WHY DID YOU CHOSE YOUR E89?

[MACK]

My journey to an E89 started with one of our friend's looking for one, my wife getting involved and deciding she wanted one too!
Long story short, I quickly worked out how good value the 20i models are and this coupled to their potential for remapping to circa 300bhp/lb ft sold it to me.

So we went from 2 dailies and 1 E85 zed. To 2 dailies and 2 zeds. She's not keen on the E85, either driving or being driven in it, she finds it too hardcore but loves the softer, more spacious nature of the E89. It's really grown on me too and gave me something to tinker with during lockdown. It's now sporting a B12 Bilstein kit, a switchable exhaust valve, Zito 935 wheels/spacers and PS4 tyres as well as the all important decat and remap. I've got a few other mods in mind such as the M3 Tension/Control arms that the E9X 3 series crowd rave about really improving the steering. Then either Eibach or H&R ARB's to dial out a bit more of the body roll. First up though its adding in DAB.

 

[Silverstar]

It's now sporting a B12 Bilstein kit,

I'd be interested to know what's your opinion on this kit in the E89?

 

[scootr]

Comments like PBondar's first make me wonder if the previous owner did any work on the handling of my car. I'm coming from a 2010 NC Miata, and have driven a Boxter S and had a ride-along in a Lotus Elise at an autocross event. I know what good handling feels like. I bloody love my 2016 Z4. I mean its a heavy-ish car, but I feel like it can take more lateral Gs than my Miata with upgraded tires could. I really do not get the "Z4 is bad for handling" comments. etc .....

I do think bad handling is an overly harsh assessment of even the stock car. The RF tires are terrible. They give a harsh ride and subpar handling. Once the tires are upgraded, the suspension is refreshed, the clutch delay valve is removed, and a strut brace is added it is an impressive sports car. It falls into the GT category and there will be some pluses and minuses in that. If I fault it it because it is heavy and it leans a bit in the corners which is not good if you are pushing it hard. It is likely the best looking & handling 2 seater sporting a retractable hard top ever.
If you are on the fence about buying this car for pleasure - Stop waiting, just do it.

 

[ronk]

I always liked the idea of an Austin Healy 3000 when I was a young fella - by the time I could afford one after spending my money on Cooper S tuning and modifying I was married with a family so a Healey wasn’t a practical proposition.

I had a few decent cars thro my family at home time Saab 99 Turbo / Audi Quattro / 3.0 Capri etc but at retirement an 3.0 E85 was a good substitution for the missing Healey - then the 3.0l and finally the 35is
In my mind that’s as close as I can get to the big Healey that I never owned as a young fella.
Yes I could buy myself a Healey now but the thought of needing to carry a full toolkit says the 35is is a better and safer bet - it also has the toys of 1960s science fiction

Relating back to another thread, it’s probably why I can’t get my head around going 4cyl and 2.0l - I’m struck on the big engine up front a the rear wheels driving. They were expensive then and still are.

That’s my raison d’etre - flawed or not!

 

[MACK]

It's now sporting a B12 Bilstein kit,

I'd be interested to know what's your opinion on this kit in the E89?

In short, well worth it.

Some of the below is originally from what I posted when I installed it, some I've updated.

The car is massively transformed. It's so much more composed, less jittery and more sure footed on the on the road. It seems to hug the road much more. This was evident to me before I even drove it, as I followed it to and from my friends garage pre and post fitting. You could literally see it wasn't bouncing around as much on the road on the way back. I even got a call from my wife who was driving it to tell me how much of an improvement she thought it had made. High praise from someone who normally relishes the opportunity to tell me she thinks a mod hasn't made much difference!

There's also a fair bit less roll in the bends, which was a major aim for me. There's still a bit more than I'd like, but I'm hoping a move to either Eibach or H&R ARB's, particularly with their bigger rear bar (21mm) will sort the rest of this. The E89's (all models) run a 19mm rear, which is the same size as my 3.0l E85. When you consider how much more heft there is to control on an E89 and also the fact that BMW fitted a 21.5mm to the E85M. It does seem the factory one is definitely a bit on the small/soft side.

