Is It A Classic?

[davis449]

Originally Posted by ljkiter

With an MHD tune, I don't think I need much more power for a daily driver.

I agree, a simple tune from "pick your poison" and it's really a wonderful car.

[Bob20124]

Agree ! You too can get less than 10,000 miles on a set of PS2 rears! An extra 120 WHP is the only way to go! Fun, fun, fun.

[Vetracr]

Just returned from Barrett Jackson in Palm Beach. Only one Z4 went up for sale. A 2009 3.0 auto with 20k miles sold for $29.5K. With premium buyer paid $32.5K for car. I have a 2010 6 speed with 10k miles same or better condition than car that sold. I'll be raising my collector car insurance value on car. The market will determine value going forward but if this is indicator it looks good.

[BQTuning]

Too early to say if it will become a classic or not as it was not given the attention like the 1M which is actually a 135i with M aerodynamics and suspension on the outside that double even triple its value.

The car was technically ignored cause it was and still is in the price bracket of an M4 new. People just didnt see the value and purpose. This is not a family, pimping or da bros/party people ride which is why most people get the other N54 cars for and then try to mod and tune. Basically trying to have their cake and eat it and the same time.

The E89 Z4 35i(s) is strictly a SPORTS car reflecting the E89 GT3

https://www.google.com/search?q=E89+...89+GT3&imgrc=_

....... which can easily be transformed to the like. Oh and if you have the 6MT make sure to hold on to it for dear life.

Stock turbos with FBO upgrades can make you easy 400+ whp. If E85 is around your town, you looking ar almost 500 whp.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by Vetracr

Just returned from Barrett Jackson in Palm Beach. Only one Z4 went up for sale. A 2009 3.0 auto with 20k miles sold for $29.5K. With premium buyer paid $32.5K for car. I have a 2010 6 speed with 10k miles same or better condition than car that sold. I'll be raising my collector car insurance value on car. The market will determine value going forward but if this is indicator it looks good.

I saw that car go across the block and breathed a sigh of relief that it didn't go for 15% of it's original MSRP like so many German sedans do at auction. It does bode well (to a degree) for the car at least retaining more it its value in the years ahead.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by ********

Too early to say if it will become a classic or not as it was not given the attention like the 1M which is actually a 135i with M aerodynamics and suspension on the outside that double even triple its value.

The car was technically ignored cause it was and still is in the price bracket of an M4 new. People just didnt see the value and purpose. This is not a family, pimping or da bros/party people ride which is why most people get the other N54 cars for and then try to mod and tune. Basically trying to have their cake and eat it and the same time.

The E89 Z4 35i(s) is strictly a SPORTS car reflecting the E89 GT3

Actually, after co-owning it with my wife (it's her DD) for three years now, I consider it more of a grand touring car than a true sports car. At least in stock form.

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by paris1

Actually, after co-owning it with my wife (it's her DD) for three years now, I consider it more of a grand touring car than a true sports car. At least in stock form.

Plenty of people do this with a Porche, Ferrari, GT-R and Lambo etc. for a DD. Grand touring cars don't come with all the following

It's a two seater
Sport steering
It has bucket seats
It comes optional with DCT or 6MT sport
Suspension is sport
Aerodynamics sport
Sport wheels
Dual Performance Engine modes

[Brookside]

I hate to come down in the middle here but I think BQ and Paris each have a point-BMW tried to have it both ways with the e89- it moved up-market as it simultaneously abounded with creature comforts
while retaining a sports car athleticism, especially when equipped with the N54B30 engine that went into the 35i and the N54B30TO in the 35is (the same engine that was in the E-82 1-series M Coupe).

Instead of trying to slot the e89 into a category it's identity is fluid in it's ability to be configured and modified to fulfill numerous qualities.

[ljkiter]

Yes. Fluid is the key word for this car. Some want all murdered out monsters and others want classic roadster. Each their own.

