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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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Kugaman1
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Kugaman1 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 3:24 pm

Hi all,

As you may know, Ive arranged a deal on an E89 Z4.

The car is a 2009(59) 2.5 sdrive SE, immaculate, with 22000 miles on it. FSH, 2 owners.
Extras from standard at the time, leather, 18" alloys, f/r parking and a wind diffuser. Due to collect on Sunday.
I havent paid a deposit so could walk away from the deal without any issue.

However, Ive also seen the following:

2014(14) 2.0 Msport in grey.
Has done 28000 miles, FSH, 1 owner from new and has a service pack valid till April 2019.
No fitted extras but is better specced as standard than the blue one even with its extras. This is the LCI model so has the LED DRLs.

I reckon I could get the grey car for £4500 more than the blue one.

This would be a little bit of a push financially, but we will manage.

Question is, what do you all think?

Which would be the best buy for a car I hope to keep for several years, doing roughly 5000 miles a year at most?

Im in a real dilemma!

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Twin Turbo
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Twin Turbo » Fri Aug 11, 2017 3:55 pm

Only you can answer the question - but since you do so little miles - the first option will be more tempting for me.

And keep it for a few years - until you can have an 35i

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benv6
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by benv6 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:04 pm

What kind of budget are we talking about ? I guess around the 15k ??!!

Now, If you doing just 5k a year and for 15k I would certainly go for a 35i or 3.0l at least (with slightly high mileage).

What you need to bare in mind is that the Z4 E89 (especially the 3l+) isn't a Fiesta and therefore people don't just buy them cause they need a car (generally). The E89 is a much loved car and generally the owner looks after it. I have seen some e89s with 50/60k on the clock and they look mint. My 35i has 50k and no one believes me when I say it is a 2009 Car.

Anyway, If you really want to treat yourself for the next few years then get yourself a proper toy YOLO :wink:
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Kugaman1
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Kugaman1 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:19 pm

Cheers guys.
Yes, budget is between £10-15k.
Im kinda tied that I want a car with fairly low miles and ideally in Scotland...just dont have the time to travel across the UK only to find someones idea of immaculate is very different to mine!
Definitely no thought to have anything other than either the 2.5 or the 2.0T. The car will be a cruiser, Im 50 next year and have done the fast car thing.....m135i was epic as was RS3 and Lotus Elise.
Time for something a bit less frantic now!

Just cant decide whether to go for the 2.5 and save myself £4.5k and enjoy the straight six.

Or spend the £4.5k and drive the newer LCI car and enjoy the turbo.

Come the time to move the car on, I would obviously see some of the cost difference back....

Its a real dilemma!
Last edited by Kugaman1 on Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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philip27
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by philip27 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:45 pm

I would try and drive both if you can and then decide. Although I am tempted to say save the extra money.

The 23i straight six is lovely and smooth yes it's not the fastest Z4 but it still goes well and sounds good. If you want a nice car to cruise in I don't think you can go wrong with one. Some lovely well looked after cars about for not alot of money.

The 2.0 litre turbos have lots more tuning potential though compared to the 23i if you feel the need for abit more power.
Went to the dark side Porsche Cayman 987s
Crimson Red E89 23i - :(
Maldives Blue E85 2.5i - Sold :(

slick
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by slick » Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:32 pm

Kugaman1 wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:19 pm Cheers guys.
Yes, budget is between £10-15k.
Im kinda tied that I want a car with fairly low miles and ideally in Scotland...just dont have the time to travel across the UK only to find someones idea of immaculate is very different to mine!
Definitely no thought to have anything other than either the 2.5 or the 2.0T. The car will be a cruiser, Im 50 next year and have done the fast car thing.....m135i was epic as was RS3 and Lotus Elise.
Time for something a bit less frantic now!

Just cant decide whether to go for the 2.5 and save myself £4.5k and enjoy the straight six.

Or spend the £4.5k and drive the newer LCI car and enjoy the turbo.

Come the time to move the car on, I would obviously see some of the cost difference back....

