Scunthorpe
Hello everyone! 
I finally decided to join your forum.
For the last 4 years I’ve been completely in love with the BMW Z-series.
I’ve always been a BMW enthusiast, but my adventure with the Z started… completely by accident
It was 2021, right after Easter. On Easter Sunday I managed to crash my VW CC (great timing, I know
). A few days later we were flying out on holiday, and on the way back to the UK, browsing cars on my phone, I stumbled on an E85 with the M54B25.
I looked at my wife and said: “Summer is coming… maybe we should buy a little toy for a few months?”
And like she usually does with my weird ideas, she just said: “Sure, buy it — let’s try a cabrio for the summer.”
The car wasn’t expensive and needed a lot of love, but at that time I only cared about the driving experience.
And the moment I sat in it and took it for the first ride… boom. Instant chemistry. ❤
Of course, me being me — a few days later it rained, I turned off traction control, tried to have some fun on roundabouts… and had a close encounter with a plastic pole
. Front bumper and fender took the hit. Didn’t feel great. But I repaired everything.
I drove that car for over a year, but I’ll be honest — it didn’t have an easy life with me
But I finally understood why everyone calls the M54 “bulletproof”.
Eventually more and more things needed fixing, I changed jobs, started doing 60 miles a day, and decided I needed something in better mechanical shape.
So… what did I buy?
Yes — another E85
Same silver colour, lower mileage, better maintained, heated sport seats, bigger wheels… and AND — a FULL STRAIGHT PIPE.
Yes, you read that correctly. I daily-drove 60 miles a day, 5 days a week, for 2 years… on a full straight pipe. Top down? Incredible. Roof closed in winter? Let’s say… “unique atmosphere inside”
Car was slammed to the ground, too — so I learned a whole new driving skillset thanks to UK speed bumps
But the amount of attention the car got, especially from young lads — that always brought back memories of when Ifirst saw a BMW E39 back in Poland as a teenager. That moment made me a BMW fan forever.
But as every adventure eventually ends, this one ended too. A ripped driveshaft support and torn mounting points forced me to look for something more comfortable and slightly less thirsty.
You’ll never guess what I bought…
Yep — my current BMW E89 35i
Why? Because my wife literally said: “What do you mean we’re not having a Z for the summer?!”
What could I do? I had to buy it
I searched for a long time. This time I had a list of conditions.
Finally I found the one, owned by a real enthusiast who treated it like a jewel. The car is beautifully cared for, great spec, and some really tasteful mods:
Servicing was done properly — not the BMW “longlife” nonsense, but every 6k miles max. I couldn’t say no.
The only thing I knew I’d have to replace eventually were the injectors — 75k miles on the clock.
And indeed, a few weeks ago I installed six brand new BMW index-12 injectors, thinking ahead about some future power upgrades
Also new Bosch spark plugs.
I also refreshed the whole rear braking system: Brembo ceramic pads, carriers, pins, every rubber seal — everything new.
And installed new EPB motors (Autofren Seinsa).
Plus a small cosmetic touch: BMW LED door projectors + Facelift indicators
.
Ah, and yes — I also bought private plates for this beauty
The previous owner had a short 5-character plate and I really liked the look, so I finally decided to get one myself. I always wanted to do it anyway
Every character actually means something personal:
Unfortunately, a few days ago I got a sad reminder of what E89 owners know too well:
the infamous right-rear tail light seal leak
Water found its way into the PDC module and roof/boot control module.
The previous owner kept it in a garage, so he had no idea. And as we all know: electronics + water = ✝
So now I’m after replacing both modules with good used ones. Lesson learned — and yes, it wasn’t a happy moment.
Plans for next year?
If the turbos allow it, aim for 420–450 hp.
If anything stands in the way — I’ll fix it first and tune later. Also planning a new thermostat and a few other small things, but that’s the 2026 plan.
For now I still drive 60 miles every day and honestly — I really like this car.
BUT BUT… I’ll admit something: with the E85 it was love, with the E89 it’s “positive feelings”
So who knows… maybe I’ll return to the Z4M one day. It’s definitely on my mind…
Anyway — I’ll keep you updated on whatever decisions I make.
Ending this long chaotic intro, but really — where else could I briefly tell the whole story of my love affair with the Z-series?
Cheers everyone,
Krystian
I finally decided to join your forum.
For the last 4 years I’ve been completely in love with the BMW Z-series.
