Wanted Z4 E89 Auto, 23i or 30i

G

guitargibb

Member
Hi everyone, I recently made the mistake of selling my 3.0se E85 & bought an Mx5 manual (BIG MISTAKE!), so after keeping it for 3 weeks, I’ve got rid and now looking for another auto but newer model. Definitely e89 and got to be auto. Would love 30i but limited budget so might have to be 23i but putting feelers out. A few kicking around that I’m hoping to view, but looking for lowish miles, FSH, excellent condition bodywork, and probably blue or grey but would consider other colours. Idrive would be a bonus but cruise control essential. Max budget is 8k and happy to wait for the right car - I’m in Chesterfield Derbyshire, willing to travel within reason, but radius of around 100 miles preferred.
Anything out there?? Got loads of helpful advice and info from these forums so though would be best place to start looking for an honest motor that I intend to keep and cherish! 👍
 
I'd only say don't worry too much if it hasn't got cruise Anubiszed on the forum can fit and code for a very reasonable price so don't let that be a deal breaker..good luck with your search
 
Sounds like your expectations are realistic - you'll struggle to find a good condition, low mileage 30i with an £8k budget but plenty of 23i options around that price area. Worth keeping tabs on the usual prime suspects (Ebay, Auto Trader, Facebook marketplace, Gumtree).

As stated above, lack of cruise control is a simple and cheap retrofit so don't let that put you off any car.

Good luck with the search!
 
guitargibb said:
bought an Mx5 manual (BIG MISTAKE!)
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Haha! Do tell...

I have an E86 and an MX-5 and love them both so really curious why your MX-5 didn't work out.
 
The 30i is not possible for £8k and even a 23i with low miles and iDrive / FSH etc. is going to be a push IMHO - think it could be a long wait unless you accept higher miles or increase the budget.

Great cars and good luck with the search, hope I am wrong :thumbsup:
 
There you go everything you wanted except mileage: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254955377109?hash=item3b5c8651d5:g:J~sAAOSwdq5ghS47
 
I was going to message the owner about this one, as you say, ticks all the boxes, would never buy a car unseen, but close enough to take a look if possible (i don't get the balance from my Mazda until Saturday so i don't want to jump the gun in case something goes pear shaped though)

There's a couple of 23i's that also look worth checking out, but until i've got funds in my account, I need to hold back, finding the perfect car and then watching someone else get in there first isn't a good feeling :rofl:

Thanks again for the comments :thumbsup:
 
M1k3yC said:
Haha! Do tell...

I have an E86 and an MX-5 and love them both so really curious why your MX-5 didn't work out.
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Just too small and uncomfortable (nothing wrong with the car itself) and i quickly realised after being stuck in traffic that I prefer the auto so i only need to use one leg :rofl:
 
Ole gits rule said:
108k is not low miles, yes its nothing for the engine but low miles is 40 to 50k IMHO
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I suppose everyone's interpretation of low miles is different , some people will advertise a car with anything less than 10k a year as "low", but being realistic and having a budjet, there's always going to be a compromise. As i mentioned in the original post, an ultra clean and well serviced car with slightly higher miles would be preferable to one with 40k on the clock but covered in scratches and dents, I did think about just replacing the one i'd just sold with similar, but realising i'd need to spend at least a grand more than i sold mine for to do that (due to me rushing the sale!), i've delved deeper into my piggybank (but it's not bottomless! :rofl: )
 
guitargibb said:
Ole gits rule said:
108k is not low miles, yes its nothing for the engine but low miles is 40 to 50k IMHO
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I suppose everyone's interpretation of low miles is different , some people will advertise a car with anything less than 10k a year as "low", but being realistic and having a budjet, there's always going to be a compromise. As i mentioned in the original post, an ultra clean and well serviced car with slightly higher miles would be preferable to one with 40k on the clock but covered in scratches and dents, I did think about just replacing the one i'd just sold with similar, but realising i'd need to spend at least a grand more than i sold mine for to do that (due to me rushing the sale!), i've delved deeper into my piggybank (but it's not bottomless! :rofl: )
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I agree anything under 10k on a family hatch is low miles but no so much on a Z4 IMHO - compromise is always the way and I wanted a certain spec / colour but had to settle for a mid miles (74k) Msport highline in white when I wanted a VO or yellow with all the toys but budget was the limiting factor.

I am sure you will find something with all the bits you want but may take a while
 
Ole gits rule said:
108k is not low miles, yes its nothing for the engine but low miles is 40 to 50k IMHO
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Everything except mileage as I said :D , going to the other extreme there's a 2009 23i auto in the same colour with idrive/cruise going though British Car Auctions with 16.5k miles this week, be interested to see what that does money wise
 
That would be a good buy, I think a dealer will snap that one up though & turn a good profit - will keep an eye on it though, thanks!
 
mr.tourette said:
I'd only say don't worry too much if it hasn't got cruise Anubiszed on the forum can fit and code for a very reasonable price so don't let that be a deal breaker..good luck with your search
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Cheers! :thumbsup:
 
Zed Baron said:
Ole gits rule said:
108k is not low miles, yes its nothing for the engine but low miles is 40 to 50k IMHO
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Everything except mileage as I said :D , going to the other extreme there's a 2009 23i auto in the same colour with idrive/cruise going though British Car Auctions with 16.5k miles this week, be interested to see what that does money wise
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That would be very interesting to see what that makes, surprised its gone to BCA with that mileage - thought it would have been traded out from a garage if it was P/x'd
 
Update to my original post, much as I promised myself to take my time searching for "the perfect" spec 23i, I've pretty much ended up buying the first one I saw!

Not the low miles I initially wanted (90k) but overall condition, history, & final price paid added up to a car that I'm happy to own. Will most probably upgrade again in a year or two to a 30i or 35i, but for now, this is my new toy.

Any advice, comments, maintenance tips etc, much appreciated and thanks for everyone's previous comments & suggestions :thumbsup:
ATTACH]
 
guitargibb said:
Any advice, comments, maintenance tips etc, much appreciated and thanks for everyone's previous comments & suggestions :thumbsup:
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Looks great and seems to be the spec you are looking for, I've had a 23i auto for 6 years now and its been fantastic. Its been a very reliable car, I don't know what the service history for your car is but consider: oil/brake fluid change (I always do mine more than is required), gearbox service (filter/fluid change), check the age of your battery, change the roof relays and if its on runflat tyres consider changing them (transforms the car). Have fun, mine still makes me smile :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the advice, I know it’s had a brake fluid change recently, & oil / filters / plugs. Doubt it’s had the transmission fluid changed though, I keep hearing conflicting advice on this, pros & cons. It’s still got run flats, 2 are virtually new so I’ll be keeping them on for a while, but it feels completely different to my old e85, which was dreadful until I swapped the tyres. Suspension and ride comfort feels great.

At some point I’d like cruise control retro fitting, any ideas on who does it for what cost?

Thanks again👍
 
guitargibb said:
Thanks for the advice, I know it’s had a brake fluid change recently, & oil / filters / plugs. Doubt it’s had the transmission fluid changed though, I keep hearing conflicting advice on this, pros & cons. It’s still got run flats, 2 are virtually new so I’ll be keeping them on for a while, but it feels completely different to my old e85, which was dreadful until I swapped the tyres. Suspension and ride comfort feels great.

At some point I’d like cruise control retro fitting, any ideas on who does it for what cost?

Thanks again👍
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Speak to Dave (Anubiszed) about retrofitting cruise :thumbsup:
 
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