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      06-20-2014, 05:48 AM   #1
imom
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Z4 Sdrive28i feedbacks?

Hi,
I'm am considering getting another Z4...will be my third. I like to have better gas mileage since it's a daily driver so the Sdrive28i seems to be lighter close to my old Z4MR and better balanced than the 35i(s).

Besides the HPFP and the power brake issues I research...are there any other issues with the Z4 E89 platform and more specifically the Sdrive28i 4 cylinder engines? Appreciate more information. Thank you!
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      06-20-2014, 07:26 AM   #2
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imom-
2014 28i is my third Z4. Previous models included a 2008 E85 3.0, 2011 E89 35i. The 28i is by far the best of the three, perhaps the best Bimmer I've ever owned, having owned seven. 28i has better balance, the 2.0-liter TwinPower-Turbo provides torque that rivals the 35i and its dexterity makes it as much fun to drive as the my old E85. One recommendation include the Sport Pac with your order to get the most out of the ZER drive train and chassis. BTW I took delivery in Munich and drove the ZER on to the Autobahn and had it up to 140mph without a fuss. Enjoy!
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      06-20-2014, 11:56 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imom View Post
Hi,
I'm am considering getting another Z4...will be my third. I like to have better gas mileage since it's a daily driver so the Sdrive28i seems to be lighter close to my old Z4MR and better balanced than the 35i(s).
OP, I test drove 28i/35i/35is a good bit when I purchased, and I recommend you do a wide open throttle pull from 60-90mph in 3rd gear to make sure you are ok with whatever power level you purchase.

If you are going automatic, do some full throttle gear changes in 1st, 2nd and 3rd to understand the how it shifts and make sure you are ok with 8speed sport AT vs the 7spd DCT

I get the 28i is technically a front mid engine car and the 35i is not, but in practice I did not see a difference across the cars, and the turn in of the 35i is fine.
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      06-20-2014, 03:14 PM   #4
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Thank you Vector!

Nicknaz... would be ideal if the 28i came with DCT...but I don't see that happening. I don't like AT... DCT would be the best for me...but it's not an option so manual transmission it'll be again...all cars I ever owned were manual. I would gladly switch if it was DCT.

Far as the pull... well...35i is about 200 to 300 lbs more and have about 80 HP. My BRZ now is only 200HP... so I'll be okay less power if the torque kicks in at 1500 RPM...I never had a turbo car before. The pull on the Tesla is pretty fun...but I'm happy with not the fastest car on the road... I didn't do much with my M just because it's a daily and too many traffic lights. In the canyons the M and BRZ have been a joy...I got a feeling the E89 will not be up to snuff...but as a daily it'll be a better car.


My biggest concerns now and why I'm posting to find out all the known issues with the E89 platform from the leaky roof to the HPFP. I don't want to just leap in blindly without knowing more details even though the E89 is a very pretty car.
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      06-20-2014, 03:58 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imom View Post
My biggest concerns now and why I'm posting to find out all the known issues with the E89 platform from the leaky roof to the HPFP. I don't want to just leap in blindly without knowing more details even though the E89 is a very pretty car.
30i would probably be most reliable. non turbo I6.. proven design.

I think if you are keeping stock anyway, 30i and 28i are fine and the key benefit of the 35i/35is is the modding ability of the N54

EDIT: As for the roof, I think that is car specific. I wouldn't get too hung up on that, and focus on the DCT leaks check and being ok with N54 potential issues.
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      06-20-2014, 05:47 PM   #6
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Well I on my 5th BMW - my to previous and an was an 335i

I purchased the 28i blind - no test drive as they are rare in the uk.

So i researched and did an lot of analysis - and I came to only one concern.

I realised that I did not use the full POWER of the 335i - probably once or twice a week in just for an overtaking. So i looks at car stats and 30mph - 70mph the difference of an 335i vs z4 28i was about an second.

I also planning in going for the JB4 - however the running costs are saving me £1,200 - £1,800 per annum!

I have only done 1,000 and its the first time i drove with past as I was late for an meeting - and to be honest I did not miss the 335i

The only concern I had - was going down from an 3ltr to an 2ltr - but the exhaust sounds okay - but investing in an quad tips lol

I am TOTAL amazed this is not many of these - for BHP and MPG is an total winner. As I am achieving 10MPG better than the 335i. I know in the USA you pay the same price for an gallon that in Europe pay for an ltr.

There is an difference between the 335i and 28i - one main one is noticeable torque - but the JB4 should help on that. There is an difference when your doing 100MPH+ - as the 335i just did not slow down.

However when do i do that speed - very rarely!!

Would i change my 28i for an 35i NO (sorry 35i owners - just the cost of ownership)
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      06-20-2014, 08:04 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGBOYQ View Post
Would i change my 28i for an 35i NO (sorry 35i owners - just the cost of ownership)
If I had to pay $9usd per gallon I would likely have decided the same way

As for using the power, it must be a function of where you live and when you drive.

