e85 Z4 M Roadster or e89 35i?

[HEY32G]

Since my last thread kind of got highjacked, I thought I'd just start a fresh one.

Previously I asked the question Z4 M Roadster vs. 30i, and it seemed to come out - go with the M, but how about in comparison the 35i?

Thanks, and sorry to have two threads so similar, but the other one had gone way off topic.

Thanks.

[keepittrill]

That was my fault, dude. Good luck with your decision

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by keepittrill

That was my fault, dude. Good luck with your decision

[SCOTT123]

I love my 2010 Z4 3.5is M Sport. I like it more than my 2006 M Roadster, more than my 2000 M Roadster and more than my 2002 and 2009 M3's. I love the looks, the handling, the acceleration and the exhaust note. The turbo makes a huge difference.

[vasmir]

These are two pretty different cars.
What's the deciding factor here... what are you ultimately looking for?
I mean, there are some pretty drastic differences in weight, luxury, handling, cost,... focus... etc.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by vasmir

These are two pretty different cars.
What's the deciding factor here... what are you ultimately looking for?
I mean, there are some pretty drastic differences in weight, luxury, handling, cost,... focus... etc.

This is the bottom line. What are your plans for the car? What are your desires and expectations? Coupe or roadster? We can't answer that for you. Without looking back at earlier posts, have you driven either if these cars to compare? If you want the performance of an M, you can't make a non-M car into one (close maybe, but not equal). Ahh, we should all have such dilemmas in our lives 😀

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by SCOTT123

I love my 2010 Z4 3.5is M Sport. I like it more than my 2006 M Roadster, more than my 2000 M Roadster and more than my 2002 and 2009 M3's. I love the looks, the handling, the acceleration and the exhaust note. The turbo makes a huge difference.

Nice sequence of cars!

Any more thoughts on the E89 35is vs. E9X M3 handling?

OP, you should lease an E89. way less hassles.

[HEY32G]

The car will not be a daily driver, but it will be used more than just one or two days a week. I live in a pretty small town, so I never really drive too far, but the primary appeal is taking it out on entertaining back roads. It will never sit in traffic. I do not plan to track it, but I don't plan to baby it either. This is purely for fun and stress relief. I have always had sports cars and truly enjoy driving a great car.

I'm pretty sold on the M, but curious if the 35i will provide close to the same entertainment, but with maybe a bit less running costs.

Thanks for the input thus far.

[nicknaz]

If you're sold on the m might as well pull the trigger.

( should try Boxster s and e89 first though to be sure)

Your "Fun" car doesn't need to be rationalized or analyzed too much since there is always a "better" choice depending on what factors you are optimizing on

[Hujan]

I have always coveted an E86 M roadster. I really like that body style in the hardtop configuration. If you are at all mechanically inclined, I'd think restoring/modding an M Roadster would be as much fun as driving it. To me, those cars have a timeless aspect that the E89 may not have. Plus, the N/A motor should have more longevity than the turbo'd car.

As much as I love our E89, I might have to go E86 M if I had the opportunity.

[apocryphx]

I own a Z4 sDrive35i and thoroughly enjoy the car . The car changes character in so many different ways. In normal mode you cruise along in a relaxed way listening to the excellent stereo (top up or down) I drove it from L.A to Portland, OR along the coast. Or switch to Sport+ / "manual shift mode" and explore the cars limits on a winding road (Mulholland Hwy or Angeles Crest Hwy). Relax on the freeway and do some long distance cruising (L.A. to Las Vegas).
Get the bike carrier and take two mountain bikes with you to explore the surrounding wilderness. Get winter tires and wheels (Traction mode on) and drive up to your favorite ski resort (skies in the trunk with colds weather package).
result: 50K miles in 2.5 years. The Z4 is a very versatile car ... you get the picture.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by SCOTT123

I love my 2010 Z4 3.5is M Sport. I like it more than my 2006 M Roadster, more than my 2000 M Roadster and more than my 2002 and 2009 M3's. I love the looks, the handling, the acceleration and the exhaust note. The turbo makes a huge difference.

Can't agree with this. The e89 is definitely more refined but I do not like it more than the z3 M-roadster.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by Hujan

I have always coveted an E86 M roadster. I really like that body style in the hardtop configuration. If you are at all mechanically inclined, I'd think restoring/modding an M Roadster would be as much fun as driving it. To me, those cars have a timeless aspect that the E89 may not have. Plus, the N/A motor should have more longevity than the turbo'd car.

As much as I love our E89, I might have to go E86 M if I had the opportunity.

I've never driven a Z4 M roadster and as much as I love the looks of our car, the Z4 M coupe (but not the vert) looks even more beautiful IMO, in particular the back end.

