So, how does it drive? (Z4 35i)

Danforz · 02-24-2012, 11:19 AM

To my delight, I've recently come to learn that, due to BMW lease deals, the Z4 is in my reach (was otherwise considering F30 335, 390 335is).

I'm certainly impressed with the z4 35i's performance figures, my only concern is this: the lease deals I find come with premium package but not sports package. To what extent does the adaptive M suspension (that comes with the sports package) make a difference in terms of steering feel, precision, and handling?

ZheHbKa · 02-24-2012, 12:00 PM

depends on ur driving style and road conditions, NYC just like LA has the worst possible roads so it will only make the car stiffer and u'll only enjoy the good side of it on short backroads

Danforz · 02-24-2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZheHbKa

depends on ur driving style and road conditions, NYC just like LA has the worst possible roads so it will only make the car stiffer and u'll only enjoy the good side of it on short backroads

My question is specifically related to back roads driving. Or here, in LA, we have canyons.

How does the z4 handle on such "dynamic canyon runs" and is the adaptive M suspension really make a difference?

ZheHbKa · 02-24-2012, 01:07 PM

it does make a difference, the car is stiffer and more composed

Mayhem · 02-24-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danforz

My question is specifically related to back roads driving. Or here, in LA, we have canyons.

How does the z4 handle on such "dynamic canyon runs" and is the adaptive M suspension really make a difference?

Even though I often read reviews saying that the Z4 has less of a road feel than say the Boxster, I find that it handles just fine in the canyons, and I have a lot of drive time in the canyons surrounding LA on my bikes and in my Vette. Maybe it's because I've never driven a Boxster, so I don't know the difference, but I can take my Z4 for a spirited ride on Mulholland as fast, if not faster than on my bike. Mine is an is and has the adaptive suspension. To be honest, it may feel a bit more agressive, but not wildly so.

Danforz · 02-24-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayhem

Even though I often read reviews saying that the Z4 has less of a road feel than say the Boxster, I find that it handles just fine in the canyons, and I have a lot of drive time in the canyons surrounding LA on my bikes and in my Vette. Maybe it's because I've never driven a Boxster, so I don't know the difference, but I can take my Z4 for a spirited ride on Mulholland as fast, if not faster than on my bike. Mine is an is and has the adaptive suspension. To be honest, it may feel a bit more agressive, but not wildly so.

Love Mulholland

That said, it looks like its up to me to convince the guys at BMW to give me a Z4 for the advertised lease price and simply replace that premium package with the sports package (or ideally the M package).

az34 · 02-24-2012, 01:47 PM

you are gone miss the exellent sport seats.

z4z4z4 · 02-24-2012, 05:02 PM

I believe we have also determined to get the oil cooler requires the sport package on the 35i.

robertrichhart · 02-24-2012, 05:10 PM

I would suggest you get both Sport and Premium packages if possible... The adaptive suspension does make a difference!

Jayda · 02-24-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertrichhart

I would suggest you get both Sport and Premium packages if possible... The adaptive suspension does make a difference!

I have adaptive m suspension but have never driven a Z4 without it so I can't comment. I do love the car, very fun to drive. I'd go for sport and premium, each package adds a lot. Love the sport seats but also love the convienance of auto dimming mirrors in such a low car and the home link. The adaptive m lowers the suspension minimally, like by 1/4 inch. Which was bad for me today because I was caught in a horrendous rain storm and went through tons of standing water!

Danforz · 02-24-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayda

I have adaptive m suspension but have never driven a Z4 without it so I can't comment. I do love the car, very fun to drive. I'd go for sport and premium, each package adds a lot. Love the sport seats but also love the convienance of auto dimming mirrors in such a low car and the home link. The adaptive m lowers the suspension minimally, like by 1/4 inch. Which was bad for me today because I was caught in a horrendous rain storm and went through tons of standing water!

Nice and sunny here in CA

Danforz · 02-24-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertrichhart

I would suggest you get both Sport and Premium packages if possible... The adaptive suspension does make a difference!

I just looked at the premium package... it doesn't seem to add anything worth while. They're asking $1,100 for door handle lights, auto-dimming mirror, lumbar support... !? I think BMW has gone slightly insane with its pricing.

silverstone_ttlz4 · 02-24-2012, 06:33 PM

Don't forget that you get better looking seats with the sport package!

rfx45 · 02-24-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danforz

I just looked at the premium package... it doesn't seem to add anything worth while. They're asking $1,100 for door handle lights, auto-dimming mirror, lumbar support... !? I think BMW has gone slightly insane with its pricing.

There's more to that but I really wanted it mainly for the garage door remote opener.

Auto-dimming mirrors aren't so bad either.

robertrichhart · 02-24-2012, 08:08 PM

On the printout of options on my 35i, the Premium Package added:

319 Universal Garage Door Opener
430 Auto-dimming mirrors
431 Auto-dimming rearview mirror
459 Power front seats
488 Lumbar support
563 Ambient light package
639 BMW Assist

cdeslandes · 02-24-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z4z4z4

I believe we have also determined to get the oil cooler requires the sport package on the 35i.

Untrue, except for early (2009) models.

My 35i sans sport package has an oil cooler.

tranquility · 02-25-2012, 05:08 PM

I'll throw in my 2 cents here: I don't have the Adaptive M Suspension ("AMS") - I think that it's a great feature but that you may want to stay in 'sport' mode all the time because BMW didn't separate the suspension dampers(feel?) w/ the acceleration/steering response when you choose amongst the normal/sport/sport + settings. Some ppl found that the suspension in 'normal' mode with the AMS too soft, so they always leave it in at least 'sport'. (Here's a chart below to better illustrate)

I personally tried w/ and w/o the AMS and didn't feel too much of a diff and the non-AMS suspension setup seemed right for me.

