Considering 4 pot E89...

[True-Blue]

So, my E86 has gone today and I’m considering which flavour Z to go for next, but it has to be a convertible.

From what I’m reading the 2.0i could be a good bet as it seems this is the same mechanically as the 28i but software ‘detuned’ for emissions and insurance purposes. I guess the brakes might be different, but this is typically and easy upgrade, so not overly concerned about that.

I’ve read that the 2.0i can be mapped to circa 275BHP with significant torque.... and that sounds like a lot of fun!

I’ve owned a fair few Turbo cars from the VAG group in the past and, without fail, they all responded brilliantly to mapping without causing any problems.

What’s the reliability of the 2.0 turbo engine like? as I’ve read horror stories on the 35is, which I realise is a completely different engine.

Also, is the 18i the same as the 2.0i? Or are there significant differences?

I’m basically considering going for a E85 3.0 Si or the 2.0i E89 (plus mapping) - either flavour would be in Manual

Any input warmly welcomed

 

[Silverstar]

Many on here have good things to say about the N20 2.0 and yes it is a fine engine with good power and torque and highly tuneable but for me you just can't beat the sound of the 6 cylinder and it's silky smoothness. The sound of the engine for me is one of the key ingredients that make a sporting car. Like you mentioned I didn't want to deal with the complexity and its related issues of the 35i or 35is so I went for the 30i sure it's not easy to tune and weighs a bit more then the 20i and perhaps less agile for it but that is a small price to pay for the sound and smoothness of the 6, for me at least! A mechanic friend of mine informed me that the N20 aren't so reliable but it seems issues with this engine are rare on this forum.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I've no experience of the E89, but from what I have read the 18i, 20i and 28i all use the same engine just with different mapping.

But the 28i had bigger brakes (maybe just on the front) than the others.

Where is "smartbear" when you need him! :lol:

 

[Smartbear]

I've no experience of the E89, but from what I have read the 18i, 20i and 28i all use the same engine just with different mapping.

But the 28i had bigger brakes (maybe just on the front) than the others.

Where is "smartbear" when you need him! :lol:

You called?
Rob

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi Rob,

I thought you might be the right person to offer "True-Blue" some insight in view of your ownership history.

Cheers, Iain.

 

[Smartbear]

Hi Rob,

I thought you might be the right person to offer "True-Blue" some insight in view of your ownership history.

Cheers, Iain.

Not sure where True-blue resides? If he’s Somerset area i wouldn’t mind taking him out for a spin with the afterburners on full re-heat :wink:
Rob

 

[Anonymous]

28i has 330mm front discs, 20i and 18i have 300mm discs..excluding minor issues auto vs manual the chassis and engines are the same on the E89 Z4s..

Almost all other issues are options..


Sound wise, sadly I’ve found out belatedly that the 6 pot sound on the E89 is partially synthetic and generated via a non defeatable box called the ASD Active Sound Design which feeds brum brum sounds into the speakers all the time...I’ve messed around with it..if you want you can load a M5 V8 sound if that floats your boat..

 

[True-Blue]

Hi Rob,

I thought you might be the right person to offer "True-Blue" some insight in view of your ownership history.

Cheers, Iain.

Not sure where True-blue resides? If he’s Somerset area i wouldn’t mind taking him out for a spin with the afterburners on full re-heat :wink:
Rob

I’m Bristol, so probably not that far from you at all... a very kind offer, I might take you up on that

Thanks for the input chaps

 

[golfgeezer]

I just picked up an E89 2.0i from a fellow forum member yesterday and it’s been mapped. I had a 4.5 hour drive home to get more acquainted with it and although I’ve no idea what a non mapped one drives like this one is certainly torquey enough and I’m very pleased with how it drives in general.

 

[Boltz]

A big difference between a mapped and non mapped 4 pot 18i, it is the improvement in the torque that is most noticeable. One of my sons owns an Edition 35 Golf and of late the Golf has been left on the drive and the Z4 is nowhere to be seen!!!! I think he has caught the Z4 bug. So currently we are driving each other’s cars more than our own.

 

[Scirl]

28i has 330mm front discs, 20i and 18i have 300mm discs..excluding minor issues auto vs manual the chassis and engines are the same on the E89 Z4s..

Wondering if 2.0 and 2.8 are pretty much the same apart from the brake size, if you remap a 2.8, will it be any more powerful than a remapped 2.0?

 

[Anonymous]

28i has 330mm front discs, 20i and 18i have 300mm discs..excluding minor issues auto vs manual the chassis and engines are the same on the E89 Z4s..

Wondering if 2.0 and 2.8 are pretty much the same apart from the brake size, if you remap a 2.8, will it be any more powerful than a remapped 2.0?

