Pros and cons of going from 3.0 e85 to 35i ???

[Mr Tidy]

I think you are only going to get people on here preferring the model they have! Even those who had E85 and E89s are generally going to prefer their current car, otherwise they wouldn't have changed. :lol:

I've never had and never wanted a convertible. I prefer old-school N/A engines and manual gearboxes so it had to be an E86 for me and as I couldn't afford an M I got a 3.0Si. Had a mad moment when I sold my first Coupe to the extent I got another 2 days later which was a keeper, until 2 years ago I saw an advert for my MC that I could just about afford so that was it! I know there are benefits to other Z4s but there is no other Z4 I'd rather have.

It has after-market coil-overs so is stiffer than OE but I don't find it a problem on longer drives. I've done over 200 miles in a day a few times and did 660 miles around Wales in 4 days last May and loved every mile.

Maybe think about exactly what you like and don't like about your current car, but driving any alternatives has to be the best way to find out whether you prefer any of them.

Anyway good luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[True-Blue]

Having owned various E85’s and a mapped 20i E89, I’d make a couple of observations.

Firstly, the E89 is a much more modern feeling car in the cabin, it’s more spacious and it feels like there’s a missing link between it and the E85… almost as if BMW jumped two generations at once.

Secondly, the mapped E89 is comfortably faster in a straight line than the E85 3.0Si, it’s got a lot more torque.

If I could only have one car, for fun and daily driver duties, it would be an E89.

However,….

The E85 has bags more character, it’s a much better looking car, and the interior (in the right colour combination) is a lovely place to be in an ‘old but modern’ kind of way.

The N52 (and M54) are fabulous engines and sound superb, the N20 sounds a bit like like a Diesel. The E85 is more involving,and feels like a sports car …even if it isn’t the best handling car in the world!

As a ‘second car/weekend toy’ it’s the E85 for me…. It’s feels like a modern day Classic, whereas the E89 just feels like a modern car. It really depends what you want from the car


As for the G29, I’m sure they’re lovely, but for what they cost you could buy an E89 for everyday duties and a Z4M roadster for weekend ‘special times’ :fuelfire:

 

[Marcoose]

I think you are only going to get people on here preferring the model they have! Even those who had E85 and E89s are generally going to prefer their current car, otherwise they wouldn't have changed. :lol:

Not really. My E85, in spite of very well-maintained, was aging. Every few months there was a large expense. Not quite the payment of a new car, though. And it was giving us pause to go on long journeys. So a new(er) car was due sooner or later. And we wanted a 2-seater convertible. We've looked at Merc, Jag, Vette, Porsche, etc. All in all, the E89 hit most wants/needs. If BMW kept making the E85 all these years, I'd be tickled to own another one. It was a very nice car. The E89 isn't a bad car. It is what it is, and it isn't what it isn't. There are elements from the E85, new cool stuff, and silly stuff I didn't care to have. If the E89 was rubbish, I and possibly others would warn people accordingly. In this day and age of social media dissing, there's no shortage of people giving negative reviews to rubbish products.

 

[Z450]

I think ultimately you need to try an E89 and go from there. A few members on here have summarised the differences very well. Try it and go from there, be interesting to see what you think

 

[tomscott]

I've never had and never wanted a convertible. I prefer old-school N/A engines and manual gearboxes so it had to be an E86 for me and as I couldn't afford an M I got a 3.0Si. Had a mad moment when I sold my first Coupe to the extent I got another 2 days later which was a keeper, until 2 years ago I saw an advert for my MC that I could just about afford so that was it! I know there are benefits to other Z4s but there is no other Z4 I'd rather have.

Its funny how coupe owners are glazed eyed with ownership and I was exactly I was the same until I bought a roadster. I think im one of a few to go coupe to roady. There is this strange opinion that the Roadster is the unworthy version of the Z which is just ridiculous really.

Its surprising how much experience you miss in the coupe over the roady. All the best bits of the M are much more raw in the roadster, induction, exhaust general noise and involvment. The confined space in the coupe also makes it much more drony even with the stock exhaust. The only benefit to the coupe is its looks and appreciation... but you have to pay to play anyway these days. The additional stiffness is completely over sold on the road from my experience. The other thing about the coupe is for a niche weekend car having a roof makes it more niche imo getting the roof down is the experience. I was a serious coupe only advocate back in the day.... since ive only had roadsters.

Sold the Z4M to fund a trip around the world got back and bought a cheap 987 Boxster S, and now the Z4MR and a 996 C4S.

 

[enuff_zed]

Except to say the G29 is fatter than both oke: :fuelfire: :rofl:

Corrected that for you oke:

(Yup, I'm back refreshed from my holiday :roll: )

 

[Southwestz4]

I think my problem is I love the look of the e85 , coupe or roadster ...but...like the look of the interior of the e89.
I too was never a soft top fan until I bought the e85 , I bought it for two main reasons ...

1. Soft top is close to a bike from which I came from.
2. The 3.0 six engine

I do like the twisty roads and the e85 hangs on plenty well enough for me with Mp4s tyres and standard suspension .
As for mapping a 2.0L ...not sure ...Celtic Tuning do a stage 3 which would take it to 280bhp and 393nm but would be a lot extra on insurance :headbang:
Can't help feeling I have opened a can of worms....sorry chaps

 

[Argyll Andy]

Except to say the G29 is faster than both oke: :fuelfire: :rofl:

Corrected that for you oke:

(Yup, I'm back refreshed from my holiday :roll: )

Good to see you back, but you’re obviously sharper than your autocorrect, I’ve fixed it properly for you :wink:

 

[Argyll Andy]

I think my problem is I love the look of the e85 , coupe or roadster ...but...like the look of the interior of the e89.
I too was never a soft top fan until I bought the e85 , I bought it for two main reasons ...

