I thought I'd share my experiences after 4 years plus of owning a 35I e89.
I have owned a 2.5 e85, and a Z4MR prior to the e89. I needed an automatic gear change and the 35I seemed to fit the bill!
The car had 32,000 miles on it when I bought it, DCT, i drive etc, adaptive suspension, basic stereo, and is a 2009 car with a full service history. So all the basics you'd want except for a better sound system.
The car now has completed 46,000 miles. In the 4 years of ownership I have modified it slightly and had it wrapped for three years. I know there is much debate about reliability etc but for those prospective owners I thought I'd share my experiences.
Reliability.
In four years of ownership I have had to replace the battery and the windscreen washer pump.
I had the e brake fail, fortunately it still worked so it was reprogrammed by my indie and has been fine since.
I had the dreaded roof bong and an intermittent roof fault. The car went to a Z4 specialist in St Helens who identified a loose switch in the boot, checked all connections and when that didn't solve the issue decided that the roof was slightly out of alignment, loosened and reset it and its been fine ever since (over 2 years)! I've not seen roof alignment mentioned as a possible cause of roof failure and the mis-alignment was very slight but that is how it was fixed, cost £50.
Otherwise the car has been reliable and a joy to own and drive.
Modifications.
20mm wheels spacers, non run flat tires, stubby,
Celtic remap. I've seen the debates about remaps! All I will say is that for my car the remap turned a very quick car into something seriously rapid!! It's remained very drive able but it's crazy fast when I want it to be so.
Wrap. Three years on the wrap is still good. If you are thinking of getting a wrap my advice would be to go to a reputable company, bear in mind you can't polish out marks and scratches but the wrap is hard wearing.
I keep the car covered in winter and wet weather to protect both the wrap and the roof.
At 11 years old I expect parts to start to fail and know I'll have some big bills on the horizon if I keep the car long term, but after 4 years of cheap ownership I am not too concerned about that.
The E89 is in my opinion, the best looking Z4, I still love the interior and the car gets admiring looks and comments where ever I go. These cars are incredible value at the moment regardless of engine choice and my advice to anyone looking to buy one would be to find one that's been enthusiast owned with a full service history, low mileage, then try for a good spec and colour. Too many people buy these by colour and spec in my opinion! Finding one that ticks all the boxes is never easy but if you are patient one will turn up eventually.
I keep promising to upgrade the stereo but as I'm half deaf it seems to be ok to me!
I have owned a 2.5 e85, and a Z4MR prior to the e89. I needed an automatic gear change and the 35I seemed to fit the bill!
The car had 32,000 miles on it when I bought it, DCT, i drive etc, adaptive suspension, basic stereo, and is a 2009 car with a full service history. So all the basics you'd want except for a better sound system.
The car now has completed 46,000 miles. In the 4 years of ownership I have modified it slightly and had it wrapped for three years. I know there is much debate about reliability etc but for those prospective owners I thought I'd share my experiences.
Reliability.
In four years of ownership I have had to replace the battery and the windscreen washer pump.
I had the e brake fail, fortunately it still worked so it was reprogrammed by my indie and has been fine since.
I had the dreaded roof bong and an intermittent roof fault. The car went to a Z4 specialist in St Helens who identified a loose switch in the boot, checked all connections and when that didn't solve the issue decided that the roof was slightly out of alignment, loosened and reset it and its been fine ever since (over 2 years)! I've not seen roof alignment mentioned as a possible cause of roof failure and the mis-alignment was very slight but that is how it was fixed, cost £50.
Otherwise the car has been reliable and a joy to own and drive.
Modifications.
20mm wheels spacers, non run flat tires, stubby,
Celtic remap. I've seen the debates about remaps! All I will say is that for my car the remap turned a very quick car into something seriously rapid!! It's remained very drive able but it's crazy fast when I want it to be so.
Wrap. Three years on the wrap is still good. If you are thinking of getting a wrap my advice would be to go to a reputable company, bear in mind you can't polish out marks and scratches but the wrap is hard wearing.
I keep the car covered in winter and wet weather to protect both the wrap and the roof.
At 11 years old I expect parts to start to fail and know I'll have some big bills on the horizon if I keep the car long term, but after 4 years of cheap ownership I am not too concerned about that.
The E89 is in my opinion, the best looking Z4, I still love the interior and the car gets admiring looks and comments where ever I go. These cars are incredible value at the moment regardless of engine choice and my advice to anyone looking to buy one would be to find one that's been enthusiast owned with a full service history, low mileage, then try for a good spec and colour. Too many people buy these by colour and spec in my opinion! Finding one that ticks all the boxes is never easy but if you are patient one will turn up eventually.
I keep promising to upgrade the stereo but as I'm half deaf it seems to be ok to me!