If you remap then no..if you use a piggy back box then yes

 

[R.E92]

28i has 330mm front discs, 20i and 18i have 300mm discs..excluding minor issues auto vs manual the chassis and engines are the same on the E89 Z4s..

Almost all other issues are options..


Sound wise, sadly I’ve found out belatedly that the 6 pot sound on the E89 is partially synthetic and generated via a non defeatable box called the ASD Active Sound Design which feeds brum brum sounds into the speakers all the time...I’ve messed around with it..if you want you can load a M5 V8 sound if that floats your boat..

That's the first I've ever heard of active sound in an E89. I think you may be getting confused with other BMW models.

 

[Anonymous]

28i has 330mm front discs, 20i and 18i have 300mm discs..excluding minor issues auto vs manual the chassis and engines are the same on the E89 Z4s..

Almost all other issues are options..


Sound wise, sadly I’ve found out belatedly that the 6 pot sound on the E89 is partially synthetic and generated via a non defeatable box called the ASD Active Sound Design which feeds brum brum sounds into the speakers all the time...I’ve messed around with it..if you want you can load a M5 V8 sound if that floats your boat..

That's the first I've ever heard of active sound in an E89. I think you may be getting confused with other BMW models.

If you look o TIS info you will see that ALL Z4 E89s have ASD with maybe some 6 speaker basic versions not having it..

 

[Silverstar]

28i has 330mm front discs, 20i and 18i have 300mm discs..excluding minor issues auto vs manual the chassis and engines are the same on the E89 Z4s..

Almost all other issues are options..


Sound wise, sadly I’ve found out belatedly that the 6 pot sound on the E89 is partially synthetic and generated via a non defeatable box called the ASD Active Sound Design which feeds brum brum sounds into the speakers all the time...I’ve messed around with it..if you want you can load a M5 V8 sound if that floats your boat..

That's the first I've ever heard of active sound in an E89. I think you may be getting confused with other BMW models.

If you look o TIS info you will see that ALL Z4 E89s have ASD with maybe some 6 speaker basic versions not having it..

I believe only the N20 engine has it, N52 and N54 doesn't. I could be wrong though.

 

[Smartbear]

That's the first I've ever heard of active sound in an E89. I think you may be getting confused with other BMW models.

If you look o TIS info you will see that ALL Z4 E89s have ASD with maybe some 6 speaker basic versions not having it..

I believe only the N20 engine has it, N52 and N54 doesn't. I could be wrong though.

My 20i doesn’t have piped engine noise :?
Rob

 

[Anonymous]

If you look o TIS info you will see that ALL Z4 E89s have ASD with maybe some 6 speaker basic versions not having it..

I believe only the N20 engine has it, N52 and N54 doesn't. I could be wrong though.

My 20i doesn’t have piped engine noise :?
Rob

Hi Smartbear if you pm me your vin I’ll look at it...

 

[Anonymous]

That's the first I've ever heard of active sound in an E89. I think you may be getting confused with other BMW models.

If you look o TIS info you will see that ALL Z4 E89s have ASD with maybe some 6 speaker basic versions not having it..

I believe only the N20 engine has it, N52 and N54 doesn't. I could be wrong though.

According to TIS ASD was fitted to all versions of the E89 from its inception to end of production...there were several audio options, a minority which seem to be the six speakers versions but not all 6 speaker versions did not have it fitted..seems the vast majority of E89s did..if anyone pms me their VIN I’ll check yours...mine certainly does have it..

 

[Sirrith]

I found this link which says ASD was only rolled out in late 2011 models : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://cdn.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D799221%26d%3D1356199286&ved=2ahUKEwiHp7jMgPjkAhUXAogKHVMJD5QQFjABegQIDBAG&usg=AOvVaw0lZUEVjfeyPMBQMwnFWgHS&cshid=1569827993206

My 2009 23i certainly doesn't have ASD.

 

[Anonymous]

I found this link which says ASD was only rolled out in late 2011 models : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://cdn.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D799221%26d%3D1356199286&ved=2ahUKEwiHp7jMgPjkAhUXAogKHVMJD5QQFjABegQIDBAG&usg=AOvVaw0lZUEVjfeyPMBQMwnFWgHS&cshid=1569827993206

My 2009 23i certainly doesn't have ASD.

Yes, contrary to my initial assertion that it was fitted to all Z4 E89s...it was only fitted to the 4 pot versions that came in on 2011, it wasn’t retrofitted to the then 6 pot versions.

Thanks to smartbear offering his VIN which I then checked and in that process deduced that it was a 4 pot only fitment..