Looking to buy a Z4 E89.

[lucazkoh]

Long story short, I’ll be in the UK only for another year or two before heading back home permanently where the constant 30 degree weather and rain doesn’t allow for open top motoring.

Quite fancy a Z4, always have.

Question is, do I go for an older s35i, or a newer s28i? I do about 15000 miles a year now for work, 70% of which is motorway with no traffic. If I intended to only keep it for a year, would buying a BMW approved used one be better? (1 year warranty, MOT etc)

Budget 15-20k, automatic only.

[helix402]

6 cylinder.

[tonymor]

I've had three e85 and I've owned my 2.5i e89 for four years and I can't fault it .my advice is go four any of the six cylinders and disappointment is unlikely in my opinion.

[anonymous-user]

I had a sDrive35is E89 Z4.

As above, has to be the 6 cylinder imo for the wonderful smooth engine.

[chilistrucker]

tonymor said:

I've had three e85 and I've owned my 2.5i e89 for four years and I can't fault it .my advice is go four any of the six cylinders and disappointment is unlikely in my opinion.

This is good news, I put a deposit down on an 11 plate yesterday, its the 2.3is m sport, (if I got that the right way round.) Looking forward to collecting in a couple of weeks.

[Mr Tidy]

OP, I'd recommend going for a 6 cylinder model - to my mind that's one of the Z4s unique features!

I've had an E86 (Z4 Coupe with the same engine as an E89 30i) for over 4 years and love it!

Not sure about buying AUC - it depends how much you want the security of a warranty.

[lucazkoh]

Seems like general consensus is 6 cylinders. Going forward with that, looking at the s30i or s35i then.

Other than the engine, what differences are there between the two? Based on what I can see there aren’t any s30i models newer than 11/12 plates but I can get 15/16 plates on the s35i albeit over budget at £20k+.

Also, do both of the above models come with heated seats and adaptive cruise as standard? Main reason I was looking at the s28i was because both those options seemed to be standard fit and I was thinking of giving up some cylinders for some creature comforts on my 40 mile commute each day.

Thanks.

[Driver101]

Get a 35i or 35is under 60k miles and get a BMW warranty.

It's a buyers market as most cars are sitting on the market for an age.

The only issue is you won't get a quick sale when it's time to go unless it's cheap.

[Heres Johnny]

Think the 30 got replaced with a 4 pot which is why you won't see many newer cars. I think the main difference between that and the 35i is the turbos.

The wife has had a 35i for 6 years and its been pretty reliable although helped by my cousin being a BMW tech when its had the odd glitch. They're holding their values well last time I check, the m sports being a bit more desirable. and the 35iS being more common than the 35i (once the 35iS came out, why stop at the 35i?). I doubt we've lost any money on depreciation for a while, I suspect there will be a long held desire for 6 cylinder engines amongst those who appreciate these things as they rarely make them any more.

I'd hold out for a 35i or 35iS. Not much difference between the two, a 35iS is pretty much the same as a 35i M Sport with a few option boxes ticked and a temporary power boost but if you fancy a remap, the N54 engine is relatively easy to do and you're looking at best part of 380-400bhp without much effort in both.

[Mr Tidy]

Heres Johnny said:

Think the 30 got replaced with a 4 pot which is why you won't see many newer cars. I think the main difference between that and the 35i is the turbos.

The wife has had a 35i for 6 years and its been pretty reliable although helped by my cousin being a BMW tech when its had the odd glitch. They're holding their values well last time I check, the m sports being a bit more desirable. and the 35iS being more common than the 35i (once the 35iS came out, why stop at the 35i?). I doubt we've lost any money on depreciation for a while, I suspect there will be a long held desire for 6 cylinder engines amongst those who appreciate these things as they rarely make them any more.

I'd hold out for a 35i or 35iS. Not much difference between the two, a 35iS is pretty much the same as a 35i M Sport with a few option boxes ticked and a temporary power boost but if you fancy a remap, the N54 engine is relatively easy to do and you're looking at best part of 380-400bhp without much effort in both.

The facelift "replacement" for the 30i was the 28i.

