Thinking of going from E85 to E89

[LeeZ4MR]

I’ve never been In a Z4M so we’re both In the dark.
I can only suspect they are two very different cars!

I had the Z4M and test drove the 35is, but for me the gearbox of the 35is was the killer. The M with the LSD was great in the mountains as well.

If I was looking for a cruiser, the E89 would work, but for a manual fun car only the E85 though. Even though I liked the look of the E89 from the front, the rear didn't work for me either.

I always felt like that about the DCT in the 35iS as well. However I've now lived with the F82 M4 for 2.5 years/21k miles, so I have grown to really like the DCT now though. I think the DCT is a good match to the twin turbo engine...I reckon that I should get my coat now to be fair!

[True-Blue]

Is this for a weekend toy or a daily driver?

The E89 30i is (IMHO) the sweet spot for the E89. It would feel noticeably quicker than your current 2.5 E85, and still be reliable in terms of the engine. As a daily either this, or a remapped N20 (with the cam chain/follower sorted), would be a good choice and the B12 suspension kit makes a big difference to how the car feels on the road.

For me, if it’s a weekend toy car, E85 all the way. A 3.0Si is going to feel a world apart from your 2.5 in performance terms. Again, a suspension refresh but with standard O.E. Shocks will make a massive difference to how the car feels.

[CliveN]

I have an e89 3.0 auto m sport and a Z4MC. Also a m240i which has the same engine as the G29 m40i (and similar in nature to the 3.5i). They are all completely different. I would use my E89 as a daily but I certainly wouldn’t the ZM. The E89 has a nice enough engine and chassis but in comparison to the other two it’s revvy and slightly hard work. The chassis is competent but dull. It makes a good cruiser but it’s not really sports car feeling. To drive it’s rather a non event in my view. However it looks fantastic and getting better by the day so it’s not going to be sold anytime soon (and it’s used predominantly in Spain). The M240 has a cracking motor - I can’t fault it - full of pull but can do 40 mpg if you drive sensibly on motorways. So I assume the 3.5 is similar. As a later BMW the 240 and the g29 are more modern, refined, appear better built, and are very easy to live with. Like the G29 the 240 handles pretty well but agsin it’s a little inert. The ZM though is a step back in time and although more powerful and with stiffer suspension it’s probs ly got the characteristics of all other E85/6. It’s a sports car, much more of an event to drive, you have to drive it and it’s hard work. Hence why it wouldn’t be my choice for a daily. I also worry about it more as it’s older and needs a little tlc. If I had to give them all up I would plump for a G29 M40 as it’s reasonably good looking, and good usable chassis and motor and it’s nice inside. If you are happy with a cruiser rather than a sports car then an e89 is a good choice but it’s still a cruiser

[CliveN]

I have an e89 3.0 auto m sport and a Z4MC. Also a m240i which has the same engine as the G29 m40i (and similar in nature to the 3.5i). They are all completely different. I would use my E89 as a daily but I certainly wouldn’t the ZM. The E89 has a nice enough engine and chassis but in comparison to the other two it’s revvy and slightly hard work. The chassis is competent but dull. It makes a good cruiser but it’s not really sports car feeling. To drive it’s rather a non event in my view. However it looks fantastic and getting better by the day so it’s not going to be sold anytime soon (and it’s used predominantly in Spain). The M240 has a cracking motor - I can’t fault it - full of pull but can do 40 mpg if you drive sensibly on motorways. So I assume the 3.5 is similar. As a later BMW the 240 and the g29 are more modern, refined, appear better built, and are very easy to live with. Like the G29 the 240 handles pretty well but agsin it’s a little inert. The ZM though is a step back in time and although more powerful and with stiffer suspension it’s probs ly got the characteristics of all other E85/6. It’s a sports car, much more of an event to drive, you have to drive it and it’s hard work. Hence why it wouldn’t be my choice for a daily. I also worry about it more as it’s older and needs a little tlc. If I had to give them all up I would plump for a G29 M40 as it’s reasonably good looking, and good usable chassis and motor and it’s nice inside. If you are happy with a cruiser rather than a sports car then an e89 is a good choice but it’s still a cruiser

[CliveN]

Whoops- two entries sorry