeks. I regret not waiting it out and finding a 3.0. Top end and acceleration in first and second is plenty enough to have fun, but torque at low revs leaves alot to be desired and mid range accelaration in 3rd and 4th I think is weak considering its size. The 5speed has a very low first and second ratio which means you shift alot around town (so make sure the clutch feels perfect on a test drive- mine is not and will soon be replaced - at 17,500miles!). Also 5th gear is high revving - 3500rpm at 75mph, which is very high if you are used to an auto, however these engines are silky smooth, and there is near zero vibration.

I sound terribly negative, I do love it nonethe ess, but just pointing out its weak points. I advise driving both, then decide. I did not drive both and wish I had.

I had a 2003 2.5 Auto and now I have a 2007 3.0 with sport package and 6 Speed, and I agree it is really a big difference. I agree with everything stated above. As far as the golf clubs, the buyer of my Z4 asked me the same question over the phone and again when we were at a mutually agreed upon place for him to look at the Z4. Guess what, he brought a set to see if they would fit in the trunk, they did and he bought the car. It was a full set and hard bag. Good luck!:)