Z4 nomenclature

[Paulr]

I am getting really confused by the model designations/badges and engine variants!

Let me see if I have it right:

E85 softop, 2.5 and 3.0
E86 coupe same engines
Facelift is the E89, 2.0 replaces the 2.5, more powerful 3.0.
E89 Coupe. Same engines.
M Sport versions, one with a 3.4.
Where does the i, SE and Si come into it?

Is that about right? Not sure it is.

However, for the folding metal roof one I am totally at sea. Can someone explain the line up and engines please? Please?

[srhutch]

Nope
E85 = Roadster
E86 = Coupe
E89 = 2nd generation Z4

Engines 2.0i, 2.2i, 2.5i, 3.0i in E85 pre facelift
Engines 2.0i, 2.5i, 2.5si 3.0si in E85 post facelift
Engines 3.0si in E86 post facelift only

///M engine 3.2 in E85/E86 all facelift

SE and Sport are trim levels, sport only available on face lift models. all pre facelift are SE in effect.

i and Si are engine specifications.

[Smartbear]

Nope
E85 = Roadster
E86 = Coupe
E89 = 2nd generation Z4

Engines 2.0i, 2.2i, 2.5i, 3.0i in E85 pre facelift
Engines 2.0i, 2.5i, 2.5si 3.0si in E85 post facelift
Engines 3.0si in E86 post facelift only

///M engine 3.2 in E85/E86 all facelift

SE and Sport are trim levels, sport only available on face lift models. all pre facelift are SE in effect.

i and Si are engine specifications.

And the Alpina e85 with the 3.4 engine (from an earlier range of bmw cars)
Rob

[Paulr]

Brilliant, that clears up a lot of confusion for me for the earlier rag tops - and I knew I had seen 3.4 engine somewhere! Thanks!

But whatt about the folding tin tops?

[Roundozo]

But whatt about the folding tin tops?

Only E89's are folding tin tops. Engine's as mentioned above.

[Roundozo]

But whatt about the folding tin tops?

Only E89's are folding tin tops. Engines as mentioned above.

Edit - just noticed 89 engines aren't listed. Someone I'm sure will come along and fill that void soon.

[patriot66]

Nope
E85 = Roadster
E86 = Coupe
E89 = 2nd generation Z4

Engines 2.0i, 2.2i, 2.5i, 3.0i in E85 pre facelift
Engines 2.0i, 2.5i, 2.5si 3.0si in E85 post facelift
Engines 3.0si in E86 post facelift only

///M engine 3.2 in E85/E86 all facelift

SE and Sport are trim levels, sport only available on face lift models. all pre facelift are SE in effect.

i and Si are engine specifications.

The E85 Roadster was produced from 2003 to 2009 receiving its 'facelift' in 2006.

[mr wilks]

Brilliant, that clears up a lot of confusion for me for the earlier rag tops - and I knew I had seen 3.4 engine somewhere! Thanks!

But whatt about the folding tin tops?

Confusion will deepen trying to understand the E89 or "tintop" convertible
Without getting into how you spot the difference from Se to Msport here are the engines on offer
20i 4 cylinder single turbo
23i 6 cylinder non turbo so NA
28i 4 cylinder single turbo
30i 6 cylinder non turbo so NA
35i 6 cylinder twin turbo
35is 6 cylinder twin turbo with extra BHP from 35i & only available with DCT gearbox

[David-H]

Here's a bit more info on the E89 (from a longer piece in Wikipedia)

The BMW E89 Z4 was officially announced on 13 December 2008 and was unveiled in the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit alongside the MINI Convertible. The BMW E89 Z4 was then launched in markets on May 2009. The Life Cycle Impulse for the BMW E89 Z4 was implemented on all models on March 2013.

Initial Release
The BMW E89 Z4 was unveiled to the public in 2009 in the North American International Auto Show alongside the MINI Convertible. Early BMW E89 Z4 models included the sDrive 23i, sDrive 30i and the sDrive 35i. The sDrive 23i and sDrive 30i models then ceased production in 2011, and were replaced by the sDrive 20i and sDrive 28i. A sDrive 35is model was introduced in 2010, and is a more powerful model to the sDrive 35i and featured an overboost feature. In March 2013 (in the Life Cycle Impulse), the sDrive 18i model was introduced to the Z4 lineup.

Engines Pre-LCI Engine Information
20i 2011-13 1997cc Turbocharged
23i 2009-11 2497cc Naturally Aspirated
28i 2011-13 1997cc Turbocharged
30i 2009-11 2996cc Naturally Aspirated
35i 2009-13 2979cc 2 Turbochargers
35is 2010-13 2979cc 2 Turbochargers


Trims and Equipment
The BMW E89 Z4 is available in 3 different trim levels - sDrive, M Sport and Z4 35is in price order (cheapest to most expensive.

sDrive
The sDrive trim is the most basic and cheapest trim in the Z4 lineup. sDrive means rear wheel drive, and not all-wheel-drive. Standard features on sDrive models include: 17” Light Alloy Star-Spoke Style 290 Rims, Auxiliary Input (iDrive not necessary), BMW Emergency Call, BMW TeleServices, Soft Close Bootlid, ISOFIX, Drive Performance Control, Electric Windows, Headlight Washer, On-Board Computer, Sport Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Heated Rear Windscreen and Xenon Headlights with Welcome Light and Daytime Driving Lights.

