New member - E89 which model? and what gearbox?

[cjchapman1]

Hello!

Thanks for accepting me on the forum.

Potentially looking to buy an E89 as my weekend car, i live in London and commute by public transport so it wont be used for commuting. Ideally would buy from a forum member .

Couple of debates i have:
- do i go for a 2012 or newer model the 18i /20i / 28i 2Ltr turbo N20?
- is it worth going for the automatic on these, quite like the idea of the 8 speed ZF gearbox but would appreciate any hands on experience.
- or do i go older, a 23i, 30i etc but with a manual gearbox? or is the auto any good?

my partner also looking to drive this so thats why im thinking automatic and ideally front parking sensors due to the long bonnet!

budget around 10k.

Car history:
2007 E92 335i auto m sport in black
2005 VW Mk5 golf GTI in grey
2000 6n2 VW polo 1.4 (the first but never forgotten)

thanks, Craig

 

[Reamesy]

Welcome Craig

The six pots are bit more thirsty and I little more to tax. Slightly heavier. But probably a bit more reliable.

The N20 can suffer timing chain issues on earlier models. Mine is a 2012 and knew it would need doing. All in with genuine parts expect to pay around £900-1000. They are lighter and can be tuned as many have. I wish I had been able to afford the auto but jumped on a manual instead.

I’m sure someone else with more experience can give you more.

 

[B21]

Welcome..the usual debate with the usual views.

In reverse logic, the ZF8HP45 box is great and is reliable and very very capable.

The ZF6HP box fitted to the 23i or 30i is good but a bit slower than the 8HP, however with a xHP s/w upgrade its nearly as good.

10k in the market today buys you a reasonable 30i, most N20 powered at 10k are probably high mileage / low spec..

PDC is a very good idea..as are heated seats if you are planning top down motoring outside heat waves..

A decent N20 car with the ZF8HP is a good combo..lots on the market so a bit of determined 'mining' may score a result..

A re-mapped N20 with a ZF8HP is probably (IMHO) the best combo if performance, handling and costs are your set of priorities..

Still miss my 20i MSport Auto..

 

[cjchapman1]

Thanks for the replies Reamesy and B21.

I am steering towards an N20 engine model but the point around timing chain is a good one to know. is there a guide on when it needs changing or is it just as and when you start to hear funny noises?
Do you happen to know if ZF8HP45 gearbox has the fancy auto hold functionality where the car stops creeping?
Lastly, Apple CarPlay is an essential for me, ive had a quick look here and i can see the two main ways of getting it are a) if no idrive then an aftermarket android unit, ive seen some fancy ones that go where the storage is or b) if you have idrive a MMI type box that you plug in behind the scenes. Has anyone got any experience of these?

Above my budget budget but this one caught my eye, but again id rather buy from a forum member than a dealer...
Has parking sensors and heated seats but no idrive.

https://www.carstore.com/search/details/bmw/z4/automatic-petrol-silver-convertible-yg12twk/

 

[B21]

N20 is Russian roulette..but generally somewhere in the 60k-85k range is most likely for problems..some N20s have gone passed 500k without issue..poor oil change frequency and use of stop start seem contributory factors..post 2015 ones ok..around £1k for a dealer to do the one time upgrade..

E89 ZF8HP is an early version so will creep..no s/w support for updates unlike the 6HP in the 30i

Apple play MMI boxes are well trodden here, AbuisZed is the man with ALL and I mean ALL the expertise on those and the Android versions..

 

[B21]

Thanks for the replies Reamesy and B21.

I am steering towards an N20 engine model but the point around timing chain is a good one to know. is there a guide on when it needs changing or is it just as and when you start to hear funny noises?
Do you happen to know if ZF8HP45 gearbox has the fancy auto hold functionality where the car stops creeping?
Lastly, Apple CarPlay is an essential for me, ive had a quick look here and i can see the two main ways of getting it are a) if no idrive then an aftermarket android unit, ive seen some fancy ones that go where the storage is or b) if you have idrive a MMI type box that you plug in behind the scenes. Has anyone got any experience of these?

Above my budget budget but this one caught my eye, but again id rather buy from a forum member than a dealer...
Has parking sensors and heated seats but no idrive.

https://www.carstore.com/search/details/bmw/z4/automatic-petrol-silver-convertible-yg12twk/

Cheap 6 speaker radio which many find dissapointing..

Mixture of tyres

Looks stock which is no bad thing..

 

[B21]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-z4-3.0-30i-convertible-2dr-petrol-auto-sdrive-euro-5-258-ps-/1436261548

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-z4-3.0-30i-convertible-2dr-petrol-auto-sdrive-euro-5-258-ps-/1436261548

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/2009-bmw-z4-3.0l-z4-sdrive30i-roadster-2d-auto-254-bhp/1429876197

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/2009-bmw-z4-3.0-30i-auto-sdrive-euro-5-2dr-convertible-petrol-automatic/1437332177

All 3 l autos

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

In an ideal world it would be worth trying all the options, turbo 4, straight 6, Auto and manual before you decide but that probably isn't practical!

I'm getting on now and just prefer naturally aspirated petrol engines but you've had a couple of turbos already so may not share that preference - although I do think the sixes do sound better.

If you don't mind your partner driving it Auto sounds like a plan, but if you want to keep it to yourself get a Manual. :lol:

Let us know what you get anyway.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Hello and welcome to the forum, I have a 23i and its a great car to drive and will achieve 40+ on a run, not so good around town, over the 20 month I have average 37mpg but I am not heavy footed.

