Newbie looking at the E89

[Smash]

Hi all, I have been reading the forum for a few weeks and it seems a nice bunch of friendly, helpful people, so thought I would join and before I consider a used E89 ask a few questions if I may.
Was never in the market for an E89, I have been waiting for the Mazda MX5 RF to come down in price in the used market but prices have held strong and out of my budget. I drove past a garage that had an E89 (never crossed my radar) and the price was very good so took the car out for a test drive, it was the 2010 model 23i engine, manual and I was smitten by the quality, performance etc, especially for the price. Sadly sold the next day. Now after reading this forum I’m slightly anxious about reliability, engine wise it appears solid but how often do these folding roofs fail and are the repair bills that excessive?

Thanks in advance Ash

 

[Ole gits rule]

Hi Ash, welcome to the forum, great choice of car and a step up from am MX5 for certain.

I bought a 2011 23i and have had zero issues in the 6 months I have owned it.

Roofs can fail on all convertibles not just a Z4 - the car is no worse than any other out there for all round reliability, in fact most people join a forum to try and resolve an issue that has just appeared - not many join to tell you their car has been faultless.

In fact the biggest problem on an e89 is batteries running down causing various issues from what I can see, just buy one and enjoy the car (get a warranty if you are that worried).

There are normally a few great ones advertised on here, what is your budget / spec etc.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum Ash.

I've never had an E89 so can't help with your roof questions, but the N52 engine in facelift E85/86s and early E89s is a gem.

Hopefully you'll find the right one soon - and don't forget photos!

 

[Smash]

That’s good advice thanks guys.

Budget is up to 10k and would prefer the 23i in manual, loved the sound, was recommended the 20i to keep fuel costs lower but I’m not sure tbh.
Spec wise, I’m quite open, would prefer the idrive feature with parking sensors. Think good service history is key, a well looked after car makes all the difference to me.

 

[Gwest44]

That’s good advice thanks guys.

Budget is up to 10k and would prefer the 23i in manual, loved the sound, was recommended the 20i to keep fuel costs lower but I’m not sure tbh.
Spec wise, I’m quite open, would prefer the idrive feature with parking sensors. Think good service history is key, a well looked after car makes all the difference to me.

Welcome to the forum - my 23i is advertised in the for sale section at £500 less than I have it advertised elsewhere. It's a 2010 car with great spec and low mileage and is well within your budget. Just let me know if your interested - happy to answer any questions https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=129006

 

[Silverstar]

That’s good advice thanks guys.

Budget is up to 10k and would prefer the 23i in manual, loved the sound, was recommended the 20i to keep fuel costs lower but I’m not sure tbh.
Spec wise, I’m quite open, would prefer the idrive feature with parking sensors. Think good service history is key, a well looked after car makes all the difference to me.

Hi, I think you will find fuel wise there isn't really much difference between the 20i and 23i in the real world. BMW switched to 4 pots mainly to appease the policy makers into cutting back emissions.

 

[Smash]

Gwest44 - looks a fine motor, shame you’re not a bit closer, I’m on the east side of Norfolk. I’ve noted it though.

Silverstar - good to know the 23i is similar In mpg, it sounds to my ears much nicer.

 

[2k35is]

Hi Smash welcome to forum
That car of GWest44 looks excellent value for money. Don't tend to find many 2.3 with sport seats and Idrive so don't think it will hang about long.
Apart from living near Sheffield no connection to seller. Could do what I've done in past get RAC inspection(about£250) which will give comprehensive details of any faults. Negotiate if needed then get train to Sheffield do the deal and great drive back.


Bought a very high spec Mini Cooper from nr Beccles about 10 years ago by doing journey in opposite direction
As said above the 6 cylinder in the 2.3 is an absolute peach. Had the 3.0 siix cylinder in my 2003 e46 330ci convertible which I sold to but my Z4. One thing you don't get with the z'd is rust which I believe is common on MX5's of a certain age. Lots of BMW specialists in UK for servicing/repairs so no need to use main dealer.

 

[Stevo1987]

Norwich to Sheffield on the train is very easy. I know because I did that journey when I bought my car.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Hi Ash,

Regards fuel - forget it, my 23i if driving sensibly will do 29 / 30 round town and 40+mpg on a run at legal limits so not certain the 20i is going to gain you much.

Gwest's car is tremendous value based on the mileage and spec and as above get a local inspection and a train to collect - could save a fair amount of money

You should look for an Msport Highline which gives you everything you list plus a bit more although they are hard to find, you should get one in your budget but will have to travel.

