Thoughts please

[Sportbilly]

Hi everyone,

I currently own a e85 54 plate 3 litre manual in great condition with 50k miles on the clock and FSH. I'm looking to upgrade but wondering what its worth? BMW have offered me daft money as you'd expect so I'm looking for a realistic private sale price. I'm the second owner.

I'm looking to upgrade to an e89 but not sure whether to go all out and buy something like this

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/z4-roadster/z4-roadster-35is-sdrive-2dr-dct/5345543?v=b

Or do I go with what I know (3 litre manual) and save a few quid in the process by going for something like this?

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/Z/3.0i-sDrive35i/Sutton-Coldfield/2357914-605567164-3497243.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

Or do I buy a car that has all the spec I want apart from the wheels but isn't quite as powerful and is 2 years younger?

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/Z/3.0i-sDrive35i-M-Sport/Stevenage/2755922-605551792-3497106.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

Is the 35is really that much better? Worth the premium Sytners are asking?

Unfortunately I'm stuck out in the desert until the beginning of June so I can't drive any of them but for now am interested in your thoughts for when I do get home.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zed Five]

I went from a 3.0 e85 to a 3.0 e89 to a 35is e89.

i had a similar dilemma, wondering if the 35is is so much better (before i purchased). It is. The power from the twin turbo car is a world away from the std 3.0. I have never regretted it. The 35is is a very fast car. Handling is not so sharp as the e85, but its a bigger and more comfortable car.

 

[Sportbilly]

Thanks mate, good info. Nice car/bike combo too. I'm currently riding an R1, which I love but may still go for a blade before I'm too old to do it justice.......

 

[TopDMC]

Having had all 3, I have an opinion backed by a bit of experience

3 litre is a great engine and the car really doesn't want for too much.
However, when you drive the 35iS you will understand. If you go for the 35i, you will look at every iS and wish......
The 35iS in my opinion will also hold its value so much better

Also (although I know you are not looking now), 2010 for £25k, or £31k for a 2014 still in warranty, it's a no brainer.

.

 

[Sportbilly]

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated. 25k is my absolute max. I originally didn't want to go beyond 20 and while I agree it is a no brainer getting a warranted car, if I get it through BMW I'll get a years warranty anyway. Plus I'm only going to be driving it for 3 months a year so my heart is ruling my head as it is.