What to Look For?

[RAYK47]

Hi all

I am pretty useless so am looking for some guidance of what to look for when buying a 2nd hand E89.

Although i am looking for an E89 i actually think I wont get one until the autumn/winter, i did have a look at one today. I have been searching the site to see if there is a buying guide specific to the E89, but have not seen one. Can anyone point me to the correct area as there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here so i will be shocked if there isn't one already.

Also service intervals would be useful so i can check if certain things have been done if the mileage is close or over the value.

Regards

Ray

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi Ray,

I don't know much about E89s as I've only had E86s, but depending on which model(s) you are looking at there will be different mechanical issues. The earlier 23i and 30i models had the N52 straight 6 engine that was used in E85/6 facelift models, but the later 18i, 20i and 28i ones have the same 4 cylinder turbo N20 engine in different states of tune. 35i and 35is have a 6 cylinder twin-turbo engine - N54 I think.

Anyway BMWs have been using what they call "Condition Based Servicing" for years. Basically there is a mileage limit (typically 18K) and a maximum time period of 2 years. When I start my E86 it briefly displays the mileage until the next service on the OBC but I think E89s have a more comprehensive display like my E90 3 Series that will include the date. Scrolling through the service menu on the OBC it also shows the date for the MOT, brake fluid and cabin filter as well as mileages for front and rear brakes and spark plugs.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can add a bit more!

 

[RAYK47]

Thanks Mr Tidy

with my budget i am probably looking at an early 23i (2010 ish)

 

[B21]

Hi all

I am pretty useless so am looking for some guidance of what to look for when buying a 2nd hand E89.

Although i am looking for an E89 i actually think I wont get one until the autumn/winter, i did have a look at one today. I have been searching the site to see if there is a buying guide specific to the E89, but have not seen one. Can anyone point me to the correct area as there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here so i will be shocked if there isn't one already.

Also service intervals would be useful so i can check if certain things have been done if the mileage is close or over the value.

Regards

Ray

I’ve been writing a guide for 2 years now..slowly…it will be great when it’s published..

As Mr Tidy says same chassis ..unchanged over the life of the E89…

The 23i and 30i 6 cylinder normally aspirated were replaced in 2012 by the N20 twin scroll turbo 4 cylinder engine that made fractionally less BHP but much more torque..better handing at the ‘expense’ of no 6 cylinder soundtrack..more torquey and less revvy.

The black sheep are the 35i and 35i with a 6 cylinder twin turbocharger engine…much much more power and torque ..very nose heavy, ponderous in the handling but like a rocket in a straight line.

Common reliability issues to all versions are leaks and cracks from a myriad of plastic engine parts..35i/35is worse cause if the heat it produces..

23i and 30i relatively problem free even with great mileage ..N20 blotted it’s copybook with some ore 2015 camchain subsystems wearing / failing.

35i / 35is can catch you out with big ticket failures of injectors, HPFP, turbos and their wastegates ..they eat lugs n coils compared to the others…further compounded with a double clutch gearbox that if it goes wrong is expensive to fix along with the adaptive suspension.

Overlaid over that are various trim levels and packages covering PDC, nav, audio, cruise, Bluetooth etc etc

You’ll nee a Spock Vulcan mind meld to get all the info in one go..

 

[Mr Tidy]

That will have a 2.5 litre N52 engine then.

They seem to be pretty bulletproof based on my experience of the same engine in a 325i that had done 139K miles when I sold it!

But they can suffer with leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing gaskets. And they have an electric water pump that will die at some point. The problem is they usually just stop working so the engine overheats in less than a mile, and new ones cost the best part of £300 - unless you want to pay over £500 for the same Pierburg pump from BMW! (I've had 2 die one me). They can sound tappetty after a cold start if they have been sat for a while because oil drains from the hydraulic lifters but it should stop once warmed up and if so it doesn't seem to cause any damage.

So evidence of a new one having been fitted is a real bonus. If not just take it into account when you buy and either replace it as a preventative measure or keep recovery cover in force. How long they last seems pretty random. My first E86 needed one after 10 years and 60K miles but my second seemed to be on the original after 13 years and 90K miles.

From what I have read E89s seem to be starting to suffer with roof gremlins due to failed relays/split wires but I don't know specifics, unlike B21!

 

[Pondy]

Echo all of Mr T's advice above.
E89s are actually very reliable cars, especially considering the complexity of the roofs.
As a general rule (engines aside) look for any sign of water, or water marks, in the boot area under the cover where the battery and roof pump reside. Look for moisture in headlights and rear lights (a little condensation on a cold day is not generally an issue). Look for moisture marks internally. These cars keep the rain out purely by lots and lots of rubber seals. If they are not looked after they perish and will leak somewhere/ anywhere.
Check the roof works properly several times, with no faltering or strange noises.
The roofs are generally pretty good, but have many switches, hydraulic lines and lots of wiring which can all fail and or break, especially over time and with excessive use.
Look for corrosion in the corner edges of the roof panels (both of them). They are aluminium, but moisture can get under the paint in the corners and lift the paint. BMW have a 12 year corrosion warranty, so chances are yours will have elapsed. Even if not they are not keen on paying for the repairs. They are very expensive to get sorted as the roof panels have to be removed with all that entails.

Basically if there are signs of water anywhere it shouldn't be (or historical signs of) walk away.
If there is any problem with the roof not opening and closing freely and easily walk away.

 

[RAYK47]

Wow gents, that is excellent advice.

B21 maybe the guide will be ready once I start looking but I won't hold my breath

 

[B21]

Wow gents, that is excellent advice.

B21 maybe the guide will be ready once I start looking but I won't hold my breath

Well if you are focussed for cost reasons on a 23i there are plenty for sale..they wear well..one of my friends has one of the early ones at 145k miles and it still runs well and feels remarkably tight for it’s age…they need to be revved quite a bit to make rapid progress ..good hunting..


Must get my guide finished…

 

[Busterboo]

Hi all
I am pretty useless so am looking for some guidance of what to look for when buying a 2nd hand E89.
Ray

The black sheep are the 35iS with a 6 cylinder twin turbocharger engine…much much more power and torque ..very nose heavy, ponderous in the handling but like a rocket in a straight line.

On 19" boy-racer wheels with soft-pressure tyres.

On 18" wheels with 36 & 44 psi tyres, they're not 'ponderous' at all, especially when you feed their 340 bhp through the DCT in Sport+ with its 500 Nm of torque in over-boost. :wink:

 

[RAYK47]

Nick_l has a beautiful 35i for sale at a reasonable price but for me the 23i will be sufficient, plus it has just a little too many miles for my happy place.

 

[B21]

Nick_l has a beautiful 35i for sale at a reasonable price but for me the 23i will be sufficient, plus it has just a little too many miles for my happy place.

Sound move if you are budget concious!

 

[RAYK47]

I am thinking that the Highline is a decent model for me. It offers a lot of the extras I am after.

 

[B21]

I am thinking that the Highline is a decent model for me. It offers a lot of the extras I am after.

Hi line was a UK packaging of various goodies…

You need to become au fait with a VIN decoder..then you can analyse in great detail what goodies each car on offer has…

Most 23i were budget busters so very few goodies..there are a few out there more ‘fully loaded’

 

[Hejnfelt]

I think you're going to get a lot of great advice as is the case already. What to look for depends on how deep you want to go down the rabbit hole of options, mods and parts that tend to fail... What are salmon relays you ask?

I went looking for a hard top, stick shift, petrol roadster. I was wooed by a 2010 Z4 23i that seemed to have a decent previous owner and known history. Bought it and loved it for a summer.

The experience taught me what I really want in this type of car, which would've been hard to judge surfing an internet forum. This led me to research all the variations, options and pitfalls of the different models so I knew what to look for. This is going to be really tough without trying a Z4 first. Subsequently I started searching for that Z4 that would suit me perfectly. It took some time but I found it, bought it and sold the previous one.

Instead of telling you what to look for, in this particular case the car is so "common" in lesser trim variants and they hold their value well enough that it's relatively risk free trying out a more affordable model first before looking for the perfect car. Buy one that isn't terribly abused and try it out in order to figure out whether you really like it. Nobody has asked your height, I'm 190cm (6'3") and with the M-Sport seats I'm pushing the limits legroom wise imo. If you're any taller than that, the Z4 probably isn't for you... a pretty important note to start

While I loved the stick shift NA N52 combo, I felt the car lacked about 150hp to be my kind of fun. The stick shift magic wore off eventually so the DCT fit better for me. Some people however swear by the 35i stick shift combo, to each their own.

As B21 points out, the myriad of options and variants is overwhelming so rather focus on finding an affordable, seemingly well maintained car that gives you a smile and try it out for a while. It will take many hours to learn what to look for and if you love it, you'll be ready to invest that time here and elsewhere online. Good luck.

 

[RAYK47]

Thanks Hejnfelt

you are correct there has already been a lot of help.

What i am after is a nice looking car that i can have a little fun in. I am not after a rocket as my motorcycle provides the buzz and acceleration.

I am certainly not a purist and know very little about cars so the finer details that some people on here would list as essential, i am not even aware of (let alone list on my wanted list). I simply like the look of it and want to experience a 2 seater roadster with the roof down occasionally.

I dont have a garage so it will be open to the elements all year round, so i will need to learn a little maintenance skills (which i am open to).

I think you are right, i will probably not know exactly what i want from it until i have owned one for a few years.

My current wish list is: -
- one of the 6 cylinder engines probably the 2.5 as it will have slightly better economy etc
- hard top convertible
- iDrive
- good stereo system (with potential to upgrade in the future)
- open to most colours but I am not keen on white or silver (although i looked at a silver and it looked pretty nice in the flesh)

Budget i am hoping to be about £9-10k, i understand that will probably mean about 70k miles on the clock and a 2010/2011 model. Although i want it yesterday i am not rushing in, my budget is probably a little lower at the moment and holding out until winter may give me a better selection pool.

 

[RAYK47]

I am thinking that the Highline is a decent model for me. It offers a lot of the extras I am after.

Hi line was a UK packaging of various goodies…

You need to become au fait with a VIN decoder..then you can analyse in great detail what goodies each car on offer has…

Most 23i were budget busters so very few goodies..there are a few out there more ‘fully loaded’

tell me more about the VIN decoder ??

 

[Hejnfelt]

Decoder here https://bimmer.work/

In response to what you said, I’d buy a lower priced higher mileage N52 model, with decent history that isn’t drinking too much oil (some is normal). The main ingredient in this dish is the looks and convertible roof. Everything else is seasoning and flavor. If you like the handling and emotion of the car, you will probably have ample opportunity to upgrade later.

 

[B21]

The VIN decoder will show what options were fitted to the car..

Depends what goodies are important to you..

You'll see cars with

Satnav /iDrive
Extended USB / bluetooth
Parking sensors
Heated seats
DAB radio
Cruise control
Electric seats
Basic /11 speaker / 14 speaker audio
Wind diffuser
Extended lighting (floors doors etc)
Adapative headlights
Heated steering wheel

amongst many others

Your choice..I'd respectfully suggest that you choose now rather than later as the retrofit of goodies is both expensive and technically demanding

Most 23i were budegt busters so poorly specified but there are some out there pretyy fully loaded

 

[Hejnfelt]

Retrofitting is definitely the wrong way to go. It’s laborious and unless you’re doing it yourself, expensive. Finding a shop that’s capable and willing to do it is nigh impossible. B21 has already mentioned all the right options for a properly specced car, but the “cannot live without” options are the wind diffuser and the parking sensors. The rest of course get used all the time but those two are essential. If you like the Z4, you can do as several of us have done, spend months looking for that perfect optioned well kept unicorn while you’re enjoying the one you already have.

 

[RAYK47]

thanks again gents, i was not intending to retrofit. This was why the Highline caught my eye as it seems to have most of what i want as standard i.e. iDrive, sensors, heated leather seats, USB etc. I would like the wind diffuser (does it make much difference?).