 

[Pondrew]

Hi Ash,
As said above don't be put off by roof issues. For every one car with a roof issue (or any other issue) there are many without; no-one starts a thread with "my roof has been fine for 10 years".
The 23i and later 18i are extremely good value for money at the moment. What MX5 gives you a 2.5 litre straight six?
The 2.0L 4 pot turbos are also able to be mapped cheaply for big power, if that's your thing.
We too were intent on getting an MX5 (mk3.5). It was a no-brainer when we discovered the E89. Good luck with your search and you will find people on this forum eager to help in any way they can. "Forum cars" are generally a much safer bet than others and probably worth travelling for.

 

[Zed Baron]

I've had my 23i about 6.5 years now (its 12 years old this year and never had a roof issue... probably jinxed it now :w00t: ) and all its cost me is a new set of tyres, battery, rear brake shoes and a rear spring and I've had a couple of oil/brake fluid changes done. The car has been extremely reliable and still fun to drive. Not many convertibles out there that look good with the roof up and down and one you can buy for not a lot of money now. As others have said, be prepared to travel for the right car and get a wish list of the essential whistles and bells you would like with the car, some can be added later and some cant (or with great difficulty... the inventiveness and ingenuity of some forum members amazes me ).

 

[jamesgarbett]

I had a 6-cyl E85 and now a 4-cyl E89.
No way does the E89 sound as good as the E85.
Fuel economy seems about the same although the 89 is auto the 85 was manual.
But the E89 feels like a much more refined place to be, especially for longer journeys.
Like you I am concerned about the roof but fingers crossed it will be OK.
I have got some BMW warranty until January so hopefully anything that is likely to go wrong will happen before then.
Once the warranty is up I will get it remapped.

 

[Pondrew]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1834040#p1834040
The seller seems keen to sell and I bet that one sounds pretty fruity!

 

[Argyll Andy]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1834040#p1834040
The seller seems keen to sell and I bet that one sounds pretty fruity!

+1 I was just going to link that post too

 

[Pondrew]

+1 I was just going to link that post too

That's because great minds think alike!

 

[Smash]

Thank you for all the messages, certainly put my mind at rest and giving me good pointers to buy private. Only bought private sale once and bought an absolute lemon so said to myself would never do that again but now like the idea of an RAC inspection prior to purchase and saving pennies from hiked up forecourt price. Norfolk is a terrible place to pick up a bargain so travelling is now in my agenda. There is one on here for sale that really is appealing so may follow that up... hmmm decisions decisions.

 

[Pondrew]

There are plenty of lemons sold through dealers too. They couldn't care less about the cars they sell as a general rule; it's all about the bottom line

 

[Argyll Andy]

Thank you for all the messages, certainly put my mind at rest and giving me good pointers to buy private. Only bought private sale once and bought an absolute lemon so said to myself would never do that again but now like the idea of an RAC inspection prior to purchase and saving pennies from hiked up forecourt price. Norfolk is a terrible place to pick up a bargain so travelling is now in my agenda. There is one on here for sale that really is appealing so may follow that up... hmmm decisions decisions.

Don’t know if you saw it but there was a new owner this week who posted that their brakes went to a level where they needed changed on the way home from the dealer. Dealer wasn’t interested in the slightest in addressing the issue so you’re only relying on how good the dealer is.

Buying a car privately is about doing your due diligence and for me particularly speaking to the owner and getting a feel about them and the car. Then, if desired, you can have the added security of getting a paid inspection like the RAC to give the car a good going over.

Even if the car turned out to be a right lemon the £250 spent to identify that will save you a lot of money and heartache in the long run.

Both the cars linked to you in your thread would be given serious consideration if I were you and tbh it would come down to colour and spec preference as they’re both cracking buys and the 23i is definitely a good place to be

 

[Ole gits rule]

Thank you for all the messages, certainly put my mind at rest and giving me good pointers to buy private. Only bought private sale once and bought an absolute lemon so said to myself would never do that again but now like the idea of an RAC inspection prior to purchase and saving pennies from hiked up forecourt price. Norfolk is a terrible place to pick up a bargain so travelling is now in my agenda. There is one on here for sale that really is appealing so may follow that up... hmmm decisions decisions.
[/quote]

Don’t know if you saw it but there was a new owner this week who posted that their brakes went to a level where they needed changed on the way home from the dealer. Dealer wasn’t interested in the slightest in addressing the issue so you’re only relying on how good the dealer is.

Buying a car privately is about doing your due diligence and for me particularly speaking to the owner and getting a feel about them and the car. Then, if desired, you can have the added security of getting a paid inspection like the RAC to give the car a good going over.

Even if the car turned out to be a right Lemmon the £250 spent to identify that will save you a lot of money and heartache in the long run.

Both the cars linked to you in your thread would be given serious consideration if I were you and tbh it would come down to colour and spec preference as they’re both cracking buys and the 23i is definitely a good place to be
[/quote]

Well said Andy, buy private and buy a decent warranty with the money saved to give some peace of mind - both cars are definitely goods one to buy and decent prices for certain