Most reliable Engine/Trans Combination?

[MrGalactic]

Hi all - I'm new to the forum and I'm having a blast researching E89's on youtube! After the holidays I'll be looking for an E89 to be my reliable daily driver and I'm hoping to get some feedback from the community while doing my research.

With reliability being my top priority, am I nosing down the right path with the 30i or 23i paired with a a 6-speed manual? In all the video reviews I've watched the inline six's sound amazing but if the 4cyl is the most reliable I don't want to rule it out. The 35i in Valencia Orange looks like my soul mate on paper but I have big concerns about complications from twin turbo and potentially a dual clutch situation if i can't find it in a 6-speed.

Anyways, thanks for your feedback everyone! I try to do dig in deep before posting in forums so hopefully this post isn't too basic for a new member

 

[B21]

So if age and mileage are not taken into account I would suggest

23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
20i auto
28i auto
20i manual
28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual


Taking age / mileage into account

Post 2014 20i Auto
Post 2014 28i Auto
Post 2014 20i manual
Post 2014 28i manual
23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
Pre 2015 20i auto
Pre 2015 28i auto
Pre 2015 20i manual
Pre 2015 28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual

 

[sars]

Having owned a 2.5Si E85 and a 3.0 E89, both manual, I would certainly recommend either engine and the manual, but the preference would be the 3.0l. IMHO the change to the 2.0l four cylinder turbo took away a huge chunk of appeal, yes acceleration improved, at the expense driver enjoyment of sound, torque and RPM's (peak torque arrives at just over 2500 rpm, and tapers off slowly until 6500 rpm).

If you do opt for the facelift e89, the 8 speed automatic in the 1.8/2.0/2.8 is pretty special if you want an auto.

Happy hunting

 

[flybobbie]

Went from 30k to now 100k on my 23i.
Only engine problem was to fit new cam cover about 10k ago, slight warp oil on no4 plug coil.
They are a known problem on a lot of BMW's.
Engine and gearbox most reliable part of the car.
But roof wiring, boot cycling, tail light damp common problems.

 

[Mr Tidy]

First off welcome to the forum.

I'd agree that from a reliability point of view the N52 engine in the 23i and 30i are probably the best options with a manual gearbox.

I know the 4 cylinder ones can give as much performance with better economy and arguably better handling due to less weight at the front but for me having a straight 6 is one of the unique features of a Z4, and I prefer N/A engines anyway.

The N52 engines make peak power at 6,600 rpm and happily rev to the 7,000 red-line. I like them so much I've got my 4th at the moment, albeit in a 3 Series this time.

But whatever you decide to get good luck finding the right one!

 

[flybobbie]

Well my N52 i redline nearly every day as a check. I know if it's happy it hits 60mph in 2nd gear.

 

[Nictrix]

So if age and mileage are not taken into account I would suggest

23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
20i auto
28i auto
20i manual
28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual


Taking age / mileage into account

Post 2014 20i Auto
Post 2014 28i Auto
Post 2014 20i manual
Post 2014 28i manual
23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
Pre 2015 20i auto
Pre 2015 28i auto
Pre 2015 20i manual
Pre 2015 28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual

I bet you wish the 35is came with a manual box

 

[B21]

So if age and mileage are not taken into account I would suggest

23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
20i auto
28i auto
20i manual
28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual


Taking age / mileage into account

Post 2014 20i Auto
Post 2014 28i Auto
Post 2014 20i manual
Post 2014 28i manual
23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
Pre 2015 20i auto
Pre 2015 28i auto
Pre 2015 20i manual
Pre 2015 28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual

I bet you wish the 35is came with a manual box

Well with 550bhp 700nm the clutch would have been toast….but heh it’s only one more issue to deal with.. :tumbleweed: :rofl:

 

[MrGalactic]

If you do opt for the facelift e89, the 8 speed automatic in the 1.8/2.0/2.8 is pretty special if you want an auto.

