28i or 35i

Bobster67

Member
Good morning all, my search for a Z4 continues and I am now faced with a dilemma.

I am now looking at a 35i or a 28i. Has anyone driven/owned both? Am interested to know how both drive. Unfortunately given the distance I am not going to have a chance to drive either.

Both offer the spec I am after, the 28i is nearly new whilst the 35i is 4 years old so clearly there are the benefits of the BMW warranty to be considered.

Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated.

Many thanks
 
Warranty would sway me for sure but the 35i is a peach of a car and it's probably the best car I've ever owned....I personally wouldn't listen to people who say there isn't much in it, because there is. The sound is enough to make you get your wallet out!

Good luck
 
Why would you be chosing between a nearly new 2.8 and a 4-year old 35i ? That makes no sense. Are you aware of the massive discounts offered on new ones ?

I've never owned the 2.8 E89, but imagine that it is a great all-rounder with good MPG. On the other hand I don't care less being a good middle ground or MPG.

Good luck.
 
Firstly, I would personally go for the 28i (booooo!).

It's almost as quick, is massively more economical and all in cheaper to run, and (from my experience of driving one a few weeks ago) is superbly flexible. Some people (most people?) will mention noise and such things, but really that is the least of my concerns and I couldn't tell a six from a four most times so the blend of performance/economy/cost would win it for me.

Second, the 28i can be had brand new from BMW with over £12k off list. You'll get a new one cheaper than a nearly-new in many cases, so if your choice really is between those two than I'd also consider a brand new one.
 
Stratts said:
Firstly, I would personally go for the 28i (booooo!).

It's almost as quick, is massively more economical and all in cheaper to run, and (from my experience of driving one a few weeks ago) is superbly flexible. Some people (most people?) will mention noise and such things, but really that is the least of my concerns and I couldn't tell a six from a four most times so the blend of performance/economy/cost would win it for me.

Second, the 28i can be had brand new from BMW with over £12k off list. You'll get a new one cheaper than a nearly-new in many cases, so if your choice really is between those two than I'd also consider a brand new one.

+1 lower cost, lower tax, better fuel consumption and lower price make it worth it! Unless you really want a 35i and have cash to burn!
 
Hi, if you had popped in for a look in the E89 forum you would of found this thread http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=67661 its entitled the 35i is Dead........long live the 28i and I think it'll help with your questions

To be honest someone's view/opinion may not be best for you especially if you can't try the cars. Best of luck :thumbsup:
 
Can I just say as helpful as people think they are being, knowing the price of a almost new 28i and a used 35i I wouldn't think the posters budget will stretch to a new 35i, 35is or 28i especially if the ones they have looked at have a few toys. Or they may not want to spend that amount on a car. Almost new cars from BMW are taking into account discounts being applied. And yes there is discounts but not all dealers are offering the same level

I've already seen some of the other posts from the thread starter and I think he knows what he wants and what he wants to spend.
 
Angie4m said:
Can I just say as helpful as people think they are being, knowing the price of a almost new 28i and a used 35i I wouldn't think the posters budget will stretch to a new 35i, 35is or 28i especially if the ones they have looked at have a few toys. Or they may not want to spend that amount on a car. Almost new cars from BMW are taking into account discounts being applied. And yes there is discounts but not all dealers are offering the same level

I've already seen some of the other posts from the thread starter and I think he knows what he wants and what he wants to spend.

Hi

just trying to help but fully agree with your sensible comment :bow:

so .. not sure what I would go for in his situation ??
 
Well assuming the 28i is not the one he posted about the other day, it could be a tough choice. To be honest a 28i in Valencia orange with or without heated seats would be my choice over a 35i but like stark says the sound of a 6 cylinder is lovely and no 4 cylinder can match that.

