Newbie Buying Advice

P

pete_b99

Member
Hi everyone,

I've been pouring over Z4 topics and threads for a few months now and am now decided to buy. I've narrowed it down to E89, 23i or 28i. So far I've only looked at (as in, inspected, test driven) one vehicle. Some questions I'd greatly welcome expert advice on:

  1. How does 23i compare with 28i driving? I know 28i has more horsepower. I think I've read that 28i is more torquey, whereas 23i requires high revs to deliver. I think I prefer 28i in that respect, personally, but is that a correct differentiation?
  • I've read so much about cracked alloys, it's (nearly) enough to put me off! For example, the 28i I looked at failed MOT on both rear wheels last year and it looks like they were repaired and not replaced - is that a red flag? (It was also a 70,000 miler.) Also, I get the impression newer cars, e.g. 28i, are less prone - is that right?. I understand that run flats + 19" are the most liable, generally. But they seem pretty pervasive in the cars for sale. I just don't fancy spending all that and then needing to spend another grand or two on top for replacement alloys (but appreciate that a car like this has a cost of ownership!)

Looking forward to reading the responses! And thanks.

Pete
 
Warm welcome Pete , have to say your two desirables are worlds apart & can't recall any other forum join ups deliberating the option of a 23i or 28i :?
 
mr wilks said:
have to say your two desirables are worlds apart
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Yes, I understand. 23i replaced with 20i, right? So more comparable? 204BHP vs. 184BHP - 11% difference, I suppose not noticeable?

So, then, 23i/20i vs. high miler 28i? Budget and running costs are obviously a constraint - ideally max £12k?

Thanks!
 
pete_b99 said:
mr wilks said:
have to say your two desirables are worlds apart
Click to expand...
Yes, I understand. 23i replaced with 20i, right? So more comparable? 204BHP vs. 184BHP - 11% difference, I suppose not noticeable?

So, then, 23i/20i vs. high miler 28i? Budget and running costs are obviously a constraint - ideally max £12k?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hmmm I'm not sure you have sussed how Bmw have the E89 range & I know that can be confusing so briefly they consist of 6 cylinder non turbo 23i & 30i.
4 cylinder turbo offered in 18i, 20i & 28i though all share the same engine.
Then there is the twin turbo 35i 35is which both have the same 3litre engine.
Running costs differ wildly across the various models
 
Hi and welcome to the forum Pete. :thumbsup:

Personally I'd suggest trying to test drive both the 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder options before you decide which you prefer, as I imagine you'd find how the engines perform to be very different.

Good luck with your search whatever model you decide to go for. :thumbsup:
 
OP here. OK, I guess I framed my question (1) wrongly. Say I have a budget up to around £12k, beyond "try driving different models" (which I don't disagree with but is somewhat hard to do / exploitative of the owners), is there any newbie advice about how these cars drive compared to one another?

Also interested in the cracked alloys question, or has that one been done to death here already? :cry:
 
I would suggest that the driving experiences between the 6-pot and the turbo 4 are completely different, in terms of power delivery, aural feedback and maybe even kudos. But not everyone wants the same thing. For example, there are some claims that the 4-pot is better balanced. So it goes round a corner better (allegedly), but even the most ardent 4-pot supporter would have to agree it doesn't sound half as good.
You would need really to try at least one of each variety.
Maybe a local forum member would be willing to help out with that?
If you do decide you like the 4-pot turbo, then remember that you could pick up any 18, 20 or 28, and have them remapped to the same output. That gives you a much wider range to choose from, and therefore more chance of getting the spec you want.
 
enuff_zed said:
...would suggest that the driving experiences between the 6-pot and the turbo 4 are completely different, in terms of power delivery, aural feedback and maybe even kudos...
Click to expand...

Thank you! That is helpful.

So, hardware-wise, 18,20 and 28 are identical? Only the software (mapping) is different? That would be very helpful and, as you say, broaden the chance of getting the ideal spec..
 
pete_b99 said:
So, hardware-wise, 18,20 and 28 are identical? Only the software (mapping) is different? That would be very helpful and, as you say, broaden the chance of getting the ideal spec..
Click to expand...

I believe the 28 has slightly bigger brakes, but various people have remapped to 280bhp without changing the brakes, and there are also stories of people who have upgraded to the larger brakes and really noticed no difference.
It is worth noting though, that the higher up the range you go the more chance there is that the car will be a higher spec.
Someone who bought a 18 new possibly had less funds in the first place, so things like heated seats, heated steering wheel, satnav etc may have been left off.
It is probably worth doing a bit of research and deciding exactly what bits'n'bobs you must have, and which are desirable but not essential to you, then look for cars with those boxes ticked.
 
enuff_zed said:
pete_b99 said:
So, hardware-wise, 18,20 and 28 are identical? Only the software (mapping) is different? That would be very helpful and, as you say, broaden the chance of getting the ideal spec..
Click to expand...

I believe the 28 has slightly bigger brakes, but various people have remapped to 280bhp without changing the brakes, and there are also stories of people who have upgraded to the larger brakes and really noticed no difference.
It is worth noting though, that the higher up the range you go the more chance there is that the car will be a higher spec.
Someone who bought a 18 new possibly had less funds in the first place, so things like heated seats, heated steering wheel, satnav etc may have been left off.
It is probably worth doing a bit of research and deciding exactly what bits'n'bobs you must have, and which are desirable but not essential to you, then look for cars with those boxes ticked.
Click to expand...

Oh and maybe mention where you are situated in case there may be someone close by who wouldn't mind showing you their car to get a better idea.
 
enuff_zed said:
Oh and maybe mention where you are situated in case there may be someone close by who wouldn't mind showing you their car to get a better idea.
Click to expand...
That really would be truly wonderful! :D I am in a village between Amersham and Chesham, in Buckinghamshire.
 
pete_b99 said:
enuff_zed said:
Oh and maybe mention where you are situated in case there may be someone close by who wouldn't mind showing you their car to get a better idea.
Click to expand...
That really would be truly wonderful! :D I am in a village between Amersham and Chesham, in Buckinghamshire.
Click to expand...

Ah well, I can't really help you then, sorry.
But I did buy my car from Tring. Found it while visiting my lad doing his basic training at RAF Halton.
 
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