E89 - Thoughts

[andy123]

Hi Everybody,

Only recently joined the forum as I'm looking at buying an E89 in the next couple of months.

Looking through the forum I'm seeing that there are potentially issues with the Timing Chains on the 18i / 20i / 28i ( essentially the 3 variants of the 2.0 litre) are these engines to be avoided at all costs ? I think there have been various amendments to the timing chain/guide and appears that the issue may have finally been resolved on the latest cars (2016 onwards) but my budget of around £11,000 and desire to buy a relative low mileage car would rule out a 2016.

Like the look of the following cars:-

• Silver 23i, 2011, auto, mileage 40k, Price £9620
• Blue 30i, 2009, auto, mileage 55k, Price £11450

Any thing in particular to look out for on the 23i / 30i, particularly when coupled with the Automatic Transmission ?

Regards

Andy

[raymond.harper]

I would carefully check the roof of both cars. The blue car with the bigger engine but higher mileage looks nice. The silver one looks a little bland in my opinion, could just be the presentation. read the 7th of January post https://www.facebook.com/ZedShedNW/

[Silverstar]

Of those two, the 30i is the one I’d go for, more power and rarer which will help future values and saleability. The 6 cylinders are pretty bulletproof and you only need to watch out for the usual suspects, oil leaks around the oil filter housing, cam cover. Water pumps are known to give up around 80k miles but really all of these things apply to all BMW engines including the N20 2.0l

Should you avoid the N20? I would say no, just keep in mind you will need to spend around 1k to get the timing chain done, newer cars (not sure after what year) were supposed to come with better components less likely to give trouble but even so there have been rare cases of those also failing.

Some will say the 4 pot gives better handling due to lower weight over the front axle (around 20kg less) but I don’t think for most people there will be a discernible difference. They also say the 4 pots are more economical but in reality the 6 cylinders aren’t that far behind. IMO and yes I know I am biased but a BMW just has to have a 6 cylinder at least, sounds way better and makes the car feel more special.

[craigdm]

Might have a 2014 car available soon.

20i but has been remapped to 28i spec.

Excellent car, but I've got a grandson on the way and I have been informed that I need to buy a 'proper' car

[Zed Baron]

The blue 30i is a SE model, so doesn't have sport seats, the steering wheel has been changed at some point also. It also doesn't have extended leather (dash is all plastic). The silver 23i is the Msport version, revised bumpers, door sill plates, steering wheel and sport seats etc. Both have iDrive, PDC and heated seats, check to see if both have wind deflectors (little things like that add up if it doesn't). Don't take it for granted that they will have all the whistles and bells, BMW makes you pay for everything, e.g. you may have bluetooth, but does it have bluetooth streaming? So the 30i has a little more power, while the 23i has revised (some say more desirable) styling.

Just had another look at the blue one... is it me or are the paddle shifters missing?

[RAYK47]

The blue 30i is a SE model, so doesn't have sport seats, the steering wheel has been changed at some point also. It also doesn't have extended leather (dash is all plastic). The silver 23i is the Msport version, revised bumpers, door sill plates, steering wheel and sport seats etc. Both have iDrive, PDC and heated seats, check to see if both have wind deflectors (little things like that add up if it doesn't). Don't take it for granted that they will have all the whistles and bells, BMW makes you pay for everything, e.g. you may have bluetooth, but does it have bluetooth streaming? So the 30i has a little more power, while the 23i has revised (some say more desirable) styling.

Just had another look at the blue one... is it me or are the paddle shifters missing?

Do you get paddles with the standard auto? Or is it just with the DCT? Just asking as i have no idea.

[RAYK47]

going on very little information i would go for the 2009 30i, but i am biased towards DSB. However can you get hold of the VIN's and check the full spec list of both. As Zed Baron says its all about the extras, £11,500 seems a bit high if the spec is low.

[andy123]

Thanks all for the responses.

I agree in the photos, that the Silver car does look a little bland ( also maybe needs a bit of paint to the front Bumper - i.e. between the grills ).

I like the idea of the Blue 3.0 litre but agree I prefer the idea of sport seats / look of the Silver one.

