New member and eventually new E89 owner.

[mattm]

Hi everyone, New member here and actively looking to purchase an E89.

I'm gradually reading my way through the valuable information on here as I try to decide which E89 model I would like to purchase. I wondered if the forum could offer some advice please?

I know it sounds crazy but I'm not buying for performance so I don't need the fastest engine but I want to understand for example if I should be looking for a 6 cylinder rather than 4 cylinder. Other than the usual E89 buying precautions is there anything else I should look out for model wise?

My budget is circa £20K and I'd like to pick up a 2016 model. I quite like White and also Estoril Blue but ultimately condition and price will take a higher priority than colour.

I am also planning to take up a BMW insured warranty if its possible.

Any advice for a complete newbie?

 

[Pondrew]

Hi and welcome. Pretty sure no Z4 was painted Estoril Blue, but I know someone with a really nice white E89 which may be coming up for sale very soon, way below your budget too.

If you are not all about the performance, then the N20 4 pot engine is very good and still makes 260bhp easily. It is generally a lot more reliable than the 6 pots and costs a lot less to run.

 

[tiglon]

Pretty sure no Z4 was painted Estoril Blue

Apart from maybe the Estoril Blue ones, I reckon they might have been painted Estoril Blue. oke:

 

[Pondrew]

Apart from maybe the Estoril Blue ones,

Oh yeah. I forgot about those ones.
Never seen one and (after looking it up) looks like they only did them from 2015 'til end of model.
I drink too much :roll:

 

[Silverstar]

Hi and welcome as you are looking for a newer car with a healthy budget and not bothered by performance then probably the 18i or 20i is the one to get, the 18i are generally sparsely specced the 20i should have more toys. The 35i and 35is will give you way more performance and sound a lot better and be more refined thanks to the 6 cylinder engine but are prone to having more problems on the other hand if you are after some sound and refinement then you can search some of the best examples of the older non turbo 6 cylinder 23i or 30i which in general are pretty much bullet proof.

 

[mattm]

Thanks for the replies and warm welcome.

I think then that the N20 20i will be the way forward for me. That helps me refine my search.

 

[mr.tourette]

Hi and welcome. Pretty sure no Z4 was painted Estoril Blue, but I know someone with a really nice white E89 which may be coming up for sale very soon, way below your budget too.

If you are not all about the performance, then the N20 4 pot engine is very good and still makes 260bhp easily. It is generally a lot more reliable than the 6 pots and costs a lot less to run.

I think saying the 4 pot is a lot more reliable that the 6 is a pretty big stretch mate..yes they are cheaper to run but in terms of reliability im fairly sure the 6 edges the 4, not to say the 4 pot is unreliable but the n52 6 is a well known reliable unit

 

[Zed Baron]

So a little confused here, Pondrew: 'the N20 4 pot engine is very good and still makes 260bhp easily. It is generally a lot more reliable than the 6 pots'... bit of a sweeping statement that, as Silverstar says: 'the older non turbo 6 cylinder 23i or 30i which in general are pretty much bullet proof' .... Owning a '6 pot' for the last 7 years, I've found it an extremely reliable car and never had any issues with it mechanically.

 

[Pondrew]

As the OP stated he wanted a 2016 car, I was presuming he was meaning the N54 against the N20. The N54 is not the most famous for reliability.
S'all.

 

[tiglon]

I don't know where this idea of the N54 being unreliable has come from, I've only had one and a half oil leaks in the last year :tumbleweed: :rofl:

I think you'll be waiting a while for a 6-pot Estoril Blue anyway, I've only ever seen one advertised. Plenty of EB 4-pots available though, and the e89 does looking absolutely stunning with that paint.

 

[mattm]

I had a 330 clubsport in Estoril Blue 20 years ago and liked the colour ever since. I was quite keen on a white E89 until I noticed the blue on autotrader.

 

[Silverstar]

As Mr Tourette and Zed Baron put it off all the engine choices the older NA 6 cylinders will be the bullet proof option in comparison to the rest. Even the N54 the engine itself is pretty bullet proof but from my understanding it's the expensive ancillaries that cause problems. The N20 are known for timing chain failures although not that many N20 E89 owners here on the forum have reported this but you can find a large number cases of this issue on the N20 fitted to other BMWs. In BMW's history you will find that usually their 4 pots have always been trouble and the one to avoid and their 6 pots are legendary, V8s again best avoided V12s can be ok.

 

[B21]

If it’s a later model 2016, your options are either a 35i or 35is or a 18i/20i/28i..

The 35s are very powerful but are the most problematic and most expensive to run and maintain of all E89s.

So you are left with N20 powered versions.

Cam chain was changed in 2014 so a 2015 / 2016 will not have that problem and as a result will be on a par with earlier N52 23i / 30i for reliability at least.

The 20i was the most popular model of the three by a long long way..

