Advice buying between a S23i vs S20i/S18i for my first Zed

[Fraudiola01]

Hello guys, this is my first post here. I am interested in buying my first Zed(and BMW actually) but I am in a bit of a dilemma.

My budget is around 15k €, and sadly on mainland Europe prices are not as low as in the UK.

Anyways, I have found a number of mostly S20i/S18i and S23i around my budget. The inline 6 does speak to me because I feel like it would feel more special for a weekend car, but it would also be slower than my daily driver which feels weird for a fun car.


The s18i/S20i has a lot more power with a simple remap, and have heard the driving characteristics are better due to the lower weight upfront.
On the other hand, I have heard some horror stories about the N20 motor, and I can’t find any post 2015 with the refined camchain within my budget.

Regarding this, I also don’t know what mileage I should go for. On the one hand I could search for a high mileage( 100k miles+) N20 that had its chain done, or find a 50-70k one and just budget for it(or maybe by now most of them have already had it?)

I have also found a S23i with 40k mileage and a well kept car, though it does lack some of the specs I wished it had such as the sport seats, auto climate control, and iDrive. On the other hand, it is a one-owner car and well kept.

Which way to go?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum.

I've always thought a straight 6 was one of the Z4s unique features, but I can understand why you'd want your fun car to have more performance than your daily driver!

It's not easy to decide where to compromise, and you probably don't have too many cars to chose from but personally I reckon the 30i offers the best compromise - if you can find one. The upside of the 23i and 30i with the N52 engine is that they seem pretty bulletproof so mileage isn't a concern.

Anyway this may be worth a read.

Thread 'So which model of E89 is the best one to buy?'

Oct 4, 2025

Tired with endless newbie's request for the best model of E89 to buy?

Thought I'd try and ATTEMPT to rationalise it..

Discuss!

• B21
• Replies: 54
• Forum: E89 Z4 discussion

• 

 

[Fraudiola01]

Sadly the 3.0 is not an option for my budget, not at reasonable mileages, and the insurance is 3x that of the 23i anyway in my country.

So far I am leaning towards the 6 cylinder because I feel like my first BMW should be an inline-six but I can’t lie that I still daily check the markets for a low mileage and well maintained N20.

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's a shame, but I know we are spoilt with used car prices in the UK compared to most other places.

Good luck finding the right one, whatever model it is.

 

[Chippie]

How long do you think you will be keeping it, if it’s only for the summer then find one that’s relatively close to you and enjoy which ever model it is, if you plan on keeping it for a few years then for me, keep looking for the specs you want, certainly options can be added relatively easily but the factory idrive is costly and pretty involved, adding a mmi box to an already fitted idrive brings the Z4 up to date, also the standard 6 speaker setup is poor, if you can find one with the top hifi fitted it would be a bonus, the basic system can be upgraded by adding some amps, better speakers and even some rear subs although it does require pulling out most of the interior.
The e89 isn’t really a performance, well handling car, it’s more a reasonably quick grand tourer, you may be surprised how often you will be happy, roof down, windows down, enjoying the sun on your face and the wind in your hair .
For me it would have to be the 6 cylinder, simply for the sound, the 4 cylinders have fake engine noise played through the speakers which I believe can cause issues if you plan updating the sound system, there’s also a couple of options for phone connectivity, one for phone calls and another for Bluetooth music.

 

[Fraudiola01]

How long do you think you will be keeping it, if it’s only for the summer then find one that’s relatively close to you and enjoy which ever model it is, if you plan on keeping it for a few years then for me, keep looking for the specs you want, certainly options can be added relatively easily but the factory idrive is costly and pretty involved, adding a mmi box to an already fitted idrive brings the Z4 up to date, also the standard 6 speaker setup is poor, if you can find one with the top hifi fitted it would be a bonus, the basic system can be upgraded by adding some amps, better speakers and even some rear subs although it does require pulling out most of the interior.
The e89 isn’t really a performance, well handling car, it’s more a reasonably quick grand tourer, you may be surprised how often you will be happy, roof down, windows down, enjoying the sun on your face and the wind in your hair .
For me it would have to be the 6 cylinder, simply for the sound, the 4 cylinders have fake engine noise played through the speakers which I believe can cause issues if you plan updating the sound system, there’s also a couple of options for phone connectivity, one for phone calls and another for Bluetooth music.

Honestly, it’s looking like it will be a bit of a “forever” car, as in I don’t see selling it anytime soon and even if I do I think it may just pass down in the family.

Which is another thing leading me to the 6-cylinder for the reliability

 

[flybobbie]

I don't think the chassis can cope with more than the 23i offers in the early cars.
I's been my daily drive for 13 years and had only well know issues with roof and few ebrake problems.
Body and engine few problems like the filter gasket and warped cam cover, done now 110k miles.
Nice to have had a 30i, but budget dictates sometimes.

 

[CuppaTea]

My daily is more powerful than my zed.

The zed a totally different driving experience, and that's what matters. My daily has 360 lb/ft and means I don't really have to change gear, you've got to use the gearbox properly in the zed. And whilst the daily handles well enough, it's nothing like the sensations from the zed and how it rotates at your hips in the bends.