Looking into getting a Z4

[Steve Jarvis]

I'm considering a 35i/is and have a few questions.

- It appears the paddles went from thumb push to finger pull. Did this happen with the LCI timing?
- Did the LCI change mid year 2013 or for the 2014 model year in the US?
- Are there any options that are a must have (all relative I know)?
- How much did the technology change (i-drive etc.) and is it work getting newer versus older due to these changes?

I would prefer a 6 speed manual car with no wood trim, but that's a unicorn in the US. I know the trim can be changed and I'm not sure if I'm ready to compromise on the trans. I have a 2017 M4 Comp and my biggest regret is getting the DCT.

If I buy the car, I plan to make it a little more aggressive and sporty with the addition of a tune, coil-overs and wheels/tires. I know this isn't a Boxster in the handling department, but the Boxster is gutless relative to a tuned N54. I can improve the Z4 handling easier than adding power to the Boxster.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[B21]

Originally Posted by Steve Jarvis

I'm considering a 35i/is and have a few questions.

- It appears the paddles went from thumb push to finger pull. Did this happen with the LCI timing?
- Did the LCI change mid year 2013 or for the 2014 model year in the US?
- Are there any options that are a must have (all relative I know)?
- How much did the technology change (i-drive etc.) and is it work getting newer versus older due to these changes?

I would prefer a 6 speed manual car with no wood trim, but that's a unicorn in the US. I know the trim can be changed and I'm not sure if I'm ready to compromise on the trans. I have a 2017 M4 Comp and my biggest regret is getting the DCT.

If I buy the car, I plan to make it a little more aggressive and sporty with the addition of a tune, coil-overs and wheels/tires. I know this isn't a Boxster in the handling department, but the Boxster is gutless relative to a tuned N54. I can improve the Z4 handling easier than adding power to the Boxster.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Welcome …

The LCI was 2013 MY
Paddles change in 2012 not LCI related
For me parking sensors, iDrive, 676 or 677 amp, heated seats are the minimum, cruise, wind deflector, USB / Bluetooth are all important to me

Depends on how much modding yiu are willing to make

You can make the DCT very sweet with xHP

Handling wise uprated bushings and bearings in the various suspension and steering systems generate good results

A modest Bilstein kit bears fruit

A MHD remap generates substantial increase in torque and power to around 400 BHP and 650 nm compared to a 35i of around 310 and 450

Enjoy the journey

[bryanhoag]

LCI was 2014 MY in the US.

35is only had DCT
35i had manual

A 2014 35i 6MT is tough to find, especially well optioned.

No changes to iDrive over the years that I know of.

[B21]

Yes MY for LCI was 2014…shipments for that model year started in September 2013 in Europe

No functional differences appeared in idrive apart from changes from run flat to TPMS and change to RTTI traffic system in later cars.

[Marcoose]

Yes, it’s all relative…

I really like the winter package, including the heated steering wheel.

Comfort access too is very nice. It allows for additional programming to be made to the car/fob.

[MRCW]

My MY 2013 is pre LCI. Every option is great. Mine has the Merino Leather and M Sport. What's really missing is back up camera. Pull Paddles is best and matches most exotics and other newer models.

After being a manual guy for years, I like the DCT.

Good luck

[Steve Jarvis]

I tried the DCT in my current M4. I miss the involvement of the manual. I would probably appreciate the DCT in my M4 more if it were my "travel car". I don't think I can get away with only having a 2 seater, so I'm planning on keeping the M4 for travel and when I need back seats and using the Z4 as a daily.

[proboner]

Just a couple points to add:
I'm pretty sure they didn't make a manual 35i in 2014... they definitely did not in 15/16
For sure get an M-Sport, at least for the front/rear bumpers

This is kind of a blasphemous opinion, and I'm kind of insane for making it, but as a person who only drives manual cars and drove across state lines to buy my manual 35i, I think I might go DCT if I had to do it all over again. 35is has larger brakes from the factory (which are needed) that no other Z4 gets. My biggest gripe though, is that for some reason the manual trans in this car feels a bit "sloppier" than I'd like, especially at higher power. The engine/trans feels much more separate from the rest of the car and I'm convinced it's the nature of the manual. I imagine the DCT would feel much more "attached" to the vehicle. I dunno, unpopular opinion. I don't know if I could actually do it, but it would definitely make finding a car easier!

