which one to go for now ? 2.8 , 3.0 or 35i E89

[arl10]

Well the Z4 went back last week so what to go for next ?
I can get a 2013 , 2.8i with 64000 miles £13800 Evans halshaw
2009 , 35i with 64980 miles £13900 Evans halshaw ( Stratstones BMW )
2009 , 35i with 18000 miles £16000 Synter BMW
2012 , 3.0i with 19000 miles £16900 Lloyd BMW
Will there be a big difference between the 4 cars ?
Would a chipped 2.0i do the job ?
The 35i cars are both fully loaded with , auto dct boxes , heated sports seats , sat navs , full BMW service history , 12 months warrantys , but arent Msports and 3 years older !
Just spotted another low mileage 14,000 miles in Kia , £14000 one owner car with full history but not in a BMW dealer .
I just dont know which one to go for as I had my heart set on a M235i convertible but initially wanted a Porsche Boxster or Cayman .
Loved the way the 3.0i E89 drove but , it seemed a bit nervous at speed , M235i was also twitchy in the corners , Boxster was a great drive but I cant live with the reliability issues with the IMS bearing and servicing costs .
Ideas ?
X5M next on the list .

[mr wilks]

Not sure there is a definitive answer to your selection of 28i 30i 35i , you really need to try them out to know which does or doesn't excite you . do you want DCT/auto against a 6speed manual ?
Jmo but i would avoid paying over the odds for lower mile Se spec cars unless you intend hammering massive numbers onto it ? No need to go high mile either .
Scanning your above choices i would say the 28i offered the best value for money & again jmo but Evan Halshaw generally pitch their cars very competitively . I could imagine a main agent asking £15800 for that same car ?
As for your concern RE nervous at speed ? I found H & Rs were a major positive to making my 35i feel more competent & planted when cracking on whether straightline or in the bends

[Marlon]

Based upon that list I'd go as high up the chain as possible whilst watching the spend, so that would be the 35i at £13,900.
(disclaimer - I've haven't driven any of them )

[Ducklakeview]

Based upon that list I'd go as high up the chain as possible whilst watching the spend, so that would be the 35i at £13,900.
(disclaimer - I've haven't driven any of them )

Likewise for me..

Mike

[Kugaman1]

Its a tough one.

These cars can be darn expensive to repair if they go wrong, especially the 35i.

Personally, Id look at as new as possible with lower miles, but obviously its a balancing act between age/miles/model/warranty.....

What model is at the Kia dealer?

As it stands, the 35i at £13900 seems to offer the least depreciation as a weekend chariot, but if you are going to put 40k plus miles on it during your ownership, the higher miles come resale time will kill its value.

I paid roughly £6k to go from a very low miles 2009 23i SE to a massive spec even lower miles 2013 20i Msport.
Personally, I prefer the LCI model and was happier in the newer car....looking back I have zero regrets. I adore my current Msport.

[Twin Turbo]

To be honest, the 235i Coupe, not Conv, has a great suspension and handles far better than E89.

E89 has poor handling at factory standard, however, the 35is is best in OEM form - but depends how quick you want to drive. As the 35is is quicker than an Z4M - not through the corners - but powering out.

I have an 28i, with modified suspension KW3's so I am able to out handle M135i with adaptive suspension and 35is as well, but the ride quality is harsh - and that's been conservative.

If the cost of ownership of running the car is not an issue for you then 35i would be my choice, if it is an issue then 28i is a good choice. As I have a couple of situations got 500+ miles out of an tank. But since its so frugal I can enjoy the car without worrying about the cost, unlike my old 335i.

All these cars are very tunable, and easily get an extra 50+bhp without spending thousands - and will transform the car - but the biggest failing of the E89 in stock mode is its suspension. However normal driving you will not notice its limitations - only when you are pushing the car and your rubber to the limits.

Purchasing and BMW as an approved car come with 12 months warranty - so feel gives peace of mind. And you know you are purchasing an pucka car.

As with the 28i and 35i - when they go wrong it can be expensive - they both have known issues.

