Queries going from E86 to E89

[RS1999]

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.

 

[Beerman]

I've not immediately sat in one after another, but I don't think there is a big difference between them.

The seats in the E89 are a bit wider and there feels an extra inch or two of space in the cabin. It's still quite low and not much easier to get in and out.

 

[raymond.harper]

Consider an SLK, bit higher up and the door opens quite wide.

 

[B21]

E89 is much roomier than the E85..not sure about E86..I assume the same..

Getting out of an E89 with roof down maybe a way to more easily enter / exit the car?

Roof is watertight ..

 

[enuff_zed]

E89 is much roomier than the E85..not sure about E86..I assume the same..

Getting out of an E89 with roof down maybe a way to more easily enter / exit the car?

Roof is watertight ..

And of course you can do the double click on the key fob which drops the windows when you open the door, making it much easier. I have both E85 and E89 and the later model is much easier to get in and out of, albeit still not a simple process

 

[Reamesy]

My best advice is to go and visit a garage with one for sale and try getting in and out. What’s easy for me, may not be for someone else. At least that way you will know for yourself

 

[flybobbie]

I find setting the seat height as high as you can live with.
Extra inch or so lift makes a difference climbing out.

But i always kick open the dam obd door!

 

[B21]

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.

I had similar issues..in my case I lost 3-4 stone in weight and started a daily regime of stretching / back strengthens exercises which have now improved my mobility and removed much of the back pain..I know it doesn’t apply to everyone..

 

[matsmith749]

My wife (5'4" & 7 stone) complains how hard it is to get in & out of the z4 every time we are in it

Me - 6'2" & 16 stone - I fold myself in & out, not too much hardship. Once in I find it comfortable - but I feel like I'm at the extreme large size limit for the z4.

I guess the truth is, it's a small car & low down, with small openings.

If you are not small, or have mobility challenges, there are easier cars to live with.

 

[Marcoose]

E89 is much roomier than the E85

Roomier yes, but not by much. It’s still a tight cockpit.

 

[Marcoose]

Me - 6'2" & 16 stone

Ozempic, mate. Ozempic. Ask Dr Marcoose.

 

[enuff_zed]

My wife (5'4" & 7 stone) complains how hard it is to get in & out of the z4 every time we are in it

Strangely my wife finds it more of an issue than I do too.
The doors don't open very far so she almost has to go backwards from the seat to get out.
In an E85 with memory seats we set number 3 to fully back so whoever got out pressed that first and the next one to get in found it easier. Then simply select 1 for me or 2 for her and away we went.

 

[B21]

E89 is much roomier than the E85

Roomier yes, but not by much. It’s still a tight cockpit.

Sometimes an extra inch is all you need? :tumbleweed:

 

[Marcoose]

E89 is much roomier than the E85

Roomier yes, but not by much. It’s still a tight cockpit.

Sometimes an extra inch is all you need? :tumbleweed:

Dunno, Pete. First time I hear that. To date all measurements have been satisfactory.
:lol:

 

[B21]

Roomier yes, but not by much. It’s still a tight cockpit.

Sometimes an extra inch is all you need? :tumbleweed:

Dunno, Pete. First time I hear that. To date all measurements have been satisfactory.
:lol:

Oh and it was going so well… :rofl:

 

[enuff_zed]

Roomier yes, but not by much. It’s still a tight cockpit.

Sometimes an extra inch is all you need? :tumbleweed:

Dunno, Pete. First time I hear that. To date all measurements have been satisfactory.
:lol:

That'll be because you don't use it as a rule. :wink:

 

[Beerman]

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

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

 

[Fred Smith]

I do understand that if a car is impossible or very impractical then it might be best not to own it.

But on the other hand... it's a sports car, it is meant to be low, if you want a sports car put up with the negatives (getting in and out, not being able to see over other vehicles, harsher ride compared to a Jeep Wrangler) unless you simply can't.

I find it OK getting in and out... my biggest issues are trying to do it whilst keeping bolster rub to a minimum, and doing it when parked on my very steep drive.

 

[Marcoose]

Sometimes an extra inch is all you need? :tumbleweed:

Dunno, Pete. First time I hear that. To date all measurements have been satisfactory.
:lol:

That'll be because you don't use it as a rule. :wink:

You’re saying I didn’t give you a happy ending ? Bad Marcoose.
:lol:

 

[Christopher72]

I'm 6'2" as well, and with the seat all the way back, it's comfortable to drive. I guess it would depend on your leg length more than your height, though. The doors do need to open wide to exit sideways. Anything less, and you're facing to the rear as you exit.

As for the low ride, I'll agree with B21 on this one. If you can't comfortably get out of a sports car, you best get busy living—stretching, exercising, and doing squats and back strengthening work. Your last concern would be the difficulty in exiting your car, but also exiting your favorite chair or even the loo. Losing dexterity and muscle tone and not gaining it back is the fastest way to low quality of life and uncomfortable waning years.

After two Achille's surgeries, I learned to respect stretching... inch: