Z4 (e89) - looking to buy
- Thread starter TomO
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
They're good cars just bizarrely holding money well at the moment. I'd buy an older one too - at £10k it feels too close to the newer model
My dad's coupe is still "worth" near enough what he paid for it about 3 years ago, for some reason. The M's took a dip but seem to have rocketed recently too
My dad's coupe is still "worth" near enough what he paid for it about 3 years ago, for some reason. The M's took a dip but seem to have rocketed recently too
They are good cars but it's an absolutely ancient design now. My mum bought one for not much more almost 10 years ago and that's fundamentally the same car!
Get an older one for half the price.
Remember this Z4 is based on the E46, a car thats almost 20 years old.
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[TW]Fox;30117226 said:
Good shout. Any positives in a post 2006 car with the N52 and more specifically 3.0si?
I may be butchering the BMW nomenclature for years and engines so forgive me. I think what piqued my interest is the prospect of a sub 6 second roadster with a straight six.
Soldato
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The 3.0si is the one to get, they're just pricey at the moment - get on the Z4 Forum.
I picked up my older 3.0 model for £4k which I thought was a decent price
I picked up my older 3.0 model for £4k which I thought was a decent price
I don't see why it's necessarily the 'one to get'. It's got a newer and more powerful engine but IMHO this isn't in itself reason to spend twice as much money. The older M54 engine is well known and offers strong performance in the Z4 anyway.
The E85 is now a fantastic 4-6k car but if your budget is into 5 figures then unless it says 'Alpina' or 'M' on it then you should be looking elsewhere.
The E85 is now a fantastic 4-6k car but if your budget is into 5 figures then unless it says 'Alpina' or 'M' on it then you should be looking elsewhere.
My 03 or 53 (cant remember now) 3.0i cost me 8K back in 2013 with 25,000~ miles on it and that was one of the more expensive ones as I wanted red leather which limited my choice. Car was great and the engine was more then good enough for it so I don't think you could go wrong with either the i/si model as I cant see there being much in it between them in the real world, where as the M is a level above.
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3.0si is faster and uses less fuel seems like a win win if you can afford the extra. Also newer cars tend to have less issues than older cars another win.
Fox goes on about age in relation to E46 being a bad thing yet is advising to buy the older car with the older engine. Regardless the E85/E86 has aged very very well it still looks very modern. In fact ask a random person who knows nothing about cars and they all prefer the look of the older Z4 than the new one.
The N52 is meant to be less reliable but that's only because the M54 was bulletproof. Any engine after it would be less reliable because the M54 could last 300K no issues.
They are now up to 13 years old so people seeing EPS, suspension issues, etc. EPS to replace with a new unit is around £2.5K for the part alone. Some are now modding to hydraulic steering or replacing with second hand units, it's a common issue. So it may pay off to buy a newer model with the newer EPS system.
Fox goes on about age in relation to E46 being a bad thing yet is advising to buy the older car with the older engine. Regardless the E85/E86 has aged very very well it still looks very modern. In fact ask a random person who knows nothing about cars and they all prefer the look of the older Z4 than the new one.
The N52 is meant to be less reliable but that's only because the M54 was bulletproof. Any engine after it would be less reliable because the M54 could last 300K no issues.
They are now up to 13 years old so people seeing EPS, suspension issues, etc. EPS to replace with a new unit is around £2.5K for the part alone. Some are now modding to hydraulic steering or replacing with second hand units, it's a common issue. So it may pay off to buy a newer model with the newer EPS system.
There is very little in it performance wise between the two engines in the real world. The n52 definitely feels more muscular but side by side there really isn't much difference until you reach rather silly speeds. I'd say there was a more noticeable rigidity / handling confidence difference coupe & convertible than there is performance between the two 3 litre engines (I still wouldn't buy a coupe though)
I still can't see the value in a £10k z4 of any sort without an M badge, pretty much solely because a few thousand more buys a significantly newer model whereas a few thousand less buys what is pretty much the same car. I even prefer the pre facelift resr lights too personally
I still can't see the value in a £10k z4 of any sort without an M badge, pretty much solely because a few thousand more buys a significantly newer model whereas a few thousand less buys what is pretty much the same car. I even prefer the pre facelift resr lights too personally
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Because £10k is ridiculous for a car as dated as the E85. Don't get me wrong, I think they are great! I just don't think you should be spending £10k on one any more than you should on an E46 or an E39, they are all of the same generation.
At £10k it is simply too close to the E89, which is a much better place to go if you have the budget.
Great suggestion! A Coupe for well over £15k sounds like a great option for somebody asking about a £10k convertible
[TW]Fox;30122919 said:Great suggestion! A Coupe for well over £15k sounds like a great option for somebody asking about a £10k convertible
or roadster! maybe he she will change their mind, coupe looks far better but you get the best of both with the hard top 35i
I've seen afew go for 15k-17k, best get saving
I had a couple of s2000s, moved to a e85 3.0si and then onto a e89 3.5is, I never looked back after each progression, each car was vastly superior to the previous iteration.
The S2000 isn't in the same league as a z4 for refinement and performance. When I refer to performance I'm referring to on-tap power. So at any particular moment if I want to make progress I just press the loud pedal and accelerate, I don't have to shift down two gears and engage the mighty vtec and wring the engine upto 9k, or drive everywhere on the vtec engagement point in constant attack mode
With that being said they are definitely a great looking car, and I would certainly advise driving one to tick the box and experience it for yourself.
The S2000 isn't in the same league as a z4 for refinement and performance. When I refer to performance I'm referring to on-tap power. So at any particular moment if I want to make progress I just press the loud pedal and accelerate, I don't have to shift down two gears and engage the mighty vtec and wring the engine upto 9k, or drive everywhere on the vtec engagement point in constant attack mode
With that being said they are definitely a great looking car, and I would certainly advise driving one to tick the box and experience it for yourself.
I appreciate this was 3 years ago, but what did you get for your £800 that made it awesome?