Which Z4 is the best ?

[bennzwel]

Hi all,

A friend of mine is thinking to get himself a second hand Z4 and he wanted to know which variant of Z4 is the best overall ?

In terms of best quality of build, ride , and with least issues.


Any advice is appreciated

[Hujan]

Do you mean within the E89 generation or between the E85/86 and E89?

If E89s only, hands down a 35is if you can find a good one. Preferably in Atacama Yellow, Alpine White, or Space Gray.

[bennzwel]

Yes sorry I meant in e89 range . So the 2.5 or 3.0 engine is not as good ?

What are the thins to watch out and be aware for this particular car before purchase ? Beside the usual checks

[army_men]

35i M sport if you plan on modding. it's the same engine as 35is, and has the M bodykit just a bit cheaper and have manual option.

watch out for 19 inch 296 style rim. they crack.

[Gunzaro]

The 35is without a doubt. Comes factory tuned to 350HP (BMW slightly understate actual figure I believe). Plus remapped steering that is sharper. Exhaust is different too - more aggressive sound, much sportier and nicer. Bit like the diff between a 335i and 335is. Bigger, better brake rotors and calipers. Limited production numbers. Silver mirror caps look good too!

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by army_men

35i M sport if you plan on modding. it's the same engine as 35is, and has the M bodykit just a bit cheaper and have manual option.

watch out for 19 inch 296 style rim. they crack.

Brakes and exhaust are different on the 35is compared to the 35i, at least here in the US.

Agree on the 296 rims. I would avoid those.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by bennzwel

Yes sorry I meant in e89 range . So the 2.5 or 3.0 engine is not as good ?

What are the thins to watch out and be aware for this particular car before purchase ? Beside the usual checks

I would check the acceleration times for the various engines to make sure it will meet your needs

And definitely be aware that the 35i or 35is version with definitely run into high oil temperature problems at the track.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

My 2 cents and my Opinions.
1. Drive the 30i with automatic and manual (hard to find)
2. Drive the 300HP, Twin Turbo 35i with manual (again hard to find and rare) and with the DCT- Double Clutch Transmission.
3. If you can afford the 4-5K bump for a 3-4 year old, used ( more if newer 35is) 335 Hp Twin Turbo 35is- You will be sold.
If you are a power junkie, the 35is and or 35i will win the adrenaline and speed fix and make the decision.
4. Driviing the 3 different transmission offerings- Auto in the 30i, Manual in either and finally the DCT. Unless you have been hiding under a rock, the DCT is the most fantastic transmission I have even driven- No human can best the performance and speed of the DCT shifting over manual.
5. Get the VIN Number and take it to a BMW dealer. Have them check:
a. High Pressure Fuel pump was replaced on the 35i or 35is
b. Battery Recalls are complete- Battery cable replacement
c. Rear Taillights and the lens- verify that the rear tail light lens gaskets are not delaminating- Search for foruim for the many threads on this issue.
d. Make sure that all INCLUDED service from BMW for the 4 year/50K miles has been complete- The dealer will give you a print out of all of this with the VIN.

[nicknaz]

I would add to that list the fuel injectors for the 35i and 35is, and also get the top checked out.

These forums have had some chatter recently on various top related issues, so that could be an emerging trouble spot

[bennzwel]

Thank you all for the great info. I shall pass them on to my friend

[vasmir]

Originally Posted by army_men

35i M sport if you plan on modding. it's the same engine as 35is, and has the M bodykit just a bit cheaper and have manual option.

watch out for 19 inch 296 style rim. they crack.

+1

can't get a 35is in manual!

[bennzwel]

Isn't DCT very close to manual performance not a bit better ?

[JR956678]

Originally Posted by bennzwel

Isn't DCT very close to manual performance not a bit better ?

The DCT gearbox in my 35is is blazingly fast; way faster than I could ever shift a manual gearbox and I've driven manuals transmissions for 50 years. I would have to agree with BMWZ4RIDER's comment that no human could shift a manual gearbox as quickly as the DCT shifts, and to whatever extent vehicle performance is "better" when you can get the next gear engaged and the clutch delivering engine output to the powertrain after an upshift or downshift, DCT has an edge over a manual gearbox.

[bennzwel]

Are there different type of DCT on various bimmers or all use the same type ? Between z4 and M3 for instance

[ManiacGT]

Shift speed is great if you're getting the car for straight line speed. Autos or dcts are good for cruising around but you can't beat a manual car for a sense of involvement.

I have DCT and it's great but I do miss, just now and then, the sense of involvement a manual gives.

[bennzwel]

I heard couple of negative things about DCTs , such a leaking and faults and etc, how true is that ?

[JR956678]

Originally Posted by bennzwel

I heard couple of negative things about DCTs , such a leaking and faults and etc, how true is that ?

I think if you look far and hard enough you'll find stories of faults or leaks but the DCT in its current implementation doesn't seem to be plagued by widespread problems. It's certainly much better in this regard than the SMG it replaced.

Are there different type of DCT on various bimmers or all use the same type ? Between z4 and M3 for instance

I have read that the reason BMW offers only the DCT in the 35is is that the manual gearbox and more specifically its clutch could not withstand the torque of the higher output N54 in the 35is, and they didn't want to design a new gearbox and clutch powertrain for a low volume platform. I have also read that the 35is DCT is nearly identical to the M DCT used in the M3 though the programming may be different - primarily that the Z4 will upshift at redline where the M3 will not and the adjustable shift programs of the M3 DCT aren't in the Z4 DCT. Changing from "Comfort mode" to "Sport mode" does change the shifting program however.

[bennzwel]

Thanks a lot for the info

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Shift speed is great if you're getting the car for straight line speed. Autos or dcts are good for cruising around but you can't beat a manual car for a sense of involvement.

I have DCT and it's great but I do miss, just now and then, the sense of involvement a manual gives.

+1

[jts1981]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Do you mean within the E89 generation or between the E85/86 and E89?

If E89s only, hands down a 35is if you can find a good one. Preferably in Atacama Yellow, Alpine White, or Space Gray.

no love for deep sea blue???

[ManiacGT]

I love DSB, not a fan of yellow, garish. White is nice, love my black of course despite the upkeep. Space grey is nice in photos but not so sharp in real life. Mineral grey and mineral white are really nice tho. All IMHO of course.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by bennzwel

I heard couple of negative things about DCTs , such a leaking and faults and etc, how true is that ?

I think the early E9X M3 did have issues with the DCT, but it is hard to tell how many were truly build quality and how many where from dealers putting in incorrect gear oil when the very earliest cars were serviced.

There have been posts on our Z4 forum about leaks. I think it is a good practice to investigate the DCT for leaks when buying used, as well as valve cover, since these have been documented by other owners as areas that have leaked during the warranty period (better to know and negotiate the price lower )

EDIT: looks like the DCT clutches are servicable

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=829255

For what it is worth, DCT + N54 was a huge draw for me and is always a lot of fun. I haven't looked back since switching from manual. The only disappointing aspect of DCT has been the launch control (a 4000rpm clutch dump, that has too much wheelspin).