I’ve always been a BMW enthusiast, but my adventure with the Z started… completely by accident
It was 2021, right after Easter. On Easter Sunday I managed to crash my VW CC (great timing, I know
). A few days later we were flying out on holiday, and on the way back to the UK, browsing cars on my phone, I stumbled on an E85 with the M54B25.I looked at my wife and said: “Summer is coming… maybe we should buy a little toy for a few months?”
And like she usually does with my weird ideas, she just said: “Sure, buy it — let’s try a cabrio for the summer.”
The car wasn’t expensive and needed a lot of love, but at that time I only cared about the driving experience.
And the moment I sat in it and took it for the first ride… boom. Instant chemistry. ❤
Of course, me being me — a few days later it rained, I turned off traction control, tried to have some fun on roundabouts… and had a close encounter with a plastic pole
. Front bumper and fender took the hit. Didn’t feel great. But I repaired everything.I drove that car for over a year, but I’ll be honest — it didn’t have an easy life with me
But I finally understood why everyone calls the M54 “bulletproof”.
Eventually more and more things needed fixing, I changed jobs, started doing 60 miles a day, and decided I needed something in better mechanical shape.
So… what did I buy?
Yes — another E85
Same silver colour, lower mileage, better maintained, heated sport seats, bigger wheels… and AND — a FULL STRAIGHT PIPE.Yes, you read that correctly. I daily-drove 60 miles a day, 5 days a week, for 2 years… on a full straight pipe. Top down? Incredible. Roof closed in winter? Let’s say… “unique atmosphere inside”
Car was slammed to the ground, too — so I learned a whole new driving skillset thanks to UK speed bumps
But the amount of attention the car got, especially from young lads — that always brought back memories of when Ifirst saw a BMW E39 back in Poland as a teenager. That moment made me a BMW fan forever.
But as every adventure eventually ends, this one ended too. A ripped driveshaft support and torn mounting points forced me to look for something more comfortable and slightly less thirsty.
You’ll never guess what I bought…
Yep — my current BMW E89 35i
Why? Because my wife literally said: “What do you mean we’re not having a Z for the summer?!”
What could I do? I had to buy it
I searched for a long time. This time I had a list of conditions.
Finally I found the one, owned by a real enthusiast who treated it like a jewel. The car is beautifully cared for, great spec, and some really tasteful mods:
- BC Racing coilovers
- Direnza cold air intake + filter
- Wagner FMIC
- Milltek exhaust, decat (cats deleted)
- SmartTOP by Mods4Cars
- Custom alloys
Servicing was done properly — not the BMW “longlife” nonsense, but every 6k miles max. I couldn’t say no.
The only thing I knew I’d have to replace eventually were the injectors — 75k miles on the clock.
And indeed, a few weeks ago I installed six brand new BMW index-12 injectors, thinking ahead about some future power upgrades
Also new Bosch spark plugs.I also refreshed the whole rear braking system: Brembo ceramic pads, carriers, pins, every rubber seal — everything new.
And installed new EPB motors (Autofren Seinsa).
Plus a small cosmetic touch: BMW LED door projectors + Facelift indicators
.
Ah, and yes — I also bought private plates for this beauty
The previous owner had a short 5-character plate and I really liked the look, so I finally decided to get one myself. I always wanted to do it anyway
Every character actually means something personal:
- KN — my initials,
- DN — my wife’s initials (and yes, she’s always in the passenger seat — order fully intentional ),
- 5 — the day we got married.
Unfortunately, a few days ago I got a sad reminder of what E89 owners know too well:
the infamous right-rear tail light seal leak
Water found its way into the PDC module and roof/boot control module.
The previous owner kept it in a garage, so he had no idea. And as we all know: electronics + water = ✝
So now I’m after replacing both modules with good used ones. Lesson learned — and yes, it wasn’t a happy moment.
Plans for next year?
If the turbos allow it, aim for 420–450 hp.
If anything stands in the way — I’ll fix it first and tune later. Also planning a new thermostat and a few other small things, but that’s the 2026 plan.
For now I still drive 60 miles every day and honestly — I really like this car.
BUT BUT… I’ll admit something: with the E85 it was love, with the E89 it’s “positive feelings”
So who knows… maybe I’ll return to the Z4M one day. It’s definitely on my mind…
Anyway — I’ll keep you updated on whatever decisions I make.
Ending this long chaotic intro, but really — where else could I briefly tell the whole story of my love affair with the Z-series?
Cheers everyone,
Krystian
Scottish Borders
