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09-16-2010, 01:40 PM | #1 |
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The 30i is not a lesser car
http://gallery.me.com/orbitator/100206
I posted this because it was bit vexing that almost all of the reviews are on the 35i/is, almost nothing on the 30i or the 23i, so finding this was immensely gratifying but can only imagine that while down on power a bit the 23i it would be real scalpel on nice twisty piece of tarmac. So all this, coupled with the wife being out of the country for a few weeks for work [WAY too much free time on my hands], so just posted something that had been in the back of my mind for a while after a lot of comments from non-Z drivers about "why not the the 35". All that said, my heart does go out to the unblessed masses who will never know the joy of driving a "Z". Last edited by ChuckB; 09-17-2010 at 02:28 AM.. Reason: Some After Thoughts |
09-16-2010, 02:18 PM | #2 |
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Quite a glowing review....
Unfortunately most of my driving is not on twisty roads in SoCal ( I wish it was) but it is on long stretches of highway with some curves thrown in here and there to keep you awake. The raw power of the boosted twin turbo is very apparent on my kind of roads. I swapped an M3 for the E89 for the increase in HP and torque and when you throw in the great looks of the new Z it was a done deal. I have never said the 30i was a lesser car and never will, less powerful "yes" but lesser, "No".
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09-16-2010, 03:11 PM | #3 |
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I can only echo the words from mcbee here I came from a M3 into a 2008 Z4 3.0is then decided on the 2009 Z4 3.5i
Great Review ... One section of our 2010 road trip took us from Las Vegas, NV to Bishop, CA this 208 mile section of our trip was very memorable we left Vegas around 2 pm did it in the late afternoon with ample stops arriving in Bishop around 8PM. The road was one of the best maintained I've encountered during my US road trip. We took I-95, US-373, US-127 then US-190 into Bishop. Nice sharp curves, smooth road surface like glass (must have been completed a few years ago or it keeps it's excellent condition due to the temperatures, I don't know). My daughter made the comment "What a superb highway this is the TopGear boys should come here and have a go" Any of the Z cars, no matter what engine would have had as much fun as we had, and no the Z 30i is not a lesser car at all they are all of the same family and fun to drive. Just like your average family member each has a different personality. I can say this since I did drive a Z 30is for 10 months. Would I go back to an M3 no I don't think so
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09-16-2010, 06:26 PM | #4 |
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Re:
Most of the UK press seem to prefer the 23i that's available here over the rest of the range.
I suppose if you don't want all out power but just a classy sporty cruiser with guts then a 23i or 30i is the car to go for and save buckets of cash. They are great drivers cars with great engines. I've a feeling though the 23i might be phased out for a 4 pot turbo and that might make as much power as the 30i. Emission laws is already a big factor. Strange how i've just traded the 23i for a 35is . Two weeks to go. I hope. |
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09-16-2010, 06:51 PM | #5 | |
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Will you pick it up in Münich and drive it back? or pick it up locally? Whatever you do Happy Motoring
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Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found |
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09-16-2010, 08:19 PM | #6 | |
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My thoughts exactly. I have a copy of that review myself.
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Last edited by teagueAMX; 09-17-2010 at 01:27 AM.. |
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09-17-2010, 12:55 AM | #7 |
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i drive a 2.3i as at the time i bought it, my head was also in discussion with my hart. now i wish i left my head at home and bought a 3.5 i , guess now i have to wait a few years to find outwhat a 3.5i is like . I was also thinking of selling my new z4 2.3 and change it for a year old 3.5I just not to sure if it is a wise move , i would loose about £7.000 doing this.
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09-17-2010, 03:25 AM | #8 |
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Am sure I would have stepped up engine if I could justify the cost. Having said that I am still loving my 23i. Currently on a 4 week tour of the most mountainous country in Europe - Greece (photos when home) and can assure you that the 23i loves the bends.
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09-17-2010, 03:33 AM | #9 |
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ChuckB a friend of mine is considering to install a quad on his 23. As you have fitted the eisenmann catback do you feel that there is a loss in torque or power or any difference regarding performance? Thanks.
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09-17-2010, 07:30 AM | #11 |
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I would love a 30i with MT and almost no options but the sport package - but this was/is my wife's car and so I loaded it out - big motor, DCT, nav, the works.
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09-17-2010, 09:59 AM | #12 | |
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Member ZSCCA 2009 Z4 s35i with Dinan Stage II software, Sport and Exec packages, 19" 296 rims , a stubby and mud flaps
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09-17-2010, 10:40 AM | #13 |
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My budget would only stretch to the 23i, but i would rather drive a 23i and pick every extra I wanted from new than a faster 1 or 3 series or a second hand Zed. I don't regret getting it at all, I love my car, you go for what you can afford.
I did test drive the 35i and it was a lot faster.....but speed isn't everything to everyone, and 15 months on since getting mine i've still got a clean licence!!! |
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09-17-2010, 10:51 AM | #14 |
freude am fahren ....scheiden freude...
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in italy we got a lot of 35i/is review....
and only one 30i test.....no editors wanted a 23i..... I have a 30i and is not a lesser car.....it's really good,it's really between the 35i and the 23i , it's not a compromise, it's the most balanced e89.....I nearly did 5-600 kms on my firend 's 23i and low rev torque is not good,and the 35i is a good beast but too much for italian roads, i could have lost licence 34 times in a year, if I had bought a 35i... then I was expecting the 35is something more ....more...mmh....i can't find the right word.....yes! i was expecting the 35i/is to be more "M-power".....a really phenomenal car the 35i(used for 200kms last year).... I am going OT..... anyway if you want some info about that 30i test(with data and the final verdict test, also some scans), let me know privately.... Franecsco from italy |
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09-18-2010, 08:15 PM | #15 | |
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Melbourne red this time and the dealer said it might come a week early Looking forward to the overboost |
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09-18-2010, 08:57 PM | #16 |
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Having test-driven the 30i, I can testify that the engine is very good, smooth as silk with plenty of torque, and I'd be very happy with a 30i if for some reason I could not have gotten or afforded my 35i.
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09-19-2010, 09:49 AM | #17 | |
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Just add a bit, just did a trip to BMW Welt from Hockenheim, down on Friday and just got back in 30 minutes ago, 1/2 tank each way [359 km one way], most kept to 140Kph but did have a short run each way around 230 kph where traffic would allow. Very happy with the mileage from these pipes Last edited by ChuckB; 09-19-2010 at 10:01 AM.. |
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09-19-2010, 12:02 PM | #18 |
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hey whats happenin chuck...u gotta get me the name and details of who you used for putting on the exhaust. ive been wanting to do this, but looks like im gonna wait till i get back from afghanistan. you find a good filter to go with the exhaust?
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09-19-2010, 12:52 PM | #19 |
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09-20-2010, 05:32 AM | #21 |
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I drive 23i and the car is very well balanced. Yes, you have to rev it hard to get the most out of it but that's how you should drive a Z. I can chase more powerful cars on twisty roads and im proud of car's cornering. 35i is a great car and i would love to have one but my car feels almost perfect.
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09-20-2010, 07:58 AM | #22 | |
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