Should I buy an E89 2.8i Sport

G

griffnut

Member
 Northants
Hi, I am considering buying an 2015/65reg. E89 2.8i Sport that done approx. 30k miles - There seems to be lots of people on the Forum, having issues with the folding roof? Does the engine have any particular problems, like Timing Chain/folllowers or is it more of an age related or mileage thing?

I,ve owned 3.0 E85's in the past and they seem to suffer with roof motor issues.

Many thanks for any input
 
It certainly seems to be a weak point on an otherwise great car.
Mines going in to hopefully resolve a roof issue today.
It does concern me.
If it continues to be a problem, it would certainly make me consider a coupe, but I’d miss the roof down enjoyment.🤷‍♀️
 
Most issues with the roof tend to be micro switch and hall sensor related, which aren’t too expensive to replace it’s just the diagnostics that can be tricky, I haven’t had any issues with mine in the 3 years I’ve owned it although it had already had a micro switch replaced before I bought it, broken wires and hydraulic lines are cropping up more as the cars get older and are used more, with its mileage and age I would have thought you shouldn’t have any roof issues but who knows for certain.
 
Had my car 6 years, was 9 years old before roof problems started. Broken wires no sensor faults.
By now we know where they go wrong just scan the forum if you have a fault.
 
I've never had a problem with the roof on either of my e89s, and I rarely see posts on here from people with problems.

Honestly not something I have ever worried about.
 
I had a microswitch fault, locally indie sorted that out for me under warranty.

There are posts on her about roof issues, I have said it before and will say it again, how many Z4 are out there, not many people ever come on here and say my roof is fine with no issues, the tend to look for a way to fix it which is why you see the posts which are a very small number compared to cars on the road.

If you are worried about it get a warranty, buy the car and enjoy.

Oh and by the way a 20i remapped is just as quick as a 28i and you will widen your choice of cars and probably save a chunk of change in the process
 
My car problem didn't manifest for several years, my bus. partners was a lemon at 12k. 3 visits to BMW to get sorted. Finally gave up when ebrake failed.
I bought my car having seen local business owner with one.
I have never seen that car with it's roof down.
Sometimes i pass it daily on the way to work.
I wondered if he had problems and could never bother to have roof down.
 
Many thanks for the replys guys, sounds like the electrics are the real problem which could point towards being age related.
It's good to hear that the engines, don't appear to have any reliability issues.

Is there a roof specialist in the UK, that knows how to sort out any issues.
 
griffnut said:
Many thanks for the replys guys, sounds like the electrics are the real problem which could point towards being age related.
It's good to hear that the engines, don't appear to have any reliability issues.

Is there a roof specialist in the UK, that knows how to sort out any issues.
Click to expand...


There are some about, I believe people have mentioned various specialists in the e89 problems section. I believe there is one near Manchester.

That said, any main BMW dealer can diagnose and fix roof issues.

There were some updates to the wiring and microswitches on later models, and if older ones fail, they are replaced with the newer versions.

Most roof issues are quite simple fixes, however there can be some catastrophic failures involving hydraulic lines and burned out motors, but I have not seen too many issues in this forum regarding that over the years.

You can change the relays yourself for some preventative maintenance.

All in all, the system works well, I have had one roof issue in 4.5 years of ownership which was fixed at BMW for £190.
 
Deepseaskateboard said:
griffnut said:
Many thanks for the replys guys, sounds like the electrics are the real problem which could point towards being age related.
It's good to hear that the engines, don't appear to have any reliability issues.

Is there a roof specialist in the UK, that knows how to sort out any issues.
Click to expand...
That said, any main BMW dealer can diagnose and fix roof issues.
Click to expand...

There is a certain German member that may not agree with that.
 
Pondrew said:
Deepseaskateboard said:
griffnut said:
Many thanks for the replys guys, sounds like the electrics are the real problem which could point towards being age related.
It's good to hear that the engines, don't appear to have any reliability issues.

Is there a roof specialist in the UK, that knows how to sort out any issues.
Click to expand...
That said, any main BMW dealer can diagnose and fix roof issues.
Click to expand...

There is a certain German member that may not agree with that.
Click to expand...

Haha, They have the tools…

I am speaking from my limited experience. Although I did find what my fault was through this forum, and I had a word with their mechanic to point them in the right direction.
 
Deepseaskateboard said:
griffnut said:
Many thanks for the replys guys, sounds like the electrics are the real problem which could point towards being age related.
It's good to hear that the engines, don't appear to have any reliability issues.

Is there a roof specialist in the UK, that knows how to sort out any issues.
Click to expand...


There are some about, I believe people have mentioned various specialists in the e89 problems section. I believe there is one near Manchester.

That said, any main BMW dealer can diagnose and fix roof issues.

There were some updates to the wiring and microswitches on later models, and if older ones fail, they are replaced with the newer versions.

Most roof issues are quite simple fixes, however there can be some catastrophic failures involving hydraulic lines and burned out motors, but I have not seen too many issues in this forum regarding that over the years.

You can change the relays yourself for some preventative maintenance.

All in all, the system works well, I have had one roof issue in 4.5 years of ownership which was fixed at BMW for £190.
Click to expand...

Thats good to hear that your cars roof has given no problems. The car that I am interested in, makes a creaking noise on the final sequence when the bootlid closes the last 25mm or so. I was thinking that it probably due to a lack of maintenance -grease/oil.
 
griffnut said:
Thats good to hear that your cars roof has given no problems. The car that I am interested in, makes a creaking noise on the final sequence when the bootlid closes the last 25mm or so. I was thinking that it probably due to a lack of maintenance -grease/oil.
Click to expand...
I think they all do that, to one degree or another. Not supposed to grease or oil the hinges, they are sealed, apparently. It may just be that the rubber seals are a bit dry. Lubricating these with silicone-based goo (Gummi Pflege is popular) will help and help to keep the water out..

Just interested why you are looking at a 28, when the 18 and 20 are exactly the same N20 engine with different factory engine maps?
 
Pondrew said:
Deepseaskateboard said:
griffnut said:
Many thanks for the replys guys, sounds like the electrics are the real problem which could point towards being age related.
It's good to hear that the engines, don't appear to have any reliability issues.

Is there a roof specialist in the UK, that knows how to sort out any issues.
Click to expand...
That said, any main BMW dealer can diagnose and fix roof issues.
Click to expand...

There is a certain German member that may not agree with that.
Click to expand...

I would not go anywhere near a main dealer for a roof fix - just find a local indy who is more suited to the car such as Ross at RBM (although a little fat from Manchester).

There was a recent thread where a main dealer changed a control unit at £600 plus labour as they diagnosed a roof fault incorrectly - stay well away from main dealers IMHO
 
Pondrew said:
griffnut said:
Thats good to hear that your cars roof has given no problems. The car that I am interested in, makes a creaking noise on the final sequence when the bootlid closes the last 25mm or so. I was thinking that it probably due to a lack of maintenance -grease/oil.
Click to expand...
I think they all do that, to one degree or another. Not supposed to grease or oil the hinges, they are sealed, apparently. It may just be that the rubber seals are a bit dry. Lubricating these with silicone-based goo (Gummi Pflege is popular) will help and help to keep the water out..

Just interested why you are looking at a 28, when the 18 and 20 are exactly the same N20 engine with different factory engine maps?
Click to expand...

Already asked that one
 
Ole gits rule said:
a local indy who is more suited to the car such as Ross at RBM (although a little fat from Manchester).
Click to expand...

Bit harsh mate, some people are just big boned. :D
 
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