Z4 35is Steering? - New 2009 2010 BMW Z4

Katera · 05-05-2011, 05:47 PM

Hey guys, I noticed the 35is version of the Z4 has a different steering then the 35? It's not that "active" steering that you can get on other models via the option is it?

Thanks

Dr Stig 2 · 05-05-2011, 07:19 PM

The steering programming is more aggressive. Meatier would describe it well.
Without driving them back to back you may never notice.
Unlike the exhaust differences, which my neighbors notice every morning. ;o)

tranquility · 05-05-2011, 09:41 PM

Is the steering prg diff? I thought that the only diff between the 35i and 35is is that the latter has the 'servotronic' steering std while it's optional for the former.

Dr Stig 2 · 05-06-2011, 05:02 AM

All the blurbs and reviews said it is. (programmed differently, that is)

If you look back at the first post in the 35is sticky...

The official press release says:

Quote:

Signature engine sound to accompany the surge of power.
The exhaust system of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is has been tuned specifically for this model. Acoustic engineering gives the car a very unique sound pattern across the speed range. This tuned sound is the result of special baffles and a unique set of mufflers. The sound is characterized by a deep rumble with a focus on the low frequency sound range.

Enhanced Electric Power Steering.

Electric Power Steering (EPS) on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is features very sporty programming, focused to provide intense and clear steering feedback to the driver. This enables the driver to turn-in with remarkable precision and confidence at all vehicle speeds.

tranquility · 05-06-2011, 12:20 PM

^Oic. I wonder what the diff would be w/ servotronic removed from the 35is.

Katera · 05-06-2011, 03:32 PM

I guess my question is this...When I bought my 135i there was an option for "Active Steering" for a lot of money, but everyone that had driven it said that other then helping you park it took the "road feel" out of the steering on the car. I am just trying to figure out if this is that active steering. Thanks.

Also, those of you with the "IS" can you comment on the steering? Does it still feel natural or kind of electronically numb? My 135i's steering was awesome.

tranquility · 05-06-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katera

I guess my question is this...When I bought my 135i there was an option for "Active Steering" for a lot of money, but everyone that had driven it said that other then helping you park it took the "road feel" out of the steering on the car. I am just trying to figure out if this is that active steering. Thanks.

Also, those of you with the "IS" can you comment on the steering? Does it still feel natural or kind of electronically numb? My 135i's steering was awesome.

I tested all 3 trims (30i/35i/35is) available in my mkt and I personally thought that the 35is steering was a bit artificial for me, e.g. when I was slowing down to make a turn, the steering noticeably changed from firm to a lighter feel. For me, I didn't like it. I always attributed that to the Servotronic feature that's std for the 35is but optional for the 35i. However, Dr Stig 2 says that there is another steering difference between the 2 trims (EPS?), so I dunno.

Best to testdrive them back-to-back. Also, the 35is has the meatier M steering wheel, so depending on your hand size, that may be a good or bad thing.

Silver-Bolt · 05-07-2011, 09:23 AM

The steering on the "is" is the one thing I truly hate about the car. It is enough that I won't buy another BMW with that steering. Worst ever.

Z4Andy · 05-08-2011, 03:25 PM

As most of you know i'm on my second E89.

All Z4's in the UK have servotronic, however the 35iS in normal mode is much lighter than the rest of the range.

I actually really like it and find it's just right for me with this particualr car. I couldn't believe how much easier and relaxed it made the car to drive in normal situations.

Moving onto the sport modes, the only complaint is a slight dead spot just at the straight ahead position but this is being really picky about it all.

Still makes me smile everyday.

mstevens · 05-08-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katera

those of you with the "IS" can you comment on the steering?

I'm going to go with "awesome."

My comparators include a 1980 320i, a 1990 535i (which we autocrossed), a 2001 330xi, and a 2004 Z4 3.0.

SCBMW02 · 05-08-2011, 07:06 PM

Hey Silver, i too am not wild about the steering, mainly the quirky hitch midway through slow corners, but in real world driving i still find it pretty darn good. I have ditched the awful RFT's and there is a huge difference. On/off ramps and fast sweepers are still a blast because of the grip and the sick engine/DCT. Having owned the last 3 generations of M3, this certainly does not inspire the confidence those did, but for what I wanted at the moment this is my top choice. I am sold on DCT and will get it ,if available, on the next M purchase whatever that will be. Question is do I go with the last of its kind and buy another E92 M3, or wait and see what the next gen brings?

Silver-Bolt · 05-09-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCBMW02

Hey Silver, i too am not wild about the steering, mainly the quirky hitch midway through slow corners, but in real world driving i still find it pretty darn good. I have ditched the awful RFT's and there is a huge difference. On/off ramps and fast sweepers are still a blast because of the grip and the sick engine/DCT. Having owned the last 3 generations of M3, this certainly does not inspire the confidence those did, but for what I wanted at the moment this is my top choice. I am sold on DCT and will get it ,if available, on the next M purchase whatever that will be. Question is do I go with the last of its kind and buy another E92 M3, or wait and see what the next gen brings?

