28i Opinion?

[john-e89]

Hi, has anyone had any experience or views on the 4 pot 28i engine? It's easy to get hung up on it not beng a 6 but it's supposed to be a very good engine, frugal yet chucks out 245 bhp and is cheaper on VED. I've seen a very very nice one with all the kit I'd like, low miles at 19k, could be a winner.

Any opinions good or bad most welcome.

I thank you.

 

[Marlon]

 

[Maniac]

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.

 

[Rathean]

Good review here http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/z4/18401/bmw-z4-sdrive28i

 

[metal licker]

Test drove one after the 2.3i and before the 3.5i, there's not a great deal of difference on the road but really missed the sound of the 6cyl

 

[Nanu]

My last Zed was a 28i which I had for 2 years and to be honest I was intending replacing it like for like until I got the deal I did on the 35is.

The performance is every bit as good as the 6 cylinder 25i and I generally averaged about 36 - 38 mph. Whilst it's not in the same league as the 35is regards performance and sound you won't be disappointed overall.

 

[john-e89]

Hopefully a temporary thing Marlon, needs must at the mo I'm afraid...

 

[Grumpyowl]

Good review here http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/z4/18401/bmw-z4-sdrive28i

It is indeed

 

[john-e89]

My last Zed was a 28i which I had for 2 years and to be honest I was intending replacing it like for like until I got the deal I did on the 35is.

The performance is every bit as good as the 6 cylinder 25i and I generally averaged about 36 - 38 mph. Whilst it's not in the same league as the 35is regards performance and sound you won't be disappointed overall.

My thoughts too, 245bhp is pretty good, my old 3.0si had 265 in a slightly lighter chassis and was plenty in reality, ok 340bhp is nice but pretty unusable for the top third of the Rev range from 3rd onwards. The sound will be missed very much though, I do like the exhaust on the 35is.

 

[john-e89]

Thanks for the review post Rathean, and the replies Metallicker and Maniac.

 

[Twin Turbo]

With ownership of an 28i for over 2.5 yrs and 25K miles - I agree with most of the above comments. For reference I had an E92 335i as my previous car.

In the 335I I was averaging 24 Mpg whist in the 28i I getting 32 Mpg with some sprinted driving. Driving a like miss daisy I can achieve 55Mpg on motorway drive not exceeding 60Mph.

I found the E92 335i bit of an heavy weight with turn into corners - but the 28i is much more nibble drive.
In reall life driving the 28i is very similar to a 35i - however in certain aspects since the 35i will overtake easier since the increased displacement and torque levels - without modifications.

If you modify the 28i with an remap or piggy back - then its quicker than a 35i - but it be more down the to driver than car. As mine was only 1/10th sec slower than an 35is. In driving encounters a 135i is equivalent to mine up to 70 mph - however the 135i would start to pull slowly away.

I would not upgrade to an 35i - but 35is yes - but waiting for the new Z with the 4.0i engine

Cost of ownership - I estimated I would be saving around £2,000 a year - but I am not doing as much driving as I was - so in reality saving a £1,000 in running costs per year.

The only drawback with the 28i is its not have a sweet sound of an 35i or 35is - but post 2012 cars have lost the tappets & chatter sound that some of the earlier cars suffered.

On paper - it ticks all the boxes - you can have your cake and eat it

As I drive an 308Bhp sports car - that is frugal and great fun to drive.

 

[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.

Is the weight difference fairly noticeable then Maniac?

 

[Maniac]

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.

Is the weight difference fairly noticeable then Maniac?

I thought so on my test drive. The bite on turn in is much more pronounced and direct with less weight up front.

 

[Marlon]

Hopefully a temporary thing Marlon, needs must at the mo I'm afraid...

say no more :wink:

 

[john-e89]

With ownership of an 28i for over 2.5 yrs and 25K miles - I agree with most of the above comments. For reference I had an E92 335i as my previous car.

In the 335I I was averaging 24 Mpg whist in the 28i I getting 32 Mpg with some sprinted driving. Driving a like miss daisy I can achieve 55Mpg on motorway drive not exceeding 60Mph.

I found the E92 335i bit of an heavy weight with turn into corners - but the 28i is much more nibble drive.
In reall life driving the 28i is very similar to a 35i - however in certain aspects since the 35i will overtake easier since the increased displacement and torque levels - without modifications.

If you modify the 28i with an remap or piggy back - then its quicker than a 35i - but it be more down the to driver than car. As mine was only 1/10th sec slower than an 35is. In driving encounters a 135i is equivalent to mine up to 70 mph - however the 135i would start to pull slowly away.

