E89 for Mrs.Makeshift

[makeshiftuk]

The GS is now up for sale, hoping she'll find a new home with an enthusiast: https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/for-sale/maserati-gransport/453

Now got my eyes out for an sDrive30i in Grey with a ZF-auto box... Autotrader search criteria set, lets see what comes up!

 

[Nanu]

Preferring the e89 proves you have good taste my friend

35is is the only way to go. Manual, flappy paddles or fully auto but to be honest I rarely get out of fully auto as it changes much quicker and smoother than paddles.

Best way to go if you can find one is to have a test drive.

 

[Pondrew]

The GS is now up for sale, hoping she'll find a new home with an enthusiast: https://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/for- ... nsport/453

£25,500! Blimey a few years ago you couldn't give them away

 

[makeshiftuk]

What do you folks think of this? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142524460

Pictures to be uploaded - but in terms of the headline spec, mileage etc. does it represent reasonable value?

 

[Pondrew]

What do you folks think of this? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 2142524460

Pictures to be uploaded - but in terms of the headline spec, mileage etc. does it represent reasonable value?

seems OK money and is everything you said you wanted; grey auto 30i.

 

[Mr Tidy]

That doesn't look like silly money, and there aren't too many 30i models around.

Most buyers seem to have gone for the 23i, or splashed out on a 35i/is.

 

[2k35is]

This looks a nice low miles 25k 3.5i dct even maybe a bit precey
https://www.desperateseller.co.uk/cars-for-sale/advert/101889765/107602?utm_source=newsnow&utm_medium=Syndication&utm_campaign=_[StockSyndication]_[Newsnow]

At under 60k miles can get a BMW insures used warranty from about £45 par month with £250 excess so maybe worth looking foe one under 60k miles particularly if you go for 35i turbo
less money but under 60k miles 3.0 auto black with red leather
https://select-motor-trading.click-engage.co.uk/configure/v/4072058/your-new-vehicle

 

[tiglon]

What do you folks think of this? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142524460

Pictures to be uploaded - but in terms of the headline spec, mileage etc. does it represent reasonable value?

Looks a bit pricey to me, there are lower mileage auto 30i out there for less money. I suppose 10/20k on that engine doesn't make much difference though.

 

[makeshiftuk]

Thanks for the feedback everyone - apart from the black interior (beige preferred) it's more or less the spec we're after. I'm not too phased by the mileage, if we do more than 3k a year in it I'll be surprised!

MOT history is interesting... all passes, but Windscreen damage advisory is a recurring theme, and the owners appear to like running their tyres and discs till the bitter end. Interesting that it was MOT'd twice in 2015?

Also... why is the Z4 badge lower than it should be? Accident/shunt/respray?

 

[Pondrew]

The windscreen thing could be just that it was never replaced but tester missed it one year.
Brake disc corrosion is a very common advisory on these (and other BMs).
The two MOTs 4 days apart is odd but could be a mistake by VOSA when they uploaded info (it does happen).
The badge has been removed and stuck back on wonky and in the wrong place. Could be as innocent as someone de-badging it then someone else reversing it. Easily fixed.

 

[tiglon]

That's a really bad attempt at rebadging :lol: like Pondrew says though, easily fixed.

I sold a space grey 30i with beige(ish) interior 3 years ago, 38k on the clock.... barely got 10 grand for it

 

[makeshiftuk]

I sold a space grey 30i with beige(ish) interior 3 years ago, 38k on the clock.... barely got 10 grand for it

No way! Did you go straight from your 30i into a 35is?

The badge has been removed and stuck back on wonky and in the wrong place. Could be as innocent as someone de-badging it then someone else reversing it. Easily fixed.

Perhaps I'm thinking worst case scenario with the badging... I automatically assume it's been an accident, it's needed a respray, and Stevie Wonder's been tasked with the job of reattaching the badge.

 

[Zed Baron]

The rear bumper lower valance looks like its been repainted, shouldn't it be a very dark grey/black? Could be a simple modification or the whole bumper has been painted for some reason (ties in with the wonky badge). I de-badged the sides of my car but I didn't do the back, seems odd you would do the back and leave the side badges on? Also the start / heated seats buttons look a bit worn.

 

[Silverstar]

The rear bumper lower valance looks like its been repainted, shouldn't it be a very dark grey/black? Could be a simple modification or the whole bumper has been painted for some reason (ties in with the wonky badge). I de-badged the sides of my car but I didn't do the back, seems odd you would do the back and leave the side badges on? Also the start / heated seats buttons look a bit worn.

Nothing odd about that, I have debadged the back but left the sides! The wonky badge on the back could be as others have pointed out a case of debadge and re-badged but I would bet that it's has had a respray / repair especially with the lower valance of the bumper being painted too.
Nothing wrong with that so long as it isn't major rear end shunt and the repair work is of good quality.

The wonky badge can be easily resolved by removing it! If you go to look at the car inspect the rear carefully especially under the boot floor mat to see any evidence of a major repair, look at the seams or body joints and see they appear original.

 

[B21]

The colour matched valance is a homage to the 35i/35is ….I imagine …unusual to see how the valance would normally get damaged necessitating a re-spray..I went the other way..I removed the colour matched valance …and no Z4 badges..but each to their own..

 

[tiglon]

No way! Did you go straight from your 30i into your 35is?

Nope, couple of years of driving crapmobiles in between!

I'd guess the rear valance is a modification, it might just be poor quality photos but it looks like they haven't done a great job, with what looks like the grey paint on the edges of the number plate - if so it looks like an amateur job that may not age well.

The buttons look dirty to me rather than worn, but you can easily check if you view it.

 

[IRD]

I had a 10 year old 3.5is with a low mileage which had been well maintained throughout it’s life and had no problems. It is worth searching for a car with the BMW extended warranty which significantly reduces worry about repair costs. The annual premium for this was just under £500 pa.

 

[And14ward]

I think if someone were trying to hide a repair the z4 badge would be positioned perfectly. Enjoy.

 

[makeshiftuk]

I've got the grey one and another lined up to see this week... will report back with my findings!

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

The colour matched valance is a homage to the 35i/35is ….I imagine …unusual to see how the valance would normally get damaged necessitating a re-spray..I went the other way..I removed the colour matched valance …and no Z4 badges..but each to their own..

I have found one of these ‘homage’ valances on ebay.
I notice you have one on your car.

Did you buy it primed, if so, how much roughly was the spray job? I have a figure in my head of about £600. Usually the cost of a panel respray.

I am pondering this mod, with body colour valance and the black ‘diffuser’.