WANTED E89 30i - searching for my dream car!

Wanted
Chanceschmerr

Chanceschmerr

Member
 Bristol, UK
Site Supporter
Hello all!

I'm new to the forum, and posted recently about a E85 i was looking over with some dodgy intake stuff. I thought maybe best to just post what I'm looking for here!

I'm a Canadian Naval Engineer, but posted overseas here to Bristol, UK on a military exchange. I've finally got the opportunity to find the car I've always wanted here, so on the off chance anyone has what I'm looking for, please let me know!

I'm keen for a 2009-2011 E89 Z4, with N52 engine and manual transmission (so either 23i or 30i). My hope is that the car i find won't have any substantial issues, as I intend to import it with me back to Canada after my exchange posting is over, but in the meantime I'll be driving it around the UK while I'm here. That said, minor dings/scrapes aren't necessarily a dealbreaker.

I'd prefer one without any aftermarket mods, but I'm not hard over on that necessarily, especially if its a common or recommended one.

I love a blue car (as my treasured old Tiburon was Cobalt Blue), but colour isn't a deal breaker. M Sport/Highline is preferred, but not essential.

Price? We'll I'm still learning the market here but if anyone has any possibilities for me, let me know and we can talk it through.

Thanks in advance everyone, I've learned a lot just reading up on this forum, I appreciate the assistance you've already provided!

Cheers all!

UPDATE : I removed the 23i bit from the title. I'm all in for a 30i now!
 
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I think you're making the right choice rather than grab an interim E85. I assume you'll be prepared to travel for the right one, what with the UK being smaller than the trip to your next town over there. I love Canada, even though the only bit I've seen is multiple detachments to Goose Bay. If the rest is half as good then I need to get back over there!
 
I replied on your other thread, but agree with @enuff_zed it's probably better to go straight for an E89 if that is what you really want.

The N52 is a great engine so a good choice - I'm on my 4th now, although it is in a 330i. There seem to be plenty of 23i models around, but a 30i is quite rare although probably worth seeking out if you are patient.

Good luck finding the right one. :thumbsup:
 
enuff_zed said:
I think you're making the right choice rather than grab an interim E85. I assume you'll be prepared to travel for the right one, what with the UK being smaller than the trip to your next town over there. I love Canada, even though the only bit I've seen is multiple detachments to Goose Bay. If the rest is half as good then I need to get back over there!
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Thanks mate, I absolutely am ready to travel to find the right one...and to travel once i have the right one.

Currently asking about 2 E89s, one in Blackpool and one in Nottingham...nowhere near me :rofl:

haha Goose Bay/Labrador is about as remote Canada as you'll find....but nice if you're keen on the winter stuff. I'm from Vancouver Island originally.....where the snow falls in the mountains for skiing, and leaves you alone near the coast (as it should LOL)
 
Mr Tidy said:
I replied on your other thread, but agree with @enuff_zed it's probably better to go straight for an E89 if that is what you really want.

The N52 is a great engine so a good choice - I'm on my 4th now, although it is in a 330i. There seem to be plenty of 23i models around, but a 30i is quite rare although probably worth seeking out if you are patient.

Good luck finding the right one. :thumbsup:
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Thanks mate - I agree, havn't seen much of any 30i's, except for one scammy listing in Gosport....
 
Nictrix said:
I don't think anybody has asked but why would you want a rhd car to take to Canada?
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Ahh good question!

I actually don't mind driving RHD on the right, I've done it a few times in France/Spain/Portugal with UK cars and no issues. Where I'm from on Vancouver Island, you actually see a fair amount of RHDs too, mitsubishi Delicas and other Japanese spec cars that have been imported.

Also, I'm a big fan of Caddyshack

 
Hi folks!
Mentioned in my Cat S thread elsewhere, but just to Update my ISO:

Still looking for an E89 Z4 with the N52 engine, either 2.3i or 3.0i.

