E89 to E86?

E

Erudite-Idiot

Member
 Esholt - Yorkshire
Site Supporter
This is something I am contemplating for a few reasons and I would appreciate the input of others.

Before I bought the E89 last year, I took the wife to Cramag (local BMW specialist) to get her input on an E89 - and because without that approval my life would not be a happy one :)

Now she sat in an E86 and immediately loved it, but the aim was the convertible.

Now, the E89 is lovely, works perfectly (after new tyres and full suspension refresh) and does look good.
But an E86 is a better drivers car (and we are both keen drivers) and it is such a pretty thing!
She saw one at the weekend and has made it clear she wants to try one out properly.
Alas we cannot afford both, so it is one or the other.

So, aside from being a very nice convertible (albeit with the dread of the bong of doom whenever you press the roof button), what are the benefits of the E89 over the E86?

I ask as I am struggling to think of many...

Thanks one and all.
 
Probably better chassis/body rust resistance? My wife's E92 is much cleaner than my E86 was underneath.

More modern interior/crash safety.

More upgrade/power routes (depending on the engine choice in the E89)
 
I have loved my e86s that have passed through casa Winn

Brilliant cars

Would I have an e89- after working on 25 odd roofs: it’s a resounding no. They are too detached in driving experience for me- I prefer the e85/6 driving experience too much

The one issue I have with the 86 is that when the weather is good, you reach for the open roof buttons to be met with disappointment

Why not get an e85 3.0si?
 
bigwinn said:
I have loved my e86s that have passed through casa Winn

Brilliant cars

Would I have an e89- after working on 25 odd roofs: it’s a resounding no. They are too detached in driving experience for me- I prefer the e85/6 driving experience too much

The one issue I have with the 86 is that when the weather is good, you reach for the open roof buttons to be met with disappointment

Why not get an e85 3.0si?
Click to expand...

Because all convertibles I have driven still have the same problem of feeling compromised with the roof down.
Or to use the wife's parlance, why do all convertibles rattle (granted she is pedantic and it is vastly improved with the suspension done)?

Oh and for context, mine is a 2011 30i manual MSport.
If I decide to go for an E86, the manual 3.0si is the only choice - because I am not brave enough to have an M! 🫣
 
Erudite-Idiot said:
Or to use the wife's parlance, why do all convertibles rattle
Click to expand...
F33s don't rattle. But they are the size of a coal barge and just as heavy.

I admit that the constant squeaks, creaks and rattles in all the BMW verts I have had (and have) are bloody annoying.
 
Interesting thread. I have an E86 and love it, but was considering the move to an E89, minimum 3.0. I would prefer a 35i or even a 35is, but they may be a bit out of my reach.
 
Erudite-Idiot said:
Because all convertibles I have driven still have the same problem of feeling compromised with the roof down.
Or to use the wife's parlance, why do all convertibles rattle (granted she is pedantic and it is vastly improved with the suspension done)?

Oh and for context, mine is a 2011 30i manual MSport.
If I decide to go for an E86, the manual 3.0si is the only choice - because I am not brave enough to have an M! 🫣
Click to expand...
E85 /E86 /E89 - 3.0 N52 is the sweet spot in the range for performance, reliability and cost across all of those. I love my Alpina, but they’re rare and, so, expensive compared to E85 3.0Si
 
Wildfire said:
Interesting thread. I have an E86 and love it, but was considering the move to an E89, minimum 3.0. I would prefer a 35i or even a 35is, but they may be a bit out of my reach.
Click to expand...

The 35i or 35is are generally cheaper (at the same age) than the 30i.
It is, as others have said, due to the desirability of the N52 engine compared to the N54.
Oh and there appear to be more of the N54 powered ones available than the 30i.
That said, the 35i, even in standard tune, is noticeably quicker.

That availability once again becomes an issue if I do end up going for the 3.0si E86.
On the plus side, at least I am not looking for (can't afford) an Alpina!
 
True-Blue said:
E85 /E86 /E89 - 3.0 N52 is the sweet spot in the range for performance, reliability and cost across all of those. I love my Alpina, but they’re rare and, so, expensive compared to E85 3.0Si
Click to expand...
I think the first question has to be how often have you driven your E89 with the top down, and would you miss that? (It sounds like your wife might not)!

Totally agree with True-Blue about the 3 litre N52 being the sweet spot having loved them in my Coupes so much my 330i daily has one - but I just had to scratch that M itch regardless of cost. :LOL:

But for some reason they are quite hard to find. Maybe with E85s most buyers were happy with a 2.2 or 2.5 while those seeking ultimate performance bought an M, as less than 700 manual 3.0Si Roadsters came to the UK. There were over 2,000 manual 3.0Si Coupes but then Coupes only came as 3 litres (or Ms)!

30i E89s seem rare too, but probably because the 23i was the base model and anyone seeking power bought a 35i or 35is.

Maybe you need to take your wife and go and try an E86.
 
It sounds like you want a car which is more "driver focused" so the E86 is the right car.

E89 is more of a luxury cruiser. It doesn't handle brilliant, but it’s decent for chilling, rather than pushing it around each corner.

I don’t get what people are doing on the roads to need any more out of a car than an E89, you are talking seconds better performance over any journey.

You could try an E92 M3 for something genuinely different. I suppose the noise and theatre of it makes it worth it!

I bet some E86s still rattle and squeak.
The engines are not bullet proof, I had one which self destructed. Luckily I got a refund!!
Was a beautiful car for the 10 mins I owned it though.

They are both labelled Z4 but very different cars.
 
Erudite-Idiot said:
The 35i or 35is are generally cheaper (at the same age) than the 30i.
It is, as others have said, due to the desirability of the N52 engine compared to the N54.
Oh and there appear to be more of the N54 powered ones available than the 30i.
That said, the 35i, even in standard tune, is noticeably quicker.

That availability once again becomes an issue if I do end up going for the 3.0si E86.
On the plus side, at least I am not looking for (can't afford) an Alpina!
Click to expand...
Interesting, I haven't looked into it much but assumed the turbo ones would command a much bigger prices.

So is the N54 not that reliable?
 
Wildfire said:
Interesting, I haven't looked into it much but assumed the turbo ones would command a much bigger prices.

So is the N54 not that reliable?
Click to expand...
The potential for four figure repair bills has taken the shine of the N54 for many..and with the pre 2015 cam chain issues on the N20 its making folks re look at the 23i and 30i..but only a small proportion sold in the UK were 30i
 
I have an E89 3.0 Msport like the OP and a E86 (albeit the M variant). The E89 is lovely, it has a convertible top, it’s smooth and it can hustle. It’s also a quite comfy and it’s a veritable cruiser (on 19” wheels without run flats). It’s also looks the dogs wotsits in MSport spec with the big wheels. But it isn’t a drivers car. It’s a GT.

The ZM E86 is a lot more fun, a lot harder work and makes you smile a lot more. This is a lot S54 related - which you won’t have with an Si - but it’s still better to drive. The E86 is more intimate, smaller, more willing and is nearly as good inside if spec’d correctly.

So if you are a driver but the E86 (condition dependent of course). But if you really want to drive then of course other cars are available ( eg Cayman)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom