Don't kill me, need help z4m or 35is

[04cobra]

I am sure this topic has been beaten to death. I searched I promise I did., but didnt really find what I was looking for.

Ok with that out of the way. I am looking to replace my 2004 z4 2.5i (snore zzzzz) with either a z4m or 35i/35is. This car WILL be my daily driver. It also must be a manual 6MT. It will also double as my "fun" car but will not be taken to the track.

I test drove a 35i and it handled poorly in comparison to my 2.5i, definetly needs a LSD, and maybe thats because the power is so much higher than the 2.5i. I like to drive spirited, heavy foot and take turns quickly. I would most likely mod the 35i/35is and probably would leave the //M alone for the most part, unless I can get comfortable that the M with a S/C would still be fine for daily driving. Does the 35i/s have the same mod potential as the n54 335? How is the 35i/s with a manual gearbox? Fun? Not fun?

Trying to keep this as short as possible, but based on the above any suggestions?

[Nkc]

I don't think there's been too many comparisons between the Z4M and the 35.

I'll chime in to help push you to a clearer direction.

1) The 35is does not come in a manual (only 7spd DCT)
2) E89 will be a better DD in terms of comfort and fuel efficiency
3) With a turbo/much torqueir car, you're gonna feel that it handles poorly when compared to a 2.5i.
4) It'll be unlikely that you can heavy foot and take turns quickly with the E89's power and weight.
5) The 35i has lots of mod potentials.
6) The DCT is a much better fit for the 35 than the manual (just my opinion)

So overall the E89 is going to be a much better DD than a Z4M. The problem is, you're unlikely to have that feeling of a NA engine and be able to go heavy footed on corners (basically like the difference of driving a Miata and an RX7 if you want to compare a 2.5i). If you don't plan to track then E89 all the way. Its deadly quick with a simple tune and can turn pretty decent with a set of V3's. I have driven both the E89 35i in DCT and manual with roughly the same mods and the manual feels slow, extremely slow. The Z4M is going to be the "funner" car just like how I have a Z3M 5spd hanging around. They're two very different cars that serve very different purposes.

FUN = Z4M (coupe would be awesome). Keep it stock.
DD = E89 35i if you insist on the manual. Will need a tune and a set of V3 for it to be in the "somewhat fun" category.

Good luck.

[04cobra]

Thanks Nkc. The only reason I am wanting a manual is because I love driving a manual, but I tend to agree with you, I had test drove some 335's with manual transmissions and they just felt slow compared to the auto. My 335xi was auto and it was great.

I plan on picking up an x5m as well which will double as my winter driver and kid hauler. I just dont think I could live with 2 automatic cars. I tried that once (winter beater and CTS-V) and really wanted my 04 cobra back.

Starting to sound like trading the 2.5 for the z4m might be a better option for me, but I will need to get over not wanting to put miles on the z4m . I only drive about 5000 miles per season, so the z4m would only get 5000 miles a year...which I guess thats not too bad.

Also I like the way the coupe looks, but I am liking having a convertible as well, any huge difference between the m roadster and m coupe?

[jparnes1]

I have a 35i M sport with 6MT. FWIW, I know the manual is slower than the DCT, but I don't care. I'm not racing the car so split second shifts aren't important to me. What I care about is the feeling of engagement that a manual offers and the pleasure of having the skill to shift well. Are you nodding your head as you read this? Then get the 6MT.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I have a 35i M sport with 6MT. FWIW, I know the manual is slower than the DCT, but I don't care. I'm not racing the car so split second shifts aren't important to me. What I care about is the feeling of engagement that a manual offers and the pleasure of having the skill to shift well. Are you nodding your head as you read this? Then get the 6MT.

You got me nodding too. I guess its time to take the old M out for a run.

[04cobra]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I have a 35i M sport with 6MT. FWIW, I know the manual is slower than the DCT, but I don't care. I'm not racing the car so split second shifts aren't important to me. What I care about is the feeling of engagement that a manual offers and the pleasure of having the skill to shift well. Are you nodding your head as you read this? Then get the 6MT.

Hahah I was...lol. Thanks for pulling me back. Rofl

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by 04cobra

Also I like the way the coupe looks, but I am liking having a convertible as well, any huge difference between the m roadster and m coupe?

1) Increased torsional and structural rigidity.
2) Looks
3) Trunk space

Not sure about the Z4 but for the Z3 M Roadster and coupe, the coupe is 2.7times torsionally stiffer than the Roady which results in less flex and better handling. As you can see, I'm a big convertible roadster fan but if I were to choose a variant for the previous Z4, it would definitely be the E86 M coupe. I would also not hesitate to pick up another Z3 M-coupe if they were available where I am. I'm a big shoe fan especially in Estoril blue.

[army_men]

I daily drive a manual 35i with KW V3 and stage 2 tune. It's reasonably well rounded for a DD. And you are going to like it better when you aren't on a track. When it wakes up it's properly fast too no question about it. I raced a few Z4M coupes on Mosport and it wasn't much of a contest, easy passing for the 35i. Weight shift and bodyroll is much improved after V3 and H&R sway bars. I think it's how the car should have came from the factory.

[04cobra]

Originally Posted by army_men

I daily drive a manual 35i with KW V3 and stage 2 tune. It's reasonably well rounded for a DD. And you are going to like it better when you aren't on a track. When it wakes up it's properly fast too no question about it. I raced a few Z4M coupes on Mosport and it wasn't much of a contest, easy passing for the 35i. Weight shift and bodyroll is much improved after V3 and H&R sway bars. I think it's how the car should have came from the factory.

