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23is auto performance

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
lavy1966
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23is auto performance

Post by lavy1966 » Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:13 pm

Hi all im going to view a forum members car on saturday ,looks to be a well maitained car but one of my concerns is wether it will be fast enough .Having had quite a few prety fast turbo cars in the past ,i really want a straight 6 .cheers

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Smartbear
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23is auto performance

Post by Smartbear » Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:08 pm

lavy1966 wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:13 pm Hi all im going to view a forum members car on saturday ,looks to be a well maitained car but one of my concerns is wether it will be fast enough .Having had quite a few prety fast turbo cars in the past ,i really want a straight 6 .cheers
Hi, if performance is important you should get the 30i, it’s got a fair amount more torque than the 23i.
Just my opinion of course :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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23is auto performance

Post by Silverstar » Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:11 pm

As per what Smartbear says if performance is important to you then the 30i will be a better bet, much more power and same running costs. One of the reasons why I got one!
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

lavy1966
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23is auto performance

Post by lavy1966 » Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:29 pm

Ok thanks,got a three 23is's to try this week so i guess ill see if its fast enough .Just out of interest how would it compare to a hot hatch like a gti golf.cheers

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maxman
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Post by maxman » Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:39 pm

The 6cyl BMW 2.5 engine is a sweet reving motor,if you want something for track days ,go for a 35i,or 35is.

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23is auto performance

Post by Smartbear » Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:40 pm

lavy1966 wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:29 pm Ok thanks,got a three 23is's to try this week so i guess ill see if its fast enough .Just out of interest how would it compare to a hot hatch like a gti golf.cheers
A modern turbocharged golf? It won’t have anything like the torque they produce & will need revving harder to get the performance. How are you planning on driving the z4, are you a nutter or happy to cruise around? :?
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

lavy1966
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23is auto performance

Post by lavy1966 » Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:59 pm

Ive just parted with a 2yr old seat leon fr & ive owned numerous turbo charged hot hatches amongst other cars .I had a fiat coupe 20v turbo a few yrs ago with a couple of mods done & it was prety quick ,im not expecting anything as quick as that but dont think i could live with anything slower than the fr ive just parted with .I dont drive like a nutter but i do like to drive fast ocasionaly .Ive limited my budget to 8k as im going to buy another car to use for work ect.I do like the look of coupes but just fancied a newer e89 so i can have the best of both worlds, theres just very few 3l cars available in my price range & im getting fed up waiting for a new car .Started out looking for a decent soft top but thought about it & a e89 better suited my needs.cheers

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Post by IRD » Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:08 pm

The E89 is generally regarded as more of a cruiser than an out and out sport’s car. I had 2.3msport a few years ago and now have a 3.5is. The 2.3 was smooth and easy to drive and quick enough to be enjoyable but not exceptionally fast. The 3.5is is much quicker off the mark but still suffers with the usual E89 limitations. The characteristics of the car suit me fine and meet my needs but it is not really as sporting as it’s predecessor the E85. The only way to know whether the E89 will meet your expectations is to drive one. I hope you find what you want but I suspect it might not be a 2.3 E89. :roll:

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Mr_Magoo
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23is auto performance

Post by Mr_Magoo » Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:12 pm

Hey I have that model, and have to be honest you won't be leaving hot hatches behind, in fact the new breed will likely stomp all over ya in the 23. It's a cruiser not a beast like any of the 35 models. I'd say if you can find one of the 3 litre sixes then go for that, way better torque than mine.

Have to be honest if performance is important then you won't be happy with the 23, especially the auto as its slower than the manual, but try one yourself and see.

Cheers

M
23sDrive Sapphire Black, Auto, pure white interior


Previous : E852.5 Si manual.

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Mr Tidy
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23is auto performance

Post by Mr Tidy » Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:44 pm

I've not owned an E89, but I've had a 3 Series with the 2.5 litre engine and found it wasn't that quick - so I replaced it with a 3 litre!

I think you might find a 23i disappointing - you could always buy my E86 3.0Si. :lol:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

lavy1966
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23is auto performance

Post by lavy1966 » Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:46 pm

Im am tempted Mr Tidy :)

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golfgeezer
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Post by golfgeezer » Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:56 pm

Mr Tidy’s E86 looks a very good buy if you’re shopping in that price range. Still a great shape in my eyes and a good exterior/interior colour combo. I like it a lot but I like Mr Wilks’ 997 better. 8)

If a folding roof isn’t a must then it should be on your short list :thumbsup:
BMW E85 3.0si - Montego blue, champagne nappa
BMW E86 3.0si - Titanium Silver. ZHP, graphite MV4’s - Gone
BMW E89 2.0i sDrive manual in VO. M sport LCI - Gone

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Post by flybobbie » Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:57 pm

I have the manual 23i, i would try both a manual and auto before you buy. I think my manual would be slower than the auto due to the crappy notchy gearbox. The car is more of a cruiser and would suit an auto box.
When i test drove my car i said to the BMW salesperson as we drove, typical notchy BMW gearbox, he just smiled.
And occasionally it does embarrass me by not going into 1st gear at the lights.
I usually go 1st to 3rd until the box warms up a bit.
Thought i had left that behind in the 80's with my TR7.
Does anyone own a manual with a slick box or are they all the same.
All the French vehicles i have owned had slick gearboxes.

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maxman
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23is auto performance

Post by maxman » Mon Jan 06, 2020 11:17 pm

My e89 23i gearbox is night and day better than the 3.0 e85 I owned.The car has done 56k,I'm worried if I change the gearbox oil it will spoil the gearchange as at the moment it's perfect.

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Zed Baron
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23is auto performance

Post by Zed Baron » Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:10 am

Make sure you press the sport button when you test drive it (hopefully it hasn't got runflats).
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