30i or 35i ??
- Thread starter rossmh
- Start date
I’ve not driven the N/A 3.0 so can’t comment on performance but the 35is is a beast when required, you really need to test drive both ideally back to back, as I’ve said the 35is pulls like a train with loads of torture and I don’t think I could settle for the normal 3.0 litre
Attleborough, Norfolk
I'm not really in a position to comment, having owned neither, but from reading many posts on here, I would also ask how big your budget is for maintenance? Anecdotal evidence suggests that if/when they do go wrong, the turbo cars are much more costly to fix.
I have a 35i, only lightly tuned its around 390 BHP and 415 lb/ft torque. It goes like poop off a stick and is still pulling hard at 120 mph! I have the DCT car and I would recommend them to anyone.
Maintenance wise, you can get an excellent used car warranty from warranty direct that covers pretty much everything apart from tyres, brake pads and clutch plates.
I paid £1100 for 3 years cover with no excess and no limit on claims or value of claims. The cover is far superior to the BMW warranty product, had it on y 23i and they paid up every time with no hassle. Owning a 35i without it would be risky unless you have a big wallet..
Cost of cover depends on mileage, my car had 24000 when i took out the policy.
Maintenance wise, you can get an excellent used car warranty from warranty direct that covers pretty much everything apart from tyres, brake pads and clutch plates.
I paid £1100 for 3 years cover with no excess and no limit on claims or value of claims. The cover is far superior to the BMW warranty product, had it on y 23i and they paid up every time with no hassle. Owning a 35i without it would be risky unless you have a big wallet..
Cost of cover depends on mileage, my car had 24000 when i took out the policy.
The 35i has a lot more power and torque so it's going to noticeably more powerful than the 30i but the N54 is notorious for things going wrong with it which are almost always costly to fix. So the question you have to ask yourself is, how important is the extra power to you and are you prepared to put up with the extra repairs costs be it straight cash out of your pocket or paying yearly for a warranty and hope that it covers all eventualities. For me it was very simple, it had to be a 6 pot and the most powerful version without decimating my pocket since I am going to keeping the car for some time. So I went for the 30i and I am not disappointed it is plenty quick.
I have (briefly) driven the 6 speed manual 30i and own the DCT 35i. I think the question is what do you want the car to be able to do (for you)?
If you want good driving performance (which is what you asked in the first post), there is nothing wrong with the 30i. It's no slouch and great fun to drive. As others have pointed out, you may end up with a more reliable and cheaper to maintain vehicle as well. The fact the the 30i you're looking at has the right spec for you is another plus factor.
However, the fact that you're even considering a 35i means to me that you're interested in more power. If you get the 30i I think you'l soon be wishing for more, and there's nothing much you can do for the NA 30i to increase performance. The twin turbo 35i is a completely different beast when it comes to power. 306ish BHP to start with, then very easily tunable upwards. But it is more prone to issues, so be prepared to pay more for maintenance unless you can find a well loved low mileage example (and then it's just a matter of time.... tick tock, tick tock... :lol: )
30i: Great looking, fun, (hopefully) lower maintenance, good power.
35i, Great looking, fun, (possibly) higher maintenance, great power, with plenty of potential for more.
Over to you.
Final note - I have spent far more on maintenance in the last 12 months of 35i ownership, than I did in 5 years of N52 E85 ownership
. Just bad luck? Can't say, but it's certainly living up to the negatives as far as cost of ownership goes.
If you want good driving performance (which is what you asked in the first post), there is nothing wrong with the 30i. It's no slouch and great fun to drive. As others have pointed out, you may end up with a more reliable and cheaper to maintain vehicle as well. The fact the the 30i you're looking at has the right spec for you is another plus factor.
However, the fact that you're even considering a 35i means to me that you're interested in more power. If you get the 30i I think you'l soon be wishing for more, and there's nothing much you can do for the NA 30i to increase performance. The twin turbo 35i is a completely different beast when it comes to power. 306ish BHP to start with, then very easily tunable upwards. But it is more prone to issues, so be prepared to pay more for maintenance unless you can find a well loved low mileage example (and then it's just a matter of time.... tick tock, tick tock... :lol: )
30i: Great looking, fun, (hopefully) lower maintenance, good power.
35i, Great looking, fun, (possibly) higher maintenance, great power, with plenty of potential for more.
Over to you.
Final note - I have spent far more on maintenance in the last 12 months of 35i ownership, than I did in 5 years of N52 E85 ownership
. Just bad luck? Can't say, but it's certainly living up to the negatives as far as cost of ownership goes.Z4M-2006 said:
The question is how long did you own the 35i and how many miles did you put on it?
The key to a cheap 35i ownership experience is getting one that's already had the injectors and HPFP replaced.
After those issues are sorted you're into the normal issues that come with a 10yr old German car. The Z4 isn't a cheap car to keep in general, better to have something fast and fun that costs you money than something lukewarm that still empties your bank :wink:
After those issues are sorted you're into the normal issues that come with a 10yr old German car. The Z4 isn't a cheap car to keep in general, better to have something fast and fun that costs you money than something lukewarm that still empties your bank :wink:
rossmh said:
Is the problem that you can't find a 3.0i in the spec/ colour scheme that you want. But you may in a 3.5i if so sounds like the look of the car is probably more important than the difference between the models. Valid comments on the previous posts and what the difference can mean in power and cost. Unless you want the extra power and potential maintainance cost then keep looking for a 3.0i and /or be prepared to accept you may not get all that you would like. Difficult choice Good luck.
Mine is 420-430~ and it's fine. You can't go full throttle during a corner or take a roundabout at a ton but otherwise it manages to keep on the roadjohn-e89 said:Slightly wide eyed at a ‘North of 400bhp’ 35i on standard suspension
A little more than wide eyed at a ‘North of 400bhp’ 35i on standard suspension.....Straight line duties only then....!! :lol:
R.E92 said:Mine is 420-430~ and it's fine. You can't go full throttle during a corner or take a roundabout at a ton but otherwise it manages to keep on the roadjohn-e89 said:Slightly wide eyed at a ‘North of 400bhp’ 35i on standard suspension
A little more than wide eyed at a ‘North of 400bhp’ 35i on standard suspension.....
I’ll take your word for it..! :lol:
Joking apart i guess I can’t really comment, I’ve never driven one other than stock, I’ve been in Jollyjoiners 365bhp 35i and I reckon it’d slaughter my stock 35is so another approx 70-80bhp must be pretty impressive..!
After I read this last night I thought oh darn, I could have had 50 hp more. :?
After I drove the car this morning I thought, nah
I drove my 3.0 as hard I dare through the back roads. The N52 is not lacking in power or response. I can't imagine a street scenario where a lot more hp is needed to enjoy the little car. In contrast I have Mustang GT with 440 hp and you have to be cautious less the back end starts passing the front end
even though that kind of power is fun I enjoy pushing the the Zed more.
I think the old saying is true about it is more fun driving a slow car fast versus driving a fast car slow. Still the NA 3.0 is no slouch in sport mode.
After I drove the car this morning I thought, nah
I drove my 3.0 as hard I dare through the back roads. The N52 is not lacking in power or response. I can't imagine a street scenario where a lot more hp is needed to enjoy the little car. In contrast I have Mustang GT with 440 hp and you have to be cautious less the back end starts passing the front end
even though that kind of power is fun I enjoy pushing the the Zed more.I think the old saying is true about it is more fun driving a slow car fast versus driving a fast car slow. Still the NA 3.0 is no slouch in sport mode.