Potential new e89 35is - Are these things normal?

F

Fresno82

Member
Hi all,
I'm looking to get an e89 35is (had a 2.0 e85 years ago and loved it) and have seen a potentially perfect car with the spec that I'm after and fairly low mileage (49k for a 2011 model). A couple of things that have put doubt in my mind are:

- Tyres - there are different tyres on each corner. They seem in good quality (it's from a well rated garage) but is this an issue/potential problem?

- Condensation in both headlights. They said it had had a wash that morning so could have been that, but it's this a sign of something more sinister or easy to resolve?

- Air Con - this wasn't blowing cold and the garage said they can regas it, but could this be something else?

My husband plugged in his odb scanner and there were no issues and all electrics seen to work. We tested the roof which worked fine and there weren't any judders and weird engine concerns.

What are your thoughts?
 
Buying from a garage? 4 new matching tyres and regas as condition of sale. Condensation probably just due to washing but to be noted. If regas fails then aircon repair by garage as condition of sale. Get it all in writing if you buy.
 
tyres are odd.. who would do that.? if everything else checks out Id be asking for a matched set in the deal

condensation in headlights not uncommon in z4, still the just washed excuse doesnt wash :lol: it will need addressing properly

Aircon could just be a regas job.. again not uncommon but it could also be the aircon expansion tank leaking so that would also want a bit of investigation... in all honesty it doesn't sound like a pampered car.. the tyre situation alone would have me worried as it reeks of being run on a shoestring budget
 
Hello..having just bought a 35is and studied them for a long time there are a few things to look for in the short term, but a pile of things that will occur at some time, if you keep the car that long.

So first thing is to try and get detailed maintenance records if all possible..

To answer your short term questions.

Headlight fogging after washing on an E89 is 'normal' and referred to in the owner manual..obviously it can be chronic but its unsual..

Never, ever mix tyres on a high performance car for all sorts of reasons, that's a generalisation but not bad view, there are exceptions but on a 35is the handling is wayward enough without causing further issues.

The aircon is normally very reliable, if there are no fault codes then imaybe its leaked out but why should it leak out?

The 35is (and its sister 35i) does have a whole series of expensive issues which probably are best covered with a very decent warranty.

Obviously if these issues have been addressed then it maybe is ok, hence the question reference maintenance records..

So the list of things that will go wrong..often from 50k miles onwards but not necessarily so are:

High pressure fuel pump
Leaking fuel injectors
Rattly wastegates on turbos
Failing turbos
Failing / leaking adaptive dampers

Then there are plugs/coils/coking up, leaking cam box seals issues as well but not as expensive..

Just be wary, if you have deep pockets then its fine, if you have already stretched yourself caveat emperor..

On mine, for example, weird things were only on expensive injector replaced out of a bank of 3 which is prohibited, just found that the rear electronic brake caliper is damaged, quite how, a coil failed a few weeks after I bought it..

A 23i/30i/18/20/28i are lower risk cars..
 
Thanks for the responses, the garage did say they had swapped one of the tyres, but the other three were on the car.
 
When I bought mine it had a matching pair of tyres on the front and an odd set on the rear, apparently it had had to have a rear replaced due to a puncture, due to the odd pair on the rear the handling when flooring the accelerator was unsettling to say the least, and put my heart in my throat, after fitting a new full set of Michelin ps4s’s it transformed the handling, so if you buy this car make sure you get a decent set of matching tyres at least on the rear, for reference a full set of ps4s’s are around £700
 
Tyres as has been said is a big no no. Matching set is a must. Either you budget for replacing or walk away.

The aircon should not need a regass unless there is a leak! So assume there is a leak that will need to be addressed.
This is where a warrantee would be useful.

What’s your budget for a 35is?
 
Why would anyone put odd tyres on a performance car? To me it's a possible sign that the car has not been looked after as it should.

Personally I would walk away, there are better examples on this forum from time to time.
 
I would certainly walk away from that particular car, for all the reasons stated above. They "dealership" are obviously still expecting strong money for this car, but they cannot be bothered to prep it correctly before offering it for sale?

Aircon needing a "regas" is bollocks — as stated above, it has leaked out. That means there is a leak, and that leak needs to be found and rectified before any "regas". Could be a simple joint leak (unlikely) but also could be a condenser leak (expensive) an evaporator leak (more expensive), or even a faulty compressor (mega expensive!).

If you're going to spend that money, give it a bit of time and find a good, pampered and cherished car.

Up to you.
 
4 different tyres? I’ve never heard of that. No way. Condensation? Thanks but no thanks. For that kind of money, it’s worth waiting.

And for the love of God, do not put an M badge on the 35is. :poke: :fuelfire:
 
As others have mentioned, if you do go ahead with the purchase insist on 4 matching new tyres. I have noticed the headlights fogging up sometimes after a jet wash but it clears up pretty quick, so if after a day the condensation is still there then there is some other issue. Again as others have mentioned air con could be a simple re-gas or a leak somewhere.
 
4 odd tyres is just stupid, I'd walk away from that car very quickly. Fitting new tyres wouldn't change my mind, what other iffy things did the previous owner do?
 
Just to emphasise the point on 35is or 35i with adaptive suspension…

The garage informed me this morning that both front adaptive dampers are leaking..you can’t get any non BMW versions…they are around £600 a leg.. :thumbsdown:
 
As said above other models in the range will be far cheaper to maintain.Posted this in one of ZMAD threads re my 35i with adaptive suspension

When I bought my Dec 2009 z35i DCT last November seller provided a printout from dealer of work done on the car this is a summary

Date Mileage Work done
06.2011 8313 Replace rear vent
10.2012 13104 Shift quality in “D” downshift double clutch DKG too rough
07.2013 15021 Control unit electronic damper control EDC short circuit note unit replaced
05.2016 37461 Wiring harness roof module,(retractable hardtop) interruption
04.2017 51360 E*x(RHD petrol engine)positive battery terminal line repair cable
04.2017 52365 Both front shock absorbers serious fluid leak -note both replaced (EDC)
07.2017 56790 Drive cylinder, rear module RHT(retractable hardtop). Permanent failure
04.2020 68686 (main)electric coolant pump. Permanent malfunction
06.2020 70272 Cylinder head cover gasket leaking
“ “ Fuel injector. Permanent malfunction- note all replaced
“ “ Rear spring broken

In my ownership
06.21 73764 Cylinder head cover gasket (again)
Leak from oil filter mounting
Fuel pump replaced
Would guess at well above £10k fingers crossed that once repair done it will last at least another 60k miles but still got warranty as fallback
 
To be fair I have to record a broken rear spring on my 2012 MY AY 20i MSport Auto..that’s all that failed in 55,000 miles.. :driving:
 
Thank you for the responses. I've emailed the dealer re the tyres and they've already agreed to sort the Aircon (regas and explore and fix the issue if this needs doing again).
The rest of the car seemed good and while not enthusiast immaculate condition, it's the best example I've seen so far (and I've looked at quite a few!).
I know this sounds like I'm buying with my heart but I'm fully prepared to walk away if they don't sort the tyres / knock off some cash so I can sort (which is my preferred option)
 
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