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Prospective 28i owner

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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zed4coupe
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Post by zed4coupe » Thu Feb 16, 2017 2:10 pm

I am itching to buy myself an E89 Z4. Just waiting for my lease to end on my current car which isn't until the summer. I am now driving a lot less miles than previously, so can justify the move to an AUC Z4 as my daily car, instead of my current/previous diesel cars.

So, what model? I have driven a 20i M Sport and thought it was underpowered, that car was a dealer demo with only 50 miles on the clock, so the engine may have been a little tight, but nonetheless, I fancy the higher powered 4 pot and i think the 245bhp in the 28i should provide a perfect blend of performance and economy, i think the 35i/s is just too hard core for me.

I will be looking at cars from main dealers and will have a healthy budget - c£20K - £23K, so a late 2/3 year old car. I don't really want to compromise on spec, so it has to have the comfort pack (will not have one without PDC) and I want the pro media pack. Ideally, also the M Adaptive suspension, but this option seems hard to find. I prefer light colours, mineral white wins for me with either black or red leather. Has anyone ever seen a Glacier Silver Z4 with Coral red leather? Thats the combo i have in my current 335d, which i specced from new. A great combo, but i have rarely seen a silver Z4, let alone one with CR leather.

I came close to buying a new Z4 23i back in 2010, but it didn't materialise in the end. So, second time around, there is nothing else out there (within budget) that ticks all the boxes like a Z4 does.

Great source of info on here, would love to hear from other 28i owners on there thoughts on this model :)

EDIT. Another question I have is regarding the 19" 326M Alloys - i am aware that these are effected by a cracking issue that BMW does not acknowledge. Most cars have these alloys, so what is the considered opinion?

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Post by Smartbear » Thu Feb 16, 2017 2:17 pm

Hi, have you seen mineral white & tan leather?
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Afraid I can't advise on the 28i but the lesser models are very mappable. :thumbsup:
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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Post by zed4coupe » Thu Feb 16, 2017 2:24 pm

Walnut looks great too and works well with MW. I saw a 435d Coupe with this combo and loved it.

Forgot to add, my Z4 will be an Auto - prompted by seeing your manual car :)

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Post by jamie_z4 » Thu Feb 16, 2017 2:57 pm

as above, dont discount the 18i or the 20i as you can achieve the same gains as the 28i from mapping alone, there arent any other ancilaries bolted to the engine in terms of hardware, its all down to the software mapping.
18 Z4s owned to date.

Current: 2.5i Titan silver

Daily driver: 480bhp M140i Shadow edition.

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Post by metal licker » Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:03 pm

There's been a few cases of 326's cracking but think there was a hell of a lot more 296's that had this problem
You could of course change to non runflats this seems to cure any problems :)
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718 Guards Red Boxster .........Gone!
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Hello to Jason Isaacs

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Post by trevorpitt » Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:38 pm

I would certainly recommend the 28i - I've had mine for two years without any problems - even with 19" 326s - and a great deal of happy daily motoring. Just sitting in it is a great place to be. Previously I had an E85 2.0, quite a different car - the E89 is heavier and more solid, and not quite as frisky, but there is plenty of power when you need it, and comfortable cruising when you don't.

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Post by zed4coupe » Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:34 pm

Thanks all. Interesting point about mapping a 18i/20i, i hadn't really considered this. So its the same engine block and capacity, just different tuning that gets between 150-245 bhp? To be fair though, as its a buyers market, i will probably just wait for the right 28i to come along and spare myself any hassle, expense and drawback associated with mapping.

There are a few around at dealers at the moment which fit the bill, but its just too early.

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Post by Nanu » Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:58 pm

If you don't go for the ultimate machine then a 28i will do just fine (Bias acknowledged as my last one was a red 28i) although a few on this forum may disagree. In a polite manner of course :roll:
G29 M30i M Sport San Francisco Red

Previous
E89 35is Valencia Orange
E89 28i Crimson
E89 25i White

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Post by ronk » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:00 pm

Theres a lot of questions and answers on this post.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=94255
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with. :thumbsup:

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Post by SteveSmith » Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:32 pm

I recently purchased a 2014 28i in Alpine White with Canberra leather and anthracite wood or whatever they call it!!

I'm in love with it!

I've got pro media, adaptive suspension, Comfort pack, extended lighting, and a few other options.

The one thing I now wish I held out for is the upgraded sound system as the standard 6 speaker system is terrible. But I'm hoping I'll have this sorted with an even better system for under £1,000.

I also went for the auto, it's a brilliant 'box which makes the car perfect imo. I can leave it in comfort and drive and it's perfectly comfortable and relaxed, but then with a flick of a paddle and a press of the sport button it becomes ultra responsive, firm and focused.

The 28i is plenty quick enough too. I went to view mine with the ultimate question of "is it going to be quick enough" as I had also considered a TTS and 135i but it impressed me!

If you have any questions feel free to fire away!

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28i M Sport - Alpine White / Canberra Beige, 19" M359’s, H&R’s / Eibachs, BMS Stage 1 - 271bhp, Front Splitter, CF Rear Lip, Alcantara Steering Wheel and Brembo 4 pots

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Post by SteveSmith » Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:36 pm

You might want to have a flick through my thread...

viewtopic.php?t=92420
28i M Sport - Alpine White / Canberra Beige, 19" M359’s, H&R’s / Eibachs, BMS Stage 1 - 271bhp, Front Splitter, CF Rear Lip, Alcantara Steering Wheel and Brembo 4 pots

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Post by zed4coupe » Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:13 am

SteveSmith wrote:You might want to have a flick through my thread...

viewtopic.php?t=92420
Thanks, id already trawled the posts and had read yours. Your spec sounds perfect, a white car would suit me and with the options you have, but I've only come across a very small number of approved used cars with the M Adaptive Suspension option. Its definately auto for me as well.

Although i haven't driven the 28i, i am sure i will before i buy and i am convinced that it will be sufficiently powerful for my needs. Not quite the 335d acceleration and torque, but not that far removed :D

Interesting point about the standard speaker set up, i am not too bothered about music, but i have seen a few cars with the BMW Business Loudspeaker System, which is the 11 speaker set up right? I have HK audio in the 335d and my X5 which seems pretty decent.

Extended lighting - what does this add? Is it part of Comfort Pack?

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Post by Smartbear » Fri Feb 17, 2017 10:29 am

Hi, extended lighting adds foot well lights, external door handle lighting & led's in the door pockets & behind the seats :thumbsup:
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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Post by zed4coupe » Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:43 am

Smartbear wrote:Hi, extended lighting adds foot well lights, external door handle lighting & led's in the door pockets & behind the seats :thumbsup:
Rob
:thumbsup: thanks Rob.

I like this one, has everything bar Adaptive Suspension. Also has service pack, and miles are nice and low. If I could get away with it I'd have this and the 335d, but suspect Mrs will object !

https://www.lloydmotorgroup.com/UsedCar ... -Auto/3200

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Post by Smartbear » Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:57 am

I'd try & research the adaptive suspension before I chose it, im sure ive read more than a few instances of early failure due to leaking damper seals? They cost a bomb to replace as well :cry:
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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