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

[Wraith.]

Originally Posted by godius

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'

All we have to go by are his own words..

[T89]

Just be happy with whatever car you have. You'll enjoy it more.


T

[BlueZ4AZ]

Top Gear can claim they actually, "Test Drove" the car when they can take the time to strap equipment to the car and provide some cold, hard facts. ....and I don't need them to regurgitate the BMW 0-60 time of 5.1 for the 35i and 4.8 for the 35is that anyone can read from the BMW brochures!

Everyone knows these figures are way too conservative anyway, so all they are doing is spreading disinformation, which is of no value to me.

All they really did was take the car out for a spin and then gave us an opinion. Why should we really give a s$%t about their opinion, good or bad, about either the 35i or 35is???

If I really have some time to kill one day and visit my local BMW dealer and ask them to take a 35is for a spin, then after that drive, my own subjective opinion will be the only one I really care about.

[juhap]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

SO Clarkson's comments are meaningless to me because he's talking about MY suspension.

Minor correction: Clarkson didn't review the 35is, it was Piers Ward.

[Merefield]

Very odd score for 35i!

Clarkson LOVED this car (just see the Top Gear episode where he reviews it) yet their website gives it 12/20?? That's a rubbish score - did they consult Jeremy?!?

[juhap]

Originally Posted by Merefield

Very odd score for 35i!

Clarkson LOVED this car (just see the Top Gear episode where he reviews it) yet their website gives it 12/20?? That's a rubbish score - did they consult Jeremy?!?

I once sent them email saying it's ok to like German cars. It seems that 15/20 is the maximum score any German car can get whereas for English cars that's the minimum.

[BlueZ4AZ]

I gotta be honest. I really don't care what "score" a couple of English chaps give the 35i after taking it for a spin.

[mcbeee]

Hey, I'm an English dude and I score it a lot higher than they did. I scored it $72000 and put it in my garage. That's what counts, not what some snothead that gets to drive Astons, Bugatti's and every other make of exoticar thinks.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by juhap

Minor correction: Clarkson didn't review the 35is, it was Piers Ward.

correct Clarckson loved the 35i if you saw the video

how they can judge a car by taking it around the track a few times I will never know LOL

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by mcbeee

Hey, I'm an English dude and I score it a lot higher than they did. I scored it $72000 and put it in my garage. That's what counts, not what some snothead that gets to drive Astons, Bugatti's and every other make of exoticar thinks.

right on .... I did the same ~s~ and I so agree ..... claps hands

[Alext]

I am having a hard time trying to decide between the 35i and the 35is.

The premium for the 35is in my country is $13,000 exactly.

Now the 35is comes with the addition of:

1. Extra power (not massive as its about as much as a $200 JB+/SSTT)
2. Thicker front roll bar
3. Reprogammed steering for better feel
4. M Suspension ($2000 here)
5. DCT ($3500)
6. Reprogrammed DCT for sharper, more aggressive shifts
7. M Package: Front / rear bumper + M steering wheel, sill plates & alloys I actually like etc etc ($5000... less the M suspension which comes with the M Package here so = $3000)
8. Anthracite roof liner ($500)
9. Nicer sounding exhaust (which I would really like) (say $2500 if I import an aftermarket one from USA inc labour to fit)

So all up that almost $10000!

And that isnt including the reprogramming of the steering and the thicker front roll bar and other alleged suspension enhancements. So the price for me in reality is fairly close but still around $3000 more expensive than getting a 35i and up-speccing it.

Trouble is if I get a 35i and add the M-package I dont get to choose brushed aluminium and I really dont like the carbon aluminium that comes with the M-package.

Decisions, decisions...

I would like to clarify what the DCT, steering and suspension improvements actually are.

And how the car develops an extra 100nm torque and NOT extra power (HP) when the extra boost comes on tap for the 10 seconds when the pedal is floored????

And btw, I dont see why the 35is can be so significantly WORSE than the 35i! I would make a conclusion when I see some hard back to back track figures and dynos!!

[mcbeee]

the only thing you can do is drive them and see how they feel. I put dinan Stage II in mine and don't have the M suspension and I'm quite happy with it. The exhaust note is quite impressive with the remap....also the power...

[alan64]

Originally Posted by 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.

absolutely correct, in my mind.

[Roadstergal]

[QUOTE=Wraith.;7425065]

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

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.

I am not sore either, nor do I believe 35i drivers are. If the 35is was available when I ordered my car, I know that I would still have ordered the 35i. I cannot justify the increase in cost. It just is not worth it and more importantly, the rear bumper is a turn off and deal breaker.

[dwagner00]

Does someone have a good side/side pic of this rear bumper issue?

[Memphis1]

if someone takes a picture of the front and back of their IS, I can merge with a similar picture of my 35i, and better yet if someone provides a pic of their M package on either the 30 or 35, I'll also merge into one picture.

make sure the pics are taking at eye level with the bumper. meaning camera is level with top of bumpers.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by Alext

I am having a hard time trying to decide between the 35i and the 35is.

1. Extra power (not massive as its about as much as a $200 JB+/SSTT)

And how the car develops an extra 100nm torque and NOT extra power (HP) when the extra boost comes on tap for the 10 seconds when the pedal is floored????

Here's a random review quote I pulled off the web regarding the 35is engine performance.

The turbocharger system developed for the power unit of the new BMW Z4 sDrive35is maintains a high boost pressure throughout the entire load range. Peak torque now increased to 450 Newton-metres or 332 lb-ft comes from a low 1,400 rpm and is maintained consistently all the way to 4,500 rpm. Maximum output of 250 kW/340 hp, in turn, is delivered at 5,800 rpm.

They failed to mention that temporary overboost delivers an extra 37 lb-ft of tq somewhere within the 1400-5400 rpm range, for a total of 369 lb-ft. The critical point is that peak horse power occurs at 5,800 RPM, well above the peak tq range.

So, it does make more horsepower but overboost is not a factor.

Not to take away anything from the 35is, because it has a number of great enhancements, but as far as engine performance is concerned I look at it the same way as getting a tune from Dinan or the like. Dinan's Stage II tune produces a lot more hp and tq than BMW's tune for less money: 78 More Horsepower + 116 More lb-ft of Torque. And, it's not limited to 30 seconds.

[Alext]

Ah I understand now what they mean. Thanks TeagueAMX.

BTW I read someone say that upon seeing a 35is in real life the rear bumper looked a lot better.

[teagueAMX]

I agree

[mrboon]

im sure clarkson will review it in the upcoming season of top gear, due this month, or early next.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by godius

im sure clarkson will review it in the upcoming season of top gear, due this month, or early next.

Having all seasons of Top Gear I can tell you what Clarckson's verdict will be. He will like the sound and the power of the "35is" then he will tell us that he prefers the "35i"

[Z4 Beemer]

Interesting to hear that Jeremy Clarkson is held with such high regard. Top Gear is more of an entertainment show, so you're not likely to get a completely impartial, accurate and objective view of any car!

Still, as long as he tells us what we want to hear, we'll all be happy.