Its a real dilemma!
Wouldn't 15K net you a 3.5i ? ......straight 6 AND a turbo
E85 2.5 sterling grey
E89 3.0 se
Porsche 987 Boxster 3.4S
E89 3.5i
TVR Chimerea 4 litres of rolling thunder
Corvette C6 a moment of insanity
E89 3.0i

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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Smartbear » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:07 pm

slick wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:32 pm
Kugaman1 wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:19 pm Cheers guys.
Yes, budget is between £10-15k.
Im kinda tied that I want a car with fairly low miles and ideally in Scotland...just dont have the time to travel across the UK only to find someones idea of immaculate is very different to mine!
Definitely no thought to have anything other than either the 2.5 or the 2.0T. The car will be a cruiser, Im 50 next year and have done the fast car thing.....m135i was epic as was RS3 and Lotus Elise.
Time for something a bit less frantic now!

Just cant decide whether to go for the 2.5 and save myself £4.5k and enjoy the straight six.

Or spend the £4.5k and drive the newer LCI car and enjoy the turbo.

Come the time to move the car on, I would obviously see some of the cost difference back....

Its a real dilemma!
Wouldn't 15K net you a 3.5i ? ......straight 6 AND a turbo
Reading the original post I don't think he's looking for something that fast :?
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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Pastry
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Pastry » Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:30 pm

I would seriously consider a 3.0 over a 2.5. I've had both and the 2.5 felt underpowered unless you worked the engine quite hard which is the reason I upgraded. The engine is so smooth with plenty of power without needing to work it hard and its no more expensive to run. In fact I found the 3.0 more economical than the 2.5
991 Carrera 2S
Now gone:
2008 Z4MR Midnight Blue Metallic
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Ruby Black
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Titanium Silver
2010 Z4 23i Msport and a 3.0i

Pbondar

Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Pbondar » Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:37 pm

To answer the question the 2.0 will hold itself against the 2.3...if and when you can afford it a remap will ensure that you can hold it against a 3.0

The 2.0 will outhandle the six 2.3 ...

If you want a car for a long time , I would by the LCI version...sounds like toys and newness are emotional ticks in your box..

Just an opinion ..

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Kugaman1
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Kugaman1 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:38 pm

Cheers all.
As mentioned, I'm kinda tied geographically and 3ltrs are few and far between up here.
The deals Ive seen on the 2.0 and the 2.5 are pretty attractive and both cars are within a 3hr drive away.

If time/distance was no object, I would maybe change the goalposts, but as things stand it's between the two cars above.

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Pastry
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Pastry » Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:41 pm

Pbondar wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:37 pm The 2.0 will outhandle the six 2.3 ...
Marginal at best :roll:
991 Carrera 2S
Now gone:
2008 Z4MR Midnight Blue Metallic
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Ruby Black
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Titanium Silver
2010 Z4 23i Msport and a 3.0i

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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Smartbear » Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:50 pm

Pastry wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:41 pm
Pbondar wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:37 pm The 2.0 will outhandle the six 2.3 ...
Marginal at best :roll:
You would have to be driving like a lunatic to tell the difference though, oh hold on a minute :lol:
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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Pastry
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Pastry » Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:55 pm

Smartbear wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:50 pm
Pastry wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:41 pm
Pbondar wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:37 pm The 2.0 will outhandle the six 2.3 ...
Marginal at best :roll:
You would have to be driving like a lunatic to tell the difference though, oh hold on a minute :lol:
Rob
You should know Rob, you've owned a 6cyl and a 4cyl mapped pocket rocket and I do believe
the word lunatic may have been mentioned before, once we'd caught you up :poke: :rofl:
991 Carrera 2S
Now gone:
2008 Z4MR Midnight Blue Metallic
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Ruby Black
2006 Z4 3.0si sport Titanium Silver
2010 Z4 23i Msport and a 3.0i

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benv6
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by benv6 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 8:54 pm

If fuel economy is no object then I'd go 2.3 and just add the LCI indicators :wink:
Now: BMW 335D Touring
Previous: 435D Coupe, BMW Z4 E89 35i, BMW Z4 E85 2.0, BMW E46 330CI

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Kugaman1
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Bit of a dilemma....your thoughts?

Post by Kugaman1 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 9:10 pm

The 2.0 msport is a really excellent price (private sale) with one owner. It would seem to be the best long term investment, but we will see what it's like tomorrow lunchtime when we go to view it....

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