Prospective purchase of Z4...

[tim0409]

Hi

After flirting with the idea of a Boxster or a lease 125d I have finally decided to go for a Z4. My budget is £12k and I was looking for a base 2009 E89 - the only extra I really require is sports seats. Last night I was looking at my local auction listings (I was involved in the car trade many years ago) and they have a 2008 Z4 2.5 Sport 45k with S/H (old shape) - it's not sold in the last week so they are holding it over till January although they will take a bid now. The downside is its a finance repossession and unsurprisingly has all the signs of a previous owner with no cash - Sunny tyres, needs a service etc. I viewed it today and the auction driver helpfully took me for a spin round the car park and I get the feeling its a good car that just needs a bit of money spent on it to get it back up to how I like my cars to be. It would be roughly half my budget but I was thinking it may well do the job. I would welcome any feedback on the 2.5 (or on the E89) - I understand the 3.0 is better without much of a fuel penalty but I am not really that bothered as I am quite a sedate driver.

Thanks

Tim

PS the fuel computer was showing 26mpg - is this about right for the 2.5?

 

[Longtallhowie]

Hi Tim,
I have a 07 2.5si and I love it. It does everything I need it to do ( apart from fitting large Xmas presents in the boot :roll: ) I find it plenty fast enough for our roads and the handling is surberb, oh and the noise the straight six makes . I would say if you can get a 08 with 45k on the clock for around £6k then that's not a bad deal even if you have to spend a grand on a service and abit of tinkering etc.. Still not bad !

But only you can make the decision, see what needs doing to it and work out if it's worth it? Don't forget there are real nice examples out there for not bad money, so do you homework!.

Good hunting

 

[Dewi]

+1 on the 2.5 Si, I love driving my 06, the engine is a little pearl and plenty fast enough when you want it to be. Handling's good too even with the soon to be replaced run flats on.

http://www.dewisant-photography.net/y_ogb_BMW_Z4.htm

 

[buzyg]

If it's a cruiser you’re after, then the E89 might suit you more. More toys, more comfort, better interior. The E85, as well as being cheaper, is a slightly more focused drivers car, (though it's still no Cateram) and to my eye the better looking.
Enjoy your search and forget the Boxster.

 

[paulgs1000]

That's a lot of petrol with the money saved. . . .

You might be better buying with a known history? Well you were in the trade so you know.

Have you tried an E89 - from all the press it would appear to be a different driving experience to he E85 but we have both on our 'hoons' (spirited drives) and the E89 shows it's no less capable on the road. The driving experience may be different however - the ride on the E85 si is quite firm - make certain it's what you want.

For resale I would have thought an 08 (one of the latest E85s built) would have been easy to sell on.

You are just at the edge of E89 money - which version would it buy?

If you like driving and the shape (together with the straight 6 engine) you will love the E85 and you can always sell on (probably at the same overall cost to you) in a years time and go E89.

:driving:

 

[AnttiO]

I recomend that test drive couple of E85 and couple E89, and buy what you like. E85 electric steering is not everyones cup of tea.

 

[Smartbear]

The e85 is a good car, there's nothing wrong with the 2.5 but as you say-the 3.0 has more grunt with no fuel penalty (especially the facelift si model)
Regards

 

[chickahoy69]

As the ex-owner of 03 e85,09 e89, 12 e89, i hope you dont go for 09e89. Loved style , horsepower and everything. However, There are so many critical inherent problems with e89 35 sdrive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk