BimmerFile Reviews the BMW Z4 sDrive35is - New 2009 2010 BMW Z4

Mark · 04-27-2010, 09:08 AM

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Our friends over at BimmerFile have put their sDrive35is review online, although its lacking in photos (as they were given a pre-production car to try out), it is a nice writeup on the car.

Heres a quick excerpt:

Quote:

The Z4 35i I reviewed last year was about as perfect as a BMW has ever been. However, (and it’s a big however) there were a couple issues that were hard to ignore.
...
Enter the Z4 35is. In what has to be the most aggressive application of the "is" modifications to date, BMW has re-energized the Z4 as a car for enthusiasts. They started with re-mapping the steering and not only drastically improving the feel but also the weight. Driving the Z4 35is I couldn’t help but feel that this was as close to an ///M in feel as any BMW had been since the E46 ZHP.

Read the full review @ BimmerFile : http://www.bimmerfile.com/2010/04/26...w-bmw-z4-35is/

s2000jan · 04-27-2010, 09:13 AM

nice

Vintage · 04-27-2010, 10:34 AM

I love my wife's 35i, but I would kill for the steering remap. Is it easy to update this at the dealer???

Memphis1 · 04-27-2010, 10:41 AM

i really hope i can get my hands on a 35is to test, i don't think it's that much different from a sport 35i. again, i'm not knocking it, but from the specs listed on various BMW data panels it sounds like the same thing as a sport 35i.

cdeslandes · 04-27-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

I love my wife's 35i, but I would kill for the steering remap. Is it easy to update this at the dealer???

That would be worth asking. Or perhaps there will be an aftermarket chip for it in the future...

positiveions · 04-27-2010, 12:32 PM

as much as i love this car, the price kills it.

Turbo Squid · 04-27-2010, 12:50 PM

Are people chipping their Z's now? ProCede/JB and such? I bet that would be a fun ride.

Vintage · 04-27-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo Squid

Are people chipping their Z's now? ProCede/JB and such? I bet that would be a fun ride.

my wife's Z4 has received some nice mods: ESS Stage 2, Eisenmann 2x90 Race Exhaust, Stett FMIC, and Stett Dual Diverter Charge Pipe. really amazing performance enhancements. without a doubt I would do the ESS Stage 1 first as it will enhance throttle response and performance for little $$$ - I just got a little carried away when my wife started it all by saying "I wish the exhaust were louder"

scott135i · 04-27-2010, 02:48 PM

My father's 2009 Z4 3.5 sDrive runs nicely with JB3 map 7, DCI and BMS CDV....

Very nicely....

Oulixes · 04-27-2010, 03:25 PM

Z4 35is is everybody's favorite.

BlueZ4AZ · 04-27-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oulixes

Z4 35is is everybody's favorite.

I must have been snoozing, because I don't recall casting my vote.
When did the ballots go out?
Was this a price-dependent or price-independent vote?
I haven't decided yet if the 35is is my favorite over my own 35i.
Is it too late to send a write-in vote?
Define "everybody".

teagueAMX · 04-27-2010, 08:17 PM

Ahhhhhhhhh. . . I was so going for a 35i w/ MT + M Sport pac + Dinan Stage II, but now. . . ?

I know the 35i vs. 35is specification steering and suspension components are identical, but obviously BMW has tinkered with the software to enhance them, but are they that much better?

I'm absolutely crazy for the M3 cab but it's no wonder the 35is pulled away from her because of the 35is 369 ft-lbs tq vs M3 295 ft-lbs tq. Plus, the 35is 3,549 lbs vs M3 huffing away with 4,145 lbs. That's not really a fair fight for straight line performance. The M3 would kill the 35is in the curves. But, as we all know, tq is where it's at for street performance at anything less than 125 mph. Wild hp figures aside, give me more tq any day!