I think the thing that has surprised me the most is the ride quality. It feels better than it did on the 8 year old 70k M Sport suspension, a noticeable improvement. I was actually expecting it to feel a bit harder. All in all I'm very pleased with the outcome, as with any mod it can be a bit of a risk and I did have visions of it being too harsh and potentially having to resort to taking it all back off. Thankfully the opposite is true and has for me at least proved there's lots of room for improvement modding the E89 chassis.

 

[Maria1]

On the subject of handling it seems to me that two advocates of "the Z4 is not bad" come from the other side of the pond. My experience of US roads is that they are lot smoother than those in the UK. Also, I would argue that there is a lot of difference between handling and agility to go around corners with impressive lateral g. For me, handling is all about feel and confidence and the thrill of piloting a car in a balanced way. The Z4 has very little of these traits in my view and is a lot worse than my 12 year old Hyundai Coupe daily driver (unfortunately). Anyway I am in danger of hijacking my own thread. Back to why we chose our great looking E89s.

 

[MACK]

I always liked the idea of an Austin Healy 3000 when I was a young fella - by the time I could afford one after spending my money on Cooper S tuning and modifying I was married with a family so a Healey wasn’t a practical proposition.

I had a few decent cars thro my family at home time Saab 99 Turbo / Audi Quattro / 3.0 Capri etc but at retirement an 3.0 E85 was a good substitution for the missing Healey - then the 3.0l and finally the 35is
In my mind that’s as close as I can get to the big Healey that I never owned as a young fella.
Yes I could buy myself a Healey now but the thought of needing to carry a full toolkit says the 35is is a better and safer bet - it also has the toys of 1960s science fiction

Relating back to another thread, it’s probably why I can’t get my head around going 4cyl and 2.0l - I’m struck on the big engine up front a the rear wheels driving. They were expensive then and still are.

That’s my raison d’etre - flawed or not!

Perhaps the most surprising thing these days is just how much cars have grown over the years.

The so called "Big Healey" is actually smaller than a Z3, never mind any of the Z4's

 

[Anonymous]

It's now sporting a B12 Bilstein kit,

I'd be interested to know what's your opinion on this kit in the E89?

In short, well worth it.

Some of the below is originally from what I posted when I installed it, some I've updated.

The car is massively transformed. It's so much more composed, less jittery and more sure footed on the on the road. It seems to hug the road much more. This was evident to me before I even drove it, as I followed it to and from my friends garage pre and post fitting. You could literally see it wasn't bouncing around as much on the road on the way back. I even got a call from my wife who was driving it to tell me how much of an improvement she thought it had made. High praise from someone who normally relishes the opportunity to tell me she thinks a mod hasn't made much difference!

There's also a fair bit less roll in the bends, which was a major aim for me. There's still a bit more than I'd like, but I'm hoping a move to either Eibach or H&R ARB's, particularly with their bigger rear bar (21mm) will sort the rest of this. The E89's (all models) run a 19mm rear, which is the same size as my 3.0l E85. When you consider how much more heft there is to control on an E89 and also the fact that BMW fitted a 21.5mm to the E85M. It does seem the factory one is definitely a bit on the small/soft side.

I think the thing that has surprised me the most is the ride quality. It feels better than it did on the 8 year old 70k M Sport suspension, a noticeable improvement. I was actually expecting it to feel a bit harder. All in all I'm very pleased with the outcome, as with any mod it can be a bit of a risk and I did have visions of it being too harsh and potentially having to resort to taking it all back off. Thankfully the opposite is true and has for me at least proved there's lots of room for improvement modding the E89 chassis.

Having the MSport variant, it already has shorter springs n dampers than the non MSport variants ...

So I fitted the Bilstein B8 dampers, same as the B12 kit dampers but to my OE springs..

Some people on some cars have said that B8s are too stiff...it may well be that it’s actually on some cars the Eibach springs that are too harsh..

Anyway like Mack I found the change of dampers / albeit with a change to H&R anti roll bars to be really positive..

High speed straight line dips/mid corner bumps were far far better managed, ride was slightly jiggly over small rad ripples at low speed, but actual comfort improved everywhere else and the car was transformed in terms of surefooted -ness...

After change from run flats the next most important change if hooning around floats your boat

 

[ronk]

I think the BIG was a ref to the big lump under the bonnet in those days?
I agree tho, cars have got bigger over the years, they’ve also got more power, reliability, economy etc etc.

 

[scootr]

I think the BIG was a ref to the big lump under the bonnet in those days?
I agree tho, cars have got bigger over the years, they’ve also got more power, reliability, economy etc etc.

Yes and more computers, restrictions, gadgets, regulations, and well,
The Big Healey was once in my sights but, my desire turned to handling and and comfort, the old cars slipped off the radar. Modern cars run circles around the aged classics. I think the E89 is the best roadster for the money on the market today. Classic styling. Open top roadster with the security of a hardtop and no rag top woes. I have enjoyed it
Sorry about your roads. I guess that's what you get when you travel some of the the oldest roads in Europe.

 

[ronk]

Not wishing to go off topic but things have drastically improved- my old Ford 3.0l Capri in standard form had about 118 Bhp and got 20mpg
Look what 3.0l gets you today - about double those figures!

 

[Silverstar]

It's now sporting a B12 Bilstein kit,

I'd be interested to know what's your opinion on this kit in the E89?

In short, well worth it.

Some of the below is originally from what I posted when I installed it, some I've updated.

The car is massively transformed. It's so much more composed, less jittery and more sure footed on the on the road. It seems to hug the road much more. This was evident to me before I even drove it, as I followed it to and from my friends garage pre and post fitting. You could literally see it wasn't bouncing around as much on the road on the way back. I even got a call from my wife who was driving it to tell me how much of an improvement she thought it had made. High praise from someone who normally relishes the opportunity to tell me she thinks a mod hasn't made much difference!

There's also a fair bit less roll in the bends, which was a major aim for me. There's still a bit more than I'd like, but I'm hoping a move to either Eibach or H&R ARB's, particularly with their bigger rear bar (21mm) will sort the rest of this. The E89's (all models) run a 19mm rear, which is the same size as my 3.0l E85. When you consider how much more heft there is to control on an E89 and also the fact that BMW fitted a 21.5mm to the E85M. It does seem the factory one is definitely a bit on the small/soft side.

I think the thing that has surprised me the most is the ride quality. It feels better than it did on the 8 year old 70k M Sport suspension, a noticeable improvement. I was actually expecting it to feel a bit harder. All in all I'm very pleased with the outcome, as with any mod it can be a bit of a risk and I did have visions of it being too harsh and potentially having to resort to taking it all back off. Thankfully the opposite is true and has for me at least proved there's lots of room for improvement modding the E89 chassis.

Perfect thanks! I'll have to put the Bilstein kit in my list of future mods!

 

[MACK]

I'd be interested to know what's your opinion on this kit in the E89?

In short, well worth it.

Some of the below is originally from what I posted when I installed it, some I've updated.

The car is massively transformed. It's so much more composed, less jittery and more sure footed on the on the road. It seems to hug the road much more. This was evident to me before I even drove it, as I followed it to and from my friends garage pre and post fitting. You could literally see it wasn't bouncing around as much on the road on the way back. I even got a call from my wife who was driving it to tell me how much of an improvement she thought it had made. High praise from someone who normally relishes the opportunity to tell me she thinks a mod hasn't made much difference!