[fmorelli]

Originally Posted by Brookside

I hate to come down in the middle here but I think BQ and Paris each have a point-BMW tried to have it both ways with the e89- it moved up-market as it simultaneously abounded with creature comforts

Creature comforts? You mean like no bluetooth audio in 2011 when basic Fords have it? CD players for people that ... still buy CDs? Pray tell please point out a SINGLE feature in my e89 that demonstrates abounding with creature comforts. Even the heated steering wheel in my car was available 7 years prior in the 5 series.

This car is a standard fair BMW, even down to the slowing evolving rear vs front suspension. Only the folding hard top could be considered a creature comfort, though I would argue that this is more a core design aspect of the car than a creature comfort.

Filippo

[Brookside]

Nowhere in my post did I say that the Z4 is at the front of the pack for creature comforts.
You're reading something into my remarks that isn't there.

You can go down the list of options offered for the e89 and build a car that pretty much offers the same comfort features you'd find available in most cars.
The point was to reply to the dialogue about what the car essentially is as mentioned by BQ and Paris.

In your own unique way you've added to that.

[Deljus]

Originally Posted by Bob20124

Agree ! You too can get less than 10,000 miles on a set of PS2 rears! An extra 120 WHP is the only way to go! Fun, fun, fun.

So true. I got 8k miles on my rears, and that was BEFORE mods

[jts1981]

Originally Posted by ********

If E85 is around your town, you looking ar almost 500 whp.

I just started pumping e85 again. I'm on the 9th revision for e60-70 so far. Is your 500 map a kill map, or daily?

becuaaaaaase....I love the tunes you did so far. if I can get get into the 500whp team.....lets do it!

[fmorelli]

Originally Posted by Brookside

Nowhere in my post did I say that the Z4 is at the front of the pack for creature comforts.
You're reading something into my remarks that isn't there.

I must have misunderstood your sentence, which was, "BMW tried to have it both ways with the e89- it moved up-market as it simultaneously abounded with creature comforts". BMW moved it "up-market" relative to what? I read your sentence, emphasized with "abounded", as saying BMW moved the car up-market by abounding it with creature comforts. What did you actually mean with that sentence? Clearly the Z4 had the same basic features, even compared to its lower-priced siblings. I believe BMW build 3-series costing $20k less with the same features as the Z4. Maybe I'm missing something...

Filippo

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by fmorelli

BMW moved it "up-market" relative to what? I read your sentence, emphasized with "abounded", as saying BMW moved the car up-market by abounding it with creature comforts. What did you actually mean with that sentence? Clearly the Z4 had the same basic features, even compared to its lower-priced siblings. I believe BMW build 3-series costing $20k less with the same features as the Z4. Maybe I'm missing something...

Filippo

Compared to the 1st generation Z4 (and it's price), BMW clearly tried to move the 2nd generation upmarket. For a sporty car, it definitely had some creature comfort features -- which I for one very much appreciated. Doesn't mean that they weren't available on other cars, or that other cars had more.

[paris1]

Let's face it, BMW "grew" the Z platform with each successive generation. Making it less and less a true sports car with continually diminishing popularity/sales. Here's hoping the Z-5 gets them back to some kind of "sweet spot" in the segment.

[Frank Costanza]

Originally Posted by paris1

Actually, after co-owning it with my wife (it's her DD) for three years now, I consider it more of a grand touring car than a true sports car. At least in stock form.

Its definitely more GT than sports car but its still got a lot of sports car in it's DNA. These things aren't GTs like the SL / SLK are. The only let down is the steering which is numb and completely unnatural.

Is it a classic? I think the high optioned, low mileage, original cars will hold their value. They didn't sell that many Z4's through the production run.

With the way my car is spec'd I know I could sell it to an enthusiast but I'm not going to find another car like this out there.

[fmorelli]

Originally Posted by Frank Costanza

Its definitely more GT than sports car but its still got a lot of sports car in it's DNA.

