e85 M Roadster vs e89 sDrive30i

[HEY32G]

I'm trying to decide which Z4 is best for me. e85 M Roadster vs e89 sDrive30i - these two are pretty close on the used car market. Anyone have an opinion on which would be the better car?

I am pretty performance oriented but worry about the maintenance on the M and might be able to find a good certified e89 which would relieve a lot of stress.

I guess my question boils down to how close can the e89 sDrive30i come to the M on performance considering I would only be interested in getting a manual transmission car? I know it will be less, but is the performance difference worth the increased upkeep?

I have driven the M Roadster and absolutely loved it.

Thanks

[rking117]

the E85 is faster with like an additional 60 to 70 HP if my memory serves me right. I would love the ///M for the performance but the engineering and styling in the E89 makes it a hard choice. I would go ///M if the miles were right and if I could get a warranty. I assume it is a 2008?

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by rking117

the E85 is faster with like an additional 60 to 70 HP if my memory serves me right. I would love the ///M for the performance but the engineering and styling in the E89 makes it a hard choice. I would go ///M if the miles were right and if I could get a warranty. I assume it is a 2008?

'06 to '08 would probably not have a warranty. That's the worry.

[nicknaz]

Personally, I think a used m car is a "pay to play" situation where the routine maintenance is more frequent and the chance for repair is probably higher because the car has almost certainly been driven hard from day 1. Few buy an m car to baby around the block to the grocery.

I was thinking of buying a used e86 m but decided to lease an e89 35 due to the upkeep and repair risk of the used m car.

Only you can decide how much the extra performance is worth. For a track car I think the decision skews to m but for street car e89 30

[keepittrill]

The M car will blow the 30i straight out of the water when it comes to performance. I haven't driven a Z4 M, but I'm assuming it could probably lap the 30i :P It is, however, WAY uglier. Now, if you want an M coupe, then I say hell yes! But the best thing about the 30i will be the availability of CPO cars that are still under warranty. Also, you can't beat the fact that it's a coupe and a convertible! Sadly, there's not much of a market for aftermarket mods for the E89. You can tune a 35i, can't really tune a 30i. If I were you, I would wait for a decent 35i. The only thing that turns me off about the M roadster is how damn ugly it is):

[Moo]

Between just those two choices I'd go with the M.

The MZ4 is more exciting and fun to drive, imo.

[Nkc]

If you're more performance oriented then go with the M.

[Hoa]

I've owned 2 Z4MC, 1 Z4M and currently Z4 35is

Handling: Z4MC win all day. Z4M is comparable to my current Z4 35is.

Performance: Z4M & Z4MC will win compared to a Z4 30i

Styling: E89 win on looks. you also benefit a hardtop convertible which is less maintenance compared to Z4M fabric top.

Reliability: Z4M & Z4MC uses the same engine as M3 which is known for the Vanos issue. I've always fear that it will grenade on me like a ticking bomb so I had to sell mines. I cant say anything for Z4 30i but Z4 35i & 35is may have fuel pump issue (common problem with turbo BMWs). I know this problem has been claimed to be fixed but 2012 Z4 fuel pump has been replaced so its not fixed in my book.

[nicknaz]

LOL.. "ticking time bomb".. not exactly a vote of confidence on the durability HOA..

[mitchs_z4]

if the car will be used as a DD, def the sDrive30i (as I currently do, 700 miles a week in mine)... the extra space from a lengthened chassis was a huge difference compared to my '05 e85...

if the car is for pure weekend driving pleasure, Z4 M roadster all the way!!!

[keepittrill]

Let me make it simple. Real simple.

If you want performance, get the Z4 M.

If you want a luxury cruiser that's still fun to drive, then get the 30i and smack some pilot super sports on it.

[Moo]

If possible, get sDrive28i for easier modding pleasure later on

[pbw]

One simple answer, one simple letter M

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by Hoa

I've owned 2 Z4MC, 1 Z4M and currently Z4 35is

Handling: Z4MC win all day. Z4M is comparable to my current Z4 35is.

Performance: Z4M & Z4MC will win compared to a Z4 30i

Styling: E89 win on looks. you also benefit a hardtop convertible which is less maintenance compared to Z4M fabric top.

