Is G29 a worthy upgrade from the E89?
- Thread starter javis20
- Start date
Attleborough, Norfolk
Don't be pleasing the crowd though. You need to be pleasing yourself!
Scottish Borders
The eternal and now final question since there will never be another Z4 as we know it…
When I had my much fettled 20i MSport I looked at the G29..M30i and M40i..
I had a M40i out for a weekend ..the 30i just for an afternoon.
I spend quite a bit of time on Z road trips with a few M40i s
My view…?
Technically the G29 as you would expect is better in most respects…
It handles better
They go better
Auto is a fab box..similar to N20 auto box
It’s roomier in the cabin
Much much bigger boot
Lots more tech
Nicer ride than an E89
BMW can service it as it’s a parts bin of current G series cars
Engines are more reliable thsn the N20 and N54
For me the negatives are largely emotive
I think it looks pretty ugly
Several faux styling issues
Hard to distinguish from many other G series cars
It looks bigger and less nimble…it is bigger..the nimble bit is so so
Although more reliable the cloth top up looks pretty naff
Poor 3/4 visibility roof up
Fake engine noise fed through the speakers
The tech doesn’t do much for me..looks a bit bolted on / copied from a parts store
As I said emotive reasons
As an alternative to a daily a great choice
I don’t think it will age well…
When I had my much fettled 20i MSport I looked at the G29..M30i and M40i..
I had a M40i out for a weekend ..the 30i just for an afternoon.
I spend quite a bit of time on Z road trips with a few M40i s
My view…?
Technically the G29 as you would expect is better in most respects…
It handles better
They go better
Auto is a fab box..similar to N20 auto box
It’s roomier in the cabin
Much much bigger boot
Lots more tech
Nicer ride than an E89
BMW can service it as it’s a parts bin of current G series cars
Engines are more reliable thsn the N20 and N54
For me the negatives are largely emotive
I think it looks pretty ugly
Several faux styling issues
Hard to distinguish from many other G series cars
It looks bigger and less nimble…it is bigger..the nimble bit is so so
Although more reliable the cloth top up looks pretty naff
Poor 3/4 visibility roof up
Fake engine noise fed through the speakers
The tech doesn’t do much for me..looks a bit bolted on / copied from a parts store
As I said emotive reasons
As an alternative to a daily a great choice
I don’t think it will age well…
Upgrade in what sense? How do you intend to use it?
Having said that, your wife is ‘suggesting’ you upgrade…. Do you know how many people would love to be in your position!
Go and drive one, preferably at a BMW main dealer, and take her with you. I came pretty close to buying an M4 Comp convertible because she ‘really liked the colour’ of the one in the showroom. I stuck with the G29 because the M4 is frankly massive and would have left an even bigger hole in my bank account.
Anyway, she’s opening the door for you… Don’t waste the opportunity
Just to add, when the G29 came out I wasn’t keen, ‘round but square’. However, The E85’s looks were thought ‘odd’ at launch and it’s loved by many now. The G29 has really grown on me, the interior is higher quality than the previous generations, the B58 is fantastic, I think it will age just fine.
Having said that, your wife is ‘suggesting’ you upgrade…. Do you know how many people would love to be in your position!
Go and drive one, preferably at a BMW main dealer, and take her with you. I came pretty close to buying an M4 Comp convertible because she ‘really liked the colour’ of the one in the showroom. I stuck with the G29 because the M4 is frankly massive and would have left an even bigger hole in my bank account.
Anyway, she’s opening the door for you… Don’t waste the opportunity
Just to add, when the G29 came out I wasn’t keen, ‘round but square’. However, The E85’s looks were thought ‘odd’ at launch and it’s loved by many now. The G29 has really grown on me, the interior is higher quality than the previous generations, the B58 is fantastic, I think it will age just fine.
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Like True Blue I wasn’t keen on the G29 when it first came out. But I would be happy to own one now. As others have said there is a step up in quality which you can’t ignore. But I think it also depends on the sort of motoring you intend to do. If you are going to pile on the miles then I think it’s a no brainer. In my case. Only driving my E89 a few thousand miles a year and in the best weather. I couldn’t justify the cost of the G29. If something goes wrong it will stay in the garage until such time as Bigwin (Stuart) can spare the time to repair it.
However, if it was my main car I think it more than likely it would be a G29 I would choose. Generally those that have them seem really pleased with their purchase and in most ways I think they are a step up.
However, if it was my main car I think it more than likely it would be a G29 I would choose. Generally those that have them seem really pleased with their purchase and in most ways I think they are a step up.
I upgraded from my lovely E89 to a 3.0L M40i 8 months ago & I'm mostly happy with it.
The biggest annoyance is the LOUD engine noise, both inside the cabin & externally to annoy everyone when I come home late at night.
The performance is mindblowing when you floor the throttle in Sport mode!
The biggest annoyance is the LOUD engine noise, both inside the cabin & externally to annoy everyone when I come home late at night.
The performance is mindblowing when you floor the throttle in Sport mode!
Scotland 🏴
When I sold new cars we had a term BMWW ( brave man without wife), great that your wife's on board. Go and drive a G29, make sure its has all the whistles and bells (accessories).
I have to agree with B21. While the G29 is objectively better in nearly all respects, unless you are okay that it’s a parts bin rehash of a 3 series (and all that implies) then you might be disappointed. And also the styling is at best contrived. But some of course love it and in isolation … and in time … etc.
In reality, the E89 isn’t a great car either but it does have unique styling inside and out and it is better built. I looked hard at the G29 when looking to buy and the number of areas under the bonnet and inside where I found it more flimsy was enough to make me walk away. And the interior looks great until you delve harder and realise that (like newer MercS) it all looks good but isn’t quite as good as what went before.
