Hi, new member here, l don't own a Z4 yet but currently looking for a 28i (E89) Auto. I'm searching for a very high Spec. post 2015 car with as few miles on as possible and a full service history. How do I tell if I am buying a car with the upgraded Cam Chain, is there a Vin number or is it just any car after Jan 2015? Including Jan? Any buying advise would be greatly received.
New Member - Z4 28i Buying Advise
- Thread starter Trackit
- Start date
In all honesty why not buy a 18i or 20i and remap the car to the same power level as the 28i or more if you want to, you will widen your choice and probably save a few grand in the process as the 28i are rare and come with a premium.
Trackit said:
Not an expert on 4 pots (or 6 either) but I am sure someone with more knowledge will be along to advise.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271833191?year-to=2017&sort=relevance&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&postcode=pe111xn&include-delivery-option=on&price-from=8000&model=Z4&year-from=2015&page=1
Cracking colour that one
Trackit said:
Loads of white out there and the car looks good in white - I am biased
Orange is rare and costs a premium but is the best colour
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205035310528?sort=relevance&price-from=8000&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2015&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&postcode=pe111xn&include-delivery-option=on&model=Z4&page=4&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true - not keen on red on red
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295160889?sort=relevance&include-delivery-option=on&radius=1500&price-from=8000&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&postcode=pe111xn&model=Z4&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2015&colour=Orange&page=1&percentVehiclePriceDeposit=true
Hi and welcome to the forum.Trackit said:
My 2p worth:
Personally I would forget the 28i. They are for people who are not 'in the know' and pay a massive premium over an 18i or 20i. An E89 28i is identical to the other two, apart from a different engine map (all for BMW marketing purposes) and the 28i has slightly larger front brakes and IIRC comes with auto dimming mirrors as standard.
An 18i or 20i can be re-mapped by anyone on your drive for £250 ish. The maps are perfectly safe and raise power and torque to just over the standard 28i figures.
The cam chain tensioner seems largely to only be a problem with high miles, as it is a wear issue. There are many E89s out there with very low miles as many are used just as summer toys.
Auto or manual is down to personal choice IMHO. The manual gearboxes are good, and much simpler than an auto so less to go wrong. The autos (ZF presumably) are also good, there are millions of them in many different cars. Personally I think a Z4 should be manual as it is a sort of 'sportscar'. Just my opinion of course.
I have a white 2013 18i m-sport manual (remapped to 260bhp) with 27k miles, full history and a good spec I want to get shot of but the wife won't let me! :?
Good luck with your search. Just watch for cracked and repaired wheels, especially the 19" 326Ms, although none are immune. Also check the roof works easily several times and definitely check under the boot floor around the roof hydraulic pump and battery for water or signs of water staining as they have a habit of leaking from below and above!
They are really good cars, though
Pondrew said:Hi and welcome to the forum.Trackit said:
My 2p worth:
Personally I would forget the 28i. They are for people who are not 'in the know' and pay a massive premium over an 18i or 20i. An E89 28i is identical to the other two, apart from a different engine map (all for BMW marketing purposes) and the 28i has slightly larger front brakes and IIRC comes with auto dimming mirrors as standard.
An 18i or 20i can be re-mapped by anyone on your drive for £250 ish. The maps are perfectly safe and raise power and torque to just over the standard 28i figures.
The cam chain tensioner seems largely to only be a problem with high miles, as it is a wear issue. There are many E89s out there with very low miles as many are used just as summer toys.
Auto or manual is down to personal choice IMHO. The manual gearboxes are good, and much simpler than an auto so less to go wrong. The autos (ZF presumably) are also good, there are millions of them in many different cars. Personally I think a Z4 should be manual as it is a sort of 'sportscar'. Just my opinion of course.
I have a white 2013 18i m-sport manual (remapped to 260bhp) with 27k miles, full history and a good spec I want to get shot of but the wife won't let me! :?
Good luck with your search. Just watch for cracked and repaired wheels, especially the 19" 326Ms, although none are immune. Also check the roof works easily several times and definitely check under the boot floor around the roof hydraulic pump and battery for water or signs of water staining as they have a habit of leaking from below and above!
They are really good cars, though
Thanks for the cracking response, I really appreciate it as it’s a big help in me understanding more about the car and what to look out for. I’m was looking at a 28i more so that I didn’t have to move away from standard and have it remapped as I’ve known some horror stories on engines blowing up on other cars but I can see that it’s done a lot on Z4’s without issue. I’ve opened up my search now to include a 20i too. I would love a 6 pot but it is going to get used regularly and I think I’d like to stick to the more economical 4 pot.
You're welcome.Trackit said:
I was the same regarding re-mapping TBH but learned (from here as they are a really helpful bunch) that the N20 was designed by BMW for 245bhp as standard. The 'lesser' models were just 'de-tuned' to meet marketing goals. It's all a bit of a scam TBH.
If you are worried about cam chains on the N20, I wouldn't even think about the N54 in the 35i or 35is.
If you still want a 28i then how about this one although they do have a couple of 35is around the same price?
https://www.sytner.co.uk/car-search/14523282-1735509-bmw-z4-28i-sdrive-m-sport-2dr-auto/?supersearch=1&ictd%5Bmaster%5D=vid~5d7f6057-30d2-4575-88e6-665d569e7715&ictd%5Bil2558%5D=rlt~1652813389~land~2___&ictd%5BsiteId%5D=617
https://www.sytner.co.uk/car-search/14523282-1735509-bmw-z4-28i-sdrive-m-sport-2dr-auto/?supersearch=1&ictd%5Bmaster%5D=vid~5d7f6057-30d2-4575-88e6-665d569e7715&ictd%5Bil2558%5D=rlt~1652813389~land~2___&ictd%5BsiteId%5D=617
Get the 20i and the remap, car will be fine.
The 6 pot is pretty economical if driven sensibly, I have averaged 35mpg with my 23i over 18 months so am very impressed, not the most powerful but I don't need that where I live
The 6 pot is pretty economical if driven sensibly, I have averaged 35mpg with my 23i over 18 months so am very impressed, not the most powerful but I don't need that where I live
Sytner prices? Seriously?Nanu said:
After 3 weeks of them not shifting it, it will be in one of their 'closed auctions' with a starting price of £7k. It's what they do. I wouldn't go anywhere near Sytner, ever. Just my opinion, of course.
The OP was asking for buying advice. Now it's turned into a version of 'E89 market watch' and no advice whatsoever.
just bought mine from Syntner and they gave me more for mine than anywhere else by £3k and the one I bought, not available with the spec and the price I paid at any other garage. Yes I had to travel to London but they offered to deliver for £99.Pondrew said:Sytner prices? Seriously?Nanu said:
After 3 weeks of them not shifting it, it will be in one of their 'closed auctions' with a starting price of £7k. It's what they do. I wouldn't go anywhere near Sytner, ever. Just my opinion, of course.
The OP was asking for buying advice. Now it's turned into a version of 'E89 market watch' and no advice whatsoever.
