Looking for a Z4... not sure why!

D

DJMC

Member
 Evesham
...just have this urge to have some more open air fun. Must be the hot weather, not that it's a good idea in 35C heat!

I spent 12 years in an E46 325ci cab and then an E46 330ci cab 2002 - 2014 until I changed to a coupe as my bright red head longed for a toupee.
The other favourite was my 1986 E30 325i cab in Dolphin Grey, bought in the mid 90's... remember those? It was a third car, as the Z4 would be, and did 750 miles in the year I owned it.

Those were three of the best BMWs I've had in 40 years of driving the brand. Currently on number eleven, a '71 plate Xi 2.0i xDrive for practical use and a Cayman 981 2.7PDK for the last 10+ years for fun.

I've recently driven an E89 2.0 thinking that's all I need for cruising around, top down, but then I tried an E85 2.5 and that engine... WoW!! I'd obviously forgotten the joyful sound of the S6, completely different from the F6 of the Cayman. Both wonderful in their own way. So whichever model, E85/89 it has to be 2.5 or 3.0 S6.

I'm drawn toward the E85, partly for buying cost, partly for design. The droopy headlamps are growing on me, countered by the rear end which is a masterpiece.
The E89 is perhaps the more cohesive design, the metal roof possibly a future headache, and it has more of the modern conveniences we've all become used to.

Hoping to gain some insight and info here.
 
Hello and welcome to the very rude forum 😱 if you stay you will get used to certain members' sense of humour.:rofl:Enjoy your search for the right car👍
 
Pondy said:
PS. No idea what shoogly peg is. Presumably it's a local saying in the frozen north?
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This north of carlisle means a person's position—often their job, relationship, or standing—is precarious and at risk of coming to an end. 😱
 
DJMC said:
...just have this urge to have some more open air fun. Must be the hot weather, not that it's a good idea in 35C heat!

I spent 12 years in an E46 325ci cab and then an E46 330ci cab 2002 - 2014 until I changed to a coupe as my bright red head longed for a toupee.
The other favourite was my 1986 E30 325i cab in Dolphin Grey, bought in the mid 90's... remember those? It was a third car, as the Z4 would be, and did 750 miles in the year I owned it.

Those were three of the best BMWs I've had in 40 years of driving the brand. Currently on number eleven, a '71 plate Xi 2.0i xDrive for practical use and a Cayman 981 2.7PDK for the last 10+ years for fun.

I've recently driven an E89 2.0 thinking that's all I need for cruising around, top down, but then I tried an E85 2.5 and that engine... WoW!! I'd obviously forgotten the joyful sound of the S6, completely different from the F6 of the Cayman. Both wonderful in their own way. So whichever model, E85/89 it has to be 2.5 or 3.0 S6.

I'm drawn toward the E85, partly for buying cost, partly for design. The droopy headlamps are growing on me, countered by the rear end which is a masterpiece.
The E89 is perhaps the more cohesive design, the metal roof possibly a future headache, and it has more of the modern conveniences we've all become used to.

Hoping to gain some insight and info here.
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If you want cheap an E85 with the 2.5ltr M54 is the place to go - you might even drop lucky and find one with the N52 for under £4k. Forget the 3ltr equivalents as there's no value there - everyone want's one.

You are right about the E89 being better appointed and for that reason it's much easier to live with. Again the 2.5ltr N52 is where all the value is and for £5k you should be able to pick up a decent example. Model years 2009 - 2011 is what you should be looking as after that the N20 4 cylinder engine replaces the straight 6 - still great cars but sound very much more agricultural so no good for you based on what you've said.

Also don't get hung up about the roof issues on the E89 - there are lots of enthusiasts with experience now. Just make sure in and around the motor is dry and there are no initial issues with the operation or the soft close boot functionality.

Have fun with your search and if you are afyer a car just for the sake of driving you are definitely doing the right thing 👍
 
DJMC said:
This 3.0si came on yesterday... £3,500. I was too late!...
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That's a shame as a 3.0Si is as good as an E85 gets unless you spend loads more on an M or Alpina.

Hopefully you'll find the right one soon. 🤞
 
Gwest44 said:
If you want cheap an E85 with the 2.5ltr M54 is the place to go - you might even drop lucky and find one with the N52 for under £4k. Forget the 3ltr equivalents as there's no value there - everyone want's one.

You are right about the E89 being better appointed and for that reason it's much easier to live with. Again the 2.5ltr N52 is where all the value is and for £5k you should be able to pick up a decent example. Model years 2009 - 2011 is what you should be looking as after that the N20 4 cylinder engine replaces the straight 6 - still great cars but sound very much more agricultural so no good for you based on what you've said.

Also don't get hung up about the roof issues on the E89 - there are lots of enthusiasts with experience now. Just make sure in and around the motor is dry and there are no initial issues with the operation or the soft close boot functionality.

Have fun with your search and if you are afyer a car just for the sake of driving you are definitely doing the right thing 👍
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Yes, I've been focusing on the 2006-on facelift E85 2.5 and 3.0 which, if my research is correct, have the N52.

The 3.0si I missed out on, photo'd above, is a 2006 car, but I'm sure it'll need some sorting at £3,500.

But if I find an earlier M54, does its more simple design outweigh the N52's sophistication? I understand both are fairly bomb proof, but I could be mistaken.

And budget has prescribed that the E89 cars I've been eyeing have all been 2011 or earlier, though I wasn't aware until your helpful post that the later cars switched to N54 Twinpower (or N24 twin turbo - staying away from that one). I do like the turbo'd B48 in my X1 but that's a different kettle of fish to a sports car. Same with my N/A 981 Cayman. I know turbo engines are more simply tuned, but I guess I'm old school.
 
The N52 is a great engine - I like them so much I'm on my 4th now, albeit in a 330i. But the M54 I had in my E46 325 Compact was great too.

Model for model the N52 makes a bit more power and revs higher, but does have the electric water pump that will fail at some point and costs £250/300 for a replacement - so long as you don't buy from BMW. The M54 has an old school mechanical water pump.

Early E89s (23i and 30i) both had the N52 engine.

I'd give the N54 twin turbo a miss too. Turbos may have great tuning potential but the N54 is prone to injector and High Pressure Fuel Pump issues. Even if I have got an S54 engine in my E86 that also has known weaknesses. :laugh:
 
MikeyH said:
The N 52 doesn’t have a dipstick. Put me off. Probably my age though
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There is an awful lot to be said for a dipstick where YOU can see what is going on, rather than relying on the car telling you.
 
I can live without a physical dipstick, I just got into the habit of checking the oil level every time I drove mine to be sure the sensor was working and as it only works when the engine is up to temperature if you get a reading it's OK to plant your right foot!

I didn't mention coil-packs as they all have those, but I did forget turbos and wastegates. :thumbsup:
 
Usefully my 981 has a virtual dipstick in the digital display, and oil temp and pressure in the display too. I always wait until 80C before any spirited driving. Hasn't used a single drop of oil in 60k miles.

My X1 on the other hand tells me nothing!
 
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