E89 for Mrs.Makeshift

[makeshiftuk]

Evening all

Looking for some guidance please on an E89 for Mrs.Makeshift... I bought her a Maserati GranSport last Summer and whilst it's a spectacular car she hasn't really gelled with the 'Cambio Corsa' single-clutch robotized manual, which was the first generation of F1 derived paddle shifts. For this reason I'm leaning heavily towards an auto-box (although I'm curious as to the DCT box having a 'viable' auto mode, given auto in the Maserati is AWFUL) and something with 6 cylinders minimum.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/opinions - I've only ever owned cars with big NA lumps (turbo replacement isn't cheap, right), and I'm also slightly concerned about the reliability of the retractable hard top... at one point we were considering a Ferrari California, until my specialist told me he wouldn't wish that car and it's roof mechanism on his worst enemy.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Pondrew]

Hello and welcome.
To be honest, if you are thinking of buying the Mrs a Z4 over a Ferrari, you will have to change the name from 'Mrs Makeshift' to 'Mrs Make-do'.
Buy the California and I'll do a straight swap for my Z4. Can't say fairer than that. In fact I'll throw in my Alpina and a Skoda too

 

[makeshiftuk]

Buy the California and I'll do a straight swap for my Z4. Can't say fairer than that.

Ha! Thanks for the welcome. Have a quick google of Ferrari California roof failure, if that doesn't put you off the subsequent bills will

Roof issues aside a Cali is an expense I shouldn't be prioritising right now, and compared to the GranSport I *know* she will use a Z4.

 

[Silverstar]

Given what you've said really there's only two options, the older 30i with it's NA 6 cylinder and ZF 6 speed torque converter auto or the 35i / 35is 6 cylinder twin turbo with a DCT which far as I know can be used like an auto but I am sure someone with one will confirm this. But saying that if I had the ability to get a Ferrari California or any Ferrari I would go for one, just keep some cash in the kitty in case the roof or something goes. Life is too short not to! Recently I drove my mates 2017 Porsche 911 991.2 with the dual clutch PDK and that really is a fantastic gearbox, you can leave it in auto and it potter around but put into sport or manual mode and what a box!

 

[Pondrew]

Have a quick google of Ferrari California roof failure,

Have a quick search on here for E89 roof faults. My offer stands.

 

[Pondrew]

ZF 6 speed torque converter auto

That can be mapped to be a very good semi-auto. Got it in the Alpina and it's very very good (for a slush box).

 

[Silverstar]

ZF 6 speed torque converter auto

That can be mapped to be a very good semi-auto. Got it in the Alpina and it's very very good (for a slush box).

This is true, I mapped mine a few weeks ago using XHP and what a difference!

 

[Pondrew]

This is true, I mapped mine a few weeks ago using XHP and what a difference!

If you keep the throttle in the same place and change up manually, it feels like a DCT. Does yours blip the throttle on down changes in manual?

 

[Silverstar]

This is true, I mapped mine a few weeks ago using XHP and what a difference!

If you keep the throttle in the same place and change up manually, it feels like a DCT. Does yours blip the throttle on down changes in manual?

Yes it does, both in manual and in sport mode. Haven't tried changing manually from auto, will try it out, thanks.

 

[Pondrew]

Nothing like a thread hi-jack. Sorry Dan :roll:

 

[Chippie]

Hi Dan and welcome to the forum.
I would say the e89 roof only has 3 main problems.
1- faulty micro switch.
Relatively easy fix if you know what you’re doing.
2- broken wire near hinge on roof.
The wire breaks over time with use, requires sheathing stripping back and a section of wire replacing.
3- split hydraulic pipe.
Again it breaks where it bends at he hinge.
Requires new looking loom or a piece jointing in.
The micro switch seems the most common (can fail at any point one)followed by the Brocken wire and then the hydraulic line(which seem to be time usage related, probably over 10 years old).
I have the DCT box in mine and it really is a great gear box, nice and relaxed in auto mode but very capable in sport and manual mode.