[arl10]

Hi thankyou for all your comments !
The car will be used every day throughout the year as a school run car , I have 3 children at 3 different schools and want to give them a bit of one to one time , unfortunately my health is not great so circumstances may change so that I am unable to drive . Hence why it is a tough decision to make .
The Kia car is a 3.0i s drive , auto .
I like the 35i but not sure on the mileage and they won't budge an inch on price .
The 2.8i would probably be the best choice but does it sound as good as the 6 cylinder cars ?
I am a speed junky , so power is a big part of my decision , the 3.0i m sport seems to sit a bit lower than the others although I haven't driven it yet , my 3.0i seemed a bit ruffled at speed , would fitting other mods alter this twitchyness or is it just me , it is something's you just have to live with ?

[Twin Turbo]

28i is not as sweet as an 3.0 or 35i - but it's down to opinion - test drive one and come to your own conclusion.

But it can easily outdrive both these cars if modified - as its 100KG lighter engine.

From my personal experience, an 35i/35is/235i will only overtake me after exceeding the speed limits - as the increased displacement over 70 mph takes advantage. Assuming that they are stock and the 28i is modified.

I have great pleasure telling peeps that I only have an 2ltr - especially if they have a far bigger engine

[sunnydays]

OP it is worth noting you can get a warranty on all of these through BMW provided it has full service history. Ie for a 35i below 60k miles its £400 ish. It doubles in price over 60k miles.

Now all the cars you listed are good, but this really comes down to what you want out of the car. Is mpg of no concern for example. How important is the speed of the car? Will you be modding the car?

Additionally I noticed you said the car felt uneasy at speed. I can only assume it was on the stock run flats. Non runflats will make a world of difference.

Edit: just read above power is a big thing for you, How much is enough power. A tuned 35i should make 400 bhp off a map alone. 450ish with a few bolt ons

[Player 1]

I went 35i and unless fuel economy was a concern I wouldn't even contemplate the others after owning one.
Touch wood, mine's been perfectly reliable so can't really offer advice on what might be common faults.

The 35i's have quite a gruff, clearly straight six exhaust note which I like, I'm sure a bit of tweaking would allow for a rather sweet sound!
I don't really see the point in comparing a modified four pot car with a standard 35i as if you modified a 35i to the same extent you'd be at a different performance bracket again.

[Player 1]

Edit: just read above power is a big thing for you, How much is enough power. A tuned 35i should make 400 bhp off a map alone. 450ish with a few bolt ons

Are you sure? Having spoken with Evolve, they set 35i's at 360bhp with just a remap to play on the safe side of longevity. At least 400bhp would be their target with an improved intercooler and catless downpipes.

[Smartbear]

I went 35i and unless fuel economy was a concern I wouldn't even contemplate the others after owning one.
Touch wood, mine's been perfectly reliable so can't really offer advice on what might be common faults.

The 35i's have quite a gruff, clearly straight six exhaust note which I like, I'm sure a bit of tweaking would allow for a rather sweet sound!
I don't really see the point in comparing a modified four pot car with a standard 35i as if you modified a 35i to the same extent you'd be at a different performance bracket again.

Except for the handling, the additional 100kg over the front wheels takes away from the agility/turn in etc
Rob

[Twin Turbo]

I went 35i and unless fuel economy was a concern I wouldn't even contemplate the others after owning one.
Touch wood, mine's been perfectly reliable so can't really offer advice on what might be common faults.

The 35i's have quite a gruff, clearly straight six exhaust note which I like, I'm sure a bit of tweaking would allow for a rather sweet sound!
I don't really see the point in comparing a modified four pot car with a standard 35i as if you modified a 35i to the same extent you'd be at a different performance bracket again.

true

But then you have a new problem with a modified 35i is getting the power down

[Player 1]

Except for the handling, the additional 100kg over the front wheels takes away from the agility/turn in etc
Rob

But it isn't a sports car? I went into it looking for more of a gt after the E85 and I'd have gotten a Cayman if handling was what I was after. Maybe that'll be the next thing to have but for now I'm more than happy to lean back, turn on the heated seats and eat up the miles

[Player 1]

But then you have a new problem with a modified 35i is getting the power down

35i's can't get the power down with 300hp, let alone 400