This follows on from the "Area Under the Graph" thread which was in range of being hi-jacked by others including me.
So, this one tries to establish why we bought our particular variation of E89. In this, I am thinking the variables you thought through when making the choice, such as price, performance, mpg, handling, style, interior, engine type, ability to modify, etc. We could also set out why we chose an E89 over an alternative from another manufacturer. I imagine that this will show we all attacked it from completely different angles and that is why we have such interesting discussions......
Anyway, I chose ours in 2017 because I saw one in Spain in Valencia Orange and thought "Oh no, I have an itch". Consequently, with it needing to be scratched, I started trawling Autotrader. There was never any competition from other makes. Audi TTs are dreadfully dull to look at, and Boxsters are so terribly common and can be ruinous to own. They do drive brilliantly though. There isn't anything else. E89s are a work of art though and the quality shines through for me - I couldn't care less if it didn't handle. I love "iconic' engines and the BMW straight six is one of those, so it had to be that. The 23i was too little and, while I did look at 30i/35i/35iS, none of the 35s came up that met my needs/budget.
A drive in a 30i indicated that is was pleasant enough. I bought an Auto but would have been equally happy with a manual. It's just that an Auto was there with my name on it. Interestingly though, I do have really different driving styles when in an Auto or a Manual. So, it might be that if I had bought a manual I would have driven it harder. As for now, I slush about, but for me that is what the E89 is all about. Wafting effortlessly!
I didn't even contemplate a 20i (as I don't do mods) nor the 28i because it wasn't a six-pot (even if it might perform as well or better).
It did have to look right though so it had to be a colour spec that worked for us. There aren't many choices are there - at least for the 30i. I could have accepted Space Grey with Red or Walnut. Or Titanium silver with Red. Or Blue with White. Or White with Red. (this could be another thread but probably already done many years ago).
In the end, we went for a Dulux White MSport Highline (it had to be a MSport as I preferred the bumpers, wheels and trim bits) with Red and most of the trimmings. Completely standard except a stubby (I use a car cover not because I have an allegiance to the stubby brigade), and 35iS grey grills and lower intakes (to pretend it is a 35iS!). Not really, the exhausts tend to give it away....as does that fact it says 30i on the side.
In sum then, for me, I bought the Z4 because of its style, hard-top roof, perceived quality, lovely creamy engine, right specification, and good value for a low miles six year old car.
What's yours?
So, this one tries to establish why we bought our particular variation of E89. In this, I am thinking the variables you thought through when making the choice, such as price, performance, mpg, handling, style, interior, engine type, ability to modify, etc. We could also set out why we chose an E89 over an alternative from another manufacturer. I imagine that this will show we all attacked it from completely different angles and that is why we have such interesting discussions......
Anyway, I chose ours in 2017 because I saw one in Spain in Valencia Orange and thought "Oh no, I have an itch". Consequently, with it needing to be scratched, I started trawling Autotrader. There was never any competition from other makes. Audi TTs are dreadfully dull to look at, and Boxsters are so terribly common and can be ruinous to own. They do drive brilliantly though. There isn't anything else. E89s are a work of art though and the quality shines through for me - I couldn't care less if it didn't handle. I love "iconic' engines and the BMW straight six is one of those, so it had to be that. The 23i was too little and, while I did look at 30i/35i/35iS, none of the 35s came up that met my needs/budget.
A drive in a 30i indicated that is was pleasant enough. I bought an Auto but would have been equally happy with a manual. It's just that an Auto was there with my name on it. Interestingly though, I do have really different driving styles when in an Auto or a Manual. So, it might be that if I had bought a manual I would have driven it harder. As for now, I slush about, but for me that is what the E89 is all about. Wafting effortlessly!
I didn't even contemplate a 20i (as I don't do mods) nor the 28i because it wasn't a six-pot (even if it might perform as well or better).
It did have to look right though so it had to be a colour spec that worked for us. There aren't many choices are there - at least for the 30i. I could have accepted Space Grey with Red or Walnut. Or Titanium silver with Red. Or Blue with White. Or White with Red. (this could be another thread but probably already done many years ago).
In the end, we went for a Dulux White MSport Highline (it had to be a MSport as I preferred the bumpers, wheels and trim bits) with Red and most of the trimmings. Completely standard except a stubby (I use a car cover not because I have an allegiance to the stubby brigade), and 35iS grey grills and lower intakes (to pretend it is a 35iS!). Not really, the exhausts tend to give it away....as does that fact it says 30i on the side.
In sum then, for me, I bought the Z4 because of its style, hard-top roof, perceived quality, lovely creamy engine, right specification, and good value for a low miles six year old car.
What's yours?
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