Roof needs to work, and hopefully under 100k miles if possible. Leather seats a must. A colour preferred (i.e. not grey or white) but not essential.

My budget was initially up to £4,000 or so, but i can see that my budget was probably unrealistic without accepting some serious problems with the car....so I'm bumping up my potential budget up to the £5-7k range.

I appreciate any help or leads anyone can provide! I'll still keep scanning the usual spots (Auto trader/FB marketplace) but recent experiences have shown me to be cautious with these....

Thanks all!
 
Classifieds, or even auctions, on Pistonheads might be worth looking at, and sometimes you can get lucky on Gumtree if you haven't tried those.
 
Mr Tidy said:
Classifieds, or even auctions, on Pistonheads might be worth looking at, and sometimes you can get lucky on Gumtree if you haven't tried those.
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Thanks for the tips, I've started looking at Auctions as well. Nothing yet....


I also just realized i posted this in the wrong forum - it should be in the Z4 Vehicles Buy/Sell, not the Z4 Parts Buy/Sell. Epic fail.
 
Chanceschmerr said:
Still looking for an E89 Z4 with the N52 engine, either 2.3i or 3.0i.
I'm bumping up my potential budget up to the £5-7k range.
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Have look on Ebay, there are a couple on there that fit your budget and requirements https://ebay.us/m/gEa7Wv
ebay.us

2009 BMW Z4 2.5 23i sDrive Euro 5 2dr CONVERTIBLE Petrol Manual | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2009 BMW Z4 2.5 23i sDrive Euro 5 2dr CONVERTIBLE Petrol Manual at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!
ebay.us
 
Zed Baron said:
Have look on Ebay, there are a couple on there that fit your budget and requirements (the 30i is an auto, the 23i a manual): https://ebay.us/m/gEa7Wv
ebay.us

2009 BMW Z4 2.5 23i sDrive Euro 5 2dr CONVERTIBLE Petrol Manual | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2009 BMW Z4 2.5 23i sDrive Euro 5 2dr CONVERTIBLE Petrol Manual at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!
ebay.us
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Much appreciated mate, I had looked at these before but the one stick shift car there has cloth seats, so have to pass there.
 
Chanceschmerr said:
Much appreciated mate, I had looked at these before but the one stick shift car there has cloth seats, so have to pass there.
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I wouldn't be put off by that, replacement seats for the E89 are becoming V cheap (especially SE ones) and only take a couple of hours to change over, I wanted sports seats in my E89 but the car I bought had every other extra I wanted except the seats, so I changed them.
 

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Zed Baron said:
I wouldn't be put off by that, replacement seats for the E89 are becoming V cheap (especially SE ones) and only take a couple of hours to change over, I wanted sports seats in my E89 but the car I bought had every other extra I wanted except the seats, so I changed them.
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True enough, I had been thinkng about that. I used to pop the seats out of my old Tiburon to give it detailing every year so i know it's not too difficult to do.
 
Chanceschmerr said:
True enough, I had been thinkng about that. I used to pop the seats out of my old Tiburon to give it detailing every year so i know it's not too difficult to do.
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Just remember to disconnect the battery but leave the boot lid open before you do it! I've been over to the Island couple of times, I stayed in Steveston for a while.
 
Zed Baron said:
Just remember to disconnect the battery but leave the boot lid open before you do it! I've been over to the Island couple of times, I stayed in Steveston for a while.
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I miss driving around the island and lower mainland. Something I look forward to doing in whatever Z4 i end up getting and bringing back.
Although, the Malahat drive isn't the fun it used to be. They've widened it in recent years. Used to be an awesome forest mountain drive.
 
Hello, I will be selling my original 3.0 manual E89 in a few month's time when I get my E39 sorted with rebuilt engine. I am 100 miles from you.

Feel free to ask any questions. You can read my posts on here since buying from Bristol 18 months ago.
 

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