Questions about Sdrive30i Manual/Auto

Wilsonv · 02-15-2012, 02:07 PM

Hello guys.
i've been reading many reviews, and got a bit familiar with this forum and noted that a few members here have a sdrive30i in manual or auto.

I am just curious is it true that sdrive30i manual 0-62mph (0-100km) is approx 5.7 sec? for you z4 drivers with the manual on the 3L engine, is it actually achievable? Or did you have to completely kill your clutch and shift like god to do it.

ChuckB · 02-15-2012, 02:57 PM

I have an auto and feel the figures ,you mentioned are pretty close to accurate in the Sport mode, once warmed up the shifts are extremely quick

Wilsonv · 02-17-2012, 01:37 AM

Thank you for your reply, Anyone here with a manual to clarify as well

Wilsonv · 02-19-2012, 01:37 AM

Anyone else?

richard in NC · 02-19-2012, 07:46 AM

Sorry, I can't help. I did test drive a 3.0 3 years ago but bought the 35i.
The 3.0 with a 6mt seemed quite peppy and very fun to drive. I just got hooked on the big torque of the turbo and the DCT but I would have been quite happy with the 30i.

rmorin49 · 02-19-2012, 10:13 AM

I have a s30i with a 6MT. I drove all combinations of manual and auto in both models when I was shopping for a Z4 in 2010. For me, the s30i with a 6MT was a perfect choice. Car seems better balanced and the engine pulls nicely in all gears. I have no idea what the 0-60 time is but the car has all the pep you need. I came out of a 335i automatic and the Z4 with a 6MT is so much more fun to drive. For me, a roadster without a manual transmission is not a real roadster.

Wilsonv · 02-19-2012, 12:07 PM

Thank you for all your responses, i appreciate it!

Jordanpryce · 02-20-2012, 02:47 PM

I prefer the MT 3.0 over the turbo. Put your foot in it and it will snap your neck back on gear changes. Feels like way more torque then the turbo to me.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 991 911 C-2 MT.... Who needs a turbo anyway?

bmwmick · 02-20-2012, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordanpryce

I prefer the MT 3.0 over the turbo. P Feels like way more torque than the turbo to me.

IF that is true, then, you were driving a broken 35i. There is almost a 100 LbFt difference in torque and 50 HP between the 30i and the 35i engines.

Jordanpryce · 02-21-2012, 12:06 PM

Eh, the turbo didn't have the low end grunt... and I'll never have a high pressure fuel rail issue.

Baremeg55 · 02-21-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwmick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordanpryce

I prefer the MT 3.0 over the turbo. P Feels like way more torque [COLOR="Blue"]than[/COLOR] the turbo to me.

IF that is true, then, you were driving a broken 35i. There is almost a 100 LbFt difference in torque and 50 HP between the 30i and the 35i engines.

Quite true. Having driven both, I opted for the 35i when deciding to purchase.

bmwmick · 02-21-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordanpryce

Eh, the turbo didn't have the low end grunt... and I'll never have a high pressure fuel rail issue.

The high pressure fuel rail never had a problem. The High Pressure Fuel Pump 'used' to have a problem but it's been fixed.

Direct injection is the future, get used to it.

Innovative AutoConcepts · 05-23-2013, 11:18 AM

IMO, the inline 6 feels like it has more torque.

I added a Throttle controller and I enjoy it very much. =]

nicknaz · 05-23-2013, 11:57 AM

Even on my 35i you need to rev the motor at launch to get decent acceleration.

If you rev from idle to redline in 1st gear none of the E89 motors are very impressive, in my opinion

jparnes1 · 05-23-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Even on my 35i you need to rev the motor at launch to get decent acceleration.

If you rev from idle to redline in 1st gear none of the E89 motors are very impressive, in my opinion

Are you saying 1st gear needs to be bigger?

nicknaz · 05-23-2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Are you saying 1st gear needs to be bigger?

I originally was trying to say 2 things:

(1) 12lb/hp (3500lb/300hp) is not very impressive / fast in the first place so buyers looking for drag racing excellence might be disappointed. E89 needs added lightness and power.

