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.

[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.

[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

[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?

[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.

[lucazkoh]

The 30i and 35i dont seem to vary much in terms of price (give or take 1k for similar year/mileage).

taking that into account i might opt for the 35i for the whole shebang. call me prude but the yellow DRLs pre LCI dont do it for me either, a friend has said I could get those swapped to the newer white LEDS, anyone know if that's an option or the cost of doing that?

30i, 59 reg, 42k miles, £11.5k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

30i, 10 reg, 32k miles, £11.7k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

35i, 09 reg, 50k miles, £11.5k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

35i, 09 reg, 43k miles, £12.5k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[lucazkoh]

Heres Johnny said:

The 35i has the dual clutch (DCT) 7 speed gearbox, the 30i has a steptronic torque converter box. That’s another difference between the cars

What’s the difference between the two? Is one generally more favoured over the other?

[lucazkoh]

SteveS Cup said:

I bought the 28i, it was relatively local and I said to myself I’d test drive it and see... really liked it!

As mentioned previously, it replaced the 30i and I believe it’s actually quicker especially with the ZF 8 speed box.

Mine is my first ever auto and I love it. I could never own a normal slush box auto, but love the ZF.

I’ve said for a while if I was to do it again I’d get a 35is. But that’s not to say the 28i isn’t fantastic and if you would consider a 30i I guess total power isn’t the most important thing to you (perhaps spec is?).

If you want to know anything specific let me know.

Power was st the top of my list, but sensibility has taken over and now as you said, spec sits at the top now. If my 0-62 numbers are right, it’s around 5 secs, 5.5 secs, and 6 secs for the 35i, 28i and 30i respectively, which is the real world doesn’t make a difference to me. I’m now looking to set a budget below 12k for the car, to save some money when I come to sell it in the hope I lose a smaller percentage a year down the line.

[lucazkoh]

Heres Johnny said:

DCT is more sporting, it’s like an automated manual and the twin clutches mean gear shifts are fast. It’s the type of technology Porsche and the rest use. There aren’t really any downsides, maybe just a little slow sometimes going into reverse.

The steptronique is old school auto, some call a slush box, but a very good one at that.

Both you can override the changes and try and change manually, but if you enjoy full power snappy gear changes then DCT is the way to go.

Thanks for the information

Driver101 said:

If it's an auto you want, this seems better than what you've posted. A few extra miles though.

£10.5k for an 11 plate 3.0 M Sport with 62k.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

Good shout, didn’t notice I didn’t pick and msport options. Quite like the look of them

[lucazkoh]

Vroomer said:

The old 3.0i engine is fantastic, but the LCI changes you get on the 2.8 make the earlier model feel old-fashioned in some respects.

Pardon my ignorance, but what changes came with the LCI please?