Newbie advice - e89 manual

[john-e89]

But, hey, what do I know? :roll:

Not much...... oke: oke: :evil:

Leave the barn doors open Pondy and someone's gonna stride right in sunshine.... :wink:

He must know something, he said he wouldn't touch the car with a barge pole, so he must know what a barge pole is, out be wondering what barge is though :rofl:

It's too much of a strain to imagine Pondy's mind ole....and I'm not sure i want to know anyway.... :lol: :wink:

 

[john-e89]

Regarding your question on alternatives Blackbay, I can't really think of anything other than an S2000 which needs thrashing to make use of it, not much low down torque. I wouldn't be put off by high mileage 35i's, it's a very strong engine, just turbo issues can be problematic, along with injectors, you'll need some repair funds for sure. My 35i Is on 118k, tuned, pulls like a mad thing, but it's having some issues now, Injectors, bushes, rust is an issue underneath which needs addressing very soon. Great cars for the buck, but you will have to accept some spend is needed to keep them in good order, you don't get these things for free, but go in with an open mind, expect issues at some point and you'll have a pretty rapid comfy car with a smooth light gearbox, clutch, stump pulling torque. Bit jelly chassis but you can certainly do something with it, at a cost....Best of luck.

 

[blackbay54]

again - thanks so much all for the words of advice.

in terms of it being modified - this was something that crossed my mind before, having made this mistake in my youth (bought a Golf that had been modded to s**t by the previous boy-racer owner! Because it was good-looking on the surface I missed the fact it had been thrashed and the owner had neglected the 'boring' mechanical maintenance).

Thanks for making me think again about the M sport seats - just checked them out and they do look good - was slightly put off by the fact my previous VXR seats weren't the comfiest tbh, in spite of them looking great. Tend to associate sport seats with performance and firmness and not comfort...

Anyway I'm not completely put off, but I'm thinking I need a grand off the price at least... I also might get it inspected so can get things like brake discs, rust etc checked.

There's a lovely low mileage stock 35i also for sale, but I really want iDrive...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235559574?advertising-location=at_cars&aggregatedTrim=35i&include-delivery-option=on&make=BMW&model=Z4&page=1&postcode=B72%201RT&transmission=Manual&fromsra

Maybe I just need to give the DCT a chance to open me up some more options :rofl:

 

[B21]

Lovely car but pauper spec..no heated seats, no PDC, no idrive, no cruise, cheap stereo..probably limited media support..pity great condition..

I’ll refrain from the DCT discussion.. :tumbleweed:

 

[blackbay54]

I think I will open up to the DCTs...

It was perhaps an exaggeration to say I found them boring - I had a blast on the test drives tbf, but I just missed the shifting experience from a manual a bit. I'm also conscious I'd be able to enjoy the DCT more when driving it on my own, and not trying to drive like a nun with the stranger/current owner in the passenger seat...

https://www.fenlakecarsales.co.uk/used-bmw-z4-peterborough-cambridgeshire-4738907#accordion-tech--options

This looks decent - no alarm bells to me from the MOT history given the mileage... lots of toys... lovely colour too...

I don't want to force anything, but it's fair to say i'm itching to buy

 

[Argyll Andy]

Thanks for making me think again about the M sport seats

This is maybe something you really need to consider and try before making any decision. They are a much sought after item. I wouldn’t in any way compare the to VXR v Stock. For me the MS seats hold you when really pushing on, the SE seats make it more of a challenge to keep your @rse in the one place :lol:

 

[B21]

I think I will open up to the DCTs...

It was perhaps an exaggeration to say I found them boring - I had a blast on the test drives tbf, but I just missed the shifting experience from a manual a bit. I'm also conscious I'd be able to enjoy the DCT more when driving it on my own, and not trying to drive like a nun with the stranger/current owner in the passenger seat...

https://www.fenlakecarsales.co.uk/used-bmw-z4-peterborough-cambridgeshire-4738907#accordion-tech--options

This looks decent - no alarm bells to me from the MOT history given the mileage... lots of toys... lovely colour too...