(2) I believe a high rpm clutch slip is needed to achieve respectable acceleration (i.e. Yes, the OP does have to be hard on the clutch to achieve 5.7s 0-62mph in 30i)

Yeggman · 05-23-2013, 08:53 PM

My 2009 3.0i 6M/T is a very well balanced sports car. Like many Z's it comes with a clutch delay valve (cdv) with the manual transmission. Removal of the CDV is not a big deal, and it improves the launch of the vehicle from a standing stop. The CDV is BMW's way of avoiding warranty claims related to the clutch/transmission. Bottom line, the 3.0i M/T is not a 0-60 beast. It is a finesse vehicle that is the modern incarnation of the Jag E type. If you are looking for 0-60 times as a substantial focus of your driving enjoyment, you really should consider another vehicle. Having had one, I would recommend a C6 Corvette. At 400 hp, your 0-60 time is very low for a modestly priced vehicle.

nicknaz · 05-24-2013, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeggman

. If you are looking for 0-60 times as a substantial focus of your driving enjoyment, you really should consider another vehicle. Having had one, I would recommend a C6 Corvette. At 400 hp, your 0-60 time is very low for a modestly priced vehicle.

Agreed.

I have been thinking about a Vette to replace my Z4 35 in the future to get more overall performance

48redlands · 05-25-2013, 08:18 AM

well i have had mine for over 2 yrs, and the auto has been excellent, having not driven a 35i, have nothing to relate to, but its plenty fast enough, i have timed 0-60 in upper 5s, few have been mid. plus the engine is smooth all the way to the red line, great engine no regrets.

Mayhem · 05-26-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Agreed.

I have been thinking about a Vette to replace my Z4 35 in the future to get more overall performance

Prior to the Z4, I had two Corvettes, a coupe and a convertible. I don't miss either. I won't be getting rid of my Z4 to get the C7.

bmwmick · 05-26-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I originally was trying to say 2 things:

(1) 12lb/hp (3500lb/300hp) is not very impressive / fast in the first place so buyers looking for drag racing excellence might be disappointed. E89 needs added lightness and power.

(2) I believe a high rpm clutch slip is needed to achieve respectable acceleration (i.e. Yes, the OP does have to be hard on the clutch to achieve 5.7s 0-62mph in 30i)

It's not the HP Nick, it's the torque, 300+FtLbs at 1,300RPM makes our Z4 6-speed a little rocket. It's nothing like my 160+HP 109FtLb Kawasaki but it WILL plant you in the seat so hard you'll have trouble moving forward till about 130MPH. There a a few good performance tuning options out there and one of them REALLY works well with the twin turbo engine. Adding 80WHP and 80FtLbs really wakes the N54 up.

Anyone who says the NA M54 makes more power than this engine is wrong. They are two totally different engines, even though they are both inline 6's .
Our Z3 has the NA engine and while it's smooth, it's no where near the engine this N54 is. Period.

Mick

nicknaz · 05-27-2013, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayhem

Prior to the Z4, I had two Corvettes, a coupe and a convertible. I don't miss either. I won't be getting rid of my Z4 to get the C7.

Any chance I can get the download on the things that made you switch since I'm looking to go the opposive way? Do you track your car by any chance?

@Mick I think that's the rub for me. Even with a chip the Z4 just won't have as much muscle as a modern high performance V8, and nothing will solve the +500lb excess pork baked into the E89.

I just got a 335 for my wife (which I've monopolized for the last 4 days

) and it is admittedly a bit tough to take in that the "family hauler" has the same performance as the "sports car"

