Noob questions (1) 30i v35i and (2) steering

[cpippolo]

Hi all. Seriously considering a Z4 given the crazy residuals to replace my 3.5 year old 335xi. Been wanting to go back to rear-wheel drive for some time now. A two-year lease might put me about the right time to get the next 335i if it proves promising. Test drove a 30i today (that's all they had at my dealer) without the sport package. Put it on sport plus setting but without sport or m-package that doesn't affect suspension. Nice enough drive, but a little sloppy with negligible steering feel. Is it better with sport package or m-sport package? Also, is the handling of the 30i better than the 35i with same packages given the 250lbs less weight? I could probably live with the power of the 30i (I kind of like the NA powerband after a few years with the n54) if the lighter weight gives it a noticeable handling advantage. I read somewhere on these forums that the 'is' has better steering, but really want to stay with manual transmission. I really like the short throw shifter on the Z4. Would really appreciate those who have driven both 30i and 35i providing any feedback you can.

[rmorin49]

I drove both cars with both transmissions and decided on a s30i with a 6MT. For me, it had the best feel and handling. I owned two 335i cars previously and never felt I needed the extra HP of the TT engine. I do have the SP but can't honestly say how much different it handles than the non-SP. I got it as much for the wheels and seats but I understand the suspension is slightly stiffer and the top speed limiter is 155 instead of of 150 (no big deal in the US). I am very happy with my car and with all the issues they are having with the HPFP in the TT cars, I do not regret my decision one bit.

[taYab]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I drove both cars with both transmissions and decided on a s30i with a 6MT. For me, it had the best feel and handling. I owned two 335i cars previously and never felt I needed the extra HP of the TT engine. I do have the SP but can't honestly say how much different it handles than the non-SP. I got it as much for the wheels and seats but I understand the suspension is slightly stiffer and the top speed limiter is 155 instead of of 150 (no big deal in the US). I am very happy with my car and with all the issues they are having with the HPFP in the TT cars, I do not regret my decision one bit.

+1, cant agree more!

[zEdP]

A car review compares 30i vs 35i (page2):


http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296723

[cpippolo]

Originally Posted by zEdP

A car review compares 30i vs 35i (page2):


http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296723

Thanks. I refined my search after I posted above and had found that as well. They never quite come out and say they would pick the 30i over the 35i, but that seems to be what they are implying (or perhaps they had different views among different writers there). Does give me some confidence that I wont feel like I'm settling, and don't plan to get into any drag races.

[BlueZ4AZ]

It's strictly a personal choice. I chose the additional power and DCT of the 35i, because it had a much greater benefit for me, over the small amount of handling advantage of the 30i.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

It's strictly a personal choice. I chose the additional power and DCT of the 35i, because it had a much greater benefit for me, over the small amount of handling advantage of the 30i.

+1

I test drove both and obviously there is a noticeable power increase w/ the 35i. However, I can't say that I felt the 30i handled/steered better though (as an aside, I absolutely did NOT like the 35is' steering due to the servotronic or other factors as it felt very artificial to me).

As BlueZ4AZ said, the DCT was the clincher for me as well.

In terms of economics, the price increase was not that great between these 2 trims, personally, w/ what one gets in return so I opted for the 35i. In contrast, I could not justify the price increase from the 35i to the 35is.

[fisherman]

When I was looking at the z4 last year, I test drove a 30i automatic w/ sport and a 35i DCT. No doubt the 35i was faster, but to me, the 30i seemed a little smoother in the gears. After putting the 30i in sport, and sport plus settings, I decided it was plenty quick enough for me. It really makes a big difference.

I ended up getting the 30i, since the one in stock at the dealer had all the options, and the color I wanted ( AW with red ) . I was also a little concerned over the reliability of the HPFP on the 35i. I've been totally happy with the 30i and the car has been perfect since day 1.

[tranquility]

About the smoothness of the DCT: in the beginning, it did seem a wee bit 'clunky' changing gears but after a while driving the car, I guess the computer learned about my driving habits and now it's extremely smooth on a daily basis.

