Should I buy a 2009 85k E89 35i DCT?

R

Redant

Member
I am looking at buying an 2009 85k well maintained E89 35i DCT. It seems that there are so many issues with this engine/gearbox combo and is putting me off a little :(

The car in question is stunning in mettalic sea Blue with Cream interior and very well looked after. It has a full service history and lots receipts but looking at the cost of some of the repairs, I am in two minds as which way to go? :?

Work that has been done so far:
1.Fuel injectors replaced - £800
2.Electric coolant pump & thermostat - £1,200
3.Front Shocks (M Adaptive) - £1,400
4.High pressure Fuel Pump - £900
5.Fuel injectors (again) & Spark plugs - £950
6.Cracked Alloys (19inc 296?) - £500

So my question is should I:
1. Avoid this car (seems to be very fault prone)
2. Look on it favourably as all these major items have been replaced and so the replacement parts and the regular servicing should give me several years of trouble free motoring?
3. Buy the car and buy a good warranty for peace of mind?
4. Look at the S Drive 3.0i with the N52 engine? ( I test drove an auto and thought is was pretty good for my level of driving)

I only plan to do 2-3k per year as this is going to be a weekend car that I hope to keep.

Sorry for the long post but I am hoping your wisdom will be able to steer me into making the right decision. :oops:
Many thanks!
 
This is only one opinion, don't roast me for it.

I own an automatic Z4 3.0i 2011 (6I) and before I bought it I started to learn the different variations of Z4. The ones who have the biggest fun to pain in the ass ratio (fiable cars) are the Z4 3.0i and 2.3i (2.5 engine actually). They don't have turbos, they have a 6 cylinder engine, they use a ZF gearbox [6HP19] (instead of the ones that are on 3.5i & 3.5is - their double clutch is prone to breaking fast which is a 3-4k pounds repair - i've seen this happen to 2 different 3.5i) which is the same for a series 3 BMW (that means cheap second hand replacement parts if need be).

Also, if you are looking for > 2012 car because of the LCI facelift (from the outside only visual difference is the side signals) you can easily do that yourself by buying the required parts (for example: side signals cost about 100 pounds) and easily mount it on your car. Also, keep in mind that after 2011 the 3.0i has been replaced with a 2.8i (2.0 engine + 2 turbos), but in my opinion it doesn't even sound close to the 3.0i and is not as fiable.

Another thing I would do is buy the car without a screen since it has outdated graphics. As a replacement you can get the screen developed my carnavi (@AnubisZed has some nice DIY tutorials on how to install it) for around 800$, which is a reasonable price. This screen integrates very nicely with a rear view camera & rear sensors (tutorials at the guy I mentioned before).

As for the warranty, be sure it costs a lot because of the car, the engine & for me - the driver 23 years old.

All things aside from what I said, if you get a really good deal on the 2009 3.5i that has all those parts changed & you only plan to use it in the weekends, hell, why not get it & sell it later for more.
 
LordLolzeye said:
This is only one opinion, don't roast me for it.

I own an automatic Z4 3.0i 2011 (6I) and before I bought it I started to learn the different variations of Z4. The ones who have the biggest fun to pain in the ass ratio (fiable cars) are the Z4 3.0i and 2.3i (2.5 engine actually). They don't have turbos, they have a 6 cylinder engine, they use a ZF gearbox [6HP19] (instead of the ones that are on 3.5i & 3.5is - their double clutch is prone to breaking fast which is a 3-4k pounds repair - i've seen this happen to 2 different 3.5i) which is the same for a series 3 BMW (that means cheap second hand replacement parts if need be).

Also, if you are looking for > 2012 car because of the LCI facelift (from the outside only visual difference is the side signals) you can easily do that yourself by buying the required parts (for example: side signals cost about 100 pounds) and easily mount it on your car. Also, keep in mind that after 2011 the 3.0i has been replaced with a 2.8i (2.0 engine + 2 turbos), but in my opinion it doesn't even sound close to the 3.0i and is not as fiable.

Another thing I would do is buy the car without a screen since it has outdated graphics. As a replacement you can get the screen developed my carnavi (@AnubisZed has some nice DIY tutorials on how to install it) for around 800$, which is a reasonable price. This screen integrates very nicely with a rear view camera & rear sensors (tutorials at the guy I mentioned before).

As for the warranty, be sure it costs a lot because of the car, the engine & for me - the driver 23 years old.

All things aside from what I said, if you get a really good deal on the 2009 3.5i that has all those parts changed & you only plan to use it in the weekends, hell, why not get it & sell it later for more.
Click to expand...

The 28i has a single turbo (it’s “twin scroll”), not two of them. The 35i as you say does have two :thumbsup:
Rob
 
That will become a recurring dilemma a for many as years slip by.
The car in question you couldn't really expect any more to have been done but common sense will tell you that going forward over 2-3-4 yrs ownership the 30i will offer the best in terms of performance V upkeep costs.
Reality is barring the waterpump if you buy a, decent example it's unlikely to cost anything over routine oil & brakes.
 
