E86 3.0si Sport (Manual)

Zed-X · Post by **Zed-X** » Fri Jul 28, 2023 3:16 pm

Hi all

New member here.

Always had a thing for Z's after seeing the door of a Z1 do its "party trick" outside my window at an impressionable age.

So now, after selling my RX-8 (after 10 trouble-free yrs) and also my Triumph STr765, I've decided it's time for me to scratch my Z itch and hopefully fill the void thats been left behind!

So here's what I'm looking for...

e86 3.0si Sport
57-plate onwards
Manual
Titanium Silver or Montego Blue
Not too fussed on interior colour
Sub-100k miles
F/S/H (doesn't have to be Main Dealer or franchise)
Heated seats
Cruise Control (not a deal-breaker)
Upgraded Hi-fi system (pref)
Willing to travel if car ticks the boxes
Available Budget £10k

TIA

curvature · Post by **curvature** » Fri Jul 28, 2023 4:04 pm

You will get one for that price but with a lot more miles, not that miles are an issue on these.

Around £10/10.5k gets a good one with maybe 90-100k miles but below 75k miles I would think you are looking at closer to £12k.

Scubaregs · Post by **Scubaregs** » Fri Jul 28, 2023 4:25 pm

Buy on history and condition, not mileage.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Fri Jul 28, 2023 6:56 pm

Welcome to the forum.

I know it isn't a deal-breaker but cruise control is a pretty simple retro-fit as BMW still sell the control stalk - it's just over £100 I think. Then there is a forum member who can supply the section of wiring loom you'll need together with instructions.

As has already been said I don't think your budget will get you into one with less than 70K miles. Bear in mind the youngest E86s are 15 years old so by now the majority are going to have 6 figure mileages, which isn't really an issue for these N52 engines. My 330i daily has the same engine and it still performs fine after 120K miles.

Anyway a manual Sport is an excellent choice so good luck finding the right one.

Zed-X · Post by **Zed-X** » Fri Jul 28, 2023 9:13 pm

Thanks for the replies.

So by the looks of it, I'm going to need to be more realistic with regards to the mileage I should expect for my budget (and maybe also consider a 2007 model). Not the end of the world, it's just that along with history & condition, I've always put sub-80k miles high-up on the wishlist, so getting my head around this may take me longer than most!

The search continues..........

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Fri Jul 28, 2023 9:36 pm

I always used to look for lower mileage cars as well but since I've been running older BMWs I've discovered mileage doesn't really matter if the car has good history!

My 2nd E86 had done 91K when I sold it and the next owner has taken it past 100K with no reported issues. My 120+K mile 330i replaced a 325i (also N52 engine) I sold with 139K on the clock and they all performed just as well as my 1st E86 that had only done 62K.

One thing I would mention is factory Bi-Xenons are a bonus if you find one with that option.

Zed-X · Post by **Zed-X** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 1:52 am

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 28, 2023 9:36 pm One thing I would mention is factory Bi-Xenons are a bonus if you find one with that option.

Never even knew Bi-Xenons was a thing on this model, so thanks for the heads-up!

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 8:58 am

Standard on the si though as far as I know

Spriteracer · Post by **Spriteracer** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 5:39 pm

If it helps - I'm not sure xenons were standard on all SIs. My December 2006 3.0SI E86 had the glow worm halogens which I upgraded to to Morimotos so I could see at night....

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 6:59 pm

Bi-Xenons were definitely on the Options List. Both my 3.0Si Coupes were Sport models and the first had Xenons, the second didn't.

Luckily they were standard on the Ms.

Zed-X · Post by **Zed-X** » Sat Sep 02, 2023 9:21 pm

Just giving this a *bump* as I'm still on the hunt!

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WANTED E86 3.0si Sport (Manual)