E89 Engine Choice

I drove both the 23i and the 20i ( which I bought ) simply because in the real world the 20i is faster with much more low down grunt ie better pick up. It is lighter than the 23i and so the turn in is also noticeably better. Add to that the economy of the 4 pot ( I do 45 miles a day of which 30 miles are on the M60 in rush hour and get high 30s ) so the choice was fairly simple for me

I have to admit that the 6 pot is far smoother and sounds much better, but for me that wasnt enough to overcome the performance, handling and better mpg of the 20i.

Manic is spot on with the heated seats option. Unfortunately my car didnt have them as at less than £21k for a 3 month old car with 33 miles on the clock, the deal was too good to refuse for the sake of heated seats.
 
I test drove all of the first phase e89s, and settled for the 30. The 23 wasn't really my cup of tea (having come from an e86 3.0si coupe), and at the time the premium for the 35 wasn't worth it for the occasional bit of fun I was going to have, given i spend most of my time driving through villages. The 30 sounds great with a smooth engine and it was the perfect compromise.
 
Napastar said:
I drove both the 23i and the 20i ( which I bought ) simply because in the real world the 20i is faster with much more low down grunt ie better pick up. It is lighter than the 23i and so the turn in is also noticeably better. Add to that the economy of the 4 pot ( I do 45 miles a day of which 30 miles are on the M60 in rush hour and get high 30s ) so the choice was fairly simple for me

I have to admit that the 6 pot is far smoother and sounds much better, but for me that wasnt enough to overcome the performance, handling and better mpg of the 20i.

Manic is spot on with the heated seats option. Unfortunately my car didnt have them as at less than £21k for a 3 month old car with 33 miles on the clock, the deal was too good to refuse for the sake of heated seats.
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+1

The 2.0 is for most the best alrounder. We'd all go for powerful cars if running costs weren't an issue :)

Tim.
 
A quick peek on Autotrader, at the age you're looking at, the vast majority are the 2.5 23i variety.
So you may have better choice on spec with that engine. I would think that either the 20i or the 23i would be adequate for your needs.
 
Thanks for all your replies.
There is a 2.0 M Sport locally so I might try that first to see how it compares to my current zed.
Finding a 2.3 locally to try is currently proving harder but as there's no rush, I'm happy to wait for one to crop up.
2.8 cars seem pretty rare AUC and I'm not sure I want to go as big as 3.0 or 3.5..... well, I do but I think running costs might be prohibitive for me!
It seems the bottom line is, what suits one person might not suit the next so best I start looking at (and driving!) all the options.
Thanks again for your help.
Andy
 
Maniac said:
keepittrill said:
Biggest engine you can afford. Always.

#murrica
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+1
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Another +1 Here!

The big engines are not that less economical and if the time ever comes when I can't have a zed with a big six - I will buy something else!
 
Hi Andy, I have had the 2.5 , 3.0 and now the 2.0 sDrive. I can honestly say the current car is enough for me. Do I miss the extra power of the 3.0, very rarely, do I miss the smoothness and the sound of the 6 pot, more so yes. But all in all as an all round car the E89 is a step up from the E85 even though the E85 is a good car.Ultimately as has been advised here drive as many variations as you can and choose the one that suits you and your circumstances best. Best of luck with the search. Steve.
 
ronk said:
The big engines are not that less economical and if the time ever comes when I can't have a zed with a big six - I will buy something else!
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Living in the dark ages, things move forward.

If money was no object then get a bigger engine however there is nothing wrong with the 20i it's a great daily drive.
There are a lot of people on here that poo poo anything less than a 3ltr 6 cylinder, but I bet half of them wouldn't be able to tell the difference if they weren't told what they were driving :roll:
 
In no way am I poo pooing the small engines - I think they have got a lot out of them.

(92bhp/Litre (2.0) v 86bhp/litre (3.0))

All I would say is they are not that much more economical and dependant on annual miles would not give a significant saving. ie 50 gallons a year -assume 6000miles at 30mpg for the 3.0 or 40mpg for the 2.0.

That only a fiver a week or a bottle of cheap wine. :)
 
ronk said:
In no way am I poo pooing the small engines - I think they have got a lot out of them.

(92bhp/Litre (2.0) v 86bhp/litre (3.0))

All I would say is they are not that much more economical and dependant on annual miles would not give a significant saving. ie 50 gallons a year -assume 6000miles at 30mpg for the 3.0 or 40mpg for the 2.0.

That only a fiver a week or a bottle of cheap wine. :)
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Not forgetting road tax and depending where you reside higher insurance and servicing rates, it all adds up.

Tim.
 
TitanTim said:
Not forgetting road tax and depending where you reside higher insurance and servicing rates, it all adds up.
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£280 for a 3.0l - Don't know what a 2.0l is
 
This little number is within my budget for the Z3 replacement but I keep telling myself I would be mad, its not the buying its the running costs and servicing :cry:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-2-2007MY-M-Roadster-/251391383214?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a881816ae

Tempted though :headbang:

Tim.
 
Maniac said:
ronk said:
£490 for my Disco :cry: - Probably the same for a 35is ?
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35i/is is £280 per year.

.. And Tim gets first prize for introducing an M as predicted at the start of the thread.
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That's good, a 3.0 turbo'd engine and under that 225 band!
There ought to be a prize for unnecessarily using the "M" word. :rofl:
 
TitanTim said:
This little number is within my budget for the Z3 replacement but I keep telling myself I would be mad, its not the buying its the running costs and servicing :cry:
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Sorry this off topic but have to ask,
I assume you want this as your winter car, why buy a car with loads more grunt than your summer car, then adapt it for winter use? Why not just buy a more suitable winter car from the start?

I'm only asking!
 
ronk said:
TitanTim said:
This little number is within my budget for the Z3 replacement but I keep telling myself I would be mad, its not the buying its the running costs and servicing :cry:
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Sorry this off topic but have to ask,
I assume you want this as your winter car, why buy a car with loads more grunt than your summer car, then adapt it for winter use? Why not just buy a more suitable winter car from the start?

I'm only asking!
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lol, generally because I tend to buy with the heart than the head or on impulse and worry about the "what have I done" scenario afterwards :?

I was all out for swapping my 1 Series for the new model, specced it all up etc, went on one of those dealer weekend doos and ended up ordering the Z4 as the deal was alot better even though its not really practical for my needs and I already had a 2 seater car (Z3) :roll: . I have looked at other cars i.e. 4x4s etc to replace the Z3 but I know I wouldn't be happy with one. The Z4M would be a completely mad buy for me as I desperately need a more practical small car soonish so in reality I'm looking at the Suzuki Swift Sport and Polo R Line. I just saw the M which is in my budget but have been told I'm definitely not having it :(

Tim.
 
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