BMW Z4 E89 or other options
Discussion
Having just sold my M140i and bought a VW Type 6.1 to replace it as my daily/work transport I fancy something with a soft top to use at the weekends.
Rather have a 2 seater and auto is the preference. Budget up to approx 12k.
Re the Z4 is there a sweet spot for these in terms of reliability V performance. Originally I was thinking of the 35i but they seem problematic and an expensive fix? Didn't really fancy a 4 pot but would not rule one out if they area significantly more reliable. Also will the auto box feel awful after the ZF in the 140?
Any other options to consider as I'm thinking about an auto? Having had a manual Boxster S in the past I cannot imagine enjoying the Tip and I don' think I would get into a PDK @ 12K
So in summary BMW z4 E89 any good if so which one? If not what else is out there?
Thanks in advance.
Rather have a 2 seater and auto is the preference. Budget up to approx 12k.
Re the Z4 is there a sweet spot for these in terms of reliability V performance. Originally I was thinking of the 35i but they seem problematic and an expensive fix? Didn't really fancy a 4 pot but would not rule one out if they area significantly more reliable. Also will the auto box feel awful after the ZF in the 140?
Any other options to consider as I'm thinking about an auto? Having had a manual Boxster S in the past I cannot imagine enjoying the Tip and I don' think I would get into a PDK @ 12K
So in summary BMW z4 E89 any good if so which one? If not what else is out there?
Thanks in advance.
This was similar to my search last year although I ended up pushing the budget up for an ND2 MX5 RF.
I looked at a few Z4s. With the E89 you're stuck between the 30i which has no turbo and the 28i which is obviously a 4 cylinder. I couldn't really find one I absolutely loved.
One car that did impress me was the SLK350
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025050922...
In the end I wanted a manual box and more spirited handling. But as an auto cruiser I think the Merc is very good.
I looked at a few Z4s. With the E89 you're stuck between the 30i which has no turbo and the 28i which is obviously a 4 cylinder. I couldn't really find one I absolutely loved.
One car that did impress me was the SLK350
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025050922...
In the end I wanted a manual box and more spirited handling. But as an auto cruiser I think the Merc is very good.
Be interested in the feedback to this. I looked last year but my research suggested you could be unlucky and end up with a pourous car quite easily. Maybe it was the usual internet rubbish, but that feedback was across a couple of sources. I got scared as don't have a garage. On paper the 28i looks enough but similar to above, Mazda's or Merc's tended to be recommended as well.
I've got an E89 35i and I like it, a few months after I bought it I had an injector go, so I replaced them all, which yes, was a chunky bill, but the only other issue was the coolant return pipe that runs across between the radiator and slam panel deciding to go pop (I made a metal one to replace it).
Previous owner had had the water pump replaced prior to my ownership.
They never went to the N55, so they're all N54 in the 35.
I considered the G29 when I bought it, but I preferred the folding hard top.
With the wick turned up a notch it's 380bhp and 400lbs.ft, which is pokey enough, very easy to live with and comfortable, but more in the grand tourer mould than a sports car really.
Note the 35i and 35iS are a 7 speed DCT not the normal auto the lower models get. It's fine, as standard was a bit lax pulling away unless in sport mode, but much better after a service (a bit more costly than the auto) and the tune.
Previous owner had had the water pump replaced prior to my ownership.
They never went to the N55, so they're all N54 in the 35.
I considered the G29 when I bought it, but I preferred the folding hard top.
With the wick turned up a notch it's 380bhp and 400lbs.ft, which is pokey enough, very easy to live with and comfortable, but more in the grand tourer mould than a sports car really.
Note the 35i and 35iS are a 7 speed DCT not the normal auto the lower models get. It's fine, as standard was a bit lax pulling away unless in sport mode, but much better after a service (a bit more costly than the auto) and the tune.
Edited by InitialDave on Friday 6th June 16:18
I had a 30 E89, then a 35is.
30, super reliable, but quite slow. 100k miles and not a single issue.
35is quick and nice, but expensive bills. A BMW warranty would be advisable. Injectors, turbo, dampers, cracked wheels, all under warranty. Probably added up to 1/2 the price of the car.
Loved it though. Had 400 miles on it when I bought it. I did 90,000 in three years
30, super reliable, but quite slow. 100k miles and not a single issue.
35is quick and nice, but expensive bills. A BMW warranty would be advisable. Injectors, turbo, dampers, cracked wheels, all under warranty. Probably added up to 1/2 the price of the car.
Loved it though. Had 400 miles on it when I bought it. I did 90,000 in three years
Mr Squarekins said:
I had a 30 E89, then a 35is.
30, super reliable, but quite slow. 100k miles and not a single issue.
35is quick and nice, but expensive bills. A BMW warranty would be advisable. Injectors, turbo, dampers, cracked wheels, all under warranty. Probably added up to 1/2 the price of the car.
Loved it though. Had 400 miles on it when I bought it. I did 90,000 in three years
Yes, the expensive dampers put me off the iS, and the 19s are universally woeful for cracking. 30, super reliable, but quite slow. 100k miles and not a single issue.
35is quick and nice, but expensive bills. A BMW warranty would be advisable. Injectors, turbo, dampers, cracked wheels, all under warranty. Probably added up to 1/2 the price of the car.
Loved it though. Had 400 miles on it when I bought it. I did 90,000 in three years
I've had three E86s, two with the 3 litre N52 engine and currently an MC with the S54.
Earlier E89s had the N52 in the 23i and 30i and it is a fantastic engine which seems to be pretty bulletproof, so I'm on my 4th now in a 330i.
19" wheels on all E89s are prone to cracking, but not so much if they have normal tyres fitted. The 4 cylinder N20 engines can suffer cam-chain issues, the 35i and 35is are prone to injector and HPFP problems and the adaptive suspension is expensive to fix.
Roofs seem to be starting to raise issues now they are getting older with dead sensors and split wires where the loom bends.
Luckily I prefer the looks of the E86!
Earlier E89s had the N52 in the 23i and 30i and it is a fantastic engine which seems to be pretty bulletproof, so I'm on my 4th now in a 330i.
19" wheels on all E89s are prone to cracking, but not so much if they have normal tyres fitted. The 4 cylinder N20 engines can suffer cam-chain issues, the 35i and 35is are prone to injector and HPFP problems and the adaptive suspension is expensive to fix.
Roofs seem to be starting to raise issues now they are getting older with dead sensors and split wires where the loom bends.
Luckily I prefer the looks of the E86!
Arrgh said:
Having just sold my M140i and bought a VW Type 6.1 to replace it as my daily/work transport I fancy something with a soft top to use at the weekends.
Rather have a 2 seater and auto is the preference. Budget up to approx 12k.
Re the Z4 is there a sweet spot for these in terms of reliability V performance. Originally I was thinking of the 35i but they seem problematic and an expensive fix? Didn't really fancy a 4 pot but would not rule one out if they area significantly more reliable. Also will the auto box feel awful after the ZF in the 140?
Any other options to consider as I'm thinking about an auto? Having had a manual Boxster S in the past I cannot imagine enjoying the Tip and I don' think I would get into a PDK @ 12K
So in summary BMW z4 E89 any good if so which one? If not what else is out there?
Thanks in advance.
SLK350 AMG:Rather have a 2 seater and auto is the preference. Budget up to approx 12k.
Re the Z4 is there a sweet spot for these in terms of reliability V performance. Originally I was thinking of the 35i but they seem problematic and an expensive fix? Didn't really fancy a 4 pot but would not rule one out if they area significantly more reliable. Also will the auto box feel awful after the ZF in the 140?
Any other options to consider as I'm thinking about an auto? Having had a manual Boxster S in the past I cannot imagine enjoying the Tip and I don' think I would get into a PDK @ 12K
So in summary BMW z4 E89 any good if so which one? If not what else is out there?
Thanks in advance.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505092...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506053...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504081...
55:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410305...
370Z:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504261...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502139...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407061...
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