Z4 28i bought, love it.

Z4 28i bought, love it.

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kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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As above just bought me a z4 28 sDrive and really enjoying it. Only had since Saturday was previously got ng to ge the 35is and obviously that is one hell of a car but found the 28i to be enoughfor me at least.

Car has pro navigation and sports auto box, and is replacing a lotus europa so should be a bit of a softer option smile

Any other owners around who can give any tips on the car as things like the idrive seem very complicated, i tried the voice recognition by t didnt get much joy as unsure of the commands. Like the split screen function but unsure how to tag things to left or right hand side.

As said any advice taken graciously.

tonymor

1,476 posts

171 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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I've got an E 89 2.5si highline and yes it's great . The roof can be a bit unpredictable in opening from the key bit unsure but otherwise ok.

Tengocity

29 posts

105 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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I had a 30i sdrive for 3 years and totally regret selling it last year! My biggest recommendation is to bin the runflats if it has them and get some decent rubber on. Transformed the dynamics more than any other BMW I've done this on, with huge improvement in ride quality and good improvement in handling too.

We had ours to France, Switzerland, Italy and found it to be a great balance of sporty handling, but also touring comfort and practicality.

Crombers

374 posts

190 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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We picked up a 3.0 sDrive earlier this year, primarily for the missus but I'm a big fan of it. Very capable, looks stunning and it sounds great. We looked at quite a few of them although dismissed the 4 pots in a bid to stick with a lump I'm very familiar with.

The voice recognition doesn't really work for me, I believe the cabin is too noisy - no issues with voice rec in our 5 & 7 proving the point.

The other half doesn't seem to like roof down motoring on her own as it turns out, feeling a tad exposed but I enjoy any opportunity to drop the top smile

We've not had the car long enough for it to cause us any problems. The nav is good, sharing the same unit as the 5 series. The E89 I find a strange mix of E** and F** technology but as I say I'm rather pleased. The Z beat test drives in the SLK 350CDI, MX5 & Mini Roadster JCW

The only optional extra I really miss is an upgraded hi-fi option as the base unit isn't up to the job of drowning out wind / tyre / cabin noise.

We debated whether or not the Z4 was the right car to take to Scotland (from Berkshire) as I worried a long journey may be somewhat tiring. I was pleasantly surprised to find I stepped out no worse than I would have in the 5. Neither a patch on the 7 but hey ho, that's quite a feat for a two seater!

Happy motoring!




Edited by Crombers on Monday 6th July 20:01

kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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Im currently at the other side of the country from my car on business and will be until Wednesday but looking forward to getting back and giving it another drive and taking ng a look at the idrive system as seems a lot to learn!

I did try the voice recognition and it didnt work for me either but i was just trying to guess at commands to be fair to it.

So far the car seems very nice when just pootling around and seems like its a car you drive relaxed in,but there is also a reasonable turn of speed should you want an overtake.

JonV8V

7,177 posts

123 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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It's possible the voice command is just for the phone and not for all systems. Some models of BMW seem to require an extra option for full command.

Dropping run flats is a consideration. We've an early 35i on Goodyear eagle asym 2 tyres and it rides and handles much better but I would wait until the existing tyres are warn down a bit.

The Idrive is easy with a bit of practice, no real tips to offer other than don't forget the back and option buttons and the shortcut buttons are great for many features. When you've got to a screen you like or entered a destination or located a contact number then holding in a shortcut button for a few seconds usually saves it to that button. I have the radio station I listen to, stored music playback, wife's phone, and sat Nav location near where I live (never use your full home details in case your car gets stolen with your house keys) are setup on mine as they're things I use most recently.

Edited to turn it into English.. My iPad makes a lot of mistakes when it's still early!


Edited by JonV8V on Tuesday 7th July 07:05

kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Tyres all round are brand new bridgestones i think so cant bring myself to ditch them just yet, and lus to be fair as its replacing a lotus im finding the ride nice and relaxing with them!
Maybe when i do need to replace them but I thought suspension set up was altered if you have rder d run flats?

JonV8V

7,177 posts

123 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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kazste said:
Tyres all round are brand new bridgestones i think so cant bring myself to ditch them just yet, and lus to be fair as its replacing a lotus im finding the ride nice and relaxing with them!
Maybe when i do need to replace them but I thought suspension set up was altered if you have rder d run flats?
You are right and they are set up much better than they used to be and the tyres are better too but I've found you can generally get better tyres if you come off the run flats. Some regular low profile tyres have quite firm sidewalls plus a few extra psi can get them nearly as hard if you really want to get the same feeling. Normal tyres are also a fair cheaper.

I think it does depend a little on your wheel size. 16 inch rims the ride difference would be quite soft if you came off run flats.


Tea Pot One

1,842 posts

227 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Congrats on the 28i smile I have a 35iS and think the 28i is probably the best model overall as it is almost as quick as a 35iS without the fuel or tax bills ! I also think your gearbox will be better than the DCT in the 35iS.

I think the voice recognition only works if you speak in a German accent biggrin

The idrive is OK once you get used to it - it is standard in the way it works with all the other current BMW's.

I have had roof issues with microswitches and a dodgy Sat Nav screen but other than that the model has been ok. No rattles or creaks. Build is better than my old Z4M Roadster.

