WANTED Solid E86 Manual

[B21]

Sorry to spam…

Thoughts on this? I didn’t think I could find/afford one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506293981572?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios-app

Not outrageously overpriced…a bit at the top end of prices that actually sell…good spec .. the sales pitch on manual is rather irrelevant as most folks prefer the much better DCT / DSG box..

 

[Scot Chegg]

Oooosh…. Cuts deep that

(Not learned to quote yet)

 

[Z450]

The 35i perform so well and are very rare in manual. The N55 is a great engine but can throw up some expensive bills with high pressure fuel pumps and injectors being common fail items and expensive to replace

..N54

School boy error

 

[Pondy]

The 35i perform so well and are very rare in manual. The N55 is a great engine but can throw up some expensive bills with high pressure fuel pumps and injectors being common fail items and expensive to replace

..N54

School boy error

To be fair the N55 was an expensive mistress aswell, just never in the Z4.

 

[Pondy]

Sorry to spam…

Thoughts on this? I didn’t think I could find/afford one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506293981572?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios-app

If you are on a tight budget the N54 engine is probably best avoided (just in case). If you are happy to potentially spend big money to keep it on the road, then it's a stonking engine.
The one in the link is OK IMO, but the fake wood trim is not very desirable and the wheels are vile IMO. It is a very rare manual N54, though.

 

[Scot Chegg]

Love the insight thank you! Tin hat o’clock… most cars these days are beige commuter boxes, boring no character. When the day comes that our robot overlords take over and tell us thou shalt have a Duracell and fun cars are hobbies you have to pay for accordingly, I already want to be owning one… It’s not about resale value at all… So everything is on the table if it’s in budget now. I’ve thrown c.£4k (as far as Mrs Chegg knows) track readying my current sled so ‘preventative maintenance’ is not a problem in support of the top goal I mention

 

[Zedebee]

I think you could find a half decent E86 for your money. Worth a read of the two “E85/E86 vsE89” threads that have popped up recently. The E86 coupe is a sublime car and, if you choose really well, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to look after.

 

[Bombur]

I think the extended leather package is a big plus.

 

[RMB]

Yes that full leather looks great and I assume is very rare. The dark wood trim goes very well with the light leather. But can always be changed. As can the wheels easily when budget allows.

 

[Scot Chegg]

https://ebay.us/m/C8sKMs

This has got to be someone here? Looks stunning

 

[Pondy]

https://ebay.us/m/C8sKMs

This has got to be someone here? Looks stunning

I hope it is 'stunning' as it's definitely stunningly expensive for an Si.

 

[Scot Chegg]

What ballpark would you put on something like that?

 

[Zedebee]

What ballpark would you put on something like that?

It’s definitely been talked up up by the seller. It’s quite a poor spec - non-heated manual seats, no cruise control, non-xenon headlights, basic 6 speaker hifi. A good’un on 53k may well get £13,5k if it’s in really good condition with all the goodies. I would question why its needed a new clutch and slave cylinder, both odd things to fail at this mileage. Note that he’s also selling a Lexus, in similarly flowery language, but his reasons for selling the two cars seem to be contradictory. May be a flipper.

If you are happy to pay that kind of money, check out Zachary Luke cars. Expensive but well thought of, and you’ll have the comfort of buying from a “proper” dealer too.

I also think you’ll get best value paying around £10k for the best 70-80k car you can find.

 

[Beerman]

What ballpark would you put on something like that?

That car was up for sale last year for £10,500.

Although the owner has spent money on maintenance and replica wheels, it doesn't add £3000 value to the car.

 

[Z450]

If you go the Coupe route most would say go for a sport version. The above at £13.5k is an Se which as mentioned has no spec to it. By the looks of it manual M seats have been fitted and CSL rep wheels. I think you could get a better spec version for the money

 

[Z450]

What ballpark would you put on something like that?

That car was up for sale last year for £10,500.

Although the owner has spent money on maintenance and replica wheels, it doesn't add £3000 value to the car.

It does sound like they are trying to recoup the money that they have spent on the car.

 

[Mr Tidy]

There are plenty of 23i models around, but 30i ones do seem pretty rare and seem to be priced accordingly. But although you'd pay more you'd probably recover most of the difference when selling.

As someone already said you ought to be able to find an E86 with a £10K budget and they are all 3 litres!

 

[Scot Chegg]

Am I allowed to bump to stay relevant?

 

[Mr Tidy]

No reason why not while you are still looking.

Anyway good luck.

 

[Formario]

Edited to update…

Still lurking and still waiting to sell my car so time to put the feelers out

Looking for a solid E86, Manual ideally in sport spec but anything considered (willing to travel for the right one). Not afraid of something needing a bit of spannering.

Budget of c.£10k with flex room for the right car.

Still love the Coupes but aware of my champagne tastes and panda pop budget won’t get me very far without needing some work… unless someone is giving one away? (Finally decided to go with the dream).

Have seen a couple on Autotrader & Fleabay which are interesting but something feels odd about the ads and I don’t want to pay stealer premiums for a bag of nails.

Scot - haven't been on here for a while but saw your note:

I’ve not officially listed it yet, but I’ve got a 2008 BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si Sport in Grey Metallic that I’ve owned and enjoyed for the last 7 years. It’s just coming up to 100k miles and has been properly cared for — full service history with BMW and specialists, plus over £10k in maintenance (happy to share the full log and receipts).

Spec highlights:

• 3.0si N52 straight-six (265bhp)
• Manual gearbox
• Sport model with M Sport steering wheel & Sport button
• OEM Style 108 alloys (booked for refurbishment end of this month)
• Black electric leather seats (excellent condition)
• Xenons & aftermarket parking sensors (front & rear)

Condition:
Bodywork is clean for the age, no rust, and it drives beautifully — no knocks, noises, or warning lights. MOT until June 2026, with only minor advisories at the last test (happy to talk through — nothing urgent).

The car is booked in for some cosmetic work alongside the alloy refurb at the end of the month, so I’ll have a fresh photo set to share then.

Looking at around £7,500 (with the above work done) — leaving scope for any tweaks or upgrades you might want.

If this sounds of interest, happy to share more detail ahead of it going live in the Forum For Sale section at the end of the month.