That is the perfect 35i to buy. All the common faults have been rectified already. You'd really kick yourself buying the 28i or 30i, there's a huge gap in performance and no real benefit in running costs.

The wheels are something you want to get rid of but that's not a fault of the engine. They are prone to cracking so worth getting a replacement set.

The DCT gearbox is very reliable so no worries there. I've heard of more slushbox failures than DCT failures.
 
R.E92 said:
That is the perfect 35i to buy. All the common faults have been rectified already. You'd really kick yourself buying the 28i or 30i, there's a huge gap in performance and no real benefit in running costs.

The wheels are something you want to get rid of but that's not a fault of the engine. They are prone to cracking so worth getting a replacement set.

The DCT gearbox is very reliable so no worries there. I've heard of more slushbox failures than DCT failures.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100%
 
That was exactly my dilema a few months ago. ditch my reliable low mileage E89 2.3iSDrive for a much higher mileage 3.0 with DCT. In fairness I want the DCT but my experience with automatics is that they eventually go wrong and fixing them is very expensive. When I sat in it, it didn't feel any more special than mine (apart from the DCT and iDrive I have everything else), so I managed to convince myself that whilst a faster one would be nice, it wasn't worth the risk of the extra cash and potential repair costs (even with a BMW warranty). The 2.5 straight 6 is a lovely engine although the manual box is rubbish in compairson with my previous s2000s... but I can put up with that! :D
 
R.E92 said:
That is the perfect 35i to buy. All the common faults have been rectified already. You'd really kick yourself buying the 28i or 30i, there's a huge gap in performance and no real benefit in running costs.

The wheels are something you want to get rid of but that's not a fault of the engine. They are prone to cracking so worth getting a replacement set.

The DCT gearbox is very reliable so no worries there. I've heard of more slushbox failures than DCT failures.
Click to expand...

No real benefit in running costs?
The previous owner of this 35i spent £5,750 keeping it running...
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
R.E92 said:
That is the perfect 35i to buy. All the common faults have been rectified already. You'd really kick yourself buying the 28i or 30i, there's a huge gap in performance and no real benefit in running costs.

The wheels are something you want to get rid of but that's not a fault of the engine. They are prone to cracking so worth getting a replacement set.

The DCT gearbox is very reliable so no worries there. I've heard of more slushbox failures than DCT failures.
Click to expand...

No real benefit in running costs?
The previous owner of this 35i spent £5,750 keeping it running...
Rob
Click to expand...

Didn't one of your many Z4s require a new engine? It's not like reliability issues are confined to the 35i :lol:

The major reliability issues of the N54, injectors and fuel pump, have both been sorted on this car so it's a gem in my opinion. The water pump and thermostat are a marque-wide reliability issue on cars north of 80k.
 
R.E92 said:
Smartbear said:
R.E92 said:
That is the perfect 35i to buy. All the common faults have been rectified already. You'd really kick yourself buying the 28i or 30i, there's a huge gap in performance and no real benefit in running costs.

The wheels are something you want to get rid of but that's not a fault of the engine. They are prone to cracking so worth getting a replacement set.

The DCT gearbox is very reliable so no worries there. I've heard of more slushbox failures than DCT failures.
Click to expand...

No real benefit in running costs?
The previous owner of this 35i spent £5,750 keeping it running...
Rob
Click to expand...

Didn't one of your many Z4s require a new engine? It's not like reliability issues are confined to the 35i :lol:

The major reliability issues of the N54, injectors and fuel pump, have both been sorted on this car so it's a gem in my opinion. The water pump and thermostat are a marque-wide reliability issue on cars north of 80k.
Click to expand...

That’s half true, my 30i e89 needed a new gearbox at 19k miles but seemed to be against the grain for an otherwise reliable model :?
Rob
 
Thank you for the comments so far - its making me feel more comfortable in considering this car

Just a bit of background from me and it may help others in future...

Ever since I realised that I wanted a sports car I have gone through reading up on and sometimes testing a few that were in my budget. I have looked at the MX5, SLK, TTS, and of course the Z4.

The MX5 was fun but I wanted more from the engine and more luxury in the car.
The v6 SLK that was in my budget was the one with the F1 nose that I could not just ignore :P .
The TTS was very nice to drive but I didn't like the farts it made when changing gears. :rofl:

The 3litre Z4 roadster that I drove for the first time gave me that bug and I knew my car just had to have a 3 litre 6 pot engine.

I started reading more and more into it and realised that there was the e86 as well which to be honest I have never seen. But Oh my! What a backside it had! :P
I think the rear end of the e86 is one of the best I have seen!

I even inquired into one of your Ex's Mr Wilks ! ( With your permission of course). That midnight blue e86 on those rims looked amazing!
Sadly lots of factors made me look elsewhere for another E86. It was while I was looking at these that I suddenly realised that most of these well looked after, lower mileage ones were around 8-9k and for a little bit more I could go for the newer looking e89.