02-15-2012, 02:07 PM	#1
Wilsonv Private First Class 40 Rep 128 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Questions about Sdrive30i Manual/Auto Hello guys. i've been reading many reviews, and got a bit familiar with this forum and noted that a few members here have a sdrive30i in manual or auto. I am just curious is it true that sdrive30i manual 0-62mph (0-100km) is approx 5.7 sec? for you z4 drivers with the manual on the 3L engine, is it actually achievable? Or did you have to completely kill your clutch and shift like god to do it.
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02-15-2012, 02:57 PM	#2
ChuckB Lieutenant 18 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 2020 X2 2.0i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hockenheim, Germany (APO) iTrader: (0)	I have an auto and feel the figures ,you mentioned are pretty close to accurate in the Sport mode, once warmed up the shifts are extremely quick
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02-17-2012, 01:37 AM	#3
Wilsonv Private First Class 40 Rep 128 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Thank you for your reply, Anyone here with a manual to clarify as well
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02-19-2012, 01:37 AM	#4
Wilsonv Private First Class 40 Rep 128 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Anyone else?
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02-19-2012, 07:46 AM	#5
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Sorry, I can't help. I did test drive a 3.0 3 years ago but bought the 35i. The 3.0 with a 6mt seemed quite peppy and very fun to drive. I just got hooked on the big torque of the turbo and the DCT but I would have been quite happy with the 30i. __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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02-19-2012, 10:13 AM	#6
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	I have a s30i with a 6MT. I drove all combinations of manual and auto in both models when I was shopping for a Z4 in 2010. For me, the s30i with a 6MT was a perfect choice. Car seems better balanced and the engine pulls nicely in all gears. I have no idea what the 0-60 time is but the car has all the pep you need. I came out of a 335i automatic and the Z4 with a 6MT is so much more fun to drive. For me, a roadster without a manual transmission is not a real roadster. __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired)
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02-19-2012, 12:07 PM	#7
Wilsonv Private First Class 40 Rep 128 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Thank you for all your responses, i appreciate it!
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02-20-2012, 02:47 PM	#8
Jordanpryce Private 8 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 30i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (0)	I prefer the MT 3.0 over the turbo. Put your foot in it and it will snap your neck back on gear changes. Feels like way more torque then the turbo to me. I'm about to pull the trigger on a 991 911 C-2 MT.... Who needs a turbo anyway? __________________ 2013 Boxster - 2000 BMW Clownshoe M Coupe - 1998 BMW M3 E36 2015 Macan S Black/Black Gone: 93 RS America, 75 Carrera, 71 914-6, 65 356C among others
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02-21-2012, 12:06 PM	#10
Jordanpryce Private 8 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 30i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (0)	Eh, the turbo didn't have the low end grunt... and I'll never have a high pressure fuel rail issue. __________________ 2013 Boxster - 2000 BMW Clownshoe M Coupe - 1998 BMW M3 E36 2015 Macan S Black/Black Gone: 93 RS America, 75 Carrera, 71 914-6, 65 356C among others
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05-23-2013, 11:18 AM	#13
Innovative AutoConcepts First Lieutenant 33 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 E89 Alpine White Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Rockville MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Z4 E89 SDrive30i [7.84]	IMO, the inline 6 feels like it has more torque. I added a Throttle controller and I enjoy it very much. =]
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05-23-2013, 11:57 AM	#14
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Even on my 35i you need to rev the motor at launch to get decent acceleration. If you rev from idle to redline in 1st gear none of the E89 motors are very impressive, in my opinion
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05-23-2013, 08:53 PM	#17
Yeggman Private First Class 5 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 s3.0i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	My 2009 3.0i 6M/T is a very well balanced sports car. Like many Z's it comes with a clutch delay valve (cdv) with the manual transmission. Removal of the CDV is not a big deal, and it improves the launch of the vehicle from a standing stop. The CDV is BMW's way of avoiding warranty claims related to the clutch/transmission. Bottom line, the 3.0i M/T is not a 0-60 beast. It is a finesse vehicle that is the modern incarnation of the Jag E type. If you are looking for 0-60 times as a substantial focus of your driving enjoyment, you really should consider another vehicle. Having had one, I would recommend a C6 Corvette. At 400 hp, your 0-60 time is very low for a modestly priced vehicle.
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05-25-2013, 08:18 AM	#19
48redlands Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2011 z4 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	well i have had mine for over 2 yrs, and the auto has been excellent, having not driven a 35i, have nothing to relate to, but its plenty fast enough, i have timed 0-60 in upper 5s, few have been mid. plus the engine is smooth all the way to the red line, great engine no regrets.
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