Z4 Christmas !

[rori zahr]

I'm a 1 series coupé owner, a very happy and satisfied one indeed but dealer is playing the devil role tempting me with 2 non-reject-able offers:

A 2011 Sapphire Black DCT 135i with M-Package and / or a 23i Z4, both comes out almost the same price which is "hold your breath" 75000 USD.
I know I know, you US citizen are blessed but back to the subject now
I'm living a dilemma here, I love to drive the new N55 coupled with a DCT but buying a 1 series now has 2 drawbacks, 1- a new LCI has been announced a couple of day ago and 2- a New 1 series is surely coming in a couple of years.
Z is a car I love but it's 23i so no N55 and no DCT.
help me please

[Constant.S]

Originally Posted by rori zahr

I'm a 1 series coupé owner, a very happy and satisfied one indeed but dealer is playing the devil role tempting me with 2 non-reject-able offers:

A 2011 Sapphire Black DCT 135i with M-Package and / or a 23i Z4, both comes out almost the same price which is "hold your breath" 75000 USD.
I know I know, you US citizen are blessed but back to the subject now
I'm living a dilemma here, I love to drive the new N55 coupled with a DCT but buying a 1 series now has 2 drawbacks, 1- a new LCI has been announced a couple of day ago and 2- a New 1 series is surely coming in a couple of years.
Z is a car I love but it's 23i so no N55 and no DCT.
help me please

If power is what you're looking for and the benefit of getting more passengers go for the 135i. If you want a Roadster/hardtop convertible too look good and enjoy just for you and your girlfriend (or a friend) get the Z. Its basically as simple as that. If it was between 135i and Z435i i'd go for the Z, but in this case i'd be leaning towards the 135.
Just my opinion.

[rori zahr]

mmmmmmmm, just came back from the showroom, both cars are amazing, Z is a Space Gray with Red interior, no nav but iPhone compatible.
i'm totally lost... will be a long weekend thinking of which one to pick :-)

[Snopy]

I have had 1-series and just change it for new 2.3i - the main reason was that new 1-series is coming out this year so if I would be on your place i would choose Z4!

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by rori zahr

Z is a car I love but it's 23i so no N55 and no DCT.

Not sure why you feel so strongly about the n55. I see no benifit to it over the n54 and IMO the n54 is a better engine.

I think the real issue is whether or not you can live with a MT. Keep in mind I didn't say can you drive one, because I assume you can. But it takes an individual who is deadicated to using a MT and these days very few people are willing. It's almost in the lifestyle decision category. I can go either way because I love nu tek but I also love using a MT, and, I don't mind driving it in traffic, on hills, etc., so it's not an issue for me. But it sounds like you have a concern or a definate preference in that area so you would be better off getting a car with DCT.

[rori zahr]

thanks for your input guys, this is what this forum is best at, Giving BM drivers or future Drivers the opportunity to share with other members their experiences and that makes some decision much easier to be taken.
the dilemma is not between Manual vs Automatic or N54 vs N55.
The Z4 I can afford right now is the 23i which has a small engine than even my actual car which is a 125i "2900+ cc", but I'm sure a roadster like Z is much more fun to drive than my 1.
on the other hand, DCT 135i with 300+ HP should be so fun to drive too...

[teagueAMX]

23i would be a lot of fun, but as Constant.S mentioned, it won't measure up to +300 hp and torque of the n55.

I think your decision is a lot easier than you think.

[Alext]

I came from a 135i to a DCT 35is - if I had the choice between going from a 135i to a Z4 23i I would have stuck with a 135i. The power difference is significant on the road.

The N54 has a forged crank just for info.

[rmorin49]

OP, do you have roads in Lebanon that will allow you to use all the power available in the 135i? If not, get the Z. Even in the US, I rarely found an opportunity to use the power in my previous BMW, a 335i.

[rori zahr]

Lebanon has one main coast highway and then everything is about mountains, twisty roads that will take you from see level to 2000 meters ASL in less than an hour! so you can imagine the fun you can have driving the ultimate driving machine:-)
road quality is not so good however, so an 18" wheel is the maximum one should get on cars the size of the z or 1.
weather is beautiful also, more than 300 days of sun / year... so it's not about speed it's about joy. as AMX said, decision is a lot easier than I think.

[juhap]

Originally Posted by rori zahr

weather is beautiful also, more than 300 days of sun / year

Unless the 135i is a convertible too, I think this is a no brainer

You did test drive both of them, right?

[rori zahr]

test drive is gonna take place next monday... can't wait.
well, who knows, I may become member of your Z forum sooner than I had thought :-)

[Land_Shark]

Originally Posted by rori zahr

test drive is gonna take place next monday... can't wait.
well, who knows, I may become member of your Z forum sooner than I had thought :-)

Why not the option of a 135i conv.?? I don't believe the different in price (between the the coupe and the convertible in the 135i is that big??.)

[rori zahr]

haven't asked for 1 convertible, but if 135 costs 75000 USDs then a 135 convertible will costs at least 80 K or 85 K. when paying that much for a car, Z becomes a better choice.
anyway it well see this monday what's the deal is gonna be on the 135, dealer says he may get me a huge discount now that the LCI was announced, if it's true then maybe I'll take it if now I'll become a happy Z owner :-)

[Land_Shark]

Good luck and keep us posted...

[rmorin49]

OP; I would expect the gas mileage to be much better in the Z4s23i compared to the 135i. BTW, what is the price of gas in Lebanon?

[GeneticX]

Coming from a 123D coupé to a Z4 e89 2.3sdrive...
I would say go for the new 135i coupe!
The E82 is way better build than the E89... and the 2.3 in a E89 is a little bit too less...

The 135I DCT will be a far more better car IMO.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by GeneticX

Coming from a 123D coupé to a Z4 e89 2.3sdrive...
I would say go for the new 135i coupe!
The E82 is way better build than the E89... and the 2.3 in a E89 is a little bit too less...

The 135I DCT will be a far more better car IMO.

Hahahaha the e89 is way sexier

[GeneticX]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Hahahaha the e89 is way sexier

True!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

OP; I would expect the gas mileage to be much better in the Z4s23i compared to the 135i. BTW, what is the price of gas in Lebanon?

According to CNN Money ... it is Lebanon, Beirut $2.63/Gal

[rori zahr]

my 125 tank takes 70 USD / fill
"from first yellow light alert to full"
it's expensive and my cars is averaging 400 KM / fill up, pretty decent specially that my daily trips take place in hight traffic roads.

[Torn]

z4. I have the 30i in space gray w/ coral red interior! Love every moment of it