WANTED E89 30i or 35i Manual

[chaz_]

Hi there

I’m looking to join the Z4 community!

After a lot of research I’ve decided on either a 30i or a 35i. I like the 30i because of its reliability, however I’m swaying more towards a 35i and aiming for a newer than 2013 model because of the facelift, more durable convertible mechanism and of course the N54 but I do have some reliability concerns. I’m not really bothered about colour as I think the car looks great in any, however I love the look of Valencia Orange. I would prefer one with IDrive as well. My budget is ideally under 14k but can stretch for the perfect car.

Many thanks

[B21]

Welcome..enjoy your search…FWIW there never was a strengthened roof mechanism fitted to E89s..a 4 th control valve was fitted to preclude certain failure options ..which ironically of all roof failure modes never seem to appear..

A facelift aka LCI and a 30o are oxymoronic..as the 30i was phased out a year before the LCI..

The facelift had de minimus changes..

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum and good luck finding the right Z4.

And don't forget to post photos once you have one!

[Johnbmwz4]

I have a 3.5i manual 63 reg with BMW warranty that doesn’t get used much so been thinking about selling. I’ll send you a PM

[chaz_]

Welcome..enjoy your search…FWIW there never was a strengthened roof mechanism fitted to E89s..a 4 th control valve was fitted to preclude certain failure options ..which ironically of all roof failure modes never seem to appear..

A facelift aka LCI and a 30o are oxymoronic..as the 30i was phased out a year before the LCI..

The facelift had de minimus changes..

Ok interesting thanks for the info! I read somewhere that with pre-2013 models they made the roof mechanism more sturdy so it could handle going up and down at 30mph, not sure if that correct though. So would you say year isn’t really a factor to worry about? I seem to remember someone saying the made the engine in the 35i more sturdy as well, again not sure if this is correct

[B21]

Welcome..enjoy your search…FWIW there never was a strengthened roof mechanism fitted to E89s..a 4 th control valve was fitted to preclude certain failure options ..which ironically of all roof failure modes never seem to appear..

A facelift aka LCI and a 30o are oxymoronic..as the 30i was phased out a year before the LCI..

The facelift had de minimus changes..

Ok interesting thanks for the info! I read somewhere that with pre-2013 models they made the roof mechanism more sturdy so it could handle going up and down at 30mph, not sure if that correct though. So would you say year isn’t really a factor to worry about? I seem to remember someone saying the made the engine in the 35i more sturdy as well, again not sure if this is correct

There is mostly marketing fluff ..I call it bollocks..

The roof mechanism coding was changed over time from allowing the roof to be operated only stationary progressively faster..you can retro code it..there never was any structural changes in the roof and in fact AFAIK any where else..

35i core engine in the E89 was never tweaked..the HPFP and the injectors were revised a few times..

The LCI changed the plastic trim around the switches..having spent a full day examining this trim I personally wouldn’t be phased either way..the headlights had a LED eyebrow, the DRLs went LED and there was a new side indicator ..LED based..

A general truism is that the newer cars have later versions of some of the electronic modules and tend to be sold with more ‘options’..

I’d recommend buying on condition and goodies first..next mileage then age..generally the E89 wears its age and mileage well..

Enjoy your search..

[nick_l]

I’m possibly going to be listing my manual 35i up soon as I’m starting a hunt for something a bit more practical and with a v8