Reliability: Z4M & Z4MC uses the same engine as M3 which is known for the Vanos issue. I've always fear that it will grenade on me like a ticking bomb so I had to sell mines. I cant say anything for Z4 30i but Z4 35i & 35is may have fuel pump issue (common problem with turbo BMWs). I know this problem has been claimed to be fixed but 2012 Z4 fuel pump has been replaced so its not fixed in my book.

Thanks for all the info guys.

Can someone explain the vanos issue to me.

I absolutely love the M, but I'm really, really hesitant because I don't want the joy to be ruined by expensive repairs and maintenance. I know I'm acting like I'm buying a 15 year old Lamborghini! Aargh!! I hate this.

I had a Porsche 968 that was a repair nightmare. I spent about $600/month just on repairs. And that was when it was only about 4 yrs old. One thing after another. My mechanic loved me, until I couldn't take it anymore. Loved the car, but geez, what a nightmare, and no matter what it was, it cost between $500 and $750 every time. Guess I'm a little gun shy.

It won't be a DD, but I will drive it a lot. I live in a small town so I never drive too far anywhere I go.

P.S. keepittrill, I like the M Roadster's looks, I guess I like a good ol' bangle'd car. But I do admit the e89 is about as pretty as a car can get - much prettier than the e85.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by GH32335i

I absolutely love the M, but I'm really, really hesitant because I don't want the joy to be ruined by expensive repairs and maintenance.

There is always that risk with a used performance car purchase.

With an M coupe especially, you will likely be footing the repair and maintenance cost for someone's off lease track toy

I personally leased a new 35i instead of purchasing a used a E86 Z4M (or used anything interesting for that matter) because I didn't want to be left holding the bag for someone else's 3 years of track days

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

There is always that risk with a used performance car purchase.

With an M coupe especially, you will likely be footing the repair and maintenance cost for someone's off lease track toy

I personally leased a new 35i instead of purchasing a used a E86 Z4M (or used anything interesting for that matter) because I didn't want to be left holding the bag for someone else's 3 years of track days

Not making me feel any better!!

[keepittrill]

I think that's the biggest issue when looking for any used M car. You know the previous owner probably drove it like hell. Now, the service records are probably flawless, but you never know...but a 30i? You know it was some old person who didn't want the power of a 35i because they don't drive very fast ;P I would say hold out for a 35i. The price point where the 30i and 35i tend to blend is 35k-40K. You can find used 35is AND 30is in that range. I ended up getting the 30i because I was STUPIDLY impatient. Overpaid and could have gotten a 35i for the price. Test drive all 3 extensively!

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by GH32335i

Not making me feel any better!!

Wasn't trying to make you feel better because I was the lucky second owner of a "mint, bone stock" 4 year old WRX with 39k miles on the clock that had big metal chunks in the oil during the first transmission oil change

Sounds like you also know all about dark side of used performance car purchasing with your old Porsche

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by GH32335i

Can someone explain the vanos issue to me.

two problems with the vanos system.

1. vanos bolts back out

2. vanos solenoid failed
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=371195

solution: upgrade the vanos system and replace the bolts

[48redlands]

Originally Posted by keepittrill

I think that's the biggest issue when looking for any used M car. You know the previous owner probably drove it like hell. Now, the service records are probably flawless, but you never know...but a 30i? You know it was some old person who didn't want the power of a 35i because they don't drive very fast ;P I would say hold out for a 35i. The price point where the 30i and 35i tend to blend is 35k-40K. You can find used 35is AND 30is in that range. I ended up getting the 30i because I was STUPIDLY impatient. Overpaid and could have gotten a 35i for the price. Test drive all 3 extensively!

ur, some old person, you talking as if the 3.0i was a prius. this car may not have the balls of 3.5i, but its plenty fast enough in the real world, and yes i do own a 3.0i, and i am no old person..thanks

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by 48redlands

ur, some old person, you talking as if the 3.0i was a prius. this car may not have the balls of 3.5i, but its plenty fast enough in the real world, and yes i do own a 3.0i, and i am no old person..thanks

Don't take keepittrill too seriously regarding his comments about age. He's only like 18 and hasn't cultivated good manners yet.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by 48redlands

ur, some old person, you talking as if the 3.0i was a prius. this car may not have the balls of 3.5i, but its plenty fast enough in the real world, and yes i do own a 3.0i, and i am no old person..thanks

By the way, I could not find the link but some members were discussing whether or not the 30i is a "base model". I think you would have loved that discussion