[army_men]

not trying to say one is better than the other. but a z4 35i e89 is still faster than a m coupe around the track tho. both are expensive cars right now, its up to what you feel like.

[vasmir]

Originally Posted by Nkc

Can't agree with this. The e89 is definitely more refined but I do not like it more than the z3 M-roadster.

Concur. I've actually been test driving e36/8s lately... looking for a tossable track car.

Originally Posted by GH32335i

...
I'm pretty sold on the M, but curious if the 35i will provide close to the same entertainment, but with maybe a bit less running costs.
...

eh, let's say for argument's sake that the average cost you'll spend on a used e89 sDrive35i is $5-10k more than for the e85 M. Now of course there's a lot of variation in there, from milage, general condition, age, etc... but that's not too far off the bat.
Assuming you can find the e85 in decent condition, that $5-10k you saved can go a long way towards keeping it running...

Also, I personally I think the "cost to run" for the older car is decently balanced with the higher upfront cost of the newer one. And on top of that, provided you own the car for a few years, the e85 will probably have the better depreciation since it's a ragtop, has the S54 engine, and is the M.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by vasmir

Assuming you can find the e85 in decent condition... has the S54 engine, and is the M.

G/L with that... I have a great guess as to how a S54 equipped M car as been used these last couple of years

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by vasmir

Concur. I've actually been test driving e36/8s lately... looking for a tossable track car.


eh, let's say for argument's sake that the average cost you'll spend on a used e89 sDrive35i is $5-10k more than for the e85 M. Now of course there's a lot of variation in there, from milage, general condition, age, etc... but that's not too far off the bat.
Assuming you can find the e85 in decent condition, that $5-10k you saved can go a long way towards keeping it running...

Also, I personally I think the "cost to run" for the older car is decently balanced with the higher upfront cost of the newer one. And on top of that, provided you own the car for a few years, the e85 will probably have the better depreciation since it's a ragtop, has the S54 engine, and is the M.

Great points. Thanks

[Lambobimmer]

I have owned an S54 powered E46M3 in the past and it was a nightmare. I believe that most people don't experience the problems that I had but BMW spent about 18k in CPO warranty work on that car. Since then I have owned Stage 2 tuned N54 cars with no problems. IMO the N54 is much more reliable, much faster in a straight line and would be faster around the track with some suspension work. It also requires less service than the S54. If you don't know the S54 requires regular valve adjustments which cost about $500. The only downfall is that the E89 doesn't have an LSD's but this is only a problem is you are going to track the car a lot.

[HEY32G]

Originally Posted by lamboworld

I have owned an S54 powered E46M3 in the past and it was a nightmare. I believe that most people don't experience the problems that I had but BMW spent about 18k in CPO warranty work on that car. Since then I have owned Stage 2 tuned N54 cars with no problems. IMO the N54 is much more reliable, much faster in a straight line and would be faster around the track with some suspension work. It also requires less service than the S54. If you don't know the S54 requires regular valve adjustments which cost about $500. The only downfall is that the E89 doesn't have an LSD's but this is only a problem is you are going to track the car a lot.

Curious what year was your M3?

I had a 335i and it was great, but it didn't have the LSD either, which I hated.

Yes, I knew about the valve adjustments, I have a great local shop that quoted me $600.

[Lambobimmer]

Originally Posted by GH32335i

Curious what year was your M3?

I had a 335i and it was great, but it didn't have the LSD either, which I hated.

Yes, I knew about the valve adjustments, I have a great local shop that quoted me $600.

2004

Her is a link to all of the problems that I had. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=324058

I also had to replace the alternator and a few other items before I got rid of it. The S54 is a great engine if the Vanos don't explode on you which is quite common.

My M3 was fully modded, including 410's and my Z4 or my 135i would blow the doors off of that car. The E46M3 is not a very fast car and it takes a lot of $$$$ to mod. It is not worth the money to install bolt on because you just can't squeeze much more power out of this engine unless you supercharge it or change the internals.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by lamboworld

2004

Her is a link to all of the problems that I had. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=324058

I also had to replace the alternator and a few other items before I got rid of it. The S54 is a great engine if the Vanos don't explode on you which is quite common.

My M3 was fully modded, including 410's and my Z4 or my 135i would blow the doors off of that car. The E46M3 is not a very fast car and it takes a lot of $$$$ to mod. It is not worth the money to install bolt on because you just can't squeeze much more power out of this engine unless you supercharge it or change the internals.

That's an unbelievable list of repairs on your M3. How long did you own it? Did you suffer a lot of repairs on your dime?

[Lambobimmer]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

That's an unbelievable list of repairs on your M3. How long did you own it? Did you suffer a lot of repairs on your dime?

I owned that car for 15 months. I had less than 1k in repairs that came out of my own pocket.