In reality, the E89 isn’t a great car either but it does have unique styling inside and out and it is better built. I looked hard at the G29 when looking to buy and the number of areas under the bonnet and inside where I found it more flimsy was enough to make me walk away. And the interior looks great until you delve harder and realise that (like newer MercS) it all looks good but isn’t quite as good as what went before.
Wouldn't agree.Be nice not to have the constant roof worry though.
It's different, but also much more expensive if sth. doesn't work anymore. I.e. none of the roof sensors is available for replacement.
I've been on this forum long enough to remember the debates/comments when the E89 replaced the E85. It generally got slated.
Now listen to us
I was in a similar place to the OP. I was going to change my 2012 E89 for a last production one. Decided against it in the end. Mainly because my dislike for the look of the G29 slowly changed. I was also of an age when my opinions on auto's were based on my dad's 3 speed Ford Corsair
A Sunday run out in a mates 118 changed all that.
I haven't regretted it for a minute. As much as I loved the E89 (by the time I sold it, it was the oldest car I'd ever owned, and longest kept), the G29 is a big step forward IMO.
I would concur with many of the points above, particularly B21s positives (not all the negatives
)
Oh, and that Sport button! It should just have a big smilie face on it.
Now listen to us
I was in a similar place to the OP. I was going to change my 2012 E89 for a last production one. Decided against it in the end. Mainly because my dislike for the look of the G29 slowly changed. I was also of an age when my opinions on auto's were based on my dad's 3 speed Ford Corsair
A Sunday run out in a mates 118 changed all that.
I haven't regretted it for a minute. As much as I loved the E89 (by the time I sold it, it was the oldest car I'd ever owned, and longest kept), the G29 is a big step forward IMO.
I would concur with many of the points above, particularly B21s positives (not all the negatives
)Oh, and that Sport button! It should just have a big smilie face on it.
Slightly off topic…
Although the naming convention Z4 implies continuity there is in reality a big break between the E85/E89 and the G29..
The E85/E89 were part of that E46/E80/E90 generation sharing so many design ideas and often parts..if modified a tad..
The G29 as its name implies is really two generations on from those cars…completely different design in almost all aspects with just one similar ZF8HP gearbox linking the E89 and G29.
From the tens of thousands of miles, thousands of hours, months of time I’ve spent mixing mostly with E85/E86/E89 on countless road trips and outings despite folks saying they are very different the E85/E89 go/stop/handle in very very similar ways.
The G29 is a class step change apart.
What is very sad I’d, at this time , there appears that there will never be another BMW roadster as we know it..
So for that reason alone maybe despite what I’ve said , and especially if you don’t want the potential grief of maintaining a 20 year old design car then it’s not a bad decision!
Although the naming convention Z4 implies continuity there is in reality a big break between the E85/E89 and the G29..
The E85/E89 were part of that E46/E80/E90 generation sharing so many design ideas and often parts..if modified a tad..
The G29 as its name implies is really two generations on from those cars…completely different design in almost all aspects with just one similar ZF8HP gearbox linking the E89 and G29.
From the tens of thousands of miles, thousands of hours, months of time I’ve spent mixing mostly with E85/E86/E89 on countless road trips and outings despite folks saying they are very different the E85/E89 go/stop/handle in very very similar ways.
The G29 is a class step change apart.
What is very sad I’d, at this time , there appears that there will never be another BMW roadster as we know it..
So for that reason alone maybe despite what I’ve said , and especially if you don’t want the potential grief of maintaining a 20 year old design car then it’s not a bad decision!
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We could, in theory, keep our E89.
It’s great in many respects, especially real world daily useability vs fun vs cost to buy and run.
If I was being forced to ditch one of the Alpina, E89 or G29 - it would be the E89 that would go. The Alpina is analogue, raw and fast, the G29 is more refined, modern and very fast, but still very good when pressing on.
If I could only have one then heart says keep the Alpina and head says keep the G29. I hope I never have to make that choice!
None of them truly compare to how you can pilot a Cayman or Boxster down a winding B road flat out, but you’re talking a very small percentage of the time that you can do that these days anyway
It’s great in many respects, especially real world daily useability vs fun vs cost to buy and run.
If I was being forced to ditch one of the Alpina, E89 or G29 - it would be the E89 that would go. The Alpina is analogue, raw and fast, the G29 is more refined, modern and very fast, but still very good when pressing on.
If I could only have one then heart says keep the Alpina and head says keep the G29. I hope I never have to make that choice!
None of them truly compare to how you can pilot a Cayman or Boxster down a winding B road flat out, but you’re talking a very small percentage of the time that you can do that these days anyway
Is your exhaust modified at all? I’m surprised your neighbours are upset by it unless you’re giving it beans all the way to your front door. Pop it in comfort mode half a mile from home and ease up on the warp drive peddle
I agree True-blue on the E89 being the obvious choice when the cull needs to happen. I am sadly in the position that I do have at least one too many cars and one will need to go at some stage. And for me it’s the E89 but then I look at it and say “can’t sell that”. Then I look at my ZM and think exactly the same. And I keep on going around in circles……
I think Peter is bang on the money here. It feels like the G29 is the furthest away from what the E85/86 started as and has evolved to be more of an SLK alternative than ever before. Arguably the E89 was going that way but as Peter points out, it shared underpinnings of the cars the E85/86 were based on, even if slightly modified and with a bit of E90.
For me, if I wanted a new convertible, I’d be looking at a 2 or 4 series.