I found the ride hard but not as hard as my old Z4M. The run flats are crashy but I have never felt the need to change them. The cars are GT more than sports cars but will handle if you want - it just takes more effort than a hatch ! Do remember the length of the bonnet when at junctions or reversing and turning as it has caught me out a couple of times and I have nearly scraped it !

I guess your 28i will feel lighter at the front than a 35iS so that should be a positive as the 35iS is a heavy beast.

Enjoy the good weather - the E89 Z4 looks stunning with the roof down smile

SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Tea Pot One said:
Enjoy the good weather - the E89 Z4 looks stunning with the roof down smile
+1

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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SFO said:
Tea Pot One said:
Enjoy the good weather - the E89 Z4 looks stunning with the roof down smile
+1
I think they look well with the roof up too.

Tea Pot One

1,842 posts

227 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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cerb4.5lee said:
I think they look well with the roof up too.
To be fair they are actually great with the roof up or down looks wise - my last black 35iS looked a bit Batman 'ish roof up. The new pearl white 35iS I have now is great but doesn't look as mean ... though it is arguably a better colour all round on the car.

The aircon with the roof up and refined nature of the car means it is easy to use all the year round - but roof up when not raining is just wrong biggrin

kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Couldnt agree more about having the roof down. On my old elise i used to have the roof off pretty much all the time so now i can do it without even getting out of the car it should be even more frequent.

I tested the 35is and then the 28i back to back and i would t worry too much, the 35is definitely has the legs on the 28i. But was surprised just how spritely the 28i is and one of the reasons i am coming from the lotus is that my wife didnt like the level of acceleration on offer so the 28i seems like a happy compromise.

That said the exhaust note of the 35is was fantastic!

ruggedscotty

5,606 posts

208 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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So a Z4 owner - welcome to the brethren !

As someone who has had one for two years or so I have to admit that they are great cars and lots of fun. Ive a 23sdrive and puts out 200 hp with a glorious six cylinder soundtrack.

Forget the voice control its pants hardly works lol but you didnt get the car for the voice control - you got it to drop that hood and enjoy the fresh air. Id issues with the micro switches but those were replaced and its fine now. Need to keep an eye on where the roof pump is in the boot and ensure that it doesnt get wet.

The run flats - they are horrid. get shot of them - sell the wheels / tyres as a package and get new ones on with non run flats and get a compressor can of sludge and membership of the AA.

Oh and get some pictures up, and enjoy your car they are great....

Tengocity

29 posts

105 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Good to see some E89 fans.... Don't you think they're one of the most under-rated cars around?
I know a Boxster or Elise might be the sweeter handler, but as an everyday all round sports car with good looks, performance, reliability, and equipment levels, I don't think there's any that's better value for money.


kazste

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

197 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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So Gar only driven it twice for about 30 miles so really looki g forward to getting back home hopefully tomorrow to take another look.

Will get some photos up when i see it Next but he prepared it is full on girly spec with white paint and red leather interior.

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Tuesday 7th July 2015
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Tengocity said:
Good to see some E89 fans.... Don't you think they're one of the most under-rated cars around?
I agree and at first I loved the looks of them but struggled a tiny bit with the change of direction after the E85...but now I find myself seriously lusting after them and lets face it they have a great interior, they look lovely and look great roof up or down unlike the E85.

I currently have so much want for them and I would love a 35iS but its only offered with a DCT so I will settle for a nice 35i manual please! cloud9

Tea Pot One

1,842 posts

227 months

Wednesday 8th July 2015
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cerb4.5lee said:
I agree and at first I loved the looks of them but struggled a tiny bit with the change of direction after the E85...but now I find myself seriously lusting after them and lets face it they have a great interior, they look lovely and look great roof up or down unlike the E85.

I currently have so much want for them and I would love a 35iS but its only offered with a DCT so I will settle for a nice 35i manual please! cloud9
The DCT is actually very good on the newer models. They have changed the firmware I guess as my 13 plate LCI is far better changing than the 11 plate I had before. That said I am an auto fan these days and love the new 8 speed auto in the M135i, etc. If you use the DCT with the paddles it is fun and immediate ... just on a 35iS you need to hang on once the car gets into it's stride biggrin

Tengocity

29 posts

105 months

Wednesday 8th July 2015
quotequote all
Good to see some E89 fans.... Don't you think they're one of the most under-rated cars around?
I know a Boxster or Elise might be the sweeter handler, but as an everyday all round sports car with good looks, performance, reliability, and equipment levels, I don't think there's any that's better value for money.


cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Wednesday 8th July 2015
quotequote all
Tea Pot One said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I agree and at first I loved the looks of them but struggled a tiny bit with the change of direction after the E85...but now I find myself seriously lusting after them and lets face it they have a great interior, they look lovely and look great roof up or down unlike the E85.

I currently have so much want for them and I would love a 35iS but its only offered with a DCT so I will settle for a nice 35i manual please! cloud9
The DCT is actually very good on the newer models. They have changed the firmware I guess as my 13 plate LCI is far better changing than the 11 plate I had before. That said I am an auto fan these days and love the new 8 speed auto in the M135i, etc. If you use the DCT with the paddles it is fun and immediate ... just on a 35iS you need to hang on once the car gets into it's stride biggrin
That's good to hear that they are constantly tweaking the DCT to get the best from it, I have always enjoyed reading the reviews on the 35iS and its my favourite model but sadly I am just not a fan of DCT/Auto but don't get me wrong they are brilliant at what they do its just I like three pedals more.