I wouldn't want a 35is because they never made any manual ones - so if I wanted an E89 I'd look for a manual 35i without the adaptive suspension that swallows silly money to fix when it breaks! And a 35i can be mapped to 35is power levels, and beyond!

[lucazkoh]

Thanks for the tips all, at this point I’m kinda set on a 35i, do cars from 2010 (10 plate) come with keyless entry? I get the whole easily stolen thing but part of my work requires me to exit the car to lock a main gate and being able to lock the car while leaving the engine running would save me from having to turn the engine on > drive out > engine off > lock car and gate > unlock car > engine on

[Fox-]

lucazkoh said:

Thanks for the tips all, at this point I’m kinda set on a 35i, do cars from 2010 (10 plate) come with keyless entry? I get the whole easily stolen thing but part of my work requires me to exit the car to lock a main gate and being able to lock the car while leaving the engine running would save me from having to turn the engine on > drive out > engine off > lock car and gate > unlock car > engine on

As standard the E89 has the older style key in slot system. Cars with comfort access are keyless but very rare.

[scz4]

Fox- said:

lucazkoh said:

Thanks for the tips all, at this point I’m kinda set on a 35i, do cars from 2010 (10 plate) come with keyless entry? I get the whole easily stolen thing but part of my work requires me to exit the car to lock a main gate and being able to lock the car while leaving the engine running would save me from having to turn the engine on > drive out > engine off > lock car and gate > unlock car > engine on

As standard the E89 has the older style key in slot system. Cars with comfort access are keyless but very rare.

You can still lock the car with the engine running even with the slot system since the key effectively separates.

BTW, I just bought a 2010 manual 30i and really like. It's got a good balance of power for the road and sounds great, albeit a little quiet.

[lucazkoh]

Would I be right in saying that I wouldn’t have to slot the key into the hole to start the car? Or if I did have to, I’d be able to take it out after starting the car and locking the car from the outside?

[Driver101]

scz4 said:

Fox- said:

lucazkoh said:

Thanks for the tips all, at this point I’m kinda set on a 35i, do cars from 2010 (10 plate) come with keyless entry? I get the whole easily stolen thing but part of my work requires me to exit the car to lock a main gate and being able to lock the car while leaving the engine running would save me from having to turn the engine on > drive out > engine off > lock car and gate > unlock car > engine on

As standard the E89 has the older style key in slot system. Cars with comfort access are keyless but very rare.

You can still lock the car with the engine running even with the slot system since the key effectively separates.

BTW, I just bought a 2010 manual 30i and really like. It's got a good balance of power for the road and sounds great, albeit a little quiet.

If it's the same as the E90 cars you can start the car with the key in the ignition, then stop and take the key out, and then could restart the car without the key in the ignition.

You could then get out and lock the car with the engine running.

[scz4]

lucazkoh said:

Would I be right in saying that I wouldn’t have to slot the key into the hole to start the car? Or if I did have to, I’d be able to take it out after starting the car and locking the car from the outside?

You would have to keep the plastic section of the key in the slot I'd think. But the key separates, so you can remove the physical metal section from it and lock the door.

[Vroomer]

lucazkoh said:

Seems like general consensus is 6 cylinders.

The later 4-pot turbo engines are actually quite sweet and offer performance more than enough for most people.

[Heres Johnny]

Vroomer said:

lucazkoh said:

Seems like general consensus is 6 cylinders.

The later 4-pot turbo engines are actually quite sweet and offer performance more than enough for most people.

Maybe but if you're going to do it, you may as well do it properly. The N54 engine is an all time classic.

[lucazkoh]

Heres Johnny said:

Maybe but if you're going to do it, you may as well do it properly. The N54 engine is an all time classic.

That’s what my friends tell me as well, I was going to go for a newer 28i which, although less “shouty” without the pops and bangs, offers similar performance. Or does the 28i pop and bang as well?

I’ll have to find out about the key bit, if I have to restart the car to lock it every time I get out then comfort access is a priority. I could leave the key in and car running whilst I lock up but anyone can just run up and take off with it.

[Vroomer]

Older cars have a standard ignition key.

Later cars have the fob that has to go in a slot and there is a start/stop button.