[Marcoose]

The stock DCT programme (that’s not tbe word) on the 35is is very sloppy, even in Sport+. xHP made it better, especially downshifting. And one little secret is to downshift before you cut the throttle.

[bryanhoag]

2014 was the last year the 35i had a 6 speed manual option. Positive on this.

[Steve Jarvis]

Thanks, this was all very helpful.

[Steve Jarvis]

What are the pros and cons of an i-drive car versus no i-drive?

[B21]

Originally Posted by Steve Jarvis

Thanks, this was all very helpful.

The 35i either had a 6 speed manual box or a 7 speed dual clutch box…this was from its inception in 2009 to end of production in 2016..

[B21]

Originally Posted by Steve Jarvis

What are the pros and cons of an i-drive car versus no i-drive?

IMHO..the iDrive is really useful…the interface although clunky by modern standards is very useful and far less fiddly to get info into and out off the car’s various systems..also you can bring it back up to date with Apple Car Play.

So a big thumbs up from me …

[Marcoose]

I find the iDrive yet another of those gizmos that The Ultimate Driving Machine could do without. As well as another 36 gadgets that add nothing to the drive, and are very costly to repair.

My original iDrive, when set to play music from the iPhone via Bluetooth, automatically plays, always from the same track. I have to start the car, wait for the music to start, then either quit the music app or press random or choose another playlist, track, etc. Very annoying. So I keep music unchecked. To check/uncheck it, it’s 5-6 steps from 2 different menus. Why ? Exactly.

The mapping, even with the last upgrade, it’s getting old, not as precise as the Google or Apple map apps. And I’ve tried several times to dictate simple addresses amd destinations. In different languages. It’s hit or miss.

Same with the phone. Good luck trying to make it dial Mary Smitb. (I know I have an accent and my English is imperfect, but my all-American wife also says iDrive doesn’t always understand her.)

Oh, forget seeing anything on the screen with the sun behind you. And it’s worse with the top down.

iDrive ? Meh.

[Steve Jarvis]

What are the main differences between a 2011 35i versus 2016 35is? I know the hp difference, but is there really a difference between brakes, radiators? What else?

[B21]

Originally Posted by Steve Jarvis

What are the main differences between a 2011 35i versus 2016 35is? I know the hp difference, but is there really a difference between brakes, radiators? What else?

In the US market..


Smaller front and rear brakes (330mm / 300mm vs 348mm /330mm)
Adaptive dampers was an option
MSport pack was an option
Rear diffuser design on MSport slighly different
A less noisy exhaust
DCT was an option



The 35is had silver mirror caps on some models, others were colour matched
It had silver plastic trim at 2/3 height in front lower grills
It had 35is monogram in the rev counter
It had 35is monogram car mats
DCT was fitted
Adaptive dampers fitted
MSport pack fitted

[Steve Jarvis]

Perfect, thanks.

[Steve Jarvis]

I took the plunge. I bought a 2011 35i with the M Sport package. White with red interior. I've order carbon mirror caps and a carbon rear lip spoiler. The next big decision is wheels. I may explore a 265/30R19 rear and 285/30R19 front on 19x9.5" and 19x10.5" wheels.

BTW it's a 6 speed.

[Marcoose]

Pics !

[B21]

Originally Posted by Steve Jarvis

I took the plunge. I bought a 2011 35i with the M Sport package. White with red interior. I've order carbon mirror caps and a carbon rear lip spoiler. The next big decision is wheels. I may explore a 265/30R19 rear and 285/30R19 front on 19x9.5" and 19x10.5" wheels.

BTW it's a 6 speed.

I assume you have your wheels reversed..in any form 245/35 19 on the front is about as wide as you can go for many reasons unless it’s a garage queen..

[Steve Jarvis]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

Pics !

When I get the wheels changed.