Tell Me Why Not an E89

[RM]

So, a change in work practice means a 60m each-way commute once or twice a week. Firstly A-road, then M4 then M32. A good chance of stop-start traffic along the way, combined with a slipped disc, means my first automatic car is required. Not wanting to splash too much in the current inflated secondhand car market leads me to a budget of around £10-£15k.

The commute led me to think of something quiet and comfortable with a decent sound system, for a relaxing drive as much as possible, which led to a Lexus IS300H. Heated and cooled seats, good sounds with Mark Levinson, will mostly drive itself in queues with the active cruise control and I would presume reasonably refined when doing 70-80ish.

But dull.

An itch I have never really scratched is a convertible, the wife had a new beetle convertible which I quite enjoyed bumbling around town in. So a Boxster 987 was a thought, but stretching the budget for a 987.2 PDK and lack of refinement stopped that.

So, why not a BMW Z4 E89 with a folding hardtop? I had previously discounted a Merc SLK/SLC as being a bit small but the Z4 seems a decent size for my sizable bellied 6'2".

The folding hard top should give me reasonable refinement, I can get the 20i or 28i within budget, so a good 8sp ZF automatic and on the occasional summer's morning or evening the top down will give me some enjoyment on an otherwise very boring drive.

What am I missing?

[cerb4.5lee]

For me you aren't missing anything and I've always been a fan of the E89. There is one local to me and they've had it for years and they seem very happy with it.

Pop across to the Z4-forum.com and there are a lot of knowledgeable folk on there.

[Jasey_]

Slipped disc could be an issue - Loved my 35iS and I'm a similar height and at 18st probably heavier than you and getting in and out whilst no an issue for me not sure I'd enjoy it with a slipped disc.

Great cars

[cologne2792]

I've been looking at them myself and they seem very good.

A much softer and more comfortable car than the E85 and designed to compete with the SLK instead of the Boxster.

The majority for sale seem to be the 2.5 N52 23i versions.

[PastelNata]

I've had 2 E85's in the past and now revisiting those experiences with a G29. I used both E85's as everyday commuters. I thoroughly enjoyed commutes to work on nice days early in the morning with the top down on A and B roads. Same again in the evening. I looked forward to my commutes on those days!

The E89 will be the same, a lot of fun!

[RM]

Thanks for all the replies.

Jasey_ said:

Slipped disc could be an issue - Loved my 35iS and I'm a similar height and at 18st probably heavier than you and getting in and out whilst no an issue for me not sure I'd enjoy it with a slipped disc.

Great cars

I’m about the same weight, entry and exit is not too bad on the back as long as I am comfortable when in.

One question if you don’t mind, how was the refinement and wind noise etc at 70/80ish with the hood up?

[Jasey_]

With the roof up it was absolutely fine - just like a coupe to be honest.

It wasn't that bad with the roof down to be honest - but refinement is a bit subjective.

I do remember being pleasantly surprised with the refinement when I picked it up and drove Southampton to Aberdeenshire.

[SWoll]

What are you missing? Other than a low slung, relatively cramped, 2 seater sportscar appearing to be completely the wrong choice for someone who's 6ft2", 18st, with a bad back, who does most of his driving on motorways?

Get yourself a nice, high spec, 640D Grandcoupe and thank me later.

Edited by SWoll on Thursday 23 March 10:15

[cerb4.5lee]

SWoll said:

What are you missing? Other than a low slung, relatively cramped, 2 seater sportscar appearing to be completely the wrong choice for someone who's 6ft2", 18st, with a bad back, who does most of his driving on motorways?

Get yourself a nice, high spec, 640D Grandcoupe and thank me later.

Edited by SWoll on Thursday 23 March 10:15

Or perhaps a 640i/640d Convertible? I really liked the 640d Coupe that I had and they are a lovely place to sit I reckon.

I'd still go for the E89 Z4, but then I'm only 5'8"/12 stone though.

[SWoll]

cerb4.5lee said:

Or perhaps a 640i/640d Convertible? I really liked the 640d Coupe that I had and they are a lovely place to sit I reckon.

I'd still go for the E89 Z4, but then I'm only 5'8"/12 stone though.

I assume you don't have any back issues either being that close to the ground? Good call on the 6 series convertible, I was thinking solely about comfort an luxury with the GC .

