Picked up a lovey 2014 Valencia Orange 35iS. FBMWSH, BMW AUC car, 42k miles and with all of the toys I wanted and the Design Pure Traction option which gives it the Alacantara and orange seats and extended leather on the doors and dash. I also got it ceramic coated by the dealer.
Gave it a clean this morning so was able to take some pictures
It’s got the 677 stereo and Professional Nav system.
I liked my 23i but recently found myself in the fortunate position to have a reasonably substantial budget and this beauty came up. I was sorry to see the 23i go.
My first observations are by feck it’s quick, overtaking is done effortlessly. I love the DCT and the flappy paddles, absolutely seamless. The steering feel is much better than the 23i. The stereo and sound system is amazing and makes me realise how poor quality the previous one was. The leather is much softer to the touch. The adaptive suspension will take a bit of getting used to but I don’t dislike it. I’ve felt a bit of weight transfer cornering hard today but then realise that I’m doing at least 20 mph more than normal so some of it can be attributed to that. Fuel consumption is better than the 23i. Spirited driving in it was 21.5 ish the 35i was 24.7 over the same route but at a quicker pace. Insurance was only another £57 for the year.
Plans at the moment are change the salmon relays, install a SmartTop and change the wheels and tyres. Currently it’s sitting on 326’s & RFT’s - going on are the 276’s with MPS4’s that I bought but didn’t get round to fitting to the 23i. It’s got a Whippy which may stay but got a stubby in the wings incase it’s needed.
I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone on the forum who have provided me loads of information and knowledge to get to the position where I could feel comfortable and knowledgeable enough to do due diligence and buy a car like this. I’ve gone from a complete newbie about a year ago making tentative enquires about buying a £3-£4K E85 to purchasing the E89 of my dreams.
We’re heading off to the Highlands this weekend and taking in Skye, Inverness and part of the NC500 to familiarise ourselves and enjoy our new Zed.
Oh, I don’t know if I mentioned it, but by feck it’s fast
Andy
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