2013 2.0 m sport thoughts?

[elevensies]

im off to view a 2013 2.0i msport this afternoon, in white, looks pretty in photos, had advisory on rear shock with slight misting. has around 99thousand miles on clock.

whats the overall impressions on these e89 cars?

worth it or not, obviously depends on price but its advertised at £8

 

[bombur]

@RickyBobby has had a few and in one now so could help with pointers? I'm not sure on the markets atm and if that price point is decent for the spec etc.
Very different to the Z3. Analogue v Digital. Now my Z3 is back on road I feel that I will be using that more for pottering around, whilst using the z4 for a longer drive.
Also I hear of a few engine issues with the 4cyl engine, again am no expert but there are many on here who know a lot about these.

 

[elevensies]

thanks for that, im not convinced its my kinda car, i love my z3 because its different on the roads, whereas the new z4 is as you say very digital.
engine issues does not sound good.... i saw one cheap on auto trader saying noisy engine.

 

[bombur]

I would consider the 6 cyl ones as they have the N52 engine that is seen as relatively bomb proof. I have the 2.3 (2.5) and its great. Plenty enough for me and when you get to the higher revs it flies. Sounds nice too

 

[Pond]

99,000 miles is a lot for an N20 engine that is on the original camchain. If it has been replaced then happy days.

The E89 Z4 has a VERY complicated roof and they do tend to be quite 'troublesome', especially after a lot of miles as wires can break due to many folding and unfolding actions.

M-sport suspension is VERY hard on the E89 and they suffer badly with wheels that crack (mostly the 19" 296M and 326M wheels).

The E89 is not a sportscar. It's more of a 'small cruiser' IMO.

I have had two E89 (both N20s) and they are good cars (I love the looks; they are pretty) but can be expensive if and when things go wrong; like the roof or camchain!

£8 is a bargain, but £8,000 is a lot for a 100k mile, 12 year old 20i TBH.

The 2013 alpine white one we had was a great car, though. It didn't cost us a penny in nearly 2 years (it was a very low mileage one though). Here's a picture to whet the appetite.

 

[RickyBobby]

im off to view a 2013 2.0i msport this afternoon, in white, looks pretty in photos, had advisory on rear shock with slight misting. has around 99thousand miles on clock.

whats the overall impressions on these e89 cars?

worth it or not, obviously depends on price but its advertised at £8

Nice cars the E89's I'm on my 7th which is my 2nd 20i and I've had 4 23i's and 1 30i. Much easier to live with than the Z3 but not as analogue and more refined than the E85.

My current one is Alpine White and I have to say the colour has grown on me - much easier to maintain than the Sapphire Black E86 I also own.

However, after failing to part with the E86 I might be persuaded to sell the E89 if you're interested - either way I'm not far from you so more than happy to take you for a run out so you can see what it's like

 

[RickyBobby]

@RickyBobby has had a few and in one now so could help with pointers? I'm not sure on the markets atm and if that price point is decent for the spec etc.
Very different to the Z3. Analogue v Digital. Now my Z3 is back on road I feel that I will be using that more for pottering around, whilst using the z4 for a longer drive.
Also I hear of a few engine issues with the 4cyl engine, again am no expert but there are many on here who know a lot about these.

Nice to have the use of two Paul but I hate the additional insurance and tax implications.

Glad to see you've got the Z3 back on the road and I hope that 23i is still treating you well

 

[RickyBobby]

thanks for that, im not convinced its my kinda car, i love my z3 because its different on the roads, whereas the new z4 is as you say very digital.
engine issues does not sound good.... i saw one cheap on auto trader saying noisy engine.

Noisy engine basically means it needs a new engine and is just another way of saying spares or repair.

Lots of info on the forum regarding the N20 engine but as is usually the case any issue is easily avoided with regular maintenance and always seems more prevalent than the reality.

 

[RickyBobby]

99,000 miles is a lot for an N20 engine that is on the original camchain. If it has been replaced then happy days.

The E89 Z4 has a VERY complicated roof and they do tend to be quite 'troublesome', especially after a lot of miles as wires can break due to many folding and unfolding actions.

M-sport suspension is VERY hard on the E89 and they suffer badly with wheels that crack (mostly the 19" 296M and 326M wheels).

The E89 is not a sportscar. It's more of a 'small cruiser' IMO.

