Purchase Dilemma - E89

[Zed Five]

Hi,

i'm soon to return to the Zed fold. I'll be buying a E89 soon, but cannot decide between getting a 30 M Sport or a 35 M Sport.

The cost is not a problem for purchase. However, I normally do big commutes (200 miles per day) and therefore run up 90,000 over 3 years.

Therfore, my dilemma. - get what I want, (a 35 M Sport with DCT), or be sensible and get a 30 auto M Sport.

The reason that it's not an obvious choice is my concerns about the life of the turbos. Does anyone here have hign milege experience (good or bad) of either a 35i, or a 3 series 335i.

(my Z4s have always been impeccibly reliable, so I don't want to buy something that's just more trouble than 'Joy' )

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

[Daffy]

335 isn't a good one to ask about as alot of early 06/07 ones (the most liekly candidates for high mileage) suffered from HP fuel line failures long before they got to that mileage.

Mate has a 335d on 136k though.

Head over heart I'd get the 3.0auto....though a 35is is as quick as an ///M to 60.

[Zed Five]

Sure, it's just that. Head or heart. 30i will be as quick as my old coupe. But if I don't buy a 35 I know I could be left wanting more...

Nice problem to have, but problem nonetheless

[Nickm]

I have 17k on my 35i in one year and it's as great as ever. Only thing that will be changed are the run flats to standard gyres in about 5k miles.....

My next one will be a 35i too.....it delivers on every front....

[gannet]

I drove an 30i Auto and enjoyed it very much

later I drove a 35i DCT and it left me numb - felt much too heavy in comparison.

just my opinion.

[Zed Five]

Interesting. Haven't tried a 30i yet. I will do this at the weekend then

[All Pina]

However, I normally do big commutes (200 miles per day) and therefore run up 90,000 over 3 years. Therfore, my dilemma. - get what I want, (a 35 M Sport with DCT), or be sensible and get a 30 auto M Sport.

Petrol costs on that - yikes

I commute to the station on my Vespa (100mpg ) so I can enjoy weekend motoring in Zed. OBC says 19mpg at moment.

Chris - I said it on another thread but there are some amazing deals to be had on 35is's - mainly ex BMW staffers. You can easily get £3-4k knocked of headline price on BMWAUC.

[mcbeee]

My e89 35i has only 27,000 kms and is in the shop having the motor taken apart at this moment, supposedly it is a rare ocurrence with car, the issue arose after the BMW techs changed the fuel pump....hmmm, I wonder?

never driven a 3.0i other than in my other Z4 so can't really compare but my Z3 with the early 3.0i has 127,000 kms on it.

[braingirl]

Why 35i M sport with DCT rather than 35is??
I did the math, and the 35is ends up cheaper!! Except for insurance of course.

Is it just a cosmetic thing... Not being able to live with silver mirrors and that rear diffuser
??

[roofless]

I do 22-24k a year, my 35i has been in for work on the turbos once already and I think i may be taking her back again.

[Wondermike]

I would say with your daily commute being so high (motorway mostly?) that you wouldn't have too much trouble with the turbo engine as it will be ticking over most of the time.

Are you bothered about resale or anything? Are running costs an issue?

[IK.]

No question; it would be the 30i for me. Not only do you have the worry of the turbos, but the fuel consumption would be much higher I'd wager, as I bet you'll be on the turbos most of the time. From my experience, being on boost really screws your fuel economy.

[Nickm]

Fuel...who cares? If you did you'd buy a Smart car.....

[mason storm]

I do 22-24k a year, my 35i has been in for work on the turbos once already and I think i may be taking her back again.

That's worrying do alot of cars with the 35 engine suffer with problems?

[Obsidian]

I do 22-24k a year, my 35i has been in for work on the turbos once already and I think i may be taking her back again.

That's worrying do alot of cars with the 35 engine suffer with problems?

Put simply, turbo cars will always have some problems. Turbos, by their nature, work under extremes. Unless you are going to keep a car for a long time and are therefore likely to have to pay for a turbo replacement (i.e. out of warranty) I wouldn't worry.

The turbo on the 335i has had problems. My new 35iS may have problems but the fun I'm having driving it more than outweighs it. It's an amazing car and an amazing engine...even had the rear kick out today while cornering...never had so much fun.

As to mileage and petrol costs. This is the only time I'd say avoid the 35iS. I knew what I was getting into when I bought it and am fortunate enough not to have to worry too much when I put my toe down a bit hard but for others it could be a problem to get less than 200 miles from a tank of petrol! With your mileage, I think you need to think carefully about whether high petrol bills will taint some of your enjoyment.