Z4 sDrive 18i models get Automatic Single-Zone Control Air Conditioning and Panama Cloth Upholstery. Extended Kansas leather can be ordered as an option, only on the sDrive 18i. sDrive 20i and 28i models get Automatic Two-Zone Control Air Conditioning and Rain Sensor with Automatic Headlight Activation. Z4 sDrive 28i models get an Automatically Dimming Rear View Mirror as standard. sDrive cars equipped with a manual transmission get Automatic Start-Stop engine technology.

sDrive 2x models receive Auto Start/Stop technology, Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator (for Manual’s only), Servotronic Power Steering, Kansas Leather, Exclusive Nappa Leather and Non Metallic Paintwork (Alpine White, Crimson Red* or Jet Black*). sDrive 2x models have options such as Extended Alcantara or Leather, M Sport Suspension and Extended Lighting.

M Sport
In addition to all the features in sDrive, M Sport models also get 18” Light Alloy Rims, Door Sill Inlays with a BMW M Designation, High-Gloss Shadowline exterior trim, Anthracite headlining, Carbon Aluminium interior trim, Kansas leather upholstery, M Aerodynamic Bodystyling, M Sport Steering Wheel and Suspension, side exterior M designation badges and Sport seats. Melbourne Red metallic is an optional paint available exclusively for M Sport models.

M Sport 35i
They get Extended Lighting, a Grille with Chrome with Matt Aluminium Vertical Slats, Metallic paintwork and Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory. M Sport cars equipped with a manual transmission have a M leather gear lever. M Sport trims have Sport Seats, Anthracite Headlining and Adaptive M Sport Suspension (with the exception of the Z4 35is) as options.

Z4 35is
In addition to all the features above the sDrive 35is gets: 18” Light Alloy Rims, Colour-Coded Rear Bumper insert with Diffuse Panel, Floor Mats with sDrive 35is Designation, Front Apron Air Inlets with Matt Aluminium Twist Motif, Seven-Speed Double Clutch Transmission, Brake Energy Regeneration, Servotronic Power Steering, Kansas Leather, Adaptive M Sport Suspension (35is), Extended Lighting, Metallic Paintwork (Black Sapphire, Deep Sea Blue [no longer selectable in European markets since 2014], Glacier Silver, Melbourne Red with M Sport, Mineral Grey, Mineral White, Sparkling Brown with Pure Fusion Design Package, Valencia Orange in conjunction with the Pure Traction Design package), a Sports Exhaust (which adds an extra 10db) and a Sport Steering setup.

Options for the Z4 35is include Alcantara or Leather, Extended Alcantara or Leather with the Pure Traction Design package and Exclusive Nappa Leather with the Pure Fusion Design package. Auto Start/Stop technology is unavailable and an Optimum Shift Indicator are for cars with a manual transmission.

The BMW E89 Z4 35is comes exclusively with a computer-controlled overboost function. The boost function activates after every gear change with full throttle, and lasts for 7 seconds between 1500 and 4500rpm. During that time frame, the car will have reached 500Nm of torque for 1-2 seconds, an increase of 50Nm (37lb-ft) over the 450Nm (332lb-ft) without overboost. The full 500Nm comes in 3rd-7th gear only.

A Z4 sDrive 35i and 35is can be differentiated from other models by looking at the exhausts. If there are singular exhaust pipes on both sides, then the car is a Z4 sDrive 35i or 35is model.

2013 update
The revised BMW Z4 model was introduced in March 2013 onto all models. Standard cosmetic changes include LED headlights, high-gloss black surrounds for the central air vents, higher quality material for the control panel and buttons and switches and redesigned front and rear lights. The light strip ends at the vertex of the headlight, instead of stretching all the way to the middle of the height of the headlight. A new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine was also introduced, producing 154hp@5000rpm and 240Nm(177ft-lb)@1200-4400rpm.

New optional items from the facelift includes a contrasting hardtop colour (offered in black non-metallic or Glacier Silver Metallic) and a new interior trim strip called 'Exquisite Fineline Anthracite' wood. A Pure Traction Design package and Pure Fusion Design package were two new packages introduced in the facelift, and can be combined with sDrive, M Sport and Z4 35is models. BMW Z4 sDrive 28i, 35i and 35is models are offered with Kansas leather trim, and is an option for Z4 sDrive 18i and 20i models.

Engines
LCI Engine Information
Years Weight Engine Alignment CC Charge Power Torque Top Speed 0-60
18i 2013- 1997cc. Turbocharged
20i 2013- 1997cc Turbocharged
28i 2013- 1997cc Turbocharged
35i 2013- 2979cc 2 Turbochargers
35is 2013- 2979cc 2 Turbochargers

Production
The production of Z4 ended in August 2016, with last vehicles being made at Regensburg

[Paulr]

Now THAT is a comprehensive reply, thankis!

So, in effect there are just the 2.0 and the 3.0 engines with differing power outputs. BMW have always been illogical wiht the numerals on thier cars. The '80's 318 could have had a 1.6 or 1.8 if I remember correctly.

But that has helped enormously thanks, I now know what everyone else is talking about!

[stevo///m3]

^^correct.
Just stick with one model of car for the purposes of getting all of the engine sizes/configs correct - to open this up to 3-series and others will just add more confusion. Between Hutch, Wilks and DLH, you've got what you need on Z4s above.
Stevo

[Paulr]

Certainly would! But I only wanted to understand the Z4 line up, and do so now very clearly.

[extrablatt]

And I've learned what LCI actually stands for. Could never be bothered to look it up. I love the lazy web

[Zed Five]

E89 was 2009 to 2016.

[Zed Five]

Anyone wish to venture into the subtle changes?