3.0 or 3.5i

[Frankie169]

Been enjoying my 2.3 so much I’ve decided that I fancy either the 3.0 or the 35i

Not interested in the 35is as I want a manual, initially I was only looking at 3.0 but the spec I want is rare as hens teeth and the 35 seems more plentyful

I intend keeping it for the foreseeable future so need some advice, ie running costs between the two, fuel mpg, serving cost, reliability etc. Is the 35 much more to run and more to go wrong, ie turbos etc. I have read of issues with the N54 engine whilst the N52 seems bullet proof apart from the water pump which is a quick repair, really in need of some unbiased advice.

[djt1712]

I have a 2006 3.0si and recently treat drive a 2009 35i, it was amazing. I am now searching for a 35is which seem to be rare.
Not much help to you but good luck searching and researching.

[Frankie169]

I share your searching frustration, specially for a 3.0, they all seem to be auto's.

I'm planning on a long term keeper hence a manual, non turbo, std suspension with sports seats (all less to go wrong) fitted with PDC, Infotainment and heated seats, finding one is the issue.

Might look for the above with the 35i turbo if price and mileage is right but first I wanted to find out about running costs vs the 3.0, hence the post

[Busterboo]

... they all seem to be auto's.

Or DCT?

[Frankie169]

Manual for me, old school !!, + massive cost if it goes tits up

[Gabz]

Absolutely 35i. You will very quickly get used to the small extra punch of the 30i and it'll feel similar to the 23i. The 35i has a lot of torque and never leaves you unsatisfied. A simple tune can take it to 360bhp and it's a night/day difference from a 30i.

Have you dried the DCT gearbox before? Perhaps worth testing one out before committing to the manual.

[Phoenixboy]

Absolutely 35i. You will very quickly get used to the small extra punch of the 30i and it'll feel similar to the 23i. The 35i has a lot of torque and never leaves you unsatisfied. A simple tune can take it to 360bhp and it's a night/day difference from a 30i.

Have you dried the DCT gearbox before? Perhaps worth testing one out before committing to the manual.

theres more than a small difference between the 23i and the 30i

[metal licker]

I went from 23i to 35i manual couldn't have been happier

[ronk]

On my latest change I went from E89 3.0 to a 35is. The salesman said “chalk & cheese” - he was correct!

The 3.0l needs rpm the 35is has grunt from way down low.
Why single out worry about an auto/Dct gearbox costs on the 35is? They aren’t known to be unreliable .

It was suggested earlier - try before you decide on a manual ‘box.

[gwatson]

Tricky one, really depends what your expectations and requirements for the car are, oh and budget. I previously had a Z4M and Supercharged 3.0i, now in a manual E89 30i.

I test drove a 35is but didn't enjoy it, was left really disappointed and instantly ruled out an E89 and started looking at alternatives. Looking back, the expectation was just too high, was thinking of it as a modern Z4M in my head and it was really really expensive for what it was, another £5k and I'd have been in a Boxster S.

Back in Oct I test drove an immaculate, low mileage, full spec manual 35i which came up locally. Much much better, clearly all down to the manual gearbox. But we couldn't come to a deal. I was really disappointed at the time and was kicking myself for missing out on it over a couple of hundred quid.

The E89 hunt was back on. Roll on another 2 months and a low mileage 30i manual came up which I now own. I compromised on spec (only have 19's, heated seat and bluetooh really) but the car had a solid history and was a real bargain, £9k cheaper than the 35i and £15k cheaper than the 35is. The E89 just isn't a late teen early twenties car IMO. Not special enough, controversial I know.

I love it, never leaves me wanting more in performance despite my Z4 history, love how it revs and the instant throttle response. The gearing is quite short and the throw is actually pretty good for a BMW. Perfect car for my current requirements and situation. Plus I feel feel really smug driving round in a beautiful Z4 knowing I got change from selling my S2000 and buying it. Obviously not as much fun as the S2000 I came from or the Z4M, more grown up.

ALL THAT SAID, moving from a 23i to 30i will be an improvement, but won't blow you away, so you should probably go for a manual 35i IMO

[ronk]

Have a look at the comments here:- viewtopic.php?f=45&t=111819&p=1617087&h ... x#p1614444

[Mr Tidy]

I think it depends what you want from the car.

Before I bought my E86 I had an E87 123d and did think I might find the E86 a bit "flat" at lower engine speeds, but I've never found it a problem - and I love having a red line at 7K instead of 5K!

Manual for me all the way - I'm on car numbers 29 & 30 now and all but 4 of them have been manuals. I just don't like autos! Never tried DCT to be fair, but in a sporting car it just doesn't have any appeal for me!

If I was thinking of looking for an E89 it would have to be a manual 30i or 35i - the former for the solid N52 engine, but the latter for the potential for a remap (despite knowing about potential injector and fuel pump issues)!

Plus the 35i didn't have as standard the adaptive suspension that all 35is' had, which costs stupid money to fix when it goes wrong!

Why would you want low-down grunt in a 2 seater - my old 123d had 400NM, the same as a standard 35i. But I know which I'd rather drive! And you can always change down if you're in a hurry!

Have a think about what is making you think of changing and which model might offer you what you want.

But as others have said the best plan would be to try to drive the potential replacements before you decide.

Good luck anyway.

[TONYL]

Selling my 3.0 manual soon due to lack of use
2010
Ive owned it for the past 6 years
Pm me your email for more info and pics if interested
Cherished 3rd car

[TONYL]

Now on carsandclassic web site for sale