I have had two E89 (both N20s) and they are good cars (I love the looks; they are pretty) but can be expensive if and when things go wrong; like the roof or camchain!

£8 is a bargain, but £8,000 is a lot for a 100k mile, 12 year old 20i TBH.

The 2013 alpine white one we had was a great car, though. It didn't cost us a penny in nearly 2 years (it was a very low mileage one though). Here's a picture to whet the appetite.
View attachment 338409

It's weird normally my preference is always for the sportier version of a model type but with the E89 I sometimes see an sDrive car and think it looks nicer than the MSport version - i think a lot depends on the colour and wheel type.

That said my current car is an MSport and I'm not sure I'd agree with you regarding the suspension. Again the wheels make a difference but I'd say my current car on 19" style 230 wheels rides better than a previous sDrive I had on 19" 296’s. Appreciate it could have been the struts on their way out.

Either way Alpine White does seem to suit the E89

 

[bombur]

Nice to have the use of two Paul but I hate the additional insurance and tax implications.

Glad to see you've got the Z3 back on the road and I hope that 23i is still treating you well

The Z3 will be SORN October-April might be more and insurance was cheap...thats the plan anyway!

 

[AleNod]

Other's on here are more knowledgeable than me, but I love my 20i sdrive. When I originally checked the only differences I could see is the M had slightly stiffer suspension, front lower grill and maybe an M gear nob. Power was the same . . .

I know for looks people prefer the larger diameter wheels, I like my 17s, and a higher profile side wall improves the ride. Comfort . . .

The problem I am wary of is the cam chain guides. They could fail on the earlier ones (yours will be). Later one's (mine) were modified and supposedly better, so hopefully mine are okay. If the cam chain does go then as others say it's a new engine.

I'm hoping I can get mine to last as long as a Z3. I did say 'hope' . . .

 

[Andyboy]

The N20 is not a nice engine in old age. You could be lucky and have no trouble - the 28 (265 bhp version) was great when new but I'd be very wary now. Plenty of oil leaks plus coolant leaks from deteriorating plastic parts - the B48 replacement is starting to show similar problems. The biggie in the N20 is the crank thrust washers falling out, allowing the crank to machine its way into the block.

100k is too leggy.

For 8k, my choice would be a higher mileage current shape MX5 - it's the car BMW should be making. Absolutely cracking wee thing. It will have 90,000 miles but it won't be p****** oil out or having roof dramas.

 

[Nodzed]

Go for one, love mine, but IMHO 6 cylinder is the one.

 

[B21]

In the current market it’s a big number for such a high mileage version…the N20 engines need decent servicing ie twice the rate BMW recommends to stay the distance..if it’s on the original cam chain it’s probably on borrowed time…as stated there are other rarer events such as the thrust washer and now increasingly common bore score…lots for sale so suggest you try harder …in a nice way..

If you don’t drive them much / change cars often then it probably won’t matter…but sadly these days it’s more when not if…pity as I prefer the dynamics of E89s fitted with that engine to the sixes..

A low mileage one that you can then mother is a different story..

 

[Pond]

For 8k, my choice would be a higher mileage current shape MX5 - it's the car BMW should be making. Absolutely cracking wee thing. It will have 90,000 miles but it won't be p****** oil out or having roof dramas.

I have to agree. If we were to buy another 'summer toy' roadster, it would be an MX5. E89s are just too much 'potential' trouble. They also weight about half a tonne more than a Mazda!
I have had three Mazdas (none MX5s) and they have all been faultless (apart from a rogue sat nav in a 6). Japanese cars tend not to charge extra for seats and a steering wheel, either.

 

[elevensies]

well went had a look and it looked used... as in seats were tired, mats were worn, it felt like it had done the miles it has.
no noises from engine nor roof, all looked as it should, but i did notice the harmonic balancer/ bottom crank pully, appeared to have a wobble, maybe it was a colouration that made it look like it wobbled, and a couple of bits the owner said, hes only had it 13 months, had to replace numerous things rear springs battery, and what alarmed me was he said the electric steering had gone very stiff, but a new battery solved it.
and no wiggle room on price, i said thanks and walked away.
very pretty car, i was taken by its looks. but that one was a no go for me.

 

[Andyboy]

My friend has a 16 plate MX5 with the folding metal roof. It's just as much fun as the originals. So it hasn't got a BMW badge but I recommend that you drive one. I bet you'll buy it.