My Friend Charlie Bought A 2009 E89 BMW Z4 30i

[@sophisticated]

The front is probably way lighter than the 35 so that probably explains the handling benefits. It seems like the sweet spot of the e89 generation to me. Sounds better than the 28i and probably has a more linear power band.

[@alanpoyser1355]

Cool video Joel you have certainly started something with your family and friends all buying Z4's and now another happy owner of a fantastic Z4 which I hope Charlie get many hours of pleasure driving.

[@itsjoel]

Thanks Alan, it’s crazy!

[@samwatkins6963]

Congratulations! On many things: Your Charlie's new car, an awesome video as usual and most importantly launching a very contagious z movement ✊.

[@itsjoel]

Cheers Sam

[@dimaburiachenko9344]

I've just bought Z4 E85 in Ukraine, thanks to your channel!

[@flybobbie1449]

When buying these cars check the manual as well as the auto. My manual has a notchy box, so slows down the gear changes. Would love to compare it to an auto. Yet my 2nd car, a Berlingo has a slick box, wish i could swap them over.

[@Forbesto]

Just so you know, sdrive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an automatic transmission, simply means bmw sport rear wheel drive ;)

[@itsjoel]

Thanks for the clarification mate!

[@LiveLifeLasting]

zforbsy It means standard drive

[@iskillcorn1]

Bmw should start paying you commission for all the z4’s you are selling, another great video 👍🏼

[@toms_garage]

That is a nice Z4! Great video Joel :D

[@itsjoel]

Thanks as always Tom!

[@inflatable2]

Sdrive means rearwheel drive, Xdrive means fourwheel drive in BMW language, it has nothing to do with the gearbox, lol.. ;) But to talk about the gearbox, this E89 Z4 Sdrive 30i uses the ZF 6HP19 (6-speed) gearbox, which was later replaced by the ZF 8HP45 (8-speed) in the 4-cylinder models.. Only the 35i and 35is had a 7-speed DCT.. I found your remark about the handeling very interesting.. How come this 30i handled so much better than the 35is? Is it the wheels and/or tyres or the suspension (m-sport vs non m-sport)? I'm interested in this as I own a E89 Z4 sdrive 30i as well with 19" OEM wheels and runflat tyres and I'm thinking about replacing the runflats with regular tyres (probably Michelin Pilot Sport 4S).. And I'm trying to find out how this will affect the handling..

[@joebloggs4191]

About 100kg lighter compared to the 35i much of that in the front so that explains better handling. Ditching the runflats will do you good!

[@ianspencer2826]

Had my z4 steering wheel re-trimmed at Royal Steering wheels Nr Aylesbury....awesome....like a new car!

[@quattrorsq8558]

E89 looks amazing!!

[@MotoringCultureMagazine]

It is a normal torque converter automatic with 6 gears. The ones with the new style gear lever are 8 speed. Only the 35is came with a 7 speed DTC.

[@itsjoel]

Motoring Culture Magazine that’s really interesting, thank you for clarifying!

[@sniperBOBAH]

@@itsjoel This gearbox is a bit slower but more solid than DCT and a better daily driver.

[@itsjoel]

Yes, I didn’t think the gearbox was too slow at all!

[@joebloggs4191]

What model year did the 8 speed come out on? does anyone know?

[@sniperBOBAH]

joe bloggs The new gearbox came with 4 Cyl. engines in September 2011.

[@universalcitizen7544]

@5:12 yes this is a 6-speed conventional auto. The 35i and 35is have the 7-speed DCT

[@hampshirephoto]

You need a set of those wheels mate, love them!

[@mirovysny2141]

Why this car don't have the same trunk as the bmw 4 convertible? It would be more practical.

[@marceloklr650k1100]

I have z4 20i (stage 2) I love this fucking car ❤🔥

[@andycarruthers3623]

Great vid Joel we should all meet up in our z4s lol nice car Charlie has there ❤️❤️❤️

[@itsjoel]

Haha thanks mate - that would be cool!

[@Neil542]

It's better showing off cars when they're clean also you should of showed the car with the top up

[@itsjoel]

Surely you’d rather the video instead of us cleaning the car? 😂

[@Neil542]

I like the content I just think it would of brought out the beauty of the car more because its a great design

[@rayo1371]

interesting ... drove an '88 911 as a daily for 5 years in the 1990's and was thinking of getting a 996 or one of these - exact model except perhaps manual ( owned Bimmers in the past - 2002 and a few 6 cyl naturally aspirated). so what luck bumping into this video and seeing that Charlie was selling a 996 and going into this. Got to say the only turn-off is the non-hydraulic steering ( coming from a 2012 128I which I sold).

[@ashtonallers1544]

Do they have n52?

[@StefABtv]

*love the bmw censor* 😂

[@itsjoel]

Haha 😂 I’ve got to be on brand, even when I curse

[@davidviner4932]

This guy knows what he’s talking about, be good to see you drive that car after he’s chipped it

[@prontopac]

Interesting video. Like you I have a friend that owns a E89, which I happen to like a lot. I think one item that affects the performance lag on an E89 a bit is the added weight of the E89 (about 271 kilos) compared to the E85. As a side note, on our E85's if you look hard enough at the profile you will notice a "Zorro" Z built into its side. It is very subtle and very cool. Cheers.

