Top Gear Says: Get the 35i NOT the 35is

[mrboon]

rating 9 out of 20
http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/z4/road-test/sdrive35is

vs

rating 12 out of 20
http://www.topgear.com/UK/bmw/z4/road-test/sdrive-35i

[alan64]

no it doesnt??

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by alan64

no it doesnt??

alan ... yes they do ~s~

if you watch Top Gear Jeramy Clarckson's video clip (see below) he said that he would drive a Sdrive Z4 3.5i over any car that has seen the Top Gear track. So I have to agree with godius I've seen the video. And let me tell you if Jeramy likes a car and has something good to say about it it's a super car as we all know our Z4's are ~s~

[juhap]

The reviewer seemed to hate "only" the suspension and steering feel (the review in the print version is longer). The suspension is the same as in 35i with adaptive M suspension, and from what I've heard the steering feel has actually been improved with the 35is. For me this review is just a continuation to the previous negative reviews fueled by misplaced expectations.

[mrboon]

Originally Posted by alan64

no it doesnt??

i just got the JUNE top gear mag, and they clearly write. "stick to the basic version, not the iS".

Also the score of 12/20 vs 9/20 seems to be very clear.

I heard someone who drove both cars, and said they only messed up the steering more in the iS version.

Im glad i got the 'i'

[Z4 Beemer]

The video was recorded *before* the 35is was launched, and I haven't read the info on the links above.

There are however 2 clear arguments to this:

1. The 35is came along after the 35is and is a "better" model than the 35i (the 35is is seen as being nearer an M model)

2. Existing 35i owners are perhaps a bit protective and sensitive, since for some when they bought it, it would have been the top of the range model, and the idea of something better coming along is perhaps a bit of a sore point.

I'm happy with my 23i and couldn't give 2 hoots about having the fastest, quickest, best-est model in the range.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Still I love my Sdrive Z4 35i (just wanted to let you know that Jeramy Clarckson loved it)

[Vintage]

I like all of the e89 models and if I had bought one just for me instead of for my wife, I would have bought the 30i with MT and almost no options but the Sport Package and Premium Sound

[SCBMW02]

Another goofy apples to oranges argument. Jeez, when you are spending that kind of money just get what you want. Why buy an M3 when you can get just as much street fun in a 335, especially a 335is. I have owned the last 3 generations of M3, as well as a Z3 M roadster. I bought the new Z4 35is because I love the looks, and like all the higher performance features that come with it. Is it head and shoulders above the 35i, probably not, but enough for me to pony up the extra cash.

I have only had it for a week so my impressions are limited at this point. No, I am not a car journalist from top gear etc, but I have a lot of experience in BMW's both on and off the track. I DONT CARE IF THE BOXSTER IS MORE BALANCED!! The boxster looks like crap next to the Z4, and in the real world the Z4 beats it in every way. And no, this does not have the razor sharp reflexes of the E92 M3. Even in Sport + the turn in is not as crisp, but this car is a blast to drive bottom line. Remember, 99-100% of the time we are not at Road Atlanta. Doubt you will be disappointed attacking your favorite on/off ramp. Even keeping below 4500 rpm, this car feels damn near as quick to 60 as the M3, perhaps because of the lightning quick DCT compared to my manuel shifting in the M3, and the extra 37 lb/ft of torque and less weight. Can't wait to try the overboost!

Cannot go wrong with either Z4, and it is all about how the car makes you feel, not about what some dude at Road and Track thinks about the steering.

[Vintage]

agreed 100% SCBMW02 - well said

[Wraith.]

[QUOTE=Z4 Beemer;7423985]

2. Existing 35i owners are perhaps a bit protective and sensitive, since for some when they bought it, it would have been the top of the range model, and the idea of something better coming along is perhaps a bit of a sore point.



Bingo. I'd be a little annoyed as well and would probably be looking for stats/statements to make myself feel better, not to name names that begin with G... However, I don't know that I'd need to seek validation by posting them. To me that speaks more to the sheer level of "soreness" that said poster is experiencing.

[BlueZ4AZ]

"2. Existing 35i owners are perhaps a bit protective and sensitive, since for some when they bought it, it would have been the top of the range model, and the idea of something better coming along is perhaps a bit of a sore point"
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________
I'm not one bit sore and I'd say that 95% of 35i owners are not either. Manufacturers will always be improving cars. It's a fact of life.

Actually, if the 35is was available in 2009, I would still have purchased the 35i. I would not have been able to justify the additional $5k or so for the 35is.

