My Perfect E89.... the search begins

[enzed4]

I think this will be an on again/off again type of search as the mood takes me. I reckon it may be a bit of a mission: impossible, but never mind, I'll post this up just so I can get my thoughts 'out there'.

My wish list for an E89 is:

* 3.0i
* Manual
* M-Sport seats, heated (but don't need to be electric) - I'm guessing this means the whole vehicle has to be M-Sport? Or were the seats able to be specced separately?
* Deep Sea Blue, or Mediterranean Blue, or possibly black, but coming from a black E85, it can be a b@stard keeping it looking good.
* PDC
* Satnav - not for the navigation, but like the look of the parking display, and the audio integration.
* No adaptive suspension (again, not sure if this was an option or was only available on the 35i or 35iS?)
* Black interior - all I see with light coloured interiors is a constant battle against the dirt that inevitably finds its way in, and they show up the scuffs, scrapes more readily. Trouble is, most dark vehicles seem to have been optioned with light interiors (and the reverse - if you want a dark interior, you seem to be stuck looking at the Alpine white E89's...).
Price - up to £14,000 - this hopefully gives me enough room to import it without breaking the bank.

Edit - looking at the above list, maybe this should be in the 'for sale/wanted' forum? But it's more of an effort to get some comments as to whether I've asked the impossible, or how I should 'realign my reality' and look for something else...

 

[Smartbear]

Hi Sean, I think the adaptive suspension was standard on the 35is but an option on other models.
Also the M-Sport seats were available on non m sport cars as an option. Good luck with your search
Rob

 

[mr wilks]

DSB generally does come specced with ivory or black trim so your quest shouldn't be impossibly hard . Mediterranean blue :? DSB is the only blue you can get in the na 3.0i car .
If you find a black car that ticks boxes with Coral red trim do give it consideration .
It looks terrific together & does wear well too , i had in previous 125k 23i & it still looked factory fresh , , the Mpsort seats in general being a massive step up in quality & feel from the previous generation ones that can look worn out even with 30-40k on them .
Can't recall seeing many 3.0is on adaptive so that should not be a spoiler
In general terms id say the 262 manual 3litre is a great longterm choice of 89 & can't see you being disappointed , in general very little to be wary of

 

[enzed4]

Thanks for the comments. I've thought about the red interior, but it's a bit 'loud' for me, I think I'd feel (more) conspicuous with it.
Funny thing is, after writing my thoughts above, I did a search in NZ and found one 30i that ticked every box but two: colour (white) and auto trans. It was a UK import so explains the better spec than the Jap imports we get (which are mostly 23i's anyway).

 

[mr wilks]

Thanks for the comments. I've thought about the red interior, but it's a bit 'loud' for me, I think I'd feel (more) conspicuous with it.
Funny thing is, after writing my thoughts above, I did a search in NZ and found one 30i that ticked every box but two: colour (white) and auto trans. It was a UK import so explains the better spec than the Jap imports we get (which are mostly 23i's anyway).

The coral always looks brighter in pics than real life , compared side by side last week with "srhutch"s imola red trim in his MR they are very similar shades , the coral being a lighter tone

 

[Marlon]

Thanks for the comments. I've thought about the red interior, but it's a bit 'loud' for me, I think I'd feel (more) conspicuous with it.
Funny thing is, after writing my thoughts above, I did a search in NZ and found one 30i that ticked every box but two: colour (white) and auto trans. It was a UK import so explains the better spec than the Jap imports we get (which are mostly 23i's anyway).

The coral always looks brighter in pics than real life , compared side by side last week with "srhutch"s imola red trim in his MR they are very similar shades , the coral being a lighter tone

enzed4 - this pic shows the coral interior colour quite well, the contrast with my bright red bodywork shows its quite a subtle shade as Andy says

 

[enzed4]

Thanks for the pics, they do certainly show the coral red as a darker colour than I had thought

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks for the comments. I've thought about the red interior, but it's a bit 'loud' for me, I think I'd feel (more) conspicuous with it.
Funny thing is, after writing my thoughts above, I did a search in NZ and found one 30i that ticked every box but two: colour (white) and auto trans. It was a UK import so explains the better spec than the Jap imports we get (which are mostly 23i's anyway).

The coral always looks brighter in pics than real life , compared side by side last week with "srhutch"s imola red trim in his MR they are very similar shades , the coral being a lighter tone

enzed4 - this pic shows the coral interior colour quite well, the contrast with my bright red bodywork shows its quite a subtle shade as Andy says

Your pic also shows off my tan quite well I thought
Rob

 

[Smartbear]

Have you considered any of the more unusual combo’s?

Rob

 

[enzed4]

Have you considered any of the more unusual combo’s?
0E9F44ED-A05D-4DCF-8154-E339C24B3BD1.jpeg454F8ACF-B8DB-44FB-9747-2CAF58448142.jpeg
Rob

mmmmm.... caramel. Not sure if I'd want to sit in it or eat it :lol: .
I don't 'not' like it, but it doesn't really do anything for me either - but cheers for the suggestion. Actually, that colour might look a lot different in other car colours (rather than white)

 

[mcbutler]

Have you considered any of the more unusual combo’s?
0E9F44ED-A05D-4DCF-8154-E339C24B3BD1.jpeg454F8ACF-B8DB-44FB-9747-2CAF58448142.jpeg
Rob

Brown, good lord NO

 

[mr wilks]

In a world of black trims i think the bears caramel looks great on the white paint & another favourite is the very rare cohiba brown :wink: classy brown that

 

[Nanu]

Saw a Sepang bronze coloured E89 a few days ago which looked great in the sunshine. Think it had cream or white seats but from a distance not sure. Quite a surprise to see one as I have only seen one other in the flesh at a show in Yorkshire which belonged to a forum member and that looked great too.

 

[Philly_Sweden]

Saw a Sepang bronze coloured E89 a few days ago which looked great in the sunshine. Think it had cream or white seats but from a distance not sure. Quite a surprise to see one as I have only seen one other in the flesh at a show in Yorkshire which belonged to a forum member and that looked great too.

Havanna Brown metallic

 

[Steve S]

There's only one E89 30i manual for sale across the ditch here in Aus. that I could find.
It's a 2010 model, grey with black trim and they're asking A$39,990

 

[enzed4]

There's only one E89 30i manual for sale across the ditch here in Aus. that I could find.
It's a 2010 model, grey with black trim and they're asking A$39,990

Wow! It must be pretty special at that price...
Maybe the 35iS for NZD$39990 (AUD$36,067 / £21,191) isn't so bad after all...

And this would have to be one of the cheapest E89s in NZ at the moment,
https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1443074770.htm
but it's 'only' the 23i and fairly basic spec.
Still at $28,500 (£15000) and very low mileage (22,600Km/14000Mi), it wouldn't be awful, just not what I'm looking for.