What Car E85/E86

[Gtb500]

t>Hello I’m new here<br/>
Apologies if this has been asked before but I have about £6500 to buy a decent Z4 with I would like a manual but don’t know if I should go for an e85 or e86<br/>
I would like 50-75 k miles and heated seats<br/>
I think the 3.0 sounds Awsome but I don’t know if I should be discounting the smaller engines<br/>
Like I said total newb <br/>
Any help would be greatly appreciated <br/>
Cheers Steve</t>

 

[Phoenixboy]

you will struggle to find an e86 with that mileage for 6500, but e85 no problem.
take a look on the sales on here, believe there is e85 3.0 for sale.

 

[JamieZ4C]

E86 rarer and imo likely to hold value better. Might be worth paying the extra?

Surely depends on your preference though.

People here seem to prefer one or the other. For me there was only ever going to be one winner. Have loved the coupe ever since I first saw one.

Go for the one you want and either up the budget or accept higher mileage if you have to.

3.0 is awesome!

 

[ph001]

What are you going to be using it for and when? Personally I find the convertible much more of an event to drive then the regular tin top and looks superb with the roof down - not so good with it up.

The pick of the engines would be a 3.0Si (2006 on) but I think you will struggle to get a good one for your budget so you are probably looking at the M54 engine. All the 6 cyl ones are good (2.2i = 168hp, 2.5i = 189hp, 3.0i = 230hp, 3.0Si = 261hp), avoid the 4 pots.

 

[Looney]

Think the roadster looks terrible, but the coupe is BAE

Just my opinion, everyone has there own.

Coupes you need to be looking around 9k+ for a decent one at those miles.

 

[Phoenixboy]

What are you going to be using it for and when? Personally I find the convertible much more of an event to drive then the regular tin top and looks superb with the roof down - not so good with it up.

The pick of the engines would be a 3.0Si (2006 on) but I think you will struggle to get a good one for your budget so you are probably looking at the M54 engine. All the 6 cyl ones are good, avoid the 4 pots.

the roadster is far superior if you like a bit of wind in your hair :wink:
or if not you just get to wind down your windows.

 

[firebobby]

And coupes rust around the hatchback, roadster is a better car all round. Just saying :wink:

 

[Beedub]

Both are awesome!!

roadster looks awesome roof down and roof covers in place, coupe looks better when its not, both are gorgeous with some little tweeks and these cars really suit some nice wheels and alittle lowering. Coupe is of course a stiffer platform, roadster still stiffer than a lotus exige..... Both feel great to drive .

 

[rwoofer]

What are you going to be using it for and when? Personally I find the convertible much more of an event to drive then the regular tin top and looks superb with the roof down - not so good with it up.

The pick of the engines would be a 3.0Si (2006 on) but I think you will struggle to get a good one for your budget so you are probably looking at the M54 engine. All the 6 cyl ones are good (2.2i = 168hp, 2.5i = 189hp, 3.0i = 230hp, 3.0Si = 261hp), avoid the 4 pots.

On behalf of all 4 pot owners I would challenge the last point. Sure, engine doesn't sound/feel as good but there are different benefits - lighter front-end gives more direct handling, economy, cost... Try both if you can, as there are plenty of satisfied 4 pot owners.

 

[ph001]

Fair point - the OP should try each if possible, but I think it's fair to say that the only real benefit of the 4 pot is cheaper insurance and purchase price. It suffers a few expensive engine issues such as cracked manifolds and timing chain tensioners and isn't significantly more economical to run.

 

[Gtb500]

What do you guys think to this one?
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-si-41-500-miles/112888020846?hash=item1a48a67f6e:g:vAcAAOSwF~JatPsx

 

[Mike6]

Looks a good car but only 40k miles and 5 owners. Find that a bit hard to believe but not impossible. Check history very carefully as car might have been clocked.

 

[ph001]

What do you guys think to this one?
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-si-41-500-miles/112888020846?hash=item1a48a67f6e:g:vAcAAOSwF~JatPsx

If you can stretch to that I think it's priced about right considering it needs brakes and a service. Nice low miles. Spec seems pretty basic - has heated seats but that's about it by the looks of it. The non M-sport seats are not very supportive at all unfortunately and the non-xenon headlights are pitifully dim. I think it would be a good buy at £7k.

Ask him for the VIN and we can check all the options fitted.

 

[VRSteve]

What are you going to be using it for and when? Personally I find the convertible much more of an event to drive then the regular tin top and looks superb with the roof down - not so good with it up.

The pick of the engines would be a 3.0Si (2006 on) but I think you will struggle to get a good one for your budget so you are probably looking at the M54 engine. All the 6 cyl ones are good (2.2i = 168hp, 2.5i = 189hp, 3.0i = 230hp, 3.0Si = 261hp), avoid the 4 pots.

On behalf of all 4 pot owners I would challenge the last point. Sure, engine doesn't sound/feel as good but there are different benefits - lighter front-end gives more direct handling, economy, cost... Try both if you can, as there are plenty of satisfied 4 pot owners.

Bet their wives and girlfriends aren't satisfied.
Seriously, avoid the 4pot.

 

[VRSteve]

Looks a good car but only 40k miles and 5 owners. Find that a bit hard to believe but not impossible. Check history very carefully as car might have been clocked.

All you have to do is check the MOT history to see the mileage is more than likely genuine.

 

[blackabbot]

What are you going to be using it for and when? Personally I find the convertible much more of an event to drive then the regular tin top and looks superb with the roof down - not so good with it up.

The pick of the engines would be a 3.0Si (2006 on) but I think you will struggle to get a good one for your budget so you are probably looking at the M54 engine. All the 6 cyl ones are good (2.2i = 168hp, 2.5i = 189hp, 3.0i = 230hp, 3.0Si = 261hp), avoid the 4 pots.

On behalf of all 4 pot owners I would challenge the last point. Sure, engine doesn't sound/feel as good but there are different benefits - lighter front-end gives more direct handling, economy, cost... Try both if you can, as there are plenty of satisfied 4 pot owners.

Well said

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum OP.

Most people seem to like one or the other - for me it had to be a Coupe.

As has been said you won't find one with the mileage you want within your budget, so it's accept more miles or up the budget.

The roadster you have posted a link to looks good - very low mileage too.

Oh yes, and the 3.0Si engine is lovely!

 

[Marlon]

That's one thing that facelift roadster owners and coupe owners will agree on - the sweet 3.0si N52 engine, its sublime

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's one thing that facelift roadster owners and coupe owners will agree on - the sweet 3.0si N52 engine, its sublime

Definitely with you on that!

 

[Zeld4]

What do you guys think to this one?
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-si-41-500-miles/112888020846?hash=item1a48a67f6e:g:vAcAAOSwF~JatPsx

If you can stretch to that I think it's priced about right considering it needs brakes and a service. Nice low miles. Spec seems pretty basic - has heated seats but that's about it by the looks of it. The non M-sport seats are not very supportive at all unfortunately and the non-xenon headlights are pitifully dim. I think it would be a good buy at £7k.

Ask him for the VIN and we can check all the options fitted.

This car does have sports seats, it’s on auto trader.
It also has a big, deep scratch on the fromt bumper.