Alext · 04-27-2010, 09:18 PM

I am put off by the iS's interior. I really dont like those silver inserts. The price is a little high too. Aside from that I reckon I would be in the market for one. The other option is to get a 35i and JB3 it. Replace the stock runflats with some grippy r-compounds, upgrade the suspension components as necessary and it will hang with a M3 cab around a track I am fairly certain and definitely take an iS!

It all depends how much performance you want, what you want to spend and how you value your warranty.

Robert · 04-27-2010, 10:54 PM

Nah, wait for the new M coupe or M roadster if you want a sportier z4. I know BMW has said no such car but look at the history. How many times have they said no then yes.

Alext · 04-28-2010, 12:51 AM

I know what you are saying Robert. I am thinking if Benz can make a new SLK AMG with a customary stonking engine then surely BMW has to come to the party with a Z4 M?

vriffpolo · 04-28-2010, 02:18 AM

Haven't checked the US prices, but in Europe the 'is' is about 2000€ more than the equivalent 'i' which to me seems like a good deal for the extra power and improved steering.

Not to mention those silver rear view mirrors.

zibawal · 04-28-2010, 02:20 AM

I wish, I would be single or no children lol

godius · 04-28-2010, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alext

I am put off by the iS's interior. I really dont like those silver inserts. The price is a little high too. Aside from that I reckon I would be in the market for one. The other option is to get a 35i and JB3 it. Replace the stock runflats with some grippy r-compounds, upgrade the suspension components as necessary and it will hang with a M3 cab around a track I am fairly certain and definitely take an iS!

It all depends how much performance you want, what you want to spend and how you value your warranty.

Listen to this guy!

bill123 · 04-28-2010, 04:25 AM

iS all the way

Roadstergal · 04-28-2010, 09:18 AM

If I were ordering my car now, I would still go with the 35i and opt for my own performance mods. I do not like the metal interior on the iS and you all know where I stand on that ugly rear bumper.

As Teague stated the steering and suspension components are identical, so what are you paying extra for?

dwagner00 · 04-28-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

If I were ordering my car now, I would still go with the 35i and opt for my own performance mods. I do not like the metal interior on the iS and you all know where I stand on that ugly rear bumper.

Do you mean the trim pieces? You can order the 35iS with wood trim (I have the same view on the metal or faux-carbon fiber trim looks).

bill123 · 04-28-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

As Teague stated the steering and suspension components are identical, so what are you paying extra for?

Steering, cooling, power, is uprated

04-27-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
s2000jan Second Lieutenant Drives: E89 - sDrive 35is Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Belgium - Antwerp area Posts: 217 iTrader: (0)	nice __________________ 2012 - F30 - 330d M-pack - Glacier Silver 1999 - Honda S2000 - Silverstone

04-27-2010, 10:41 AM	#4
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,843 iTrader: (0)	i really hope i can get my hands on a 35is to test, i don't think it's that much different from a sport 35i. again, i'm not knocking it, but from the specs listed on various BMW data panels it sounds like the same thing as a sport 35i. __________________

04-27-2010, 12:32 PM	#6
positiveions Major General Drives: 09 MKV JETTA 2.5 & E90 M3 :) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 9,025 iTrader: (1)	as much as i love this car, the price kills it. __________________

04-27-2010, 12:50 PM	#7
Turbo Squid Model Drives: M3 + C55 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vienna, VA Posts: 281 iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 M3 [0.00] 2001 ML55 AMG Desig ... [0.00] 2001 BMW X5 4.4 (SOLD) [0.00] 2003 VW Jetta 1.8T ... [0.00] 2007 335i (SOLD) [0.00] 1966 Pontiac GTO [0.00]	Are people chipping their Z's now? ProCede/JB and such? I bet that would be a fun ride. __________________ ____________________ \_O______________O_/ llllllllllll___________llllllllllll

