Queries going from E86 to E89

[B21]

This website compares car sizes. It has a good choice of cars.

https://www.carsized.com/en/

Doesn’t cover internal dims as far as I can see ?

 

[BeardyJon]

Hi everyone. I had a lovely E86 Z4 3.0i a few years ago but unfortunately, I had to sell it due to issues with my back.

Anyway now that my back has improved, I am interested in going back to a Z4 but the E89. Before I do, I wanted to ask a couple of questions if I may.
For me personally, I always found it hard to get in and out of the E86 (with my bad back) given how low it was. Is the E89 (M Sport / 19" wheels) also equally low down?

I also found the cabin area a little tight in the E86. Is there a little more room in the E89 (with roof down) or is it just the same as the E86?

I appreciate these questions will be answered if I go see one in person but just want to get an idea from fellow owners first.

Finally, the car will be left outside during the winter. Should I expect any leaks from the roof or is it all quite secure and watertight?

Thank you very much.

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I owned an E86 Roadster for 4 years and switched to an E89 7 years ago.

I'm 6'1 and built like a rugby player. I found the E86 to be quite cramped and long drives (4hrs+) would exacerbate my chronic back pain, and also give me knee pain too. I find the E89 cabin to be much roomier and more comfortable. More leg-room, bigger more comfy/adjustable seats, and a softer suspension. The E89 is still low to the ground, there's no way around that, but its not as low as my E86 was, and the back and knee pain I used to get driving the E86 just doesn't happen to me anymore.

I used to leave my car outside year-round in the Scottish weather so can confirm that leaks shouldn't be something to worry about, but would recommend checking your weather seals over and giving them a bit of Gummi Pflege every now and then to keep them fresh.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I owned an E86 Roadster for 4 years and switched to an E89 7 years ago.

I'm 6'1 and built like a rugby player. I found the E86 to be quite cramped and long drives (4hrs+) would exacerbate my chronic back pain, and also give me knee pain too. I find the E89 cabin to be much roomier and more comfortable. More leg-room, bigger more comfy/adjustable seats, and a softer suspension. The E89 is still low to the ground, there's no way around that, but its not as low as my E86 was, and the back and knee pain I used to get driving the E86 just doesn't happen to me anymore.

I used to leave my car outside year-round in the Scottish weather so can confirm that leaks shouldn't be something to worry about, but would recommend checking your weather seals over and giving them a bit of Gummi Pflege every now and then to keep them fresh.

FWIW you didn't have an E86 Roadster. The Roadsters were all E85s, E86s were all Coupes.

 

[Pondrew]

FWIW you didn't have an E86 Roadster.

He could have had an E86 and a new 'alligator saw' which needed testing out. :?

There is a thread on 'the boring forum' about someone who wants to turn an E86 into a 'targa top'. I know.....some people have some very strange ideas. :wink:

 

[BeardyJon]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I owned an E86 Roadster for 4 years and switched to an E89 7 years ago.

I'm 6'1 and built like a rugby player. I found the E86 to be quite cramped and long drives (4hrs+) would exacerbate my chronic back pain, and also give me knee pain too. I find the E89 cabin to be much roomier and more comfortable. More leg-room, bigger more comfy/adjustable seats, and a softer suspension. The E89 is still low to the ground, there's no way around that, but its not as low as my E86 was, and the back and knee pain I used to get driving the E86 just doesn't happen to me anymore.

I used to leave my car outside year-round in the Scottish weather so can confirm that leaks shouldn't be something to worry about, but would recommend checking your weather seals over and giving them a bit of Gummi Pflege every now and then to keep them fresh.

FWIW you didn't have an E86 Roadster. The Roadsters were all E85s, E86s were all Coupes.