Help me decide which Z4 to buy....

[Lotus1]

Looking to buy a Z4 for the wife.

E85 or E89? I know those two models are very different but this is what I'm looking at...

Car#1:
White 2008 Z4M 5sp with 84k miles asking $26,500

Upgrades:
• 19inch Custom Solar Rims Fr-245/35 and R-285/30
• Custom Stainless Sport Exhaust System
Within the last 1,000 miles it has had a tune up, new spark plugs, ignition coil, valve job, and new battery. Originally from California now in the midwest.



Car#2:
Black 2011 Z4 M-package 105k miles asking $20k
No real upgrades but has all maintenance up to date including new plugs and coils and new updated injectors



Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[spiceyxi]

I think a Z4 M is a unique buy. To me that is where I would lean if I was planning on getting a manual Z4 roadster. Skip the turbos and get a true M car. The metal vs fabric roof might be personal preference. That pricing for the miles feels high though.

You can see on BAT some recent auction closes where 26k will get you examples with much less mileage. If you aren't bothered by miles someone here has a 96k mile example they have been trying to sell for a long while for $18.5k.

BAT - https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/z4-m-roadster/

Forum member sale - https://www.autotrader.com/marketplace/buy/bmw/z4-m/2006/5UMBT93506LE89324?listingId=670275667

[pungo]

Welcome to the forum...
Without knowing what type of vehicle your wife would prefer, kinda hard to answer. The M is a more raw, driver type real M car, while the E89 is more refined/heavier/less nimble non M car. If you can, have her drive both, then decide. Those side skirts on the M look awesome and are kinda rare. The E89 also has a turbo to deal with so keep that in mind. Ask this same question in the E89 forum since both will have some biased replies.

[Lotus1]

Thanks for the reply! I didn't even noticed the subtle side skirt difference till you just mentioned it. Nice!

I'm trying to schedule a time to test drive both of these cars tomorrow.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Lotus1

Looking to buy a Z4 for the wife.

E85 or E89? I know those two models are very different but this is what I'm looking at...

Car#1:
White 2008 Z4M 5sp with 84k miles asking $26,500

Upgrades:
• 19inch Custom Solar Rims Fr-245/35 and R-285/30
• Custom Stainless Sport Exhaust System
Within the last 1,000 miles it has had a tune up, new spark plugs, ignition coil, valve job, and new battery. Originally from California now in the midwest.



Car#2:
Black 2011 Z4 M-package 105k miles asking $20k
No real upgrades but has all maintenance up to date including new plugs and coils and new updated injectors



Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

M is 6 speed

Which? Neither… buy mine. Same asking price as the white, no navi and 30,000 less miles

[Lotus1]

Oops, sorry I meant to say the Z4M was a 6 speed.

[Huz-Z]

The E89 is a much newer design than the E85. It also has a much more upscale interior with more toys etc and the roof is a hardtop, not canvas. However I have seen posts from folks who had issues because it’s a complex mechanism. Also some of the early E89s with the N54 engine had high pressure fuel pump issues. Those could have been addressed under warranty and I understand that later cars with the N55 engine had that issue corrected.

Both cars are great looking in my opinion. I expact you will pick the M and your wife will want the E89. Good luck and post pics!

[wdb]

Those 19's on the E85 are going to make ride like a truck. And I'd want to hear the exhaust and take it for a drive to check for drone. No offense but it looks a bit like a poseur car. The recent maintenance is a big plus though.

E89 is turbocharged I think? If so your maintenance costs go up. I'm not sure I'd buy a 100K mile turbo BMW without a long look at its maintenance history.

In stock form the E85 is going to be much more sports car and much less GT car. There is a rawness and immediacy to them. Yes you can take trips in them, I know a ton of folks who do. But they're happier carving turns than logging highway miles. E89 is going to be much more refined and comfortable. More GT, less sports car. Still very sporty though!

[jwolf]

With any M e85. The buy resolves around the rod bearings in my opinion. 85k is a little late for a the guy with 19s driving style I think. 85k from the right seller would not scare me. Going to have that expense. Research it. The twin turbo e89 is about as much trouble to run as the M car. They sold the e89 with a non-turbo engine too.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by jwolf

With any M e85. The buy resolves around the rod bearings in my opinion. 85k is a little late for a the guy with 19s driving style I think. 85k from the right seller would not scare me. Going to have that expense. Research it. The twin turbo e89 is about as much trouble to run as the M car. They sold the e89 with a non-turbo engine too.

Yup that would be the E89 SDrive 30i I believe.

As I recall it’s the 255 hp N52 engine, almost identical to the engine in the 2006-2008 Z4 3.0si.