04-27-2010, 08:17 PM	#12
teagueAMX Colonel Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA Posts: 2,077 iTrader: (0)	Ahhhhhhhhh. . . I was so going for a 35i w/ MT + M Sport pac + Dinan Stage II, but now. . . ? I know the 35i vs. 35is specification steering and suspension components are identical, but obviously BMW has tinkered with the software to enhance them, but are they that much better? I'm absolutely crazy for the M3 cab but it's no wonder the 35is pulled away from her because of the 35is 369 ft-lbs tq vs M3 295 ft-lbs tq. Plus, the 35is 3,549 lbs vs M3 huffing away with 4,145 lbs. That's not really a fair fight for straight line performance. The M3 would kill the 35is in the curves. But, as we all know, tq is where it's at for street performance at anything less than 125 mph. Wild hp figures aside, give me more tq any day! Last edited by teagueAMX; 04-27-2010 at 09:54 PM.

04-27-2010, 10:34 AM	#3
Vintage Colonel Drives: 2010 Z4 35i and 2010 X5 35d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,052 iTrader: (0)	I love my wife's 35i, but I would kill for the steering remap. Is it easy to update this at the dealer???

04-27-2010, 02:48 PM	#9
scott135i Major Drives: 2011 BMW 335d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC Metro Posts: 1,389 iTrader: (7)	My father's 2009 Z4 3.5 sDrive runs nicely with JB3 map 7, DCI and BMS CDV.... Very nicely....

04-27-2010, 03:25 PM	#10
Oulixes Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 330xi, 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Terra Borealis Posts: 1,942 iTrader: (0)	Z4 35is is everybody's favorite.

04-27-2010, 09:18 PM	#13
Alext Lieutenant Colonel Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest Posts: 1,903 iTrader: (2)	I am put off by the iS's interior. I really dont like those silver inserts. The price is a little high too. Aside from that I reckon I would be in the market for one. The other option is to get a 35i and JB3 it. Replace the stock runflats with some grippy r-compounds, upgrade the suspension components as necessary and it will hang with a M3 cab around a track I am fairly certain and definitely take an iS! It all depends how much performance you want, what you want to spend and how you value your warranty.

04-27-2010, 10:54 PM	#14
Robert Major General Drives: 135i, current is350 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal Posts: 6,768 iTrader: (1)	Nah, wait for the new M coupe or M roadster if you want a sportier z4. I know BMW has said no such car but look at the history. How many times have they said no then yes.

04-28-2010, 12:51 AM	#15
Alext Lieutenant Colonel Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest Posts: 1,903 iTrader: (2)	I know what you are saying Robert. I am thinking if Benz can make a new SLK AMG with a customary stonking engine then surely BMW has to come to the party with a Z4 M?

04-28-2010, 02:18 AM	#16
vriffpolo New Member Drives: sDrive35is Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 13 iTrader: (0)	Haven't checked the US prices, but in Europe the 'is' is about 2000€ more than the equivalent 'i' which to me seems like a good deal for the extra power and improved steering. Not to mention those silver rear view mirrors.

04-28-2010, 02:20 AM	#17
zibawal Captain Drives: 2012 X5D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SFO BAY AREA Posts: 989 iTrader: (0)	I wish, I would be single or no children lol

04-28-2010, 04:25 AM	#19
bill123 Private First Class Drives: Z4 35iS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: England Posts: 131 iTrader: (0)	iS all the way __________________ 35iS, Deep Sea Blue, 19" 326 alloys, etc

04-28-2010, 09:18 AM	#20
Roadstergal First Lieutenant Drives: 2010 Z4 35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA - East Coast Posts: 355 iTrader: (0)	If I were ordering my car now, I would still go with the 35i and opt for my own performance mods. I do not like the metal interior on the iS and you all know where I stand on that ugly rear bumper. As Teague stated the steering and suspension components are identical, so what are you paying extra for? __________________ E89 - 2010 Z4 35i (Orion Silver, Ivory White extended, anthracite trim) E85 - 2006 Z4 3.0i (Monaco Blue, beige leather, Dark Poplar wood trim) E85 - 2003 Z4 2.5 (Sterling Gray, black leather, Sycamore wood trim) E36 - 1998 Z3 2.8 (Red, black leather, wood trim)

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