E85/E86 owners... is there any reason why you did not go for an E89?

I expect most who buy the E85 or E86 arent doing it because of cost.

The E86 Coupe design/shape, nothing more to say.

Ok, yes there is.

The 89 looks seriously bloated to my eyes, the design isn't as focused, the seats aren't as handsome.
The E86 Coupe format (long bonnet, 2 seater permanent hard top) is yet to be repeated, I'm glad they haven't tbh.

The boot space on the Coupe is far superior, I got 3 wheels with tyres in the boot of the Coupe. Also a bike can fit if you take the wheels of.

The 85 and 86 blends old skool with modern just perfectly. The 89 is too far modern for me.

A friends 89 feels quite detached from the experience. As someone mentioned, it's s a generation thing, as cars get newer, they're more muted from the drive.

No doubt the 89 is a good car, but not for some.
 
Meds said:
The E86 Coupe design/shape, nothing more to say.

Ok, yes there is.

The 89 looks seriously bloated to my eyes, the design isn't as focused, the seats aren't as handsome.
The E86 Coupe format (long bonnet, 2 seater permanent hard top) is yet to be repeated, I'm glad they haven't tbh.

The boot space on the Coupe is far superior, I got 3 wheels with tyres in the boot of the Coupe. Also a bike can fit if you take the wheels of.

The 85 and 86 blends old skool with modern just perfectly. The 89 is too far modern for me.
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TBF the E86 M boot is somewhat limited, especially when you put a full size spare wheel in it. :lol:
 
eBrooker said:
Curious why you might have opted for an E85... was it just the price difference, or something else?
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Too big, too heavy, and not enough boot space with roof down. The last of which makes it useless for summer holidays touring on the Continent, which is what I particularly wanted a Roadster for.

Maybe those buying one as their only car have different priorities though.
 
Zedebee said:
There’s no real comparison in my opinion. I’ve had E85s and an E86, but I’d never consider an E89 (or even a G29 for that matter). The E86 is a thing of beauty and a very competent car underneath. The E85 is a blast, getting the blend between old-school and modernity just right. The engines have real character, particularly the M54. Both cars’ lack of electronic trickery means they are easy for a DIYer to work on. And the E85 looks great too, when the top’s down 8) .
I have nothing bad to say about the E89, it just doesn’t tick my boxes in the same way.
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Well said, I feel the same way.

Personally I think the E85 is the last analogue roadster / sports car you get, that and having owned N52 engines, I am no fan of them or any of those newer N engines for that matter. That and the E85 is a more robust / smaller package overall. :)
 
My budget at the time was my reasoning . I plan on eventually getting an E89 , thats the long term plan . If one came along now at a reasonable price , and right color . I woudnt hesitate to pull the trigger.
 
I would regularly see one on my walk to college when they were first released, so when the opportunity to get a project car came about it just had to be an e85
 
E86 nor E89 were not available when I ordered my E85 back in 2005. When the E86 came out I was already commited to open air motoring, but the E85M was really tempting — and outrageously priced over here. When E89 came out the exterior looks were fine for me, but lack of boot space and interior form language just didn’t tick the boxes for me.
 
The only Z4 that has ever caught our eye, is the Z4 Coupé because of its striking looks. We consider it to be a proper future classic. I don't think the E89 is nearly so special, and of course has the extra weight and complexity of the folding roof.

However this is a totally personal thing. Some people think the E86 is hideous and pointless (why wouldn't you want the roof to fold).

The thing with older/special cars, is you have to move away from the newer=better mentality that applies to daily drivers.
 
For me, came down to the looks and simplicity of the vehicle.

I drove the e89 and as nice a place it is to sit, just didn’t feel special enough.
 
£1,500 for a 2.5 E85, no need ask why. Its a second/ project car for shits and giggles and I can lose at that price.

But now I'm about 1k into it, lol
 
No M variant.

If they had made a more focused version with the S65 V8 I would have bought one.

The boot is also compromised when the roof is down making euro trips difficult.

As they are, great cars. When I test drove one more than 10 years ago, I couldn't help but feel that it was like a 3 series without 5 seats. The driving dynamics are very similar, and it is a GT cruiser. For an occasion car, I wanted something that felt more special.

The E85/86 for the money deliver this over a 35/35is although they have more useable power the e85/e86 is much more engaging to drive.
 
Looks wise E86 beats them all, then the E85 and then lastly the E89. I don't count the G29's as a Z4 in my eyes, it's a totally different car. So should have is own range rather than being linked to the Z's.
 
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