Agree with the springs and sway bars...would an LSD be needed? I remember during my test drive I took it around a corner that my 2.5 would have handled fine but the 35i lost it.

[nicknaz]

My 35i is my daily and I really like it when it is on the street. I have very sticky dunlop ZII with 235 front/ 265 rear tires and the car can put the power down nicely in corners.

I have also changed the alignment to have -1.6 degrees rear camber, -1 degree front camber and rear toe close to zero and the handling is not bad. Nice turn in, and can rotate the rear with the throttle. I'm really happy with it on the street and for some 8/10ths canyon cruising

Good that you aren't planning to take it to the track because I have struggled mightily with heat management (i.e. brake fade and limp mode from high engine oil temp, DCT automatically short shifting (due to temperatures?)). I have backed off my track time this year while my lease on the 35i winds down. It is just so not a track car and it frustrates me to no end when I track it.

Personally, for street, I think the 35i, especially with full bolt on mods is the clear winner. Z4M with trap speed in the 103-105mph range is just not enough straight line pull these days. The world has moved on up in power.

EDIT: OP, no offense meant, but being able to floor it earlier in your E85 25i on corner exit than E89 35i doesn't mean anything other than 184hp car has no power.

[Hujan]

I absolutely love the way the E86 Z4 M coupes look, but I don't like the look of the E85 roadsters. On the track, the n/a motor and lighter weight of the E86 Z4 M would be awesome. On the street, the E86 Z4M is going to feel a lot more harsh and underpowered compared to the E89.

If a track/airstrip car, I would get the Z4M coupe and supercharge it.

If looking for a fun daily, get the 35is and mod it. Or, if you must have a manual, get the 35i and mod that.

Ideal mods for the E89, in no particular order, would be tires, FMIC, tune, KW v3s, and possibly an LSD.

[04cobra]

Originally Posted by Hujan

I absolutely love the way the E86 Z4 M coupes look, but I don't like the look of the E85 roadsters. On the track, the n/a motor and lighter weight of the E86 Z4 M would be awesome. On the street, the E86 Z4M is going to feel a lot more harsh and underpowered compared to the E89.

If a track/airstrip car, I would get the Z4M coupe and supercharge it.

If looking for a fun daily, get the 35is and mod it. Or, if you must have a manual, get the 35i and mod that.

Ideal mods for the E89, in no particular order, would be tires, FMIC, tune, KW v3s, and possibly an LSD.

I assume the z4 n54 motor is just as modable as the 135/335 and should be able to get into the mid 11s in the 1/4 mile (just using that as a benchmark as I know approximately how fast that is) ?

Tune+DCI+DP+Exhaust and possible meth?

I think manual is what I will want as I will have the auto x5m.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by 04cobra

I assume the z4 n54 motor is just as modable as the 135/335

Correct. On the flip side, it has the same HPFP, injectors, valve cover, etc issues too.

[04cobra]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Correct. On the flip side, it has the same HPFP, injectors, valve cover, etc issues too.

Understood. Luckily didnt have that issue on my 335. HPFP are good for 100k miles now if i am not mistaken, injectors and valves just need cleaning every so often?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by 04cobra

Understood. Luckily didnt have that issue on my 335. HPFP are good for 100k miles now if i am not mistaken, injectors and valves just need cleaning every so often?

Supposedly.

My car just had all injectors and HPFP replaced at 18k miles/22 months, so I personally think it is something to keep an eye out

I've also had intermittent issues with the headlight aiming and noise from the roof (went away with lubrication)

For what it is worth, I think this is a car to lease or at least get extended warranty on

[Gunzaro]

The 35is is a superior car overall to the Z4M convertible. It has a better interior and better straight line performance right out of the box. The transmission is wonderful also.

Now with some basic suspension mods and wider non-RFT tires the car is transformed and will be faster than a stock Z4M.

Add to that a tune, downpipes and an intercooler - wow!

Add to that the amenities and looks of a more modern car and you have a winner in my opinion.

It just doesn't have an M badge - but you can easily add one in support of the M brand as they are now coming out with little 'M' badges on the side.

[04cobra]

Does the auto versions have launch control?

[JR956678]

Originally Posted by 04cobra

Does the auto versions have launch control?

The 35is with DCT has launch control; other models with DCT may also but as I only have a 35is I can only speak for it. The DCT is not exactly an auto but it does have auto shifting modes that emulate an auto.

[04cobra]

Originally Posted by JR956678

The 35is with DCT has launch control.

So only the is then.

Is there a year that I should avoid or a specific year that I should get? i.e. do all years have the oil cooler etc etc.

[cuddapah]

Originally Posted by 04cobra

So only the is then.

Is there a year that I should avoid or a specific year that I should get? i.e. do all years have the oil cooler etc etc.

Mine is 2011 Z4 35i. It has launch control.

[Nkc]

35i DCT has launch control

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by 04cobra

So only the is then.

Is there a year that I should avoid or a specific year that I should get? i.e. do all years have the oil cooler etc etc.

the DCT launch control is not that great. It is a 4000rpm clutch dump that results in a lot of wheelspin.

Some of the '09 do not have the oil cooler.

It seems like mid 2012 and later is slightly more interesting because the roof mechanism changed to all open/closing up to 40km/h (instead of 10km/h previously) and the paddles are +/- style if you get the automatic. You might also get the newer revision HPFP and injectors if you get a newer car