I would not upgrade to an 35i - but 35is yes - but waiting for the new Z with the 4.0i engine

Cost of ownership - I estimated I would be saving around £2,000 a year - but I am not doing as much driving as I was - so in reality saving a £1,000 in running costs per year.

The only drawback with the 28i is its not have a sweet sound of an 35i or 35is - but post 2012 cars have lost the tappets & chatter sound that some of the earlier cars suffered.

On paper - it ticks all the boxes - you can have your cake and eat it

As I drive an 308Bhp sports car - that is frugal and great fun to drive.

Great write up thanks very much for that TT, we met at the Watermill last year but you might not remember. So far no negative comments on the model, good stuff.

 

[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.

Is the weight difference fairly noticeable then Maniac?

I thought so on my test drive. The bite on turn in is much more pronounced and direct with less weight up front.

Well that can only be a good thing, the 35is is fairly heavy on initial turn in.

 

[Filtermike]

I had a 2.8i for two year - now have a 3.5iS - performance was great able to keep up with 3.5i on hoons front end is lighter (125kg overall) the 3.5iS feels a lot heavier on turn in. Sound wise the 2.8i has its own unique sound - but the 3.5IS is a different league - fuel wise - on a hot run 2.8i - 26mpg & 3.5iS 20mpg - the big difference is the DCT via manual - DCT is brilliant

 

[Twin Turbo]

With ownership of an 28i for over 2.5 yrs and 25K miles - I agree with most of the above comments. For reference I had an E92 335i as my previous car.

In the 335I I was averaging 24 Mpg whist in the 28i I getting 32 Mpg with some sprinted driving. Driving a like miss daisy I can achieve 55Mpg on motorway drive not exceeding 60Mph.

I found the E92 335i bit of an heavy weight with turn into corners - but the 28i is much more nibble drive.
In reall life driving the 28i is very similar to a 35i - however in certain aspects since the 35i will overtake easier since the increased displacement and torque levels - without modifications.

If you modify the 28i with an remap or piggy back - then its quicker than a 35i - but it be more down the to driver than car. As mine was only 1/10th sec slower than an 35is. In driving encounters a 135i is equivalent to mine up to 70 mph - however the 135i would start to pull slowly away.

I would not upgrade to an 35i - but 35is yes - but waiting for the new Z with the 4.0i engine

Cost of ownership - I estimated I would be saving around £2,000 a year - but I am not doing as much driving as I was - so in reality saving a £1,000 in running costs per year.

The only drawback with the 28i is its not have a sweet sound of an 35i or 35is - but post 2012 cars have lost the tappets & chatter sound that some of the earlier cars suffered.

On paper - it ticks all the boxes - you can have your cake and eat it

As I drive an 308Bhp sports car - that is frugal and great fun to drive.

Great write up thanks very much for that TT, we met at the Watermill last year but you might not remember. So far no negative comments on the model, good stuff.

Yes I remember dueling over it - and you saying it did not need more power.

One thing I would like to point out - the N20 engine is not as rock solid as the N54 - however the HPFP is the N54 ackiles heal - however the N20 - does have some reported issues especially with high millage over 70K - there seems to be an timing chain issue. There are not many reports but there are a few. As its a relative new engine and its already been pulled towards the B48 engine.

If I remember correctly - this should not be an issue for you as this is a weekend car - not a daily driver.

But if you are purchasing it helps to have information to help to negotiate

But a lot of comments of ex 28i drivers I totally agree with - I hope with another 28i owner this forum will be more friendly to 4 pot owners. T

The DCT is so good - the speed of gear change is so rapid- When I am changing gear against DCT cars they gain a good car length

As with the G range of cars even the 30i will be an 4 pot - the world is changing

 

[john-e89]

I'll keep the timing chain issue in mind, thanks, will make for some light reading too. The car I'm looking at is only on 19k miles so should'nt be an issue but it's a good tip. Totally agree the DCT is a brilliant box, so quick but it's not satisfying, it's too easy and I'm missing a manual, so that's one reason I want to change along with having a cheaper car.

 

[john-e89]

I had a 2.8i for two year - now have a 3.5iS - performance was great able to keep up with 3.5i on hoons front end is lighter (125kg overall) the 3.5iS feels a lot heavier on turn in. Sound wise the 2.8i has its own unique sound - but the 3.5IS is a different league - fuel wise - on a hot run 2.8i - 26mpg & 3.5iS 20mpg - the big difference is the DCT via manual - DCT is brilliant

So you prefer the 35is purely on power and DCT then Mike? I'm not including exhaust sound here. What appeals to me is the lighter front end, and manual box, so from that aspect, the 28i should be the better car if you don't factor in the power and torque of the 35is right? 125 kg is significant, that makes it the same weight as an E85 3.0si unless I'm mistaken.