There's also a fair bit less roll in the bends, which was a major aim for me. There's still a bit more than I'd like, but I'm hoping a move to either Eibach or H&R ARB's, particularly with their bigger rear bar (21mm) will sort the rest of this. The E89's (all models) run a 19mm rear, which is the same size as my 3.0l E85. When you consider how much more heft there is to control on an E89 and also the fact that BMW fitted a 21.5mm to the E85M. It does seem the factory one is definitely a bit on the small/soft side.

I think the thing that has surprised me the most is the ride quality. It feels better than it did on the 8 year old 70k M Sport suspension, a noticeable improvement. I was actually expecting it to feel a bit harder. All in all I'm very pleased with the outcome, as with any mod it can be a bit of a risk and I did have visions of it being too harsh and potentially having to resort to taking it all back off. Thankfully the opposite is true and has for me at least proved there's lots of room for improvement modding the E89 chassis.

Perfect thanks! I'll have to put the Bilstein kit in my list of future mods!

If yours is on SE suspension. I'd bet it would be even more transformative.

Which does bring me on to a point probably worth mentioning.

Some of the differing opinions on handling will undoubtedly be down to tyre choice. But a big factor will be which of the three standard suspensions you are running and how healthy the shocks are. There's SE, M Sport and Adaptive all running different ride height. Then with adaptive it's also which mode you tend to drive in to further add to the mix. I've no first hand experience of the three, just the M Sport and aftermarket Bilstein B12. But if it's anything like the difference I experienced with my E85 on new B4 shocks with SE, M Sport and Eibachs it could be one hell of a difference.

 

[Stevo1987]

I wanted a convertible that looked good, went fast and wasn't too common. I went for a 35is as it looks good, goes (very) fast......etc.

 

[enuff_zed]

I wanted a convertible that looked good, went fast and wasn't too common. I went for a 35is as it looks good, goes (very) fast......etc.

Must be common though Steve, given how easy it is for you to keep finding them

 

[Stevo1987]

I wanted a convertible that looked good, went fast and wasn't too common. I went for a 35is as it looks good, goes (very) fast......etc.

Must be common though Steve, given how easy it is for you to keep finding them

About 7 months between the first and the one I have now.
I was really thinking about Z4's in general compared to say an Audi TT or even a SLK.

 

[Busterboo]

It's a BMW.
Convertible.
Tin roof.
335bhp.
Twin turbo.
DCT.
Red.
Ivory inside.
Fineline Pure Wood & extended leather.
5-spoke 18" wheels ... and other details.

 

[Zed Baron]

I remember seeing an E89 in late 2009 and stopping to watch it drive by, I thought what a beautiful car. There are not too many convertibles that look right with the roof up and down, even after 11 years I feel they still look good. I've had my one for 6 years now and I still enjoy it.

 

[Busterboo]

I remember seeing an E89 in late 2009 and stopping to watch it drive by, I thought what a beautiful car. There are not too many convertibles that look right with the roof up and down, even after 11 years I feel they still look good. I've had my one for 6 years now and I still enjoy it.

Yep, I've had more compliments about mine from friends and strangers than any car I've ever had.

 

[FabZ4]

As I bought my used grey E85 with coral red leather and drove it off the forecourt I passed a then newly launched E89. I knew then that when they depreciated a bit and fell into my price range I wanted one! Just gorgeous to look at! It had to be a sapphire black 3.0si with red coral leather (best colour combo IMHO), auto box with paddles. I followed the forum so knew to avoid those alloys that crack, so I’m am happy enough with the 293’s the car had. I changed the run flats for Goodyear Asymetrics and I’ve enjoyed every time I’ve walked up to those welcoming angel eyes got in revved the engine.The handling is fine for me, transformed by getting rid of the run flats.
During lockdown I looked for another car; Porsche, Audi TT, Jaguar F-Type but the only one I’d consider is an Aston Vantage cabrio but then I love the hard top on the Zed. Instead I upgraded the Angel Eyes, fitted floating centre caps, stainless exhaust tips and got a new bonnet badge. I’m now getting a few scratches sprayed out and the wheels refinished - it’ll be like new again and it’s a keeper for a few more years.