NJ59 XVV
- Thread starter Daz W
- Start date
At the summit of the picturesque fens
North West Surrey
There are loads of e89s out there and give it a month there will probably be more (the spring influx).Daz W said:
Unless you really want a six cylinder, the 4 pots are pretty good with power of the 18i and 20i easily uprated with a simple inexpensive re-map. Many of these cars are used as "summer toys" so low mileage ones are not rare, either.
Depending on what you want, extra kit does seem to command quite a big premium on E89s.
I spent weeks doing MOT history checks via the DVLA website on every car advertised, that way I got a "feel" for how cars are looked after and it highlights common problems, like fragile wheels and uneven tyre wear.
Again, depending on what you want, the M sport pack makes the car look much better and is more desirable so will be easier to sell on. They are also common so you don't really pay a premium for that.
HTH
Pondrew said:
The OP asked for views, opinions and a bit of guidance and he got them to assist his quest, unfortunately on this occasion they weren’t particularly favourable
Scotland 🏴
OP has done the right thing and come here first... least now he won't be sitting on fabric seats in a Z4 with no buttons to pressArgyll Andy said:Pondrew said:
The OP asked for views, opinions and a bit of guidance and he got them to assist his quest, unfortunately on this occasion they weren’t particularly favourable
Daz W said:
[ref]Daz W[/ref], you’re finding yourself in the exact same position as many of us who were looking to get into Z4 ownership for the first start at.
My advice would be familiarise yourself with all the options and spec that are musts/desirable/don’t want and assess future purchases based on this and condition. Use a VIN decoder to find out exactly what a car came with.
I saw a really nice car that I liked, sought advice on it here and got many responses about it not having heated seats. I listened to the experienced voices and have to say it was one of my best decisions yet. I use mine in all weathers when allowed and without the heated seats that would probably be a no no in some weathers so it’d be the first must on my list now. MSport seats are a must too but I wasn’t bothered one way or another about MSport body styling and that wasn’t even on my list whereas others may have that close to the top. Again for me one of the biggest disappointments in my 23i was the stereo, it was the base unit and was pretty poor but if you’re handy enough it can be upgraded for circa £500. Mr Tourette, along with others, has just done his and he is happy with the outcome.
Colour wasn’t something I was set on and I considered all colours and was more interested in condition and spec
Set your budget and be completely prepared to blow it. As you start adding toys to your must have list the cars will increase in price without any question.
if possible buy a forum car, but if not there’s plenty of nice 23i’s about. I liked my 23i but was fortunate enough to be able to upgrade and when I did that my must have list was comprehensive and not comprisable, and yes you’ve guessed it my budget increased too
Lastly, the information and help you’ll get on here will be invaluable, yes you’ll get some gentle ribbing and banter like on this thread but you’ll also get a lot of help.
Good luck with your search and keep them coming
Zed Baron said:OP has done the right thing and come here first... least now he won't be sitting on fabric seats in a Z4 with no buttons to pressArgyll Andy said:Pondrew said:
The OP asked for views, opinions and a bit of guidance and he got them to assist his quest, unfortunately on this occasion they weren’t particularly favourable
And the need for a balaclava for when he had the roof down
Andy I wear a balaclava all year long... when the roof goes down the midgies come out!Argyll Andy said:Zed Baron said:OP has done the right thing and come here first... least now he won't be sitting on fabric seats in a Z4 with no buttons to pressArgyll Andy said:The OP asked for views, opinions and a bit of guidance and he got them to assist his quest, unfortunately on this occasion they weren’t particularly favourable
And the need for a balaclava for when he had the roof down
Zed Baron said:Andy I wear a balaclava all year long... when the roof goes down the midgies come out!Argyll Andy said:Zed Baron said:OP has done the right thing and come here first... least now he won't be sitting on fabric seats in a Z4 with no buttons to press
And the need for a balaclava for when he had the roof down
You’re no going fast enough R
I was planning a trip to Scotland after lockdown, now I either get bitten to death or look like Ronnie Kray as I drive, maybe stay in Cymru 
Loads of 23i around at reasonable prices & spec, try and get a Msport Highline as these came with a bunch of extras such as iDrive, storage pack, extended lighting, PDC and wind deflector.
The SE Highlane is out there but with less kit, just watch traders trying to sell SE as Msport.
If you buy a standard car just pick the must haves and forget the rest unless a car is available with a spec beyond your requirements but within budget.
For me, upgraded stereo, cruise, heated seats and wind deflector would be key, the rest just not that bothered about, even the drive is no great shakes for me, oh and colour is important as the Orion silver will not sell quickly.
The SE Highlane is out there but with less kit, just watch traders trying to sell SE as Msport.
If you buy a standard car just pick the must haves and forget the rest unless a car is available with a spec beyond your requirements but within budget.
For me, upgraded stereo, cruise, heated seats and wind deflector would be key, the rest just not that bothered about, even the drive is no great shakes for me, oh and colour is important as the Orion silver will not sell quickly.
Ole gits rule said:I was planning a trip to Scotland after lockdown, now I either get bitten to death or look like Ronnie Kray as I drive, maybe stay in Cymru
You’ll fit in perfectly and you’ll be made to feel welcome, especially by the midges
I was planning a trip to Scotland after lockdown, now I either get bitten to death or look like Ronnie Kray as I drive, maybe stay in Cymru
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You’ll fit in perfectly and you’ll be made to feel welcome, especially by the midges
[/quote]
Not exactly selling it to me there, will defo be doing a trip up late summer early autumn this year, want to do Loch Lomond / Loch Ness and just drive around and enjoy the scenery
Midges can bite the other half she will taste better
[/quote]
You’ll fit in perfectly and you’ll be made to feel welcome, especially by the midges
[/quote]
Not exactly selling it to me there, will defo be doing a trip up late summer early autumn this year, want to do Loch Lomond / Loch Ness and just drive around and enjoy the scenery
Midges can bite the other half she will taste better
I couldn't understand why everybody keeps banging on about heated seats being a necessity (I still have to check I haven't p*ssed myself when they're on :wink: ). I've worked it out! Most of you lot live in Scotland or up a mountain in Wales, so you need them, even in the Summer. Not so important in sunny, warm tropical England. 
2k35is said:
Here is an alternative https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-2-5-23i-Convertible-2dr-Petrol-Manual-sDrive-199-g-km-204-bhp/184652589295?hash=item2afe26e8ef:g:iDgAAOSwcSlgHoCj
Pondrew said:I couldn't understand why everybody keeps banging on about heated seats being a necessity (I still have to check I haven't p*ssed myself when they're on :wink: ). I've worked it out! Most of you lot live in Scotland or up a mountain in Wales, so you need them, even in the Summer. Not so important in sunny, warm tropical England.
Some of us are men and drive in the winter with the roof down, not like you southern softies who have to wait until its 22 degrees outside