I don't want to force anything, but it's fair to say i'm itching to buy

Looks better..ideally get the VIN number and tip it in to the vin decoder for a complete breakdown of goodies..

Being an early 35i it had the twin push paddle shifters where you can shift up n down on both sides later ones were more traditional... :tumbleweed:

If you re-map it you'll need the DCT to keep up with the rate of climb :driving:

 

[Argyll Andy]

[ref]blackbay54[/ref], one thing I haven’t caught yet, I may have missed it, but whereabouts in the country are you? Might be members who are selling/can show you their DCT’s I definitely think there’s a knack in driving them. Maybe worth seeing if someone who knows how to get the best out of one takes you for a soon. If someone selling there’s be upfront, tell them you’re not sure about the DCT and go into conversation and viewing/drive openly and honestly

Can honestly say I never got accused of driving like a nun in mine, ever :rofl:

 

[Chippie]

This looks decent - no alarm bells to me from the MOT history given the mileage... lots of toys... lovely colour too...

It does seem a decent specked car, the add even says heated steering wheel which is a rarely ticked option, presumably it’s had both front shocks changed as one was leaking, It’s s definitely worth having a look if it’s not too far from you.

 

[blackbay54]

So I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow! Any suggestions on what to check?

Check the service history is actually full, check the shocks were both replaced, tyres...

I'll stick my head underneath and pretend I know what I'm looking for (obvious signs of rust, perhaps?)

Got the VIN btw - currently having a look.

I'm in Birmingham btw, so a bit of a trek tomorrow but hopefully worth it.

 

[Argyll Andy]

So I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow! Any suggestions on what to check?

Check the service history is actually full, check the shocks were both replaced, tyres...

I'll stick my head underneath and pretend I know what I'm looking for (obvious signs of rust, perhaps?)

Got the VIN btw - currently having a look.

I'm in Birmingham btw, so a bit of a trek tomorrow but hopefully worth it.

Given that is a DCT have you considered this worth 25k less miles?

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=141244

 

[Ole gits rule]

So I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow! Any suggestions on what to check?

Check the service history is actually full, check the shocks were both replaced, tyres...

I'll stick my head underneath and pretend I know what I'm looking for (obvious signs of rust, perhaps?)

Got the VIN btw - currently having a look.

I'm in Birmingham btw, so a bit of a trek tomorrow but hopefully worth it.

Given that is a DCT have you considered this worth 25k less miles?

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=141244

Thats an absolute cracking car for the money

 

[Chippie]

Given that is a DCT have you considered this worth 25k less miles?

That’s a good recommendation Andy, at least he’s got a couple of options to consider.

 

[Christopher72]

viewtopic.php?t=141244

That's excellent -- great paint correction and ceramic coating as well. That's a loved Z4.

 

[blackbay54]

To be honest I remember seeing that one before, but it was when I was searching for manual-only.

It looks stunning - and for only £500 more than the other white one, much lower mileage and all of the forum history...

I think I'll be getting in touch.

 

[Argyll Andy]

To be honest I remember seeing that one before, but it was when I was searching for manual-only.

It looks stunning - and for only £500 more than the other white one, much lower mileage and all of the forum history...

I think I'll be getting in touch.

Would be top of my list if looking for one :driving:

 

[N4LLY]

To be honest I remember seeing that one before, but it was when I was searching for manual-only.

It looks stunning - and for only £500 more than the other white one, much lower mileage and all of the forum history...

I think I'll be getting in touch.

Would be top of my list if looking for one :driving:

^^^ What he said 8)

 

[Christopher72]

Would be top of my list if looking for one

Me too. Even with an expensive overseas trip and the RHD to LHD conversion, it would still be a better deal than the prices over here for Z4s of that quality.

https://www.carvana.com/cars/bmw-z4

 

[Ole gits rule]

I know you were looking at 35i, have you seen this https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=141413

30i but will be absolutely immaculate with zero issues and could be worth considering if you have not bought anything yet

 

[N4LLY]

Congrat's on your purchase. Looks like you got a goodun