[@sniperBOBAH]

E89 sDrive 30i weights 95kg less than 35i! So the difference is noticable but not that much. E86 3.0si with the same engine and the same auto-gearbox weights 1415kg and E89 sDrive 30i 1505kg.

[@inflatable2]

The E89 30i is only 125 kg heavier than the E85 30i, not 271.. 1490 vs 1365 kg curb weight.. The E89 has 27 more horsepower, so that pretty much equals them in performance I think.. The "lag" they were talking about came from them driving the E89 with 6-speed ZF auto-gearbox in normal mode.. That's made for comfort, not performance.. It's a whole different story when put it in sport or sport+, then the ZF gearbox and trottle response are much faster, it transforms the car's performance a lot..

[@prontopac]

I didn't make myself clear. I apologize. I've driven my friends E89 3.0i and he pointed out that his E89 is heavier and longer by several inches to accomodate the retractable hard top. However, his E89 had more HP to compensate for the added weight. My impression after driving his E89 along some twisty backroads was that its torque came on faster (about 2,000 rpm) and consistantly across all gears. There was never a lag between shifting gears. The torgue in my E85 comes on about 3,000 rpm and runs up nicely to around 5,700 rpm. When my Z shifts there is a dropoff that you have to regroup to maintain torque. I also believe my gearing is a bit taller. During several spirited runs along the backroads we noted that whereas he was able to accelerate faster in his E89 regardless of what mode we were in his advantage was lessened as he had to brake earilier and moderated his turns due to the added weight and extra car length. Note, whereas his E89 is longer the wheel base is the same as my E85. At the end of the day we concluded that while his E89 had more HP and torgue he was not able to pull away and create space between us. With my E85 in front he had to work hard to keep up, but again I could not put a lot of space between us. On the highway going home, he took off and I had to push my Z to keep pace. I've made a number of changes to my Z to improve performance, and I love my E85, but if given the opportunity to acquire a E89 3.0i regardless of the transmission, I would not hesitate. @@inflatable2

[@FootToPedal]

Nice video, car seems great :)

[@itsjoel]

Thanks!

[@IamJackPot]

How do you handle insurance with these other cars you've been driving recently? Or do you not bother and just wing it? =)

[@itsjoel]

IamJackpot good question buddy. Either private road, being added as a named driver onto the owners policy, or sometimes temporarily being put onto a business policy. It’s a tricky one though!

[@alexstanley6819]

@@itsjoel You chaps need to check out the Cuvva app. Pretty handy for driving a friend's car!

[@itsjoel]

Yes, it’s a good app - although every car that I’ve driven on the channel I’ve been unable to insure through the app because of my age! Have to be added as a named driver on an existing policy

[@sniperBOBAH]

What about the steering between both cars as the electric steering in E85 sucks...?

[@itsjoel]

Steering in this was rather similar to the E85s actually - both are great!

[@goplanit]

Another great vid. No where near as good looking as the E85.

[@itsjoel]

Thanks dude!

[@BorderlessTrio]

He should get the M Sport 19" alloys I have on my E89, they're awesome.

[@itsjoel]

Yeah, I really like those wheels

[@raulflores81]

Some M359 wheels, that's what I got on my E89 looks stunning!

[@jackcampbell7848]

E85 looks so much better imo and is a better drivers car. Much rawer experience and less driver aids

[@itsjoel]

Jack Campbell it’s definitely a rawer experiences, however I think the E89 is the perfect in between and might make a good upgrade for some people who want slightly more refinement

[@inflatable2]

@@itsjoel I'm pretty sure the E89 is a much nicer car as a daily.. Like you said, it's the perfect in between.. I've been driving a 2010 E89 30i for almost 2 years now as a daily and I love it.. Nice and comfortable when it needs to be (hardtop is nice in winter) and sporty when it needs to be.. And with the last 3.0L naturally aspirated inline 6-cylinder engine BMW ever made, it's a classic in the making.. Already looking forward to nicer warmer weather so I can drive it open again (I'm to much of a pussy to drive it open in winter although it can be done with the seat heater and steeringwheel heater etc on).. You can get it with a manual transmission if you want to, but the 6-speed ZF autobox is fine too as you've already noticed..

[@LionelHutz619]

the e85 is a dog ugly turd box sorry pal

[@chad5617]

@@LionelHutz619 I actually think that about the e89. I LOVE the e85 all around, Its the first and last of the Z4 line that stood out from the rest of BMW's offerings. Every Z4 since just looks like a slightly different model than the rest of their line up.

[@rufusbailey1746]

a disease well worth catching, hunting for my own if my wife will let me have it.

[@itsjoel]

Haha nice one

[@raidacaipo]

Avoid the sdrive30i models... non turbo, ugly seats, just not worth it in my opinion.. I rather get a face-lift 2006-2008 3.0si which is lighter and about the same horsepower

[@sybrenhenstra]

The Sdrive 3.0i models are often mentioned as the best set up considering weight, performance and handling by experts. Th N 52 engines require less maintenance costs as the more powerful turbo charged N54 engined 35I types. The seats can be upgraded to sport seats if you like, just as tthe other types. Sport seats are an option.

[@samwood34]

Hairdressers car

[@sybrenhenstra]

Have you driven one?