differences between sdrive35i and sdrive35is

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

It was in '12 for my 35i

Ditto

[vasmir]

Originally Posted by DslDwg

Top of my head only - isn't premium sound an option on the 35i?

It's optional under the "Premium Sound Package" on the 35i,
Standard on the 35is.

[mybank2828]

yeah, I agree. Manual is definitely more exciting to drive!

[BlueZ4Arizona]

The DCT is a technical marvel and is more fun than a manual. I had 5 manual cars prior to my Z4 and the DCT is the best of both worlds. I will never go back to a manual.

[mbetoni]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4Arizona

The DCT is a technical marvel and is more fun than a manual. I had 5 manual cars prior to my Z4 and the DCT is the best of both worlds. I will never go back to a manual.

I COULD NOT AGREE WITH THIS MORE.

I've actually been in the gestation period of a longer post specifically about this, if I ever get a moment to collect my thoughts, I'll put it up.

[Frank Costanza]

Not sure if it was mentioned but I believe iDrive is standard on the iS and optional on the i. If you don't want iDrive this is a deal breaker.

Originally Posted by BlueZ4Arizona

The DCT is a technical marvel and is more fun than a manual. I had 5 manual cars prior to my Z4 and the DCT is the best of both worlds. I will never go back to a manual.

I have a 6spd 5-series which is a lot of fun to drive but I must say that DCT is as much fun as the manual but in a different way. When you factor in the convenience of being able to drive as an automatic and I have to agree.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4Arizona

The DCT is a technical marvel and is more fun than a manual. I had 5 manual cars prior to my Z4 and the DCT is the best of both worlds. I will never go back to a manual.

Ditto. All of my cars before this one has been manual. I do miss a manual sometimes, but DCT is a lot of fun too

[mrcysco]

35is owner here:

I drove them both before making a decision.

the 35is is faster
the 35is is more aggressive looking
the 35is has a more "mean" sounding exhaust.
the 35is has a better cooling system
the 35is has better brakes with KERS
the 35is is only available in DCT
the 35i is cheaper

There isn't one specific aspect of the 35is that is a major improvement over the 35i. Rater, there are a number of smaller improvements, that when added together make for a pretty good improvement.

Now, all that said, if I were buying new, I might have a tough time paying the premium for the 35is. I purchased mine used so the price difference was only a couple thousand more than a comparable 35i.

I can tell you that the 35is is mega fast. It's right up there with the M3. Since I got mine a couple weeks ago I've had 5-6 people say "wow, 35is. Nice car". People respect what the thing is capable of.

[Kessler35is]

There is a reason you find a DCT in super cars & race cars.


I also was on the fence about the DCT at first, I bought my 35is used and really wanted a manual until I test drove this car a couple of times.

Ya it's that good once you get used to it. Nothing better than learning a curve and down shifting ahead of the curve and keeping both hands on the wheel and letting the DCT down shift as the RPM's reach the right speed. Or how when in Manual Mode it will upshift auto at the right time.

[jsmith97321]

Originally Posted by mbetoni

In addition to the aforementioned mirror caps, rear diffuser, HP & brakes, the following options are also different:

The IS is unavailable in the following paint colors:
Orion Silver Metallic
Jet Black
Crimson Red

Additionally, the 19" wheel option on the IS is style 326. The 19" wheel option on the I is style 296.

Also, don't think I saw it mentioned, but the exhaust note on the IS is specific to it and differs from the other models in the lineup.


You can, but specifically regarding the IS (NOT the 28 or 35), you need a great dealer. Most dealers do not have them in inventory, and there aren't many allocations. If your dealer does not have an allocation, they'll have to find one at another dealer, and that can be both difficult and time consuming. You may find that some dealers aren't willing to go the extra mile to find an allocation. Luckily, this was not my experience, I have a terrific dealer here that has both great sales and service departments (one of the few).

X2

I ordered my 35is in June and it took over a month to get an allocation. It is now in final assembly and should be here in 3-4 week's!!!

I can't wait!!!

[hyper1]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4Arizona

The DCT is a technical marvel and is more fun than a manual. I had 5 manual cars prior to my Z4 and the DCT is the best of both worlds. I will never go back to a manual.

Agree A1
Maybe because I'm getting older and had to many sticks in the pass.

[mrcysco]

I too love the DCT.

I'm an avid F1 fan and speed/sound of the shifts in the 35is makes me feel like i'm driving a F1 car. It really is a blast to drive.

[Alpha_Zulu]

One thing no one's mention is the engine.

The 35i has the N55 engine which is a single turbo.
The 35is has the N54 which is found in the 1M; a straight six twin turbo.

The 19 inch wheels on the 35is are WAY better than the 19's on the 35i.

Bigger brakes on the IS.

More HP on the IS as opposed to the 35i


I'm on my 2nd 35is and I absolutely love the DCT. I will say I miss driving a manual and my next car definitely will be manual.

Exhaust notes on the 35is sound better imo, but that's purely subjective.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

The 35i has the N55 engine which is a single turbo.
The 35is has the N54 which is found in the 1M; a straight six twin turbo.

That's incorrect. The 35i also has the N54.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by mrcysco

the 35is has a better cooling system


I can tell you that the 35is is mega fast. It's right up there with the M3.

cooling system is the same between 35i and 35is

Re the M3 vs. Z4 hard to say. I have tried Cobb stg 1 DCT 35i and I would not bet money that it is faster than M3. Maybe equal at best in a straight line. It is hard for the otherwise stock Z4 to cut a good 60ft

I also wouldn't use "mega fast" unless the car is trapping the 1/4 mile over 120mph

[VailM3]

Though neither the 35i or 35IS are "mega fast" with a few thousand (cobb/FMIC/exhaust) both cars start to approach non super car ridiculous speed. The N54 and DCT can squeeze a significant amount more power with no issues than comes from the factory.

[mybank2828]

I think it is all preference and subjective. It took me a while to decide getting DCT or manual, so I went to test drove DCT couple of times. It was actually weird using that shift button, I kept on thinking about the foot clutch, I knew I will ending up just driving with the automatic mode. I would have gotten 35is if BMW makes manual in that version, but they don't. I just thing manual was a lot more fun for me. I really didn't care how engine sounds in 35is vs manual in 35i

[Klepper1]

I would have loved to get an 35is, if only they made them in manual. I test drove them a few times, but I could just not get over the missing 3rd pedal. It just felt like an automatic to me, but it's all personal preference.

I ended up getting a CPO 6MT 35i with M-sport, so it looks just like an 35is. I will add a simple tune (JB+ for $300 or $150 used) to get it to be as fast. The only things missing are the better brakes (but I don't plan to track it, so the stock brakes should be fine) and the better sounding exhaust. Anyone have an IS exhaust they want to sell?

[mybank2828]

We are on the same page Kleppers
BTW, what is JB+?

[Klepper1]

Originally Posted by mybank2828

BTW, what is JB+?

http://www.burgertuning.com/jbplus.html

[HABANEROTE]

single turbo? lol

[Alpha_Zulu]

Originally Posted by davelrodriguez

single turbo? lol

What's so funny?

1. Twin Scroll Turbocharger: BMW opted to use a single, twin-scroll turbocharger in the N55 engine rather than the twin turbos in the previous N54. They’ve coined it the TwinPower Turbo, a design that is essentially the same as a twin-turbo but in a single housing.

http://www.automedia.com/Blog/Post/P...-BMW-335i.aspx