 

[Zed Baron]

Hi, if I had the budget for a used California and wanted a Z instead, then I'd be looking at a G29 M40i (and have change left over). BMW warranty, low mileage, latest technology etc.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Hi, if I had the budget for a used California and wanted a Z instead, then I'd be looking at a G29 M40i (and have change left over). BMW warranty, low mileage, latest technology etc.

+1 that’s exactly what I was thinking, a bit of a leap from a California to an E89.

Whatever way you decide to go [ref]makeshiftuk[/ref], hello and welcome and enjoy the search and ownership of whatever Z4 you go for

 

[Colin_E]

Chippie's failure mode summary probably misses out the worst case scenario of a hydraulic pump failure - which happened to a friend of mine. OEM part is circa £2K. However:
a) Root cause for this tends to be either electrical - keeping battery charged, replacing battery as soon as capacity starts to deteriorate AND periodic replacement of salmon relays (cheap & easy DIY job) will significantly reduce this risk OR
b) water damage - seals around boot & especially rear light enclosures can fail and allow water ingress that floods the pump. Preventatively, treat seals with gummi-pflege, inspect periodically and (if possible) keep car garaged.
c) if all this fails & your pump goes, recon units are available (£600 or so from memory) & there's one of the most highly regarded indies - and a member here - RBM Hampshire who specialises in this stuff just outside the border of Surrey.
Doubt very much that even this worst case would scratch the surface of a Ferrari failure / repair in £££ terms!

 

[makeshiftuk]

This is superb feedback all, thanks! I hadn't considered the G29 - I prefer the shape of the E89, but then again, this won't be mine. Will float the idea...

Good to understand the main roof problems, and the worst case scenario of £2k for the hydraulic pump - this is exactly the info I'm looking for, and relatively speaking is a drop in the ocean compared to a cantankerous Italian. It also sounds like the DCT boxes used here are vastly evolved compared to the early robotized single clutch systems.

What are people's thoughts of the 30i vs the 35i and 35is? Do I compromise significantly on reliability by introducing two turbos into the equation?

 

[Zforbes]

You are correct to say the e89 is the best looking

If it's a DCT you're after then you need the twin turbos to go with it. Most issues with these are pretty generic so I wouldn't let the addition of the turbos put you off

 

[tiglon]

The DCT is pretty smooth in D, but it's worth looking at the normal auto if you don't need/want the twin turbos. It's smoother still and barely any slower.

The 30i is plenty fast enough and will be cheaper and easier to maintain, but the 35i/s is not the catastrophe waiting to happen that some parts of the internet would have you believe - certainly not if your reference point is Ferrari or Maserati!

 

[Pondrew]

he 30i is plenty fast enough and will be cheaper and easier to maintain, but the 35i/s is not the catastrophe waiting to happen that some parts of the internet would have you believe - certainly not if your reference point is Ferrari or Maserati!

Good point; it's all relative. Compared to Italians, Z4s are like Toyota Corollas.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum Dan.

If Mrs Makeshift is prepared to consider any Z4 to replace a Maserati she has to be a keeper. :lol:

And your wallet should definitely notice the difference!

 

[makeshiftuk]

If Mrs Makeshift is prepared to consider any Z4 to replace a Maserati she has to be a keeper. :lol:
And your wallet should definitely notice the difference!

Hear hear

I think it comes down to getting out and driving both 30i vs 35i variants - I like the former from a simplicity standpoint (my M54 B30 powered E39 is on 222k miles and is virtually bullet-proof, coolant system aside), but equally there are a fair number of examples of well priced 35i cars, albeit with higher miles... I'm guessing the turbos are more likely to be a liability on these if not changed already.

I sense we'll be putting the wheels into motion with selling the GranSport sooner rather than later, and with that in the hands of it's next owner I can concentrate on finding the right Z4. Exciting times