Of course, the key for you is to try one w/ and w/o the AMS to decide for yourself.

Btw, the 35i drives great. It's a very responsive machine.

jparnes1 · 02-25-2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Quote:

Originally Posted by z4z4z4

I believe we have also determined to get the oil cooler requires the sport package on the 35i.

Untrue, except for early (2009) models.

My 35i sans sport package has an oil cooler.

That's interesting. My former 2011 w/o sport pkg didn't have an oil cooler. I was also under the impression that it only came with sport or m sport. I'm awaiting a 2012
with m sport and it def has an oil cooler.

cdeslandes · 02-26-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

That's interesting. My former 2011 w/o sport pkg didn't have an oil cooler. I was also under the impression that it only came with sport or m sport. I'm awaiting a 2012
with m sport and it def has an oil cooler.

The oil cooler is below the right headlight, behind the small vent. Hard to see if one isn't looking for it.

baldguyj · 02-26-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

That's interesting. My former 2011 w/o sport pkg didn't have an oil cooler. I was also under the impression that it only came with sport or m sport. I'm awaiting a 2012
with m sport and it def has an oil cooler.

The oil cooler is below the right headlight, behind the small vent. Hard to see if one isn't looking for it.

My 2010 with sport option does have it. Saves some on the Dinan tune.

Danforz · 02-26-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

I'll throw in my 2 cents here: I don't have the Adaptive M Suspension ("AMS") - I think that it's a great feature but that you may want to stay in 'sport' mode all the time because BMW didn't separate the suspension dampers(feel?) w/ the acceleration/steering response when you choose amongst the normal/sport/sport + settings. Some ppl found that the suspension in 'normal' mode with the AMS too soft, so they always leave it in at least 'sport'. (Here's a chart below to better illustrate)

I personally tried w/ and w/o the AMS and didn't feel too much of a diff and the non-AMS suspension setup seemed right for me.

Of course, the key for you is to try one w/ and w/o the AMS to decide for yourself.

Btw, the 35i drives great. It's a very responsive machine.

That settles it. Thank you!

Danforz · 02-26-2012, 01:20 PM

According to BMW's website, its only a 4mm lowering, not 10mm.

02-24-2012, 11:19 AM	#1
Danforz BMW Enthusiast 20 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 328i '07 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	So, how does it drive? (Z4 35i) To my delight, I've recently come to learn that, due to BMW lease deals, the Z4 is in my reach (was otherwise considering F30 335, 390 335is). I'm certainly impressed with the z4 35i's performance figures, my only concern is this: the lease deals I find come with premium package but not sports package. To what extent does the adaptive M suspension (that comes with the sports package) make a difference in terms of steering feel, precision, and handling?
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02-24-2012, 12:00 PM	#2
ZheHbKa Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,793 Posts Drives: the Wind Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335 Xi [10.00]	depends on ur driving style and road conditions, NYC just like LA has the worst possible roads so it will only make the car stiffer and u'll only enjoy the good side of it on short backroads __________________ 2014 F30 335 X-Drive \| 6-MT \| Alpine White/Coral Red \| ZMM ZDH ZDA \|
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02-24-2012, 01:07 PM	#4
ZheHbKa Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,793 Posts Drives: the Wind Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335 Xi [10.00]	it does make a difference, the car is stiffer and more composed __________________ 2014 F30 335 X-Drive \| 6-MT \| Alpine White/Coral Red \| ZMM ZDH ZDA \|
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02-24-2012, 01:47 PM	#7
az34 Major 54 Rep 1,014 Posts Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i Join Date: May 2011 Location: montréal iTrader: (0)	you are gone miss the exellent sport seats.
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02-24-2012, 05:02 PM	#8
z4z4z4 Lieutenant 45 Rep 547 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: mild mediterranean breezes iTrader: (1)	I believe we have also determined to get the oil cooler requires the sport package on the 35i. __________________ Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3 PM for various e89 parts 4sale.
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02-24-2012, 05:10 PM	#9
robertrichhart Private 3 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 S35i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	I would suggest you get both Sport and Premium packages if possible... The adaptive suspension does make a difference!
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02-24-2012, 06:33 PM	#13
silverstone_ttlz4 Private First Class 6 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 09 Z4 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Don't forget that you get better looking seats with the sport package!
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02-24-2012, 08:08 PM	#15
robertrichhart Private 3 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 S35i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	On the printout of options on my 35i, the Premium Package added: 319 Universal Garage Door Opener 430 Auto-dimming mirrors 431 Auto-dimming rearview mirror 459 Power front seats 488 Lumbar support 563 Ambient light package 639 BMW Assist
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02-25-2012, 05:08 PM	#17
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I'll throw in my 2 cents here: I don't have the Adaptive M Suspension ("AMS") - I think that it's a great feature but that you may want to stay in 'sport' mode all the time because BMW didn't separate the suspension dampers(feel?) w/ the acceleration/steering response when you choose amongst the normal/sport/sport + settings. Some ppl found that the suspension in 'normal' mode with the AMS too soft, so they always leave it in at least 'sport'. (Here's a chart below to better illustrate) I personally tried w/ and w/o the AMS and didn't feel too much of a diff and the non-AMS suspension setup seemed right for me. Of course, the key for you is to try one w/ and w/o the AMS to decide for yourself. Btw, the 35i drives great. It's a very responsive machine. Attached Images
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02-26-2012, 01:20 PM	#22
Danforz BMW Enthusiast 20 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 328i '07 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	According to BMW's website, its only a 4mm lowering, not 10mm.
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