[ChuckB]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I drove both cars with both transmissions and decided on a s30i with a 6MT. For me, it had the best feel and handling. I owned two 335i cars previously and never felt I needed the extra HP of the TT engine. I do have the SP but can't honestly say how much different it handles than the non-SP. I got it as much for the wheels and seats but I understand the suspension is slightly stiffer and the top speed limiter is 155 instead of of 150 (no big deal in the US). I am very happy with my car and with all the issues they are having with the HPFP in the TT cars, I do not regret my decision one bit.

I went with the same setup, except for the auto, don't regret it at all, would do the same thing again...maybe this will help a bit

Just added -I did get the Sport Suspension and would say it is worth every penny..

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

[cpippolo]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I wasn't even thinkng about a Z4 until I say the sweet residuals for a two-year lease, and thought this would be a nice way to keep me entertained until I can order an F30 in a couple of years.

It was a difficult decision and if there was a s35i DCT currently available with the options I wanted I probably would have taken the plunge, if only as a test run to see wether I want manual or DCT in my next car, which I'll keep longer. However, I decided to go with s30i with manual. There were some s35i DCTs coming into port that were pretty close to what I wanted, but they all had the 296 wheels and thanks to the info in these forums, I decided not to go there (I've even had issue with the 17's on my 335xi with the huge potholes we have around here, so really wanted to stay with the 18s in the sport or m-sport package).

I should be picking up the car in the next few days (they are transporting from another dealer). I decided not to order to get exactly what I wanted because the summer would be gone and the end of the two-year lease would be at an inconvenient time for me if I ordered.

I'm getting a space gray with ivory extended leather, manual trans, M-sport, Premium, Premium Sound, Cold-weather, NAV, PDC and alarm. I didn't really want the extended leather (although it does look nice), and would have liked comfort access, but this is as close as I could get to my ideal configuration without ordering. I decided I absolutely wanted either sport or m-sport, premium sound (stock system is really weak), and nav, and this is the only one with all of that. There were surpsisingly few with sport or m-sport package, and many of those had the 296 wheels.

I'll be searching the forums to learn about how to keep the ivory leather clean (already read a few posts on that) and what snow tires to put on this winter. I usually buy a tire/wheel combination, but since I will only be keeping this car for two years (will need something more practical after that), I'm just going to stay with stock wheels and change the rubber. I wont be modding because I'm not likely to purchase it at the end of two years, and there's no easy HP add for this engine like there is for the N-54.

I'll post pictures in the noob sticky when I take delivery. And thanks to everyone involved with this forum. I got a lot of good info on the forum and that info was a big help in my decision.

[richard in NC]

In my opinion the Ivory extended leather makes the car. Although mine needs a good cleaning after 2 years of ownership. I also would have considered the extended red leather.

[cpippolo]

Does look great. Nice picture. Can't wait to see it in person. Its a pricey option just for appearance, but it just might be worth it. I've always thought the interior look is important since that's what you are looking at 99% of the time, and that was the only thing I preferred in my A4 over my 335xi.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by cpippolo

Does look great. Nice picture. Can't wait to see it in person. Its a pricey option just for appearance, but it just might be worth it. I've always thought the interior look is important since that's what you are looking at 99% of the time, and that was the only thing I preferred in my A4 over my 335xi.

Even though the Ivory option is pricey, it includes several options in the package so the net cost versus getting extended leather/wood/sport seats is only about $500.

[cpippolo]

Think its a little more than that on the 30i I'm getting. I'm getting the M-sport/ivory nappa package and it adds $1450 to m-sport, and the only differences are replacing aluminum carbon shadow trim with anthracite wood trim (both are upgrades so I assume that's a wash) and ivory white nappa leather. I think the extended leather looks great, but would have been fine with the kansas leather, so not sure I would have spent that if ordering. That said, it will look great so I'm not too upset about spending the extra money.

I can't really tell from pictures where the alcantara is. Is it just on the side of the seats, or do they put it in other spots as well? Doesn't look like they put it in the seat bottom or back where it might help you stay in place during spirited driving. Guess that's what the adjustable bolsters are for, but even with those in my 335xi I usuall press my knee againt the center tunnel or door in aggressive turns.

Edit - Sorry, just realized you were talking just about nappa for $500, presumably the other $950 is for extended leather.

[richard in NC]

The alcantara is just the upper back bolsters and the door trim just above the armrests.