That is my opinion. That is not a knock against the 35is. If someone else justifies the extra $5k then that is the right decision for them.

[zEdP]

Originally Posted by godius

I heard someone who drove both cars, and said they only messed up the steering more in the is version.

A German magazine also preferred the 35i above 35is, stated by someone on zroadster.com. They liked the power of the 35is engine. http://www.zroadster.com/forum/bmw_z...al_federn.html

I'm not sure, but did BMW used a ticker sway bar on the 35is model?

EdP

[Wraith.]

For me the "5" was worth not having worry about the "what if's..."

Further it's not that all 35i owners are sore.. I agree that would be an arrogant statement... it's that 5% (by Blue's est.) that feel a need to post anything they can find to validate their purchase.

[Memphis1]

here's how I see it, and I"m not "playa hatin'"

my 35i with m suspension and DCT is already producing 332 hp and 333 lb/ft of torque (as per dinan). the only difference mechanically is the remapped steering, SO Clarkson's comments are meaningless to me because he's talking about MY suspension. my whole problem with the 35is is that BMW is screwing people over for just cosmetics when compared to my 35i. even if it was available at the time i bought mine, i wouldn't have bought it.

I think people commenting that 35i owners are sore, is not only ignorant but arrogant, because if i really wanted to I would just return my 35i and order a 35is regardless of the loss.

[mcbeee]

If the 35is had been available I probably would have bought it, but it wasn't. so I bought the best available at the time and have remapped it to 384hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque and I love it.
I would have liked to get a walnut interior too but I didn't. Too bad, so sad. My Z3 was just a 3.0i not an M, it was great, My M3 was a riot as well. Now I love my Z4 35i ...

[Wraith.]

Originally Posted by mcbeee

If the 35is had been available I probably would have bought it, but it wasn't. so I bought the best available at the time and have remapped it to 384hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque and I love it.
I would have liked to get a walnut interior too but I didn't. Too bad, so sad. My Z3 was just a 3.0i not an M, it was great, My M3 was a riot as well. Now I love my Z4 35i ...

384/425 is very impressive and I'm sure a much better use of the extra $$.

[Z4 Beemer]

In a nutshell, you have a problem with the 35is

Originally Posted by Memphis1

my whole problem with the 35is is that BMW is screwing people over for just cosmetics when compared to my 35i. even if it was available at the time i bought mine, i wouldn't have bought it.

I think people commenting that 35i owners are sore, is not only ignorant but arrogant, because if i really wanted to I would just return my 35i and order a 35is regardless of the loss.

[Z4 Beemer]

Yes, but you talk a lot of sense Mcbeee (I also particularly like your choice of colour )

Originally Posted by mcbeee

If the 35is had been available I probably would have bought it, but it wasn't. so I bought the best available at the time and have remapped it to 384hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque and I love it.
I would have liked to get a walnut interior too but I didn't. Too bad, so sad. My Z3 was just a 3.0i not an M, it was great, My M3 was a riot as well. Now I love my Z4 35i ...

[Behind the Wheel]

Originally Posted by zEdP

A German magazine also preferred the 35i above 35is, stated by someone on zroadster.com. They liked the power of the 35is engine. http://www.zroadster.com/forum/bmw_z...al_federn.html

I'm not sure, but did BMW used a ticker sway bar on the 35is model?

EdP

They do not speak about preferring the 35i over the 35is. They are just a little bit confused because the german magazin blamed the 35is for oversteering (not understeering as most other testers do). The quoted test of a german car magazine compares 35is, ttrs, slk350, boxsters and 370z. No word about preferring the 35i over the 35is.

the "is" has a few advantages over the 35i regarding bmw officials: better performance, better air intake, less exhaust gas backpressure, better mass flywheel in the dct, different dct programming, steering remapped.

in my opinion these are not only cosmetics, it is a small improvement

both versions are great, enjoy!!!!! (and both have the same sway bars)

BTW:

[Lewis@MWDesign]

For the extra money on the iS, you can easily tune the car with better parts than what has been placed on the iS to get better performance/handling (ECU upgrade, swaybars, coilovers = $4000 USD or so + install)

Although I have not driven my car with the Dinan Stage II yet but even before with standard lowering springs + swaybars, the car feels a lot better than stock already.

As I have said in another thread, wish there was a LSD out for the vehicle then its complete...

[BlueZ4AZ]

To clarify my comment that 95% of 35i owners are not sore >>>>

It was a general statement. I was NOT insinuating that Godius was part of the 5% and was sore and that is why he initiated this post. That would be assuming what his actual intent was.