Should I buy an E89 2.8i Sport

[Ole gits rule]

Already asked that one

Missed it. sorry dude

No probs - positive re-enforcement of why - I would defo be looking at the 20i with more kit and remapping it

 

[griffnut]

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.

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?

Just want to buy a car that I do not have to declare as being modified on my Insurance.

 

[Nanu]

Ive had 3 e89's including a 28i, and never had any roof issues.

If you like it and enjoy a test drive then go for it. Summer is coming.

 

[Pondy]

Just want to buy a car that I do not have to declare as being modified on my Insurance.

Obviously don't know your age, insurance statistics, etc, but I wasn't charged an additional penny for remapping my 18i from 156bhp to 280bhp.

Your choice. The N20 is a good engine, whichever 'flavour' you go for.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

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.

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.

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.

Yes, the creaking is normal. Mine has always done it.

 

[griffnut]

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.

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.

Yes, the creaking is normal. Mine has always done it.

I am surprised that the creaking is normal, my Golf door creaks when its not been oiled for a long while.

 

[griffnut]

Just want to buy a car that I do not have to declare as being modified on my Insurance.

Obviously don't know your age, insurance statistics, etc, but I wasn't charged an additional penny for remapping my 18i from 156bhp to 280bhp.

Your choice. The N20 is a good engine, whichever 'flavour' you go for.

It's good to hear that the N20 engine is a good unit. I just prefer non-modified cars.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Just want to buy a car that I do not have to declare as being modified on my Insurance.

Obviously don't know your age, insurance statistics, etc, but I wasn't charged an additional penny for remapping my 18i from 156bhp to 280bhp.

Your choice. The N20 is a good engine, whichever 'flavour' you go for.

It's good to hear that the N20 engine is a good unit. I just prefer non-modified cars.

Fair enough on the modified cars but there's a hefty premium and less choice on 28i than 20i although you have one your interested in

 

[griffnut]

Obviously don't know your age, insurance statistics, etc, but I wasn't charged an additional penny for remapping my 18i from 156bhp to 280bhp.

Your choice. The N20 is a good engine, whichever 'flavour' you go for.

It's good to hear that the N20 engine is a good unit. I just prefer non-modified cars.

Fair enough on the modified cars but there's a hefty premium and less choice on 28i than 20i although you have one your interested in

I take your point about price and availability, it is a huge price to pay and it's a shame that the 3.0's are even more scare - since that is my preferred engine size.

 

[chasBMW]

Between 2010 & 2015 I owned 2 e89's , the first one suffered handbrake failure fixed by software update common I believe , the second at around a year old suffered roof failure , microswitch failure fixed under warranty , complicated cars so goes with the territory I guess

 

[griffnut]

Between 2010 & 2015 I owned 2 e89's , the first one suffered handbrake failure fixed by software update common I believe , the second at around a year old suffered roof failure , microswitch failure fixed under warranty , complicated cars so goes with the territory I guess

Perhaps the complications with the roof and Warranty claims explains why BMW went back to a soft top, but like you I am also considering a 981 Boxster.

 

[Nictrix]

In 9 years with 2 different E89s we have had 1 fault with the roof and this was fixed by replacing both microswitches for £30.

 

[Zed Baron]

My E89 will be 13 years old this year (Ive had it for 8 of them) never had any issues (probably put the mockers on it now ).

 

[Pondy]

My E89 will be 13 years old this year (Ive had it for 8 of them) never had any issues (probably put the mockers on it now

Sopers of Lincoln number is (01522) 690000. Speak to Neil in parts department. :lol:

 

[Zed Baron]

My E89 will be 13 years old this year (Ive had it for 8 of them) never had any issues (probably put the mockers on it now

Sopers of Lincoln number is (01522) 690000. Speak to Neil in parts department. :lol:

thanks Pondrew, I'll store the number! :lol:

 

[griffnut]

In 9 years with 2 different E89s we have had 1 fault with the roof and this was fixed by replacing both microswitches for £30.

Good result @ £30.00

 

[Ole gits rule]

It's good to hear that the N20 engine is a good unit. I just prefer non-modified cars.

Fair enough on the modified cars but there's a hefty premium and less choice on 28i than 20i although you have one your interested in

I take your point about price and availability, it is a huge price to pay and it's a shame that the 3.0's are even more scare - since that is my preferred engine size.

the 30i are scarce for certain bu come with a bigger premium, if you don't want a modded car then the 28i is a good way to go

 

[Ole gits rule]

Between 2010 & 2015 I owned 2 e89's , the first one suffered handbrake failure fixed by software update common I believe , the second at around a year old suffered roof failure , microswitch failure fixed under warranty , complicated cars so goes with the territory I guess

Had both of those but my car is 11 years old now

 

[Nictrix]

In 9 years with 2 different E89s we have had 1 fault with the roof and this was fixed by replacing both microswitches for £30.

Good result @ £30.00

Yea. Not sure how much it would have cost if a dealer had fixed it.
At a guess I would say at least £300 after their obligatory diagnostic fee and then a few hours labour.

 

[Zed Baron]

Well I guess its the inevitability thats it's definitely going to happen at some time, maybe thats why I have the two BMW umbrellas in the door pockets just incase I get caught out! :w00t: