When buying a used E89 - concerns about CAT S/CAT N?

Thanks mates - I'm going in very cautious on this viewing- looking at it tomorrow in Blackpool (we just arrived there this evening). Also going to look at the wheels very closely.

I do know the lister is not the seller - he listed it on behalf of a family friend because that guy apparently is elderly and ESL. We will see....

More to follow!
 
Chanceschmerr said:
Thanks mates - I'm going in very cautious on this viewing- looking at it tomorrow in Blackpool (we just arrived there this evening). Also going to look at the wheels very closely.

I do know the lister is not the seller - he listed it on behalf of a family friend because that guy apparently is elderly and ESL. We will see....

More to follow!
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I'm aware I'm often irrationally cynical, but that whole "selling for an elderly relative" story always sounds like Bellshill to me...

(Bellshill is autocorrect, but I think it works so I've left it in)

As for the good old idrive debate, my first e89 didn't have it but the cubby on top of the dash where it would be is perfect for wedging your preferred smartphone into. Second e89 had it and added nothing to the experience - I've still yet to own a car into which I didn't want to install a good magnetic wireless charging phone mount ASAP (easy to wire in behind the dash to avoid any unsightly wires).

P.s. I do often enjoying disagreeing with B21 (we've all got to have hobbies) but if he's suggesting a forum owned car then it's definitely worth a look. My second e89 was from here and is the only second hand car I've ever bought (out of about 25) that didn't immediately need £1,000+ spending on it.
 
tiglon said:
I'm aware I'm often irrationally cynical, but that whole "selling for an elderly relative" story always sounds like Bellshill to me...

(Bellshill is autocorrect, but I think it works so I've left it in)

As for the good old idrive debate, my first e89 didn't have it but the cubby on top of the dash where it would be is perfect for wedging your preferred smartphone into. Second e89 had it and added nothing to the experience - I've still yet to own a car into which I didn't want to install a good magnetic wireless charging phone mount ASAP (easy to wire in behind the dash to avoid any unsightly wires).

P.s. I do often enjoying disagreeing with B21 (we've all got to have hobbies) but if he's suggesting a forum owned car then it's definitely worth a look. My second e89 was from here and is the only second hand car I've ever bought (out of about 25) that didn't immediately need £1,000+ spending on it.
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Oh believe me, I'm on high BS alert for this listing for sure. Something tells me to at least look at it.

At the very least I'll learn a lot tomorrow.

Agreed with having a look at that car that B21 mentioned. Once I get through this weekend....
 
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CherryM car is now up for sale..

23i manual 2009 150k miles

Silver with black cloth trim

Great condition

Serviced to keep it perfect..

Durham Dave serviced for the last few years

Recent new tie rods, Bilstein B6 shocks and new non MSport springs

Decent Kuhmo tyres on 17” rims

Nice CarPlay in the otherwise empty central oddments tray.

£4,500
 
I’ve been swapping Messages with @Chanceschmerr today, thankfully he walked away from the Blackpool car. Correct decision👍🏻

Peter, I think the car you mention might be a viable option if you can vouch for the condition - save another potentially long wasted trip.

I was being genuinely honest, and not trying to put him off for any other reason than it looked a terrible buy for lots of reasons.

I knew my car would sell regardless as it sells itself, and it has… today, to a friend of a long standing forum member.

Chris, I’d suggest you post the cars you’re thinking about viewing in this forum… a lot of members here are super helpful. They may know the car, may have viewed it, might even have previously owned it.

Happy hunting!
 
True-Blue said:
I’ve been swapping Messages with @Chanceschmerr today, thankfully he walked away from the Blackpool car. Correct decision👍🏻

Peter, I think the car you mention might be a viable option if you can vouch for the condition - save another potentially long wasted trip.

I was being genuinely honest, and not trying to put him off for any other reason than it looked a terrible buy for lots of reasons.

I knew my car would sell regardless as it sells itself, and it has… today, to a friend of a long standing forum member.

Chris, I’d suggest you post the cars you’re thinking about viewing in this forum… a lot of members here are super helpful. They may know the car, may have viewed it, might even have previously owned it.

Happy hunting!
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Well I’ve known CherryM and his car for several years..

He’s done a number of trips with me and others.

I’ve ridden in the car for over a thousand miles and around 5-6 days.

When I close my eyes it feels / rides / moves like it’s a 2-3 year old car on 10k miles.

I know (as he tells me) it’s been serviced within an inch of its life under his stewardship.

I sourced the B6 Bilstein dampers for him.

I fitted the CarPlay unit for him.

Doesn’t burn any oil.

Goes as well as you can expect from a 23i.

I’m not aware of any issues or faults.
 
I’ve just realised CherryM’s car has cloth seats, I might be wrong but I think the OP wants leather trim.
 
Pondy said:
You will learn that Blackpool is a shite hole, it's a long way from Bristol and the journey isn't very pleasant.
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Truer words were never spoken....

Its true, I drove last night to Blackpool with the family, spent the night, this morning a lovely walk in the rain along the waterfront, and after lunch went over to examine this charming low-mileage Z4. It was all downhill from there.

The listing person wasnt there, the owner was instead an elderly family friend. The listing person's Dad was there to translate as the car owner didnt speak English. Contrary to the listing, this Highline model sported dodgy 18" rims purchased because "they were the only ones he could find on ebay", after the Cat S damage wrecked one of the original 18" rims. Looking closely, I could see misalignment on the body panels from the damage, even though the listing said no body damage. I looked at the kidney grilles and when I tugged on one slightly it popped out, already snapped from before. The owner started up the engine, which seemed fine. Meanwhile the interior had seen better days even with the low mileage - lots of little tears and holes in the leather, and the one side of the drivers seat was heavily scuffed.

Then I asked to open up the roof. Well, turns out the roof doesn't work, it just gives a red alarm on the dash when you try. Didn't mention that in the listing either. I didnt even drive the damn thing, I thanked him for his time and got the hell out of there.
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This trip did help me understand that my budget and desired Z4 probably weren't aligned, and I can go higher than my previous ~£4k budget. Unfortunately I was too late to get @True-Blue 's lovely white Z4, but hopefully my Z4 is out there somewhere.

I can at least zero in on what I'm looking for :

-E89 z4 with the N52 2.5L or 3L engine, manual transmission
-Less than 100k mileage
-as few owners as possible
-leather seats a must (bad cloth seat experiences in the past)
-roof works with no issues (I figured that was obvious, but i guess not haha)

The search goes on!

Many thanks again to @True-Blue for the assistance and sage advice. Really helped me out this weekend!
 
B21 said:
Well I’ve known CherryM and his car for several years..

He’s done a number of trips with me and others.

I’ve ridden in the car for over a thousand miles and around 5-6 days.

When I close my eyes it feels / rides / moves like it’s a 2-3 year old car on 10k miles.

I know (as he tells me) it’s been serviced within an inch of its life under his stewardship.

I sourced the B6 Bilstein dampers for him.

I fitted the CarPlay unit for him.

Doesn’t burn any oil.

Goes as well as you can expect from a 23i.

I’m not aware of any issues or faults.
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I appreciate the information mate, and I have no doubt that CherryM has kept his car immaculately - but without leather seats, I'm regrettably out, and with the high mileage, wanting to bring this car home with me to Canada in a few years would likely be a tall ask as well.

Apologies, but i dont think that one is for me. Thank you anyway!
 
A shame you had a wasted trip to Blackpool, but if it has helped you to focus more on exactly what you want maybe it was worth it.

All I would suggest is that you don't treat 100K miles as an absolute if the rest of the car is right. There are couple of E86 owners on here whose N52 engines have gone past 200K - they seem pretty bulletproof.

Anyway good luck finding the right one. :thumbsup:
 
Mr Tidy said:
A shame you had a wasted trip to Blackpool, but if it has helped you to focus more on exactly what you want maybe it was worth it.

All I would suggest is that you don't treat 100K miles as an absolute if the rest of the car is right. There are couple of E86 owners on here whose N52 engines have gone past 200K - they seem pretty bulletproof.

Anyway good luck finding the right one. :thumbsup:
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Thanks mate, I'm keeping optimistic! And hey, now I can say I've been to blackpool....and never have to go back 😂

Fair point on the mileage. It is mainly to ensure whatever car i get has the legs to come back with me to Canada and last for a while. I put about 250,000 km on my Hyundai Tiburon over 16 years...about 10k miles a year. Whatever car I get is going to be driven as well as taken care of, so the less miles to start with, the better. That said, if everything checks out and its around or a bit over that, I wont necessarily walk away on mileage alone.
 
Chanceschmerr said:
This trip did help me understand that my budget and desired Z4 probably weren't aligned, and I can go higher than my previous ~£4k budget. Unfortunately I was too late to get @True-Blue 's lovely white Z4, but hopefully my Z4 is out there somewhere.

I can at least zero in on what I'm looking for :

-E89 z4 with the N52 2.5L or 3L engine, manual transmission
-Less than 100k mileage
-as few owners as possible
-leather seats a must (bad cloth seat experiences in the past)
-roof works with no issues (I figured that was obvious, but i guess not haha)

The search goes on!

Many thanks again to @True-Blue for the assistance and sage advice. Really helped me out this weekend!
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You are not looking for a unicorn car, so you will find one, easily. It may well be a few quid more than your initial budget, but 'budget creep' is all part of the fun of buying used cars IME.

And, even though the 'Blackpool Eastern European' adventure was a waste of time, it at least showed you what not to look for (and where not to book your summer UK vacation)!

Keep us informed, as this is an interesting search (to me at least). :thumbsup:
 
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Chanceschmerr said:
This trip did help me understand that my budget and desired Z4 probably weren't aligned, and I can go higher than my previous ~£4k budget. Unfortunately I was too late to get @True-Blue 's lovely white Z4, but hopefully my Z4 is out there somewhere.

I can at least zero in on what I'm looking for :

-E89 z4 with the N52 2.5L or 3L engine, manual transmission
-Less than 100k mileage
-as few owners as possible
-leather seats a must (bad cloth seat experiences in the past)
-roof works with no issues (I figured that was obvious, but i guess not haha)

The search goes on!

Many thanks again to @True-Blue for the assistance and sage advice. Really helped me out this weekend!
Click to expand...

You’re welcome…. and Blackpool now chalked off of the ‘Victorian Guidebook of top UK attractions’. On the plus side, at least you didn’t go in summer, it’s much worse for very different reasons! 🫣

I think you’ve probably seen two examples at polar opposites of the E89 23i spectrum this weekend. Whilst mine has sold, and is going to a good home, you did say white wasn’t your top colour choice.

I do believe our car is likely in the top 5-10% of E89’s out there quality and condition wise, but I also believe £6k should still buy you something very nice in the next bracket down (Mileage/condition/owners etc.), hopefully in a colour you like more.
 
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