28i is a rare car, not many have come up for sale either via BMW or through other channels and for an everyday car it's fine. Power of a 35i is great but if your not going to put it to good use is it worth it? To some yes, to others no. I'm sure whatever choice is made it will be the right one
 
I got the 28i because I'm a fan of the engine. Runs great, sounds great.

There isn't a day where I don't miss the i6. However, here in the US we don't get the i6 with manual transmission, and there would have been no way for me to dump so much more money and then not getting the really I really want down to the last bolt.

It's getting better now that I sold my e46 330i. Having both was brutal.

To clarify, a new Z4 28i is silly fast.
 
In your position I think I would go for the 28.

Not driven one myself but on paper they are not that different.

It's the newness that would swing it for me :thumbsup:
 
Good morning all, really appreciate the feedback, I see I have you a little divided:-)

This will be a second (third if you count the wife's car) and is intended as a weekend car. Have had a boxster before (987) and have just sold my 911 (997). Both great cars but if honest preferred the boxster, it's was more fun and I like some roof down action when the weather allows. The 911 was nice to have but was more hassle than it was worth. Would like a new Boxster as it is truly a phenomenal car but don't want to tie up that much money in a second car.

So here I am looking at Z4's, a great looking car which I think will offer hassle free motoring. Have had many BMW's before and they have been rock solid in terms of reliability.

Have driven a couple of 2.0 and whilst I really like the car I found it to be completely underpowered especially given what I have been driving.

My heart is telling me go for the 35i but my head is saying it has to be to 28i.

I can feel a purchase coming on, will keep you posted.

Thanks again for your input, this is a great forum, will no doubt be picking your brains some more in the coming weeks.
 
I have just bought a 5 year old 35i which is in stunning condition and no I don't need that power in fact none of us can use all the power our Zeds have but for me it is a weekend car and I love the noise the 6 makes and it is great to gun it a bit on certain roads but it sounds to me like you would be better off with the 28i as it's newer, although if the 35i that you are looking at is in as good a condition as mine I would have to go for the 6 cyl I wouldn't be able to stop myself :) mine has only 23,500 miles on it as well and that car is going to a pub on the north york moors today and that will be the first time in this new car with the top down and it will make me smile :thumbsup: good luck with your choice and either way you will have a stunning car to enjoy :thumbsup:
 
I think what you meant to say Andy was we can't use all the power on the roads. Well actually you can if your using launch control from a standing start on the A1 as some of the junctions on the single carriageways don't have lanes to cross the road. But even then it's only for a short period of time.

As a driver with a racing license I've been waiting on better weather and getting back our other car before I take my car and put its through its paces on a track or two and seeing exactly what the power can do.
 
Angie4m said:
I think what you meant to say Andy was we can't use all the power on the roads. Well actually you can if your using launch control from a standing start on the A1 as some of the junctions on the single carriageways don't have lanes to cross the road. But even then it's only for a short period of time.

As a driver with a racing license I've been waiting on better weather and getting back our other car before I take my car and put its through its paces on a track or two and seeing exactly what the power can do.

Well that's what I meant but of course I forgot about using the car around a track, what is launch control like is it just mayhem :)
 
andya1 said:
Angie4m said:
I think what you meant to say Andy was we can't use all the power on the roads. Well actually you can if your using launch control from a standing start on the A1 as some of the junctions on the single carriageways don't have lanes to cross the road. But even then it's only for a short period of time.

As a driver with a racing license I've been waiting on better weather and getting back our other car before I take my car and put its through its paces on a track or two and seeing exactly what the power can do.

Well that's what I meant but of course I forgot about using the car around a track, what is launch control like is it just mayhem :)

It's not bad at all the launch control. If you think it throws you back into your seat when you put the foot down, this almost puts you through the boot and peels your face off! It actually handles going straight rather well, not too skittish and the front end seems to lift up slightly a bit like Dukes of Hazzard. Even my sister commented on that when I launched it with her in it.

If you get the chance to put it through its paces, give it a go :thumbsup:
 
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