Nervous Potential E86 Buyer

brillomaster · Post by **brillomaster** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 4:35 pm

You could get a perfectly serviceable bmw e92 335i coupe for about £10k if you really wanted the n54 engine (which is understandable, its a pretty great engine)

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 5:07 pm

FelipeFlop wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 3:51 pm Is that an offer?!

Well it is (potentially) for sale if you are interested.

ponchi101 · Post by **ponchi101** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 5:42 pm

I bought my e85 BECAUSE I knew I was having a mid-life crisis and it was either the convertible or a mistress. My girlfriend understood that the bimmer was a healthier choice (cheaper too)

Only piece of advice I could add: dropping the top in an e85 is always a great feeling. And we have spoken about buying a small scanner and run it on any potential buy. They may look great on the outside but the scanner will tell you about its condition inside. A minor investment that can go a long way.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 5:54 pm

Yes I got mine just before my 68th birthday as I thought it is now or never. You don’t now how long you’ve got to play at this age.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:41 pm

FelipeFlop wrote: ↑Fri Feb 18, 2022 10:42 pm Exactly this. The coupe styling (in my eyes) is still achingly beautiful. Is there anything else in the market that performs that well, while looking that good, at this budget?

I don't think so but as I'm on my 3rd it's possible I'm slightly biased.

Anyway I bought my first one on 54K miles and kept it 2 years until 62K. The only non-consumalble it needed was a new water pump at 60K, which is partly why I sold it.

But instant regret set in so 2 days after it went I got my second one on 77K. I kept that 3 and a half years and sold it on 91K miles. Other than servicing it only needed a new A/C condensor but that was quite likely caused by road debris.

I only bought my current MC in December 2019 because prices were much lower at the time and I got it well within your budget, although as a result that also meant I got less than half your budget for my 3.0Si!

I wouldn't recommend buying an M even if you could find one in budget unless you have a slush fund as general running costs are in a different league - although if affordable an M is really special.

Personally I'd be concerned about buying any of the twin-turbo options mentioned as they can suffer some issues at this age, although TBF Pondrew's may be an exception.

Anyway I loved the N52 engine in my 3.0Sis so in 2018 I bought a 325i daily with an N52 on 132K and ran it for a year to 139K. Only non-consumable item was a dead water pump at 135K.

But it didn't perform as well as I had hoped, so in 2019 I replaced it with another N52 but a 330i this time which is now on 116K. That needed a new oil filter housing gasket.

Regardless of mileage all of them have had really smooth engines that love to rev so I don't think you need to be too nervous about them.

Good luck anyway.

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 11:18 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:41 pm Personally I'd be concerned about buying any of the twin-turbo options mentioned as they can suffer some issues at this age, although TBF Pondrew's may be an exception.

I would not like this to become a 'for sale' thread for my Alp, but two of the three major N54 issues have been sorted on mine (turbos, and HPFP). Coils are the other, but they are cheaper to address and mine are fine!

iandecjak · Post by **iandecjak** » Sun Feb 20, 2022 12:04 am

Wife purchased 2008 E86 Coupe 58K miles just before Xmas 21. Rushed purchase as she needed to replace her written off Mini Cooper S R56 and always wanted a Z4 Coupe. Lovely car although due to slight shoulder issue had to go down the Auto route but no regrets so far. Many people talk down the run flats but I can safely say they are nowhere near as harsh as on the Mini so no rush to replace with non runs. Engine pulls well and feels planted with the M suspension option fitted. Am looking to upgrade Sat Nav with single din flip or floating head unit but will have to replace DSP Amp so up to £2000 may not be worth the investment. Getting 26 mpg running around and 35 on a good run but like you only doing around 6K/yr.
There are plenty out there but you will have to move quick once you see one!!

FelipeFlop · Post by **FelipeFlop** » Sun Apr 17, 2022 9:47 pm

Update: My E86 itch has been scratched.

On Friday I collected one (gorgeous) stratus grey coupe (with amarone leather interior) and have spent a day or two getting to know her (and her foibles).

So I guess I’m now officially in the club. Am certain I’ll be popping up with questions galore over the coming days/weeks so please bear with me

FelipeFlop · Post by **FelipeFlop** » Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:40 pm

Oh… and here’s a photo…

: 1B4D38AE-D5BE-4870-A974-6B77C7E3768C.jpeg (113.15 KiB) Viewed 367 times

ponchi101 · Post by **ponchi101** » Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:49 pm

Hell of a way to scratch an itch

That's a beauty. Enjoy it for a long time.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:03 pm

Great car, well done mate.

N4LLY · Post by **N4LLY** » Mon Apr 18, 2022 12:03 pm

Congrat's enjoy

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