Slightly put off the Blue 3.0 litre as it is being sold by a detailer rather than a dealer. Something is putting me off the car/retailer - but can't put my finger on what , I hadn't noticed the lack of paddles, however apart from the first few week s of owning my current 5 series I can't remember using them !

I think both cars have a reasonable spec, including the I-drive and extended storage / load through, both of which are high on my wish list.

Currently thinking that at this stage I will limit the search to the 23i / 30i

[andy123]

Might have a 2014 car available soon.

20i but has been remapped to 28i spec.

Excellent car, but I've got a grandson on the way and I have been informed that I need to buy a 'proper' car

Congratulations on the future grandson. My daughter is also expecting our first grandchild at the end March , we are all getting very excited. I've taken the view that grandchildren are a sign that I'm getting old, so better enjoy a fun car whilst I can still get in and out of one !

[Zed Baron]

Do you get paddles with the standard auto? Or is it just with the DCT? Just asking as i have no idea.

yep, all E89 autos have paddle shifters, the earlier cars had shifters that look like buttons, these were revised later to the more traditional style. The 30i looks like its had the steering wheel replaced with a Msport steering wheel for a manual car, forgive me if I'm wrong. I upgraded/updated my steering wheel to the newer style of paddles, personally I feel they work/look better.

[Z450]

Appreciate this is a bit above the budget but looks nice and could and you never know there could be some movement on price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312014477456

[B21]

The cars are about £3k overpriced as private sales go..in the current market..but if you like them..

I’d try a 20i auto vs a 30i auto if you can..very different feeling to both powertrains..

The 23i and 30i for the same age and mileage are more reliable than the 35i/35is..the N20 is arguably as / more reliable with the sole exception of the camchain as they are newer, lower mileages..

There was only one iteration of the cam chain sub assembly with effect from Spring 2015.

Good luck with the search..

[andy123]

Appreciate this is a bit above the budget but looks nice and could and you never know there could be some movement on price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312014477456

Yes looks nice. However trying to avoid the 19inch wheels due to cracking. I know I could change them for a different size/design. However I'm having a lot of trouble with trying to get insurance to cover the winter wheels on my 5 series. The winters are the same size as the wheels that were specified from new but a slightly cheaper style, most mainstream insurers want to treat as a modification and either refuse cover or ramp it up by upto 20%. Appreciate there are lots of options to use a specialist insurer for a Z4 who are likely to be more understanding rgarding modifications/changes.

Not checked recently but I think the same dealer bought the Estoril Blue one ( from Devon) that was advertised on this site. Shame Estoril was only available on the later cars, as really seems to accentuate the lines of the car.

[Pondrew]

Shame Estoril was only available on the later cars, as really seems to accentuate the lines of the car.

Estoril was only available on the very latest of the E89s (2015-2016).
I know it's considered a 'boring colour' but solid Alpine White accentuates the swage lines better than any IMHO.
Having had a white one and taking delivery delivery on an Estoril on Friday, I will be interested to see which is best TBH.

[tiglon]

Appreciate this is a bit above the budget but looks nice and could and you never know there could be some movement on price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312014477456

Yes looks nice. However trying to avoid the 19inch wheels due to cracking. I know I could change them for a different size/design. However I'm having a lot of trouble with trying to get insurance to cover the winter wheels on my 5 series. The winters are the same size as the wheels that were specified from new but a slightly cheaper style, most mainstream insurers want to treat as a modification and either refuse cover or ramp it up by upto 20%. Appreciate there are lots of options to use a specialist insurer for a Z4 who are likely to be more understanding rgarding modifications/changes.

Not checked recently but I think the same dealer bought the Estoril Blue one ( from Devon) that was advertised on this site. Shame Estoril was only available on the later cars, as really seems to accentuate the lines of the car.

I'm with Admiral, and they only charged me the admin fee for my modifications. To be honest, if you replace with standard Z4 wheels then I don't see how they can void your insurance or refuse to pay out on a claim - how are they even going to know which Z4 wheels were specified when new?