I'm 6.4" and 16 stone and have the odd back complaint occasionally. Getting in and out of our Tesla definitely caused it to worsen due to just how low it was so can only imagine how much more awkward a lower/more difficult to access sportscar would be. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for someone the size of the OP who already has a slipped disc to me.

[Jakg]

cologne2792 said:

The majority for sale seem to be the 2.5 N52 23i versions.

To me this seems the worst of both worlds - it's not that powerful and it's not got a turbo either.

If not the 35i/s, I'd be looking at one of the 4-pot turbo ones. I *think* they are all the same engine (but not brakes etc) so you can remap an 18i to 28i power levels.

Speaking of which...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/34076542...

Ex-E85 owner.

[cerb4.5lee]

SWoll said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Or perhaps a 640i/640d Convertible? I really liked the 640d Coupe that I had and they are a lovely place to sit I reckon.

I'd still go for the E89 Z4, but then I'm only 5'8"/12 stone though.

I assume you don't have any back issues either being that close to the ground? Good call on the 6 series convertible, I was thinking solely about comfort an luxury with the GC .

I'm 6.4" and 16 stone and have the odd back complaint occasionally. Getting in and out of our Tesla definitely caused it to worsen due to just how low it was so can only imagine how much more awkward a lower/more difficult to access sportscar would be. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for someone the size of the OP who already has a slipped disc to me.

Touch wood my back is fine. However I do remember going through a short period a few years ago where it was giving me a bit of stick, and it is horrible if you do suffer from back problems for sure.

I was only saying to my missus the other day how much lower the 370Z is in comparison to the M4, and the M4 is hardly something that sits miles off the ground as it is. I do enjoy sitting low in something sporty, but equally I can appreciate the much higher driving position in an SUV as well.

[ZX10R NIN]

cerb4.5lee said:

SWoll said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Or perhaps a 640i/640d Convertible? I really liked the 640d Coupe that I had and they are a lovely place to sit I reckon.

I'd still go for the E89 Z4, but then I'm only 5'8"/12 stone though.

I assume you don't have any back issues either being that close to the ground? Good call on the 6 series convertible, I was thinking solely about comfort an luxury with the GC .

I'm 6.4" and 16 stone and have the odd back complaint occasionally. Getting in and out of our Tesla definitely caused it to worsen due to just how low it was so can only imagine how much more awkward a lower/more difficult to access sportscar would be. Sounds like a recipe for disaster for someone the size of the OP who already has a slipped disc to me.

Touch wood my back is fine. However I do remember going through a short period a few years ago where it was giving me a bit of stick, and it is horrible if you do suffer from back problems for sure.

I was only saying to my missus the other day how much lower the 370Z is in comparison to the M4, and the M4 is hardly something that sits miles off the ground as it is. I do enjoy sitting low in something sporty, but equally I can appreciate the much higher driving position in an SUV as well.

I'm afraid you're both wrong if the OP is to go up to a 6 series sized car then it has to be the 4.7TT V8 CL500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303225...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303125...

Or the 5.0 SL500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205316...

I'm very bias but as nice & more modern the E89 is I couldn't look past the SLK55 (I'm 6.7 18st) & find them comfortable:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303165...

Or this rare 2005 CLK55 AMG (these came with all the CLK63 upgrades, better brakes suspension etc) & they're not really depreciating:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202232...

[Macron]

Jakg said:

If not the 35i/s, I'd be looking at one of the 4-pot turbo ones. I *think* they are all the same engine (but not brakes etc) so you can remap an 18i to 28i power levels.

What's not to like?

[Macron]

Chippenham or Malmesbury and beyond to the sthole that is Bristol City Centre would muller that CLK. Shame, its nice. But with 89k on it is more of a weekender, surely...

[SWoll]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm very bias but as nice & more modern the E89 is I couldn't look past the SLK55 (I'm 6.7 18st) & find them comfortable:

I imagine watching you get in and out of an SLK with the roof up would be quite a sight.

[rowley birkin]

I have a 28i with the ZF box, which work very well together as long as you are not in the Comfort setting. Talking of comfort, 19 inch wheels + runflats + M suspension = firm ride, but it does feel well planted. I read somewhere that the 28i has a different turbo and injectors, but can't confirm. It sounds good for a 4-pot, you even get some of those turbo wooshy noises. I can get 40 mpg on a run. Quite brisk.