Mine is manual and I now need an auto so will be looking at that next year - anyway great cars and its not a bad choice to have is it

 

[Pondrew]

Mine is manual and I now need an auto

Step this way young man! I have just the thing...

 

[Ole gits rule]

Mine is manual and I now need an auto

Step this way young man! I have just the thing...

I am getting old - my knees are giving way so struggling with long drives plus grandkids so may go away from a 2 seater which is killing me

 

[Pondrew]

I am getting old

You need a comfortable 4 seater vert mate with the cracking B58 and all the toys.

 

[Ole gits rule]

I am getting old

You need a comfortable 4 seater vert mate with the cracking B58 and all the toys.

Looking at a 4 series or maybe even an e-class depending on what's about next year

 

[Reamesy]

N20 is Russian roulette..but generally somewhere in the 60k-85k range is most likely for problems..some N20s have gone passed 500k without issue..poor oil change frequency and use of stop start seem contributory factors..post 2015 ones ok..around £1k for a dealer to do the one time upgrade..

E89 ZF8HP is an early version so will creep..no s/w support for updates unlike the 6HP in the 30i

Apple play MMI boxes are well trodden here, AbuisZed is the man with ALL and I mean ALL the expertise on those and the Android versions..

Is that a main dealer or independent?

 

[Nanu]

As you most likely already realise, you will be made to feel most welcome on here and there will be always lots of advice. Some better than others but plenty of it.

Personally I would get the newest you can afford that is the closest to you requirements. Perhaps as you live in London a auto may suit best and if you want a balance between performance and economy an e89 28i would provide that. Just my opinion having owned one.

Test drive all options and Good hunting

 

[Ole gits rule]

Choosing a 28i adds cost and limits choice as they are rare, I would take a well specced 20i and map the car to 28i levels, same engine so easily done and safe - just expand the options of what to buy

 

[B21]

N20 is Russian roulette..but generally somewhere in the 60k-85k range is most likely for problems..some N20s have gone passed 500k without issue..poor oil change frequency and use of stop start seem contributory factors..post 2015 ones ok..around £1k for a dealer to do the one time upgrade..

E89 ZF8HP is an early version so will creep..no s/w support for updates unlike the 6HP in the 30i

Apple play MMI boxes are well trodden here, AbuisZed is the man with ALL and I mean ALL the expertise on those and the Android versions..

Is that a main dealer or independent?

Indy…that’s what cost me…

 

[Reamesy]

N20 is Russian roulette..but generally somewhere in the 60k-85k range is most likely for problems..some N20s have gone passed 500k without issue..poor oil change frequency and use of stop start seem contributory factors..post 2015 ones ok..around £1k for a dealer to do the one time upgrade..

E89 ZF8HP is an early version so will creep..no s/w support for updates unlike the 6HP in the 30i

Apple play MMI boxes are well trodden here, AbuisZed is the man with ALL and I mean ALL the expertise on those and the Android versions..

Is that a main dealer or independent?

Indy…that’s what cost me…

I see. I thought you were referring to BMW dealership as that would have been very cheap.

That’s about right then. £950 all in with the crankshaft seal done whilst there in there

 

[B21]

Is that a main dealer or independent?

Indy…that’s what cost me…

I see. I thought you were referring to BMW dealership as that would have been very cheap.

That’s about right then. £950 all in with the crankshaft seal done whilst there in there

I don’t think you would see much change from £2,500 to £3,000 from a bmw main dealer..

 

[Gwest44]

I've had 3 E89's and only realised what I was looking for when I got my 3rd and test drove the potential 4th. Obviously as with any car review the majority of this is personal but I'll give you my thoughts anyway. The first one I got was a 2009 23i in black - lovely car with the 296 wheels but the ride was very severe and any undulations in the road could be felt up your spine. Next I had a 2014 23i in black. Not long after owning this I took it to my mechanic because I thought there was an issue with the engine - I just couldn’t get used to the agricultural sound. Suffice to say the engine was fine and he told me the sound was to be expected from the N20 unit. The car however drove much better on the style 325 wheels and although it was black I much preferred the exterior design of the M Sport model and the look of the upgraded running lights. For my 3rd I went back to the 23i but this time in a 2010 Sport model in Melbourne Red. I immediately realised that what I'd been missing was the sound of the inline 6 and although not essential to my purchase at the time some of the additional features of the car have really added ro the ownership experience. As such I wouldn't want to get another without the wind deflector, front and rear parking sensors, fold in outside mirrors or heated seats. Interestingly my first two cars had the iDrive system but I prefer the look of the car without it and suspect having had E85’s & E86’s the car will age better without it. The Melbourne Red has also grown on me and makes a refreshing change to the sea of black & greys that you often see - again not a conscious choice but it is nice to have something a little unusual on what is really just a 2nd car for me. I should also mention the car has the 326 style wheels which I always liked the look of but tried to avoid because of all the negative reviews. In actual fact the wheels are great and although this is the M Sport model the ride comfort is very good and I have experienced none of the cracking issues that most seem to suffer. Finally I test drove a 2016 35iS but really couldn't justify what that offered over my 23i for what was one an additional £14,000. I also didn't fancy the additional running costs that the adaptive suspension and twin turbo set-up present.
My advice to you would be to go and look and test drive as many as you can - all these cars present well but it is surprising how different they feel on driving even when on the surface they are the same car

P.S. should also add all mine have been manual and the first one had done 79k, the 2nd 49k and the 3rd 111k. I suppose like most cars the mileage does seem somewhat irrelevant when compared with how the car has been serviced & maintained.