So what next after 'dead4'?

[sunnydays]

Well you can go two routes..

This is all IMHO

A 28i is not much slower in the real world than a 35i....the auto 8 speed box is great and much better than the 7 speed DSG in almost all regards..you can get 28i for less money than a 35i for the same spec and mileage...so you can go cheaper or newer or more toys..

The thinking man’s option is to go for a 20i as they are much more plentiful then get it remapped to around 285bhp...40 more than a 28i...then it goes very well, but that brings more emphasis on the 8 speed auto as it’s much faster/adept than the 6 speed manual, and you can always put it manual mode anyway..

The 18i 20i 28i are around 100kg lighter than the 35i and that means around corners they handle much better and they just don’t get edgy when pushed..

I tried a 35is after I remapped my 20i and found it a point and squirt then wobble around the corner in comparison...had gone to buy it with 17.5k cash in my hand..car was pretty much perfect..walked away under whelmed..

Of course some people like that slightly out of control feel and.or must have the biggest..I did this many times in the past and I was never happier as a result..

There are a limited number of issues with the N20 engine but it pails into insignificance against the 35i..

For what’s its worth the Z4M seem to turn into money pits quite quickly so would see a 35i to Z4M as a frying pan into fire job...

Of course if you are great at mechanicing with a nice garage and the time then other options become available...

Just seen this post, the bolded points
The 35is will destroy a 28i. The ZF gearbox pales in comparison to the 35is DCT, and when mapped the N54 is an animal.

OP if you originally set out to buy a Z4 35is, I don't think you will be happy with a 28i. I would advise either looking at another 35i / is, or perhaps another car from a different marque that has similar performance like a Boxster S, TT RS, E92 M3 etc....

[Smartbear]

All I wanted was an opinion on the 28i. Maybe from someone who owns one. Looks like I poked a hornets nest instead.

So with all the replies and differing opinions have you found any of it helpful in the slightest ?

Don’t mention the war
https://youtu.be/yfl6Lu3xQW0
Rob

[scootr]

I think you just got unlucky. You could buy 100 more used cars without encountering the same problem.
If your dream is to own and drive an E89 BMW then I would be shopping hard and heavy right now. Prices are still going downward and at a seasonal low right now. If you wait until spring you will (generally) pay more. The 3 liter E89 I bought with 60k miles on it is a dream to own and drive.

[Stevo1987]

All I wanted was an opinion on the 28i. Maybe from someone who owns one. Looks like I poked a hornets nest instead.

So with all the replies and differing opinions have you found any of it helpful in the slightest ?

Yes, very helpful.

[Smartbear]

I think you just got unlucky. You could buy 100 more used cars without encountering the same problem.
If your dream is to own and drive an E89 BMW then I would be shopping hard and heavy right now. Prices are still going downward and at a seasonal low right now. If you wait until spring you will (generally) pay more. The 3 liter E89 I bought with 60k miles on it is a dream to own and drive.

Don’t mention your gearbox for Christ’s sake
Rob

[Zikim]

All I wanted was an opinion on the 28i. Maybe from someone who owns one. Looks like I poked a hornets nest instead.

Stevo,
I don't understand why if you still liked the 35iS range topper after just 6 weeks, why do you want to change to an inferior 28i?

I previously had an S2000 pre-facelift and had it for 18 months & 35k miles and loved it, before it was written-off by some clown. I bought a facelift S2000 as a replacement and didn't like it because it wasn't as good to drive. This is what you will feel like if you now buy a 28i

I have a 35i with DCT and previously a 3.0 E85 roadster manual, IMO the DCT is great but the manual BMW's cannot compare to the S2000 gearbox

[scootr]

OMG are we really going to go manual vs DCT !? I could write a verse in favor of each so to each buyer their own. Which is best depends upon what you want and what type of driving you do. I have 2 toy cars with a stick shift. Both are a pain in the arse if you get caught in bumper to bumper traffic.
I can see where the extra power and ease of operation of a 35is would be fun. Like my X5d in sport mode

[Smartbear]

Lots of snobbery here, it’s a shame
Rob

[Zikim]

Lots of snobbery here, it’s a shame
Rob

Not snobbery Rob, just the truth. You cannot deny that the 35iS is the range topper and that the 35i, 28i, etc are lower down the range.

If I had had the money that Stevo has to spend I would have bought the 35iS and not the 35i that I currently have!

[Smartbear]

Lots of snobbery here, it’s a shame
Rob

Not snobbery Rob, just the truth. You cannot deny that the 35iS is the range topper and that the 35i, 28i, etc are lower down the range.

If I had had the money that Stevo has to spend I would have bought the 35iS and not the 35i that I currently have!

Just because something is more expensive doesn’t automatically make it better in all aspects, there’s plenty of owners who may appreciate the improved fuel economy of the n20 range or the lower tax bracket it falls into because of its lower emissions, it’s also a fact that the lighter weight (and where it’s located) results in a more agile handling car.
These are all facts as well but I’m not calling it a superior car, there’s a z4 for all tastes and no need to bad mouth any of them
Rob

[enuff_zed]

All I wanted was an opinion on the 28i. Maybe from someone who owns one. Looks like I poked a hornets nest instead.

So with all the replies and differing opinions have you found any of it helpful in the slightest ?

I've been doing my best!

[Silverstar]

Lots of snobbery here, it’s a shame
Rob

Not snobbery Rob, just the truth. You cannot deny that the 35iS is the range topper and that the 35i, 28i, etc are lower down the range.

If I had had the money that Stevo has to spend I would have bought the 35iS and not the 35i that I currently have!

What's the difference? can't the 35i be chip tuned to the same level as a 35is? what else does the 35is have that the 35i doesn't? not starting a war here I am just asking

[sunnydays]

Lots of snobbery here, it’s a shame
Rob

Not snobbery Rob, just the truth. You cannot deny that the 35iS is the range topper and that the 35i, 28i, etc are lower down the range.

If I had had the money that Stevo has to spend I would have bought the 35iS and not the 35i that I currently have!

What's the difference? can't the 35i be chip tuned to the same level as a 35is? what else does the 35is have that the 35i doesn't? not starting a war here I am just asking

Different sports exhaust, lighter steering map in non sports mode, silver wing mirrors, body coloured rear diffuser, silver grills, factory map at 340bhp with overboost function

From memory those are the differences

[Zikim]

Lots of snobbery here, it’s a shame
Rob

Not snobbery Rob, just the truth. You cannot deny that the 35iS is the range topper and that the 35i, 28i, etc are lower down the range.

If I had had the money that Stevo has to spend I would have bought the 35iS and not the 35i that I currently have!

Just because something is more expensive doesn’t automatically make it better in all aspects, there’s plenty of owners who may appreciate the improved fuel economy of the n20 range or the lower tax bracket it falls into because of its lower emissions, it’s also a fact that the lighter weight (and where it’s located) results in a more agile handling car.
These are all facts as well but I’m not calling it a superior car, there’s a z4 for all tastes and no need to bad mouth any of them
Rob

Folk are certainly touchy on here, it's not as if I said it was inferior because it has 2 cylinders less than a BMW should have

The point I was making was that the OP will probably be disappointed going from 35iS which has a sweet 6 cylinder engine and higher power, DCT, adaptive suspension, etc to a lower powered 28i which does not have these things.

Can you image if someone has had a Z4M for just 6 weeks and likes it and then they bought a 2.0 Z4 E85 as a replacement - do you think they would be happy with it after the Z4M

[Pastry]

Lots of snobbery here, it’s a shame
Rob

I don’t think it’s snobbery that’s the problem with this thread Rob, it’s all the bollocks being touted as facts