Compared to the E85, the E89 it has an E46 rear and E9X front suspensions. The 3 liter twin turbo belts out serious power. Throw the M3 suspension bits in and the car blows the doors off the E85.

But more so, the E89 platform allows for serious dialing up of performance, well more than one could ever do with the E85, thanks to the tunability of turbo engines.

I realize my car is not stock, but I also realize that upgrading BMW's is standard faire for BMW enthusiasts. For the average car owner that buys a car and leaves it alone, that makes no sense. But I will say that as a two-seat roadster, few cars out there can do everything a modified Z4 does so well. If I sold my car I'm not sure what I'd replace it with, at least insofar as having both convertible and hardtop configurations.

Filippo

[ljkiter]

Originally Posted by fmorelli

Compared to the E85, the E89 it has an E46 rear and E9X front suspensions. The 3 liter twin turbo belts out serious power. Throw the M3 suspension bits in and the car blows the doors off the E85.

But more so, the E89 platform allows for serious dialing up of performance, well more than one could ever do with the E85, thanks to the tunability of turbo engines.

I realize my car is not stock, but I also realize that upgrading BMW's is standard faire for BMW enthusiasts. For the average car owner that buys a car and leaves it alone, that makes no sense. But I will say that as a two-seat roadster, few cars out there can do everything a modified Z4 does so well. If I sold my car I'm not sure what I'd replace it with, at least insofar as having both convertible and hardtop configurations.

Filippo

Agree. I am often surprise everyone doesn't change out their rims. Thats what differentiate your car from the rest. I would replace this car with a Merc GTS but thats twice the cost..

[jts1981]

The e89 is a great base to mod a fun performance car that you can daily, track, and tour. Like Filippo said, swap in a few M bits, plus aftermarket upgrades and you'll really transform the car. I am pro OEM + modding. I joke around with my friends that my philosophy for my build was WWMD, What Would M Do? As the car evolved that term was taken a bit more loosely, but the heart of the concept is still true. I think people that build with the same idea will be happy with the results, which is what I think Filippo was touching on.

I am so happy with all my mods, and never have a regretful feeling after driving my friends M3. Sure his v8 sounds great but its kind of a dog on the low end. There something special about the n54 on e85. The torque is mind boggling and delivers such a punch the v8 could never do.

There are definitely better track focused, or higher end luxury cars that are in the Z4 category, but not one competitor that does both.

You can't make a corvette more luxurious, can't make a cayman, or f-type hold more luggage, can't make a merc a track weapon with out sacrifing its refinement. For for damn sure none of the above will be more rare.

[bmw>benz]

im just here to feel good about my z4.

[ljkiter]

Originally Posted by jts1981

The e89 is a great base to mod a fun performance car that you cam daily, track, and tour. Like Filippo said, swap in a few M bits, plus aftermarket upgrades and you'll really transform the car. I am pro OEM + modding. I joke around with my friends that my philosophy for my build is WWMD, What Would M Do? As the car evolved that term was taken a bit more loosely, but the heart of the concept is still true. I think people that build the same with be happy with the results, which is what I think Filippo was touching on.

I am so happy with all my mods, and never have a regretful feeling after driving my friends M3. Sure his v8 sounds great but its kind of a dog on the low end. There something special about the n54 on e85. The torque is mind boggling amd delivers such a punch the v8 could never do.

There are definitely better track focused, or higher end luxury cars that are in the Z4 category, but not one competitor that does both.

You can't make a corvette more luxurious, can't make a cayman, or f-type hold more luggage, can't make a merc a track weapon with out sacrifing its refinement. For for damn sure none of the above will be more rare.

Agree. This car is a great platform for what you want out of it. I thought I would track and autox but now that I've had it for a year, I enjoy it as a GT cruiser. The msport suspension and MHD tune gives me enough pleasure for the time being. Stage 2+ will probably be as far as I'll go.