Z4 35i vs M235i

[petrolhead]

Has anyone driven both. I know they are different car types but share a similar power train.

More interested in the ride and handling

[sars]

Haven't driven the Z4-35i but had the 3.0, and came close to ordering the M235i

M235i pros, better handling, much better steering feel, better chassis and thus felt more driveable than the Zed
M235i cons, Insides nowhere nears as nice, lot of money and doesn't look like £40k worth of car (spec'd mine to £42K-less £5k discount)

In the end the 435d was so much better value when discounted

[matthurley]

Haven't driven the Z4-35i but had the 3.0, and came close to ordering the M235i

M235i pros, better handling, much better steering feel, better chassis and thus felt more driveable than the Zed
M235i cons, Insides nowhere nears as nice, lot of money and doesn't look like £40k worth of car (spec'd mine to £42K-less £5k discount)

In the end the 435d was so much better value when discounted

Can i ask why you chose the 435d and not the petrol variant?

[sars]

Can i ask why you chose the 435d and not the petrol variant?

Oh that's easy: -

1) 20,000 miles a year, 45.7 mpg average so far over 9500 miles
2) xdrive, biggest criticism of the merc was traction, to much torque through a conventional diff and this is the only model that it's available for
3) 464 lb ft of torque
4) Performance, it's a wee bit quicker than the 435i to 60 mph
5) It's very civilized in comfort mode due to the small first turbo, keep the rev's low and it's relaxed driving, put it into Sport + and it's like a scalded cat and the acceleration is relentless

[KERMIT1970]

I had specced my m235 2 years ago & had one for a couple of days. As sars says handles great & quick wee car. Really liked it, but just didn't feel special ! Just felt I would have got board with it very quickly.

In the end I payed a bit more & ordered my 35is. Best decision I ever made. I have 2 cars in 1, can't beat the roof down experience.

[petrolhead]

Interesting and was I was hoping I would hear: Better handling

I had a 35i Z4 and sold it after 4 months as I felt the handling was just not how a sports car should feel like. I actually bought the new MX5 instead and its just so much better but to be fair to the Z4 its more of a GT car than a sports car

[Twin Turbo]

Interesting and was I was hoping I would hear: Better handling

I had a 35i Z4 and sold it after 4 months as I felt the handling was just not how a sports car should feel like. I actually bought the new MX5 instead and its just so much better but to be fair to the Z4 its more of a GT car than a sports car

I do agree with you - but spending an few £££ on the suspension can transform the car - to something it should have been

MX5 great car - just needs more power

[petrolhead]

Yes however ALL the power can be used and its more fun extracting the best from a car

[El Pollo Diablo]

Interesting and was I was hoping I would hear: Better handling

I had a 35i Z4 and sold it after 4 months as I felt the handling was just not how a sports car should feel like. I actually bought the new MX5 instead and its just so much better but to be fair to the Z4 its more of a GT car than a sports car

That is very interesting indeed. I've been tempted by the new MX-5 as a potential upgrade to my E85, but I thought E89 would be a better choice after getting used to the torquey nature and the premium feel of the BMW. I guess I have to test drive an MX-5!

[KERMIT1970]

Interesting and was I was hoping I would hear: Better handling

I had a 35i Z4 and sold it after 4 months as I felt the handling was just not how a sports car should feel like. I actually bought the new MX5 instead and its just so much better but to be fair to the Z4 its more of a GT car than a sports car

That is very interesting indeed. I've been tempted by the new MX-5 as a potential upgrade to my E85, but I thought E89 would be a better choice after getting used to the torquey nature and the premium feel of the BMW. I guess I have to test drive an MX-5!

The adaptive suspension on my e89 is very good. Wouldn't say the handling is poor. I think the only difference I noticed with the M235 was down to the fact it was running descent tyres & not the runcraps. Since I changed my tyres to Mpss I think the difference would now be marginal if any.

[petrolhead]

Well I changed the run flats to Goodyear Asymmetric which improved the ride and grip but the car just never filled me with confidence.

I agree that getting rid of the adaptive suspension for some good coil overs would have helped but it also had too much rubber in the suspension

Now, to be fair, I come from having had several Caterhams including a R500. Interesting, when I had the R500 I also had the E85 3.0 Sport and that was even worse than the E89. I remember doing a recce in the E85 for a tour I was organising for the Caterham lads and I just felt that car was just itching to spit me off the road, far less compliant than the R500.

I could recommend a test drive of the new MX5. I have the 2.0 sport and its not slow on a twisty B road

[KERMIT1970]

I could recommend a test drive of the new MX5. I have the 2.0 sport and its not slow on a twisty B road[/quote]

Each to there own ! I wouldn't change my 35is for much,well maybe a M4 vert. There's a new mx5 in the carpark at work, horrible looking thing imo liked the last one right enough.

[petrolhead]

There's a new mx5 in the carpark at work, horrible looking thing imo liked the last one right enough.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[Angie4m]

There's a new mx5 in the carpark at work, horrible looking thing imo liked the last one right enough.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Front and sides, it's lovely, I just can't get on with that back end however most of the time your not looking at that. I see them coming and think that's a good looking car, then remember the rear once I've glimpsed at it again.

[petrolhead]

We digress, its the 235i I was more interested in vs the Z4