New car buyer advice

R

Rich-hill

Member
Hi All.

Having now come out of a company car I’m in the market for another Z4.

I was looking at a low mileage E85 but with prices coming down on the E89 i thought u would take the opportunity.

I won’t be doing big mileage at all. Is there anything I should be looking out for? I would be looking at a 3.0i or 35i.

I believe the 3.0 is the same engine as the E85 therefor orettt billet proof. Is there anything on the 35i I should look out for or be aware of on a higher mileage one?

I have a budget of £8-10k, and looking to get something sorted this week. Any advice would be greatly received.

Thanks
Rich
 
If i had my choice again i think i would check out the automatic as well as manual gearbox. The manual box is a bit slow due to it's notchyness.
 
I’ve just come across a 35i DCT in budget.

I know this engine via google ‘can’ have issues. Should 70-100k miles begin to present problems? Or is in a case of thousands sold, and only a few bad ones make it to the internet ?
 
I hit 100k on my 35i at the start of the year and if anything it's running better now than ever. Personally I feel the issues with them are overrated and (touch wood) my engine has been completely solid and more reliable than the old 3.0 in the E85 I had.

I do however keep very much on top of maintenance, easy things to do are oil and filters are every 7000-8000 miles with spark plugs at every other oil change. I also change coil packs at every other spark plug change along with coolant. Keep it all clean and make sure there's no build up of debris in front of radiators so you have good air flow. All of the above is inexpensive and ought to keep it running as well as possible on a day to day basis. :)
 
This is the one that has caught my eye:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809200678623?minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&price-to=11000&fuel-type=Petrol&sort=distance&model=Z4&make=BMW&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ta52hp&body-type=Convertible&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

I never had any issues with my E85 or Alpina in the past, however neither were this age.
 
Rich-hill said:
This is the one that has caught my eye:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809200678623?minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&price-to=11000&fuel-type=Petrol&sort=distance&model=Z4&make=BMW&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ta52hp&body-type=Convertible&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

I never had any issues with my E85 or Alpina in the past, however neither were this age.
Click to expand...

Whilst it has nav it also has the SE seats, not nearly as comfortable as sports seats which may hinder you selling it on as well as not having much side as well as adjustable bolsters, nor adjustable thigh support. Something to consider.
 
Rich-hill said:
This is the one that has caught my eye:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809200678623?minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&price-to=11000&fuel-type=Petrol&sort=distance&model=Z4&make=BMW&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ta52hp&body-type=Convertible&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

I never had any issues with my E85 or Alpina in the past, however neither were this age.
Click to expand...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903095724931?radius=1500&price-to=11000&sort=distance&model=Z4&body-type=Convertible&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ta52hp&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Petrol&make=BMW&page=1

This one looks an almighty deal, little less miles than the one above, still has idrive but also sports seats and extended leather.
Wheels are a bit small but at least you'll never feel a bump :D
 
Player 1 said:
Rich-hill said:
This is the one that has caught my eye:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809200678623?minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&price-to=11000&fuel-type=Petrol&sort=distance&model=Z4&make=BMW&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ta52hp&body-type=Convertible&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

I never had any issues with my E85 or Alpina in the past, however neither were this age.
Click to expand...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903095724931?radius=1500&price-to=11000&sort=distance&model=Z4&body-type=Convertible&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ta52hp&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Petrol&make=BMW&page=1

This one looks an almighty deal, little less miles than the one above, still has idrive but also sports seats and extended leather.
Wheels are a bit small but at least you'll never feel a bump :D
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

Looks a better car doesn’t it. :driving:
 
There's also this..

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903115779436?make=BMW&sort=distance&postcode=ta52hp&year-from=2008&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&radius=70&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=11000&model=Z4&page=2

However it's back to the SE seats...

I have that element of doubt/uncertaintly in my mind with the 35i and DCT
 
Although the first car had SE seats they were electric memory ones, I couldn't see if the second car's sports seats were electric or manual (all it said were that they heated). If the seats were that important you could always buy a set later (an easy swap), I bought a pair of immaculate sports seats from a low mileage car for £460 and sold my SE seats for £265.
 
I'm also looking for an E89, having parted with my E85 a few years back. I'm after the 28i version, which I think will suit me best. I've spotted two very low mileage models, links below, one manual, one auto, the same price and age. Any views on manual vs auto?

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201904056647764
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201903266277448
 
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