28i Opinion?

[R.E92]

I think if I had to take a step backwards in displacement I would go for something more economical than the 28i. Losing 100bhp and not getting any increase in MPG would sting!

From been an previous N54 driver my MPG increased on average 10 MPG so in percentage terms that 50% increase!!!!
On a good run - you can easily achieve 50+ MPG - but I purchase a economical car so I could drive quick and not be an issue - rather having an uneconomical car and having to drive frugal.

Your signature says you are getting 32mpg. 4 more than my tuned N54. That's a big sacrifice for 4mpg!

Admittedly my car doesn't move much from 28mpg. I've tried eco runs before and not really noticed much of increase so just stick to mashing the pedal.

My 28mpg average was calculated from journey mileage and fuel receipts so should be pretty accurate. I have to keep a record of all that stuff for claiming business mileage!

I don't care much for fuel saving but if I started doing more than 15k a year I might start to take notice of diseasel cars. Would need to see at least 60mpg to get me out of a large petrol engine


It's hard to know what car to recommend. It sounds like you've already ruled out the alternatives.
My next car will probably be a Merc SL or 6 series GC. Quite like the idea of ultimate comfort and lots of speed.

 

[Twin Turbo]

28Mpg is an good result - but I was getting 20/22 out of my re-mapped 335i - as the sound from the 335i is so intoxicating. Never used to listen to the radio - only station needed was 335i

Hence comparing MPG on cars are difficult as different driving styles and conditions - the only base line I can use is my N54 335i - as that is my best way of comparing.

 

[TitanTim]

Hopefully the move from a nice sounding straight six to a clattery, piston slapping 4 cyl won't be too irksome especially on those cold mornings

Tim.

Tim let it drop, you've got rid, time to move on... :lol:

Just my opinion john, you did ask good or bad, would hate for you and others to be dissapointed, look at it as looking after fellow forum members

How come you're wanting to trade down?

Tim.

 

[john-e89]

Hopefully the move from a nice sounding straight six to a clattery, piston slapping 4 cyl won't be too irksome especially on those cold mornings

Tim.

Tim let it drop, you've got rid, time to move on... :lol:

Just my opinion john, you did ask good or bad, would hate for you and others to be dissapointed, look at it as looking after fellow forum members

How come you're wanting to trade down?

Tim.

Fire away Tim, all opinions, warts and all, are welcome and encouraged.

I don't really want to trade down but having not worked for much of this year and possibly half of next with on going health issues and a few heart op's pending, I've given my building business up and need to retrain as a sparky, the car is draining money away, it's time to stop the flow. One has to cut ones cloth. :roll:

 

[TitanTim]

Tim let it drop, you've got rid, time to move on... :lol:

Just my opinion john, you did ask good or bad, would hate for you and others to be dissapointed, look at it as looking after fellow forum members

How come you're wanting to trade down?

Tim.

Fire away Tim, all opinions, warts and all, are welcome and encouraged.

I don't really want to trade down but having not worked for much of this year and possibly half of next with on going health issues and a few heart op's pending, I've given my building business up and need to retrain as a sparky, the car is draining money away, it's time to stop the flow. One has to cut ones cloth. :roll:

Thanks John, I can understand now, good luck with the inpending sparky training, its a good business to be in along with plumbers, people always need them.

Have you weighed up the running costs of the 28i against the 35i? My 20i was only doing around 23 urban compared to 21 in the M135i it never seemed to be the most economical of motors for some reason, I don't know how much of real difference there would be.

Sorry, I don't mean to over negative on the N20 engine, if BMW had stuck with the 2.3 and 3.0 6cyl I would probably still be in a Z4 today, the 35i was a bit out my budget compared to the M140i, performance for the pound and that.

Tim.

 

[Angie4m]

Btw its brakes on a car.

You break a dish or break your leg.

Interesting discussion and comparisons going on. As you were boys.

Thanks my dyslexia is kicking in again.

Funny story when at College doing Law - I miss spelt prosecution to prostitution - told my lecture they are the same thing - great exceptions but they both screw you for money.

 

[Twin Turbo]

Have to admit the 140I must be a hoot to drive - my mate has an 135i and loved it on track - however MPG and tyres just eats them both.

 

[john-e89]

Just my opinion john, you did ask good or bad, would hate for you and others to be dissapointed, look at it as looking after fellow forum members

How come you're wanting to trade down?

Tim.

Fire away Tim, all opinions, warts and all, are welcome and encouraged.

I don't really want to trade down but having not worked for much of this year and possibly half of next with on going health issues and a few heart op's pending, I've given my building business up and need to retrain as a sparky, the car is draining money away, it's time to stop the flow. One has to cut ones cloth. :roll:

Thanks John, I can understand now, good luck with the inpending sparky training, its a good business to be in along with plumbers, people always need them.

Have you weighed up the running costs of the 28i against the 35i? My 20i was only doing around 23 urban compared to 21 in the M135i it never seemed to be the most economical of motors for some reason, I don't know how much of real difference there would be.