1. Soft top is close to a bike from which I came from.
2. The 3.0 six engine

I do like the twisty roads and the e85 hangs on plenty well enough for me with Mp4s tyres and standard suspension .
As for mapping a 2.0L ...not sure ...Celtic Tuning do a stage 3 which would take it to 280bhp and 393nm but would be a lot extra on insurance :headbang:
Can't help feeling I have opened a can of worms....sorry chaps

The interior of the E89 is a nice place to be.

I bought mine for the same reason as your number 1 reason. I’ve regularly described it to friends as the closest thing to a bike without being on a bike. My OH point blank refuses to get on one and a bike doesn’t really suit me anymore anyway.

Like Peter said about his experiences with the mixed group of cars I’ve done 3k+ miles on forum runs and it’s mostly been E85 3.0’s and E89 3.0’s, a couple remapped 20i’s along with a few 35’s and my G29.

Apart from the initial blast for overtaking the cars have pretty much stayed as a group on these runs and the pace hasn’t been downed because of a “slower” Z4 being in the ranks. I sat behind a 23i a good part of the last run and on the types of roads we were driving it in no way was it holding me back.

If you’re happy with the E85 3.0 performance wise I don’t see why you wouldn’t be with the E89 3.0. The 35’s are a blast but there’s always the worry about the bank balance I personally wouldn’t have one without a warranty. The E89 3.0 na seems to be much less of a gamble bank balance wise

All IMO of course

As for opening up a can of worms, of course you have and as mentioned already people are very likely to favour their current model so there’s no chance you’re getting an unbiased view :lol: you’ll need to drive a few and see what suits your style/ requirements

 

[Marcoose]

:lol: :lol:

I do like the twisty roads and the e85 hangs on plenty well enough for me with Mp4s tyres and standard suspension .

Same feeling here. NorCal is all twisty road country. I was on Continentals DW-something, and would keep up with any high performance car. Even with the open diff. You learn to cope with. I would only struggle against better drivers. I’ve never tracked mine, but friends that did their M Roadsters and Coupés loved it. It’s a pity BMW discontinued that platform. See sig below for ‘modest’ upgrades. Let's say mine are from someone who doesn’t have infinite disposable income to buy two of each and rub it in at every thread, and isn’t corrected at every other thread.

But wait, you’re comparing a ragtop to a motorbike? To begin with, it doesn’t even lean the same direction. And you steer opposite ways. What?! Now you’ve opened a car of worms. :lol: :lol:

 

[Dave 2 dogs]

Hi op
I went from a 3.0 e85 to a 3.5i e89
I drive it daily, albeit not many miles.
As mentioned above…. Both different animals. I could go into this more but would just be repeating what all above have mentioned.
I love the e85 and miss it desperately.
Would I swap back? ABSOLUTELY NOT .I wish I had kept both . I was lucky enough to have a ride in Stuartt’s e89 and was sold instantly. Still making me smile every time I drive it . Of all the advice above… the best is …. You gotta test drive one to make a decision. I bet you won’t walk away
Then of course there is the remap
Not worth doing on the e85 , but definitely on the e89
🏎

 

[Southwestz4]

Z4 vs bike comparison was more about the wind in the hair and bugs in your teeth

 

[Marcoose]

Been riding since the autumn of 1987, nearly always with full face helmets. I’ve never had wind in the hair and bug in the teeth whilst riding. Not even the lines are the same between car and motorbike.

 

[The.Analyst]

Z4 vs bike comparison was more about the wind in the hair and bugs in your teeth

What I like about all roadsters is the fact that you do feel closer to the environment

In some ways better than a bike

You can hear the birds and the smells come straight in

Remember going around the Isle of Man, smelling the wild garlic in the glens, the sun coming out of the clouds and the sounds of birds, dogs and so on.

Doesn’t matter which roadster you have you get all those sensations

Much as I like and welcome the coupe in that context it’s just another tin box

 

[Southwestz4]

Been riding since the autumn of 1987, nearly always with full face helmets. I’ve never had wind in the hair and bug in the teeth whilst riding. Not even the lines are the same between car and motorbike.

I recently gave up bikes after 43 years and have been looking for something to fill the void ... I know bikes, I know how to ride them and survived 3 years of dispatch/courier riding in Central London...the' wind and bug 'thing was a film reference!

 

[Southwestz4]

Agreed...after not being keen on soft tops , having the e85 has converted me

 

[Marcoose]

Wait, 43 years in the saddle and you’re comparing ragtops to motorbikes ? That’s just peachy.

That’s all I have to say here.

 

[Scubaregs]

Totally incomparable imo, car gives you nothing like the bike. My 718 Boxster would have went before my bike, Z4 would too.

 

[B21]

I don’t think folks were saying that bikes and roadsters are similar or substitutional but they provide different aspects of being closer to the environment whilst being on the road.

 

[Scubaregs]

As a shift worker one of the few advantages is being off midweek, which is when I tend to do full days on the bike, weekends I'll go for a short blast down to Largs for a coffee and a blether. Whilst you can get long stretches of empty roads, there is always traffic throughout the day, traffic that will hold up any car, but not a decent bike. As long as physically able I would choose the bike over the car if going solo.

Like Andy's partner mine also won't ride pillion. She did for a couple of summers but it meant me tootling about as she was not keen on speed or cornering. :headbang:

So unless Lynn is with me, bike every time in decent weather. If the weather is crap I wouldn't be driving the car just for fun either.
Each to their own though.