You can make a 20i into a 28i for £500 so it’s not worth paying a price premium for a 28i.

So it’s a 20i..

Later 20i tend to be better specified too with later tech.

MSport on 19” run flats ride horribly so factor that in ..most folks go for non run flat rubber.

The 19” 326M wheels are very very prone to cracking.

That’s from someone with a 20i and a 35is

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum Matt.

Good luck with your search, and don't forget to post some photos once you have one!

 

[Smartbear]

Hi everyone, New member here and actively looking to purchase an E89.

I'm gradually reading my way through the valuable information on here as I try to decide which E89 model I would like to purchase. I wondered if the forum could offer some advice please?

I know it sounds crazy but I'm not buying for performance so I don't need the fastest engine but I want to understand for example if I should be looking for a 6 cylinder rather than 4 cylinder. Other than the usual E89 buying precautions is there anything else I should look out for model wise?

My budget is circa £20K and I'd like to pick up a 2016 model. I quite like White and also Estoril Blue but ultimately condition and price will take a higher priority than colour.

I am also planning to take up a BMW insured warranty if its possible.

Any advice for a complete newbie?

Hi, where are you based? You may find someone willing to show you round their car
Rob

 

[mattm]

Hi everyone, New member here and actively looking to purchase an E89.

I'm gradually reading my way through the valuable information on here as I try to decide which E89 model I would like to purchase. I wondered if the forum could offer some advice please?

I know it sounds crazy but I'm not buying for performance so I don't need the fastest engine but I want to understand for example if I should be looking for a 6 cylinder rather than 4 cylinder. Other than the usual E89 buying precautions is there anything else I should look out for model wise?

My budget is circa £20K and I'd like to pick up a 2016 model. I quite like White and also Estoril Blue but ultimately condition and price will take a higher priority than colour.

I am also planning to take up a BMW insured warranty if its possible.

Any advice for a complete newbie?

Hi, where are you based? You may find someone willing to show you round their car
Rob

I'm a bit out of the way on the Isle of Wight, Anyone local?

 

[mattm]

If it’s a later model 2016, your options are either a 35i or 35is or a 18i/20i/28i..

The 35s are very powerful but are the most problematic and most expensive to run and maintain of all E89s.

So you are left with N20 powered versions.

Cam chain was changed in 2014 so a 2015 / 2016 will not have that problem and as a result will be on a par with earlier N52 23i / 30i for reliability at least.

The 20i was the most popular model of the three by a long long way..

You can make a 20i into a 28i for £500 so it’s not worth paying a price premium for a 28i.

So it’s a 20i..

Later 20i tend to be better specified too with later tech.

MSport on 19” run flats ride horribly so factor that in ..most folks go for non run flat rubber.

The 19” 326M wheels are very very prone to cracking.

That’s from someone with a 20i and a 35is

I'm pretty much convinced now that the 20i is the way to go. What do folks do if the car has 19" 326m? Change the wheels and the run flats? I guess that is going to be quite an expensive route and I think most 20i I've seen have these wheels unfortunately.

 

[B21]

A lot of people have been able to sell their 326m for a decent price to pay for something more robust..I got £1,300 for mine and decent run flats.

Their seems to be many who are not aware of the issues and willing to pay a premium…

 

[john-e89]

If it’s a later model 2016, your options are either a 35i or 35is or a 18i/20i/28i..

The 35s are very powerful but are the most problematic and most expensive to run and maintain of all E89s.

So you are left with N20 powered versions.

Cam chain was changed in 2014 so a 2015 / 2016 will not have that problem and as a result will be on a par with earlier N52 23i / 30i for reliability at least.

The 20i was the most popular model of the three by a long long way..

You can make a 20i into a 28i for £500 so it’s not worth paying a price premium for a 28i.

So it’s a 20i..

Later 20i tend to be better specified too with later tech.

MSport on 19” run flats ride horribly so factor that in ..most folks go for non run flat rubber.

The 19” 326M wheels are very very prone to cracking.

That’s from someone with a 20i and a 35is

I'm pretty much convinced now that the 20i is the way to go. What do folks do if the car has 19" 326m? Change the wheels and the run flats? I guess that is going to be quite an expensive route and I think most 20i I've seen have these wheels unfortunately.

Hi Matt,

Basically if you find a car you and it has 326's then have them checked, especially on the inner edge, for cracks. If none, and it has run flats, factor in a change for quality non run flat rubber and a can of gunk, tyre compressor. The non run flats give such an improvement in ride it's silly not too, and once on them the 326's will be fine, they're not egg shell weak by any means, there's a bit of hysteria on here about them. Eg, Michelin pilot sport 4's with 326's will give no zero concerns and a very comfortable ride.

Best of luck in your Search. :driving:

 

[john-e89]

Not sure why that post tagged B21 tbh...... :?