So that's where my post comes in and this is where things get really exciting ( for me) as only yesterday I realised that the sdrive 3.0 N52 in the E89 is a naturally aspirated engine, the same engine that I fell in love with that gave me that Z4 bug!! ( There is so much to learn for me)

So I am delighted that I can mix the newer body and the tech of the E89 with the na 3 litre N52.

The one thing left now is for me to test drive the 35i and hopefully I can then make a decision on whether the turbo engine gives me that same feeling, has that same infectious engine note and whether I will like the "delivery" of power of a turbo Vs the naturally aspirated engine on the N52.

It is then for me to figure out, with the wisdom imparted on this forum by current and ex- owners, whether the extra performance is something that I will be able appreciate and enjoy knowing now that major issues have been resolved.
 
I've had my 35i for 7 years now and still get excited by the exhaust note. The straight 6 sounds amazing, even more so with the DCT shifts (like thunder on full throttle upshifts). With the 35i you also get a really throaty burble on overrun, I'm not sure if the N52 does the same.
 
Does anyone know whether the replaced parts still fail or have they been re-engineered and made stronger/better?
The fuel injectors have been replaced twice on this car so it would seem to indicate otherwise?
 
R.E92 said:
I've had my 35i for 7 years now and still get excited by the exhaust note. The straight 6 sounds amazing, even more so with the DCT shifts (like thunder on full throttle upshifts). With the 35i you also get a really throaty burble on overrun, I'm not sure if the N52 does the same.
Click to expand...

I am test driving an 35i today and really looking forward to it. Will listen out for the thunder!
What year is your 35i and do the fixed problems broadly mirror your experience as well?
 
Redant said:
Does anyone know whether the replaced parts still fail or have they been re-engineered and made stronger/better?
The fuel injectors have been replaced twice on this car so it would seem to indicate otherwise?
Click to expand...

With fuel injectors there were several revisions. The latest revision I believe is still "Index 12" which they started fitting in 2013. Index 11 also seem to be problem free but any before that would need to be replaced.

The fuel pumps they fixed so should have no worries in future.

Redant said:
R.E92 said:
I've had my 35i for 7 years now and still get excited by the exhaust note. The straight 6 sounds amazing, even more so with the DCT shifts (like thunder on full throttle upshifts). With the 35i you also get a really throaty burble on overrun, I'm not sure if the N52 does the same.
Click to expand...

I am test driving an 35i today and really looking forward to it. Will listen out for the thunder!
What year is your 35i and do the fixed problems broadly mirror your experience as well?
Click to expand...

Yes, I had my fuel pump replaced in 2013 and injectors done around 2015. Both front adaptive shocks were replaced shortly after.

One thing to listen out for is rattling wastegates on the turbos. If you can hear a rattling sounds on deceleration, like a can full of stones being kicked down the road, then you would want to factor in replacing the turbos to the asking price.

If you don't mind me asking, what price is the car up for?
 
It will be an expensive car to maintain.

My servicing costs on my 20i were £530, and that only has four cylinders.

35is trounces the performance of the 20i, no doubt about it,
but it also requires a higher maintenance cost.

Higher mileage cars are prone to more than just engine faults, suspension, tyres, wheels etc.

If you are stretching yourself at 10, I would buy a car with less miles and a smaller engine. If you can spend more, then buy a newer car.
 
Deepseaskateboard said:
It will be an expensive car to maintain.

My servicing costs on my 20i were £530, and that only has four cylinders.

35is trounces the performance of the 20i, no doubt about it,
but it also requires a higher maintenance cost.

Higher mileage cars are prone to more than just engine faults, suspension, tyres, wheels etc.

If you are stretching yourself at 10, I would buy a car with less miles and a smaller engine. If you can spend more, then buy a newer car.
Click to expand...

It's honestly quite similar in servicing costs. Tyres and filters will cost the same, you need an extra 2l of oil for an oil change and a couple more spark plugs. Brakes will be a few quid extra but not a huge markup over the normal Z4 brakes.

Have a browse through this price list to give you an idea of the difference between 4cyl, 6cyl and 8cyl servicing costs: http://www.darren-wood.com/service_table.php
The only time you start to see a big increase in servicing costs is when you get an M car.
 
I am not concerned about general maintenance, you would have to do this on any car and as this is a sports car i understand that cost will be higher.

The biggest concern for me was the the fact that so many parts that really should be reliable and should not fail have failed. As you can see from my first post, all these items are not standard maintenance or wear and tear items.

Let's see how the test drive goes :driving: ... On my way to it shortly!!
 
Hi
Only had my 35is for about 4 months but I think it’s the best car I’ve ever had, no issues with it so far, 2011 with just under 63000 miles on the clock and on original injectors fuel pump and water pump, I know for me these could fail at any time, but as said if the one you’re interested in has had them changed then I can’t really see you having anything to worry about, 1st DCT I’ve driven and can’t fault it, it’s absolutely fantastic and as said the exhaust note when you floor the loud pedal is awesome along with the throttle blips when changing down. Go have a test drive and I’m sure you will want one
 
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