Sorry, I don't mean to over negative on the N20 engine, if BMW had stuck with the 2.3 and 3.0 6cyl I would probably still be in a Z4 today, the 35i was a bit out my budget compared to the M140i, performance for the pound and that.

Tim.

Running costs are not much of an issue really for the miles I do a year Tim, 4K ish, give or take. The 30i has 7 more bhp than the 28i but the all important torque is up from 320 to 350NM if I remember correctly, couple that with approx 100kg less weight giving better handling allegedly. It's the same with the 35i, more power, around 60 bhp but again over 100kg heavier, yes a 6, but all out power is not top of my list. Really I should buy a Boxster or MX5.... :lol:

 

[R.E92]

If handling is top of the list then the MX5 or Porsche would be ideal.

The only saving grace of the Z4 is raw power in my eyes. If I could get a Cayman or Boxster north of 400bhp without huge expense then I'd be driving one of those

But I understand that cars are rarely a rational decision. There's plenty of good cars that I just don't like for no other reason than looks or perceived image.

 

[Rathean]

John, maybe you could try something left field, such as a TT-S or 370z ?

Not driven a 370z but the TT is an entirely different experience to a z4 or boxster. Brilliantly engineered use-everyday car and great engines but they are not at all engaging to drive, even on the limit. Feels more like a saloon than roadster, and after 50k miles in mine I stopped looking forward to the drive.

z4 makes the commute almost enjoyable at times

 

[john-e89]

It's really not that frugal. 4 pot thing aside, I've driven one and the most obvious benefit was less weight at the front which meant it turned in much better than the 6 cyl cars. Sound was not the same obvs.

What made you buy the 35i over the 28i then Maniac? Just the power difference? Or does the lack of a 6 play a part if it's not down to pure grunt?

 

[pvr]

Can you get a 28i with DCT or more the standard auto box?

 

[Nictrix]

It's really not that frugal. 4 pot thing aside, I've driven one and the most obvious benefit was less weight at the front which meant it turned in much better than the 6 cyl cars. Sound was not the same obvs.

What made you buy the 35i over the 28i then Maniac? Just the power difference? Or does the lack of a 6 play a part if it's not down to pure grunt?

My guess would be that the 28i model was not available until 3 years after Maniac purchased his 35i.

 

[john-e89]

It's really not that frugal. 4 pot thing aside, I've driven one and the most obvious benefit was less weight at the front which meant it turned in much better than the 6 cyl cars. Sound was not the same obvs.

What made you buy the 35i over the 28i then Maniac? Just the power difference? Or does the lack of a 6 play a part if it's not down to pure grunt?

My guess would be that the 28i model was not available until 3 years after Maniac purchased his 35i.

Ah ok cheers Nictrix, be interesting to hear which he'd pick out of the two had both been available at the same time.

 

[john-e89]

Can you get a 28i with DCT or more the standard auto box?

7 speed DCT is only for the 35i and IS PVR.

 

[Marlon]

Back when BMW were designing the new E89 model range was their brief to make it as difficult as possible for the punters to understand and remember all the engines and gear options - turbo and non turbo - 4 pot and 6 pot - DTC / manual / auto . . . and then there's all the trim levels. Perhaps its just me, but I find the combinations and permutations of the E89 components mind bogglingly complex

 

[Nictrix]

Back when BMW were designing the new E89 model range was their brief to make it as difficult as possible for the punters to understand and remember all the engines and gear options - turbo and non turbo - 4 pot and 6 pot - DTC / manual / auto . . . and then there's all the trim levels. Perhaps its just me, but I find the combinations and permutations of the E89 components mind bogglingly complex

I dont think this is just limited to the E89 range, with most BMWs these days you need some sort of in depth knowledge to figure out what the numbers on the back or sides actually mean.
For instance the X6. There are 4 (I think) different 3 litre diesel engines with designations 30d, 35d, 40d and 50d. All engines are slightly different, from single turbo to triple turbo. And thats not counting the petrol engines either.

 

[Maniac]

What made you buy the 35i over the 28i then Maniac? Just the power difference? Or does the lack of a 6 play a part if it's not down to pure grunt?

My guess would be that the 28i model was not available until 3 years after Maniac purchased his 35i.

Ah ok cheers Nictrix, be interesting to hear which he'd pick out of the two had both been available at the same time.

I'd still go with the best I could afford. The 35i was the best e89 you could buy when I bought mine. Not even M Sport models were available back then.

The car may be heavier but the N54 engine really is worth the money.. the torque and sound make the car for me.

 

[ric19]

John, drove from Dronfield up to Beadnell on Monday and was getting 44 mpg in my 28i I did 350 miles and still had more than a quarter of a tank left

 

[Maniac]

Back when BMW were designing the new E89 model range was their brief to make it as difficult as possible for the punters to understand and remember all the engines and gear options - turbo and non turbo - 4 pot and 6 pot - DTC / manual / auto . . . and then there's all the trim levels. Perhaps its just me, but I find the combinations and permutations of the E89 components mind bogglingly complex

Actually the confusion takes time. When the car first came out you had the 23i, 30i, 35i in SE trim only... that was all you had to worry about before a hundred options.