I get off work at midnight regularly in san diego and am using wide open throttle in the first three gears fairly often
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      06-20-2014, 11:23 PM   #8
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I bought a 2013 28i last November...and like it. Good acceleration and a great sound. The only issue i had was with a noisy fuel pump that was replaced within the first week. More comfortable than my last car which was a Boxster... it just took a bit to get use to the long hood
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      06-22-2014, 01:29 AM   #9
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Thank you for all the replies...very helpful for me and I"m sure others researching the E89 and specifically the 28i is helpful for them too. If the N54 engine is completely bulletproof...same fact for the N20 engine (I believe it's N20)... I have a tough decision...I just don't know what are the weak points of these engines. For the S54 engine (E85/86)...there was the second gear shift and the vanos, as well as the fuel injectors. I take good care of my cars and don't abuse them, but there were a few horror stories of the vanos filter and other issues with the engine that didn't make me happy. It wasn't just fear or in my head...the 2nd gear was real and fuel injector was becoming an issue...I made sure to use techron often and always use chevron fuel.

If the 28i is strong with no issues...that would be my choice. If the N54 is good too I would consider if the aftermarket wasn't too expensive to increase. The maintenance on the S54 was much more than the 3.0SI as well. So I'm also looking for any engine issues with either the 28i or the 35i series other than HPFP that I hope had been fixed after 2013 models.

Also any issues with manual transmission on the E89s? Z4M reduced my joy of driving because of the 2nd gear issue.

I'm not going to lease as these cars are pretty enough to keep for a long time.

oh yeah...a decade ago I was in Europe and couldn't believe the prices for petrol... 1 liter same as gallon was pretty crazy. Going from $1 ish to $4-$5 a gallon is annoying...can't imagine 1 liter prices.
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      06-22-2014, 01:31 AM   #10
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Also welcome bhschluter...thanks for your first post!
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      06-22-2014, 04:26 AM   #11
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i have a white 2014 28i.
All I upgraded is speakers, technology package and parking assistance with color white.
Excellent mpg. I use comfort mode driving to work during weekday and use sport mode during weekend
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      06-22-2014, 06:20 AM   #12
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I have a manual tranny with 25 k on it. No problems and it's a really nice shifter. HPFP is a non issue post 2011. As for the engines being bulletproof, all I can say is that I have not had any major issues but others have. Are there problems representative of the engine? Hard to say because posters on this forum are a small fraction of all Z4 owners and we tend to hear from people who have problems, not those who don't.
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      06-22-2014, 04:23 PM   #13
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Well looks like US is around £0.57 per ltr - and UK is around £1.30 - At those prices you lucky people I would have an V8
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      06-22-2014, 11:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGBOYQ View Post
Well looks like US is around £0.57 per ltr - and UK is around £1.30 - At those prices you lucky people I would have an V8
big dick contest we got here.

$18.42 hkd/L here = £1.39/L or $9usd/gallon.

I'm surprised to see so many positive feedback for the 28i.
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      06-23-2014, 12:07 AM   #15
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2013 28i Dct

previous car 328 and 135.
I loved the car better than the 135. handle very well under pressure.
Went to a spirited drive a few weeks ago with some people driving their big Porsche and Audi, Ferrari. Let me tell you that in any s road the little Z4 was on everybody tails. Nobody was able to leave me behind.
Anyways this is my second summer and the car performed just great.

I'm not disappointed to have selected the 28 over the 35.
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      06-23-2014, 12:13 AM   #16
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gasoline

right now in Canada about $1.43 per ltr for regular
$1.53 for premium and
$1.63 for super.
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      06-23-2014, 05:52 AM   #17
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Fuel prices here in Slovenia:

1,49€/L (2,02$/L) for regular

And if you think that's high, you should check the fuel prices in Norway.

1,94€/L (2,64$/L)
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      06-23-2014, 01:17 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nkc View Post
big dick contest we got here.

$18.42 hkd/L here = £1.39/L or $9usd/gallon.

I'm surprised to see so many positive feedback for the 28i.
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      06-23-2014, 01:47 PM   #19
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Back on Track

Trying to get back on track - when i was deeciding on what engine to go for - these figures helped me.

An Interesting website for reference:- http://www.automobile-catalog.com/perfo ... ve28i.html

My area of interest was:

z4
40-70 mph through gears (sec):3.9
50-90 mph through gears (sec):6.7

335i
40-70 mph through gears (sec):3.9
50-90 mph through gears (sec):6.3


extra-urban / city / highway / average combined:
Z4 mpg (imp.): 39.6-50.6 / 21.6-27.5 / 36.7-44.8 / 33.9
335i mpg (imp.):30.7-39.2 / 17.1-21.8 / 28.6-34.8 / 26.6

However what these do not tell you is that how the power is presented - the 335i and I assume Z4 35i are just AMAZING!
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      06-23-2014, 04:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jparnes1 View Post
HPFP is a non issue post 2011.
My car is a model year 2012 built in 12/11 and the HPFP was replaced after 18mo, 18k miles along with the injectors.

Perhaps my car was one of the last ones with old version parts to leave the factory
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      06-24-2014, 02:06 AM   #21
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Thanks Jparnes1 and everyone else.

So no 2nd gear issues? Must have been a z4M issue. I'm glad even though forum members are small numbers...it's a good indication on what to look out for. I priced out a new Z4 28i and it came out to be $60K... sadly it's same price as new corvette stingray low end model.

I won't buy new so Z4 E89 still will be the plan. But if I plan to hold on the BRZ for another year or two...it will be a toss up between the two car used. The vette with 4 cylinder tech will make it comparable to the 28i in gas mileage... good to have these options.
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