Thanks for the info. It sounds like maybe the 4-cyl turbos could "feel" a little more zippy than a six, is that a fair statement? One of the things i liked most about my wife's R53 supercharged Mini was the "go-kart" feel. It wasn't slamming anyone's guts into the seat at launch but it just felt quick and tight as you moved through the gears.

 

[MrGalactic]

I'd agree that from a reliability point of view the N52 engine in the 23i and 30i are probably the best options with a manual gearbox.

I know the 4 cylinder ones can give as much performance with better economy and arguably better handling due to less weight at the front but for me having a straight 6 is one of the unique features of a Z4, and I prefer N/A engines anyway.

I appreciate the info which seems to be lining up with others. Have you driven any of those 4 cyl models? I haven't test drove a Z4 yet but I will when i can find some in my area haha. NA's are my first choice also but a nimble little 4cyl turbo has me curious now.

 

[MrGalactic]

But roof wiring, boot cycling, tail light damp common problems.

Roof wiring and Boot Cycling sound like it could be costly repairs. I'll check into those on the problems channel, thanks!

 

[MrGalactic]

So if age and mileage are not taken into account I would suggest

23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
20i auto
28i auto
20i manual
28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual


Taking age / mileage into account

Post 2014 20i Auto
Post 2014 28i Auto
Post 2014 20i manual
Post 2014 28i manual
23i manual
30i manual
23i auto
30i auto
Pre 2015 20i auto
Pre 2015 28i auto
Pre 2015 20i manual
Pre 2015 28i manual
35i DCT
35is DCT
35i manual
35is manual

Thought I replied to this first but don't see it. Thanks for this comprehensive list!!! Quick question, i notice the 23i manual drops to 6th position when taking age/mileage into account....for my clarification, is this simply because the post2014 20/28's are newer vehicles? For example if i found an 23i and a Post 2014 20i Auto with the same mileage, that would be a toss-up in your opinion or would the 23i still trump the 30i for reliability? Hopefully i'm reading that correctly and I'm sure this is just nit-picking at this point but that's what us car guys do

 

[B21]

MrGalactic..I think it’s in 5th place?

Any list is a personal view especially on this forum… :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :rofl:

I know the 23i manual non MSport and the 20i Auto MSport very well..

The issue against the 23i is age…these cars do have lots of plastics and these do age..the later 18i/20i/28i are at least 2-3 years newer and maybe 6-7 years newer…cars that have lived outside for that time age due to UV and pollution too.

The 23i tend to be poorly spec’d compared to later N20 powered cars..quite a few people regret after the event their lack of ‘goodies’…

The 23i is a great car and I’ve sat in one for many hours as well had one following me for thousands of miles..

The engines despite their age are pretty bulletproof excepting a few plastic items, electric water pumps and normal wear n tear on chassis parts.

As noted some people have this six cylinder issue..if that’s your main driver then a 23i is a great car.

For a daily I’d personally go for one of the later 18i/20i/28i auto with some ‘goodies’ like idrive aka satnav and good audio support, parking sensors etc..

These engines when properly maintained can rack up big mileages too..there is one past 500k miles..

The auto box as stated is fabulous..if you want to play with it then it can behave like a manual..however once you’ve sampled it’s sophistication and adaptability I would venture you’ll never look back.

A by the bay is that the engine can be easily remapped without detriment making it about as fast as a stock 35i with much much better handling..

Cash is the other issue..a half decent 23i can be had for £6k-£8k…a decent post 2013 20i with goodies is going to be £12k-£15k

 

[MrGalactic]

These engines when properly maintained can rack up big mileages too..there is one past 500k miles..

Impressive! I'll keep digging into the details on these models. Eventually i'll just need to drive a few and see which one's i connect with. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and opinions

 

[B21]

These engines when properly maintained can rack up big mileages too..there is one past 500k miles..

Impressive! I'll keep digging into the details on these models. Eventually i'll just need to drive a few and see which one's i connect with. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and opinions

If you can the best thing you can do..try and make sure it’s at least an hour long…be prepared for the physiological shock of sitting in what appears to be the rear of a barge with a looooonnngggg bonnet ahead..after a series of ‘normal’ cars I found it took quite some time to get used to the rear biased seating position..