E89 35i manual

[junglie]

Good afternoon,

I have had a few E85s but looking at moving into an E89.

I was ideally after an N52 30i, reliable and a great engine, but this has cropped up:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135617781587?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=xp2tucofrgy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=DZaM7qoBS7m&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

It is an E89 35i manual with a really good spec.

Has had HPFP and injectors done under BMW warranty.

Not sure if you can keep the BMW warranty running based on age / mileage?

Any thoughts on if it is worth the outlay or stick with looking for an E89 30i?

Thank you.

 

[B21]

Looks like a well cared for, well spec’d car..two of the predicted gremlins been addressed ..still leaves a few to go.. :tumbleweed: :rofl:

I think the cost of warranties for these are now quite high..

If you feel lucky / check the warranty offer then it’s a very different animal to a 30i..

 

[junglie]

Thanks for the reply.

That’s the thing - if the warranty is cast iron then not so much of an issue but I am after reliability too.

I had a lovely E46 330ci before and it simply worked as did my E85s before and even the TVR before those!

Love the idea of the 35i but the big bills are slightly off putting.

 

[peeblezZ4]

Decent looking machine. A lot of car/performance for the money IMHO and the seller is offering a six month warranty which gives a wee bit of reassurance. Rare manual which might work in its favour should you come to sell it on in the future.

 

[B21]

Thanks for the reply.

That’s the thing - if the warranty is cast iron then not so much of an issue but I am after reliability too.

I had a lovely E46 330ci before and it simply worked as did my E85s before and even the TVR before those!

Love the idea of the 35i but the big bills are slightly off putting.

Then it’s time for the 30i..IMHO..you’re never sure with a N54..sure N20s have their issues too..N52 is pretty bombproof although roof issues are increasingly common across all E89s as they age..

However ..most if the remaining N54 issues do affect N52 but just not as rapidly…water pumps, cam box cracking, gaskets leaking etc..

The manual has no DCT which can go wrong nor adaptive suspension..but turbo’s do leak, wastegates rattle and fail…it’s a £2,000 exercise to fix not including turbos..

 

[junglie]

Part of me says go back to an E85 as they are less troublesome…….bit I have always promised myself an E89!

I do want a manual too which reduces the market somewhat.

 

[Mr Tidy]

It's probably a balance between risk and reward!

Are you likely to want the extra performance enough to take a chance on potential reliability issues? If not it might be better to wait for a 30i to appear.

I was happy enough with my 3.0Si but after driving an M it was an itch I just knew I needed to scratch, realising that much bigger bills would come as part of the package. You have to pay to play.

 

[junglie]

Mr Tidy - ever the voice of reason and knowledge! Thanks, as always, for your input.

As it always goes, this little gem has just cropped up:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140153000

Blue with light leather, Spanish, Sat nav etc.

 

[Gwest44]

Mr Tidy - ever the voice of reason and knowledge! Thanks, as always, for your input.

As it always goes, this little gem has just cropped up:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140153000

Blue with light leather, Spanish, Sat nav etc.

Are you on the Zroadster forum? That cars for sale by a member on there and looks like a great example at the price, not only is it the 3.0 it is also a manual MSport Highline Edition - not many of those come to market for sub £10k

 

[Mr Tidy]

Mr Tidy - ever the voice of reason and knowledge! Thanks, as always, for your input.

As it always goes, this little gem has just cropped up:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140153000

Blue with light leather, Spanish, Sat nav etc.

I'm not often described that way!

That 30i does look lovely.

 

[Avityesboy]

The turbo 3.0 everytime.

 

[junglie]

I would like to drive both cars (not necessarily these ones) to see if there is a clear winner.

I have always wanted an N52 car after driving a 130i but I get deduced by easily accessible power that you get with the 35i.

Warranty on the 35i is a third party so not really worth it as it does not cover the bits that are statistically likely to fail.

 

[Mr Tidy]

The N52 is a fantastic engine. My first two were in E86s and I liked them so much that when I decided I wanted an E91 I only wanted one with the N52, but being a bit tight on budget I ended up with a 325i which seemed to struggle to get a shift on. After a year it got replaced by an E90 330i that is so much better 6 years later I still have it.

I probably should have upped the budget for a 130i, but running them together for a while my 3.0Si performed noticeably better than my 330i.

A 35i is going to perform on a different level, but if you try one and like it you risk getting that same itch I got after driving an MC!

 

[junglie]

I have done a good length test drive in both a Z4MR and E46 coupe and the S54 was incredible.

I think I prefer the sound of an M54 / N52 over an S54 in the bottom half of the rev range but when you wind that 3.2 up it is scintillating!

 

[Bluebottle]

Mr Tidy - ever the voice of reason and knowledge! Thanks, as always, for your input.

As it always goes, this little gem has just cropped up:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140153000

Blue with light leather, Spanish, Sat nav etc.

Same spec as mine with more toys, sports seats, f & r pdc, and lower mileage. Only the 19" wheels would put me off. I would definitely test drive it, that is a lovely car in excellent condition at sensible price. oke:

 

[junglie]

Are the 19’’ alloys bad or are we talking they are prone to cracking?

I assume the ride is harsher?

They are not my favourite style of OEM E89 but they are not bad.

The car is nowhere near me so not in a position to test drive without sorting out lots of logistical challenges!

 

[Bluebottle]

The photos are not brilliant, but the wheels look in good condition. The reason I would prefer not to have them is
1. they make the ride harsh, although that model has adjustable HighLine suspension which helps, although, I stand corrected, but the more complex suspension could be another expensive item to affect reliability.
And 2. Too many owners and tyre/wheel fitters say they are very prone to cracking which requires repairs or replacement.
Others here know more than me, but the best thing to do is drive as many different variaints and decide yourself. :wink:

Travelling, yes I know all about that, living in South Devon ; it really restricts what you can reasonably view.

 

[peeblezZ4]

The 19inch '326m' alloys have had a history of cracking, much worse if run flats were/are fitted. On my previous E89, a proper weld repair had been carried out and it never gave me any issues. I think that, if there's more than one repair been carried out, then I'd be replacing the wheel. On two other E89's, including my current one, both have had 326m alloys and no cracks so never a problem. Don't be too put off by them.

 

[Pondrew]

The turbo 3.0 everytime.

You won't say that 'IF' you need new turbos or wastegates or HPFP or LPFP or injectors or coils......or all of them!
The N54 is a great engine. Unfortunately it does like to chew through very expensive parts.

 

[Pondrew]

Are the 19’’ alloys bad or are we talking they are prone to cracking?

I assume the ride is harsher?

They are not my favourite style of OEM E89 but they are not bad.

The car is nowhere near me so not in a position to test drive without sorting out lots of logistical challenges!

The 326M wheels are the best looking of any E89 wheel and really suit the cars. They do have a nasty habit of cracking, however, not all do and the car in question has no mention of wheel problems on the MOT history. I have had two E89s with those wheels and none have ever had an issue. They are quite a 'firm' ride, though.
That car, as said, is for sale on another forum (zroadster.org), so chances are it is owned by a 'car person' which is always good IMO.

You could always put out a request for someone near Loughborough to go and have a look for you. I have done it before and it worked out well.