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      04-27-2010, 09:08 AM   #1
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BimmerFile Reviews the BMW Z4 sDrive35is

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Our friends over at BimmerFile have put their sDrive35is review online, although its lacking in photos (as they were given a pre-production car to try out), it is a nice writeup on the car.

Heres a quick excerpt:

Quote:
The Z4 35i I reviewed last year was about as perfect as a BMW has ever been. However, (and it’s a big however) there were a couple issues that were hard to ignore.
...
Enter the Z4 35is. In what has to be the most aggressive application of the "is" modifications to date, BMW has re-energized the Z4 as a car for enthusiasts. They started with re-mapping the steering and not only drastically improving the feel but also the weight. Driving the Z4 35is I couldn’t help but feel that this was as close to an ///M in feel as any BMW had been since the E46 ZHP.
Read the full review @ BimmerFile : http://www.bimmerfile.com/2010/04/26...w-bmw-z4-35is/
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      04-27-2010, 09:13 AM   #2
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nice
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      04-27-2010, 10:34 AM   #3
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I love my wife's 35i, but I would kill for the steering remap. Is it easy to update this at the dealer???
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      04-27-2010, 10:41 AM   #4
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i really hope i can get my hands on a 35is to test, i don't think it's that much different from a sport 35i. again, i'm not knocking it, but from the specs listed on various BMW data panels it sounds like the same thing as a sport 35i.
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      04-27-2010, 11:49 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VintageBMW View Post
I love my wife's 35i, but I would kill for the steering remap. Is it easy to update this at the dealer???
That would be worth asking. Or perhaps there will be an aftermarket chip for it in the future...
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      04-27-2010, 12:32 PM   #6
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as much as i love this car, the price kills it.
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      04-27-2010, 12:50 PM   #7
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Are people chipping their Z's now? ProCede/JB and such? I bet that would be a fun ride.
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      04-27-2010, 01:09 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbo Squid View Post
Are people chipping their Z's now? ProCede/JB and such? I bet that would be a fun ride.
my wife's Z4 has received some nice mods: ESS Stage 2, Eisenmann 2x90 Race Exhaust, Stett FMIC, and Stett Dual Diverter Charge Pipe. really amazing performance enhancements. without a doubt I would do the ESS Stage 1 first as it will enhance throttle response and performance for little $$$ - I just got a little carried away when my wife started it all by saying "I wish the exhaust were louder"
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      04-27-2010, 02:48 PM   #9
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My father's 2009 Z4 3.5 sDrive runs nicely with JB3 map 7, DCI and BMS CDV.... Very nicely....
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      04-27-2010, 03:25 PM   #10
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Z4 35is is everybody's favorite.
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      04-27-2010, 04:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oulixes View Post
Z4 35is is everybody's favorite.
I must have been snoozing, because I don't recall casting my vote.
When did the ballots go out?
Was this a price-dependent or price-independent vote?
I haven't decided yet if the 35is is my favorite over my own 35i.
Is it too late to send a write-in vote?
Define "everybody".

Last edited by BlueZ4AZ; 04-27-2010 at 04:43 PM..
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      04-27-2010, 08:17 PM   #12
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Ahhhhhhhhh. . . I was so going for a 35i w/ MT + M Sport pac + Dinan Stage II, but now. . . ?

I know the 35i vs. 35is specification steering and suspension components are identical, but obviously BMW has tinkered with the software to enhance them, but are they that much better?

I'm absolutely crazy for the M3 cab but it's no wonder the 35is pulled away from her because of the 35is 369 ft-lbs tq vs M3 295 ft-lbs tq. Plus, the 35is 3,549 lbs vs M3 huffing away with 4,145 lbs. That's not really a fair fight for straight line performance. The M3 would kill the 35is in the curves. But, as we all know, tq is where it's at for street performance at anything less than 125 mph. Wild hp figures aside, give me more tq any day!

Last edited by teagueAMX; 04-27-2010 at 09:54 PM..
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      04-27-2010, 09:18 PM   #13
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I am put off by the iS's interior. I really dont like those silver inserts. The price is a little high too. Aside from that I reckon I would be in the market for one. The other option is to get a 35i and JB3 it. Replace the stock runflats with some grippy r-compounds, upgrade the suspension components as necessary and it will hang with a M3 cab around a track I am fairly certain and definitely take an iS!

It all depends how much performance you want, what you want to spend and how you value your warranty.
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      04-27-2010, 10:54 PM   #14
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Nah, wait for the new M coupe or M roadster if you want a sportier z4. I know BMW has said no such car but look at the history. How many times have they said no then yes.
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      04-28-2010, 12:51 AM   #15
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I know what you are saying Robert. I am thinking if Benz can make a new SLK AMG with a customary stonking engine then surely BMW has to come to the party with a Z4 M?
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      04-28-2010, 02:18 AM   #16
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Haven't checked the US prices, but in Europe the 'is' is about 2000€ more than the equivalent 'i' which to me seems like a good deal for the extra power and improved steering.

Not to mention those silver rear view mirrors.
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      04-28-2010, 02:20 AM   #17
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I wish, I would be single or no children lol
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      04-28-2010, 03:10 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alext View Post
I am put off by the iS's interior. I really dont like those silver inserts. The price is a little high too. Aside from that I reckon I would be in the market for one. The other option is to get a 35i and JB3 it. Replace the stock runflats with some grippy r-compounds, upgrade the suspension components as necessary and it will hang with a M3 cab around a track I am fairly certain and definitely take an iS!

It all depends how much performance you want, what you want to spend and how you value your warranty.
Listen to this guy!
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      04-28-2010, 04:25 AM   #19
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iS all the way
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      04-28-2010, 09:18 AM   #20
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If I were ordering my car now, I would still go with the 35i and opt for my own performance mods. I do not like the metal interior on the iS and you all know where I stand on that ugly rear bumper.

As Teague stated the steering and suspension components are identical, so what are you paying extra for?
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      04-28-2010, 09:27 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadstergal View Post
If I were ordering my car now, I would still go with the 35i and opt for my own performance mods. I do not like the metal interior on the iS and you all know where I stand on that ugly rear bumper.
Do you mean the trim pieces? You can order the 35iS with wood trim (I have the same view on the metal or faux-carbon fiber trim looks).
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      04-28-2010, 09:29 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadstergal View Post
As Teague stated the steering and suspension components are identical, so what are you paying extra for?
Steering, cooling, power, is uprated
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