That little "hitch" is my big complaint. Very unnerving when it hits that certain spot.

tranquility · 05-09-2011, 11:15 AM

Do you 35is guys think that the "hitch" is due to the Servotronic or the other thing Dr Stig 2 was talking about here?

SCBMW02 · 05-09-2011, 12:45 PM

I am not really sure what this strange "hitch" is, and have talked to my friend at performance center and he doesn't know either? Almost feels like you hit a patch of deep sand mid corner. It is very strange?? They have the 35is at the performance center and next time I am in Spartanburg I am going to drive one on the track and see if we can figure it out.

Dr Stig 2 · 05-10-2011, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCBMW02

I am not really sure what this strange "hitch" is, and have talked to my friend at performance center and he doesn't know either? Almost feels like you hit a patch of deep sand mid corner. It is very strange?? They have the 35is at the performance center and next time I am in Spartanburg I am going to drive one on the track and see if we can figure it out.

Hmmm.

I dont feel anything with the steering, but I do experience a loose rear end feeling (kind of like sliding on some oil) mid corner as hit some bumps or accelerate too much.
Feels kind of like the rear dips down and moves sideways a little - I never associated it with the steering though.

Are we talking the same thing or two different "experiences"

05-05-2011, 05:47 PM	#1
Katera New Member Drives: Nadda Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 20 iTrader: (0)	Z4 35is Steering? Hey guys, I noticed the 35is version of the Z4 has a different steering then the 35? It's not that "active" steering that you can get on other models via the option is it? Thanks
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05-05-2011, 07:19 PM	#2
Dr Stig 2 Criminally Insane Drives: Like a Demon! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 1,458 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 30D M-S ... [5.00] 2010 BMW Z4 35is [5.00]	The steering programming is more aggressive. Meatier would describe it well. Without driving them back to back you may never notice. Unlike the exhaust differences, which my neighbors notice every morning. ;o) __________________ Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia

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05-05-2011, 09:41 PM	#3
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,176 iTrader: (0)	Is the steering prg diff? I thought that the only diff between the 35i and 35is is that the latter has the 'servotronic' steering std while it's optional for the former.

05-06-2011, 12:20 PM	#5
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,176 iTrader: (0)	^Oic. I wonder what the diff would be w/ servotronic removed from the 35is.

05-06-2011, 03:32 PM	#6
Katera New Member Drives: Nadda Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 20 iTrader: (0)	I guess my question is this...When I bought my 135i there was an option for "Active Steering" for a lot of money, but everyone that had driven it said that other then helping you park it took the "road feel" out of the steering on the car. I am just trying to figure out if this is that active steering. Thanks. Also, those of you with the "IS" can you comment on the steering? Does it still feel natural or kind of electronically numb? My 135i's steering was awesome.

05-07-2011, 09:23 AM	#8
Silver-Bolt Captain Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Melbourne Red Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 778 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Z4 35is [5.00]	The steering on the "is" is the one thing I truly hate about the car. It is enough that I won't buy another BMW with that steering. Worst ever.

05-08-2011, 03:25 PM	#9
Z4Andy Private First Class Drives: Z4 Sdrive 35iS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belfast Posts: 169 iTrader: (0)	As most of you know i'm on my second E89. All Z4's in the UK have servotronic, however the 35iS in normal mode is much lighter than the rest of the range. I actually really like it and find it's just right for me with this particualr car. I couldn't believe how much easier and relaxed it made the car to drive in normal situations. Moving onto the sport modes, the only complaint is a slight dead spot just at the straight ahead position but this is being really picky about it all. Still makes me smile everyday.

05-08-2011, 07:06 PM	#11
SCBMW02 Private First Class Drives: 2010 X5d/ 2011 sDrive 35is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florence,South Carolina Posts: 152 iTrader: (0)	Hey Silver, i too am not wild about the steering, mainly the quirky hitch midway through slow corners, but in real world driving i still find it pretty darn good. I have ditched the awful RFT's and there is a huge difference. On/off ramps and fast sweepers are still a blast because of the grip and the sick engine/DCT. Having owned the last 3 generations of M3, this certainly does not inspire the confidence those did, but for what I wanted at the moment this is my top choice. I am sold on DCT and will get it ,if available, on the next M purchase whatever that will be. Question is do I go with the last of its kind and buy another E92 M3, or wait and see what the next gen brings?

05-09-2011, 11:15 AM	#13
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,176 iTrader: (0)	Do you 35is guys think that the "hitch" is due to the Servotronic or the other thing Dr Stig 2 was talking about here?

05-09-2011, 12:45 PM	#14
SCBMW02 Private First Class Drives: 2010 X5d/ 2011 sDrive 35is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florence,South Carolina Posts: 152 iTrader: (0)	I am not really sure what this strange "hitch" is, and have talked to my friend at performance center and he doesn't know either? Almost feels like you hit a patch of deep sand mid corner. It is very strange?? They have the 35is at the performance center and next time I am in Spartanburg I am going to drive one on the track and see if we can figure it out.