30i vs 35i

[sars]

The bottom line here like in most cases is, buy the best you can sensibly afford and be happy with it!

sound advice

though if you want to have both fun and fuel economy 435D. 1/4 mile in 12.3 seconds @ 111.7 mph

http://www.dragtimes.com/BMW--435d-Drag-Racing.html

 

[ronk]

The bottom line here like in most cases is, buy the best you can sensibly afford and be happy with it!

sound advice

though if you want to have both fun and fuel economy 435D. 1/4 mile in 12.3 seconds @ 111.7 mph

http://www.dragtimes.com/BMW--435d-Drag-Racing.html

Now you've mentioned the 'D' word !

It's worth saying that 0:60 isn't necessarily a good measure of performance. I would say 50 : 90 is a better measure.

 

[lordgrover]

For the purposes of this topic, it's about looks, smoothness, quality of ride and grand touring capability. Outright performance is coincidental.

 

[ronk]

For the purposes of this topic, it's about looks, smoothness, quality of ride and grand touring capability. Outright performance is coincidental.

If it's smoothness ( of the engine i assume ) then it has to be a six!
If Grand Touring means a long legged drive it has to be a six!

If Grand touring means loads of clothes for all occasions - the Z4 is the wrong car.

 

[willgill]

looks - 35is msport kit with the twin exhaust pipes takes some beating
smoothness - DCT gear changes are sublime
quality of ride - 35is is awful if you have the RFTs and 19" wheels
grand touring capability - 35is is fairly crap on petrol so that would reduce your GT range, but I always considered a GT car to have 4 seats so go and buy a 6 series which have amongst the best interiors around

 

[ronk]

I would disagree re the 35is on 19's

I've got the adaptive suspension and I'm more than happy

 

[willgill]

So have I

try it without RFTs on the wheels, it gets even better

 

[lordgrover]

Sorry peeps, you're right. When I say GT, I'm thinking more about a long weekend down Cornwall rather than trans-continental tours. It's as much the change up from my current GT86 which is a little raw for longer drives.
The 35iS is over budget so I'm leaning towards a 35i auto or maybe a well specced 30i auto, if the price is right. Either way I think an additional annual warranty plan will be in order.

 

[ronk]

So have I

try it without RFTs on the wheels, it gets even better

When I put non runflats on a previous E85 I thought that although the ride quality was inmproved, the sharpness of turn in deteriorated.

My previous E89 on M sport suspension was firm but acceptable but my current E89 is on 19s and Adaptive. I don't want it to loose any of its feel - maybe you could advise please ?

 

[willgill]

E85 tyres varied depending on which you chose, for example the ever recommended rainsport tyres had shockingly weak sidewalls, which I could well imagine would reduce your confidence with turn in capabilities etc.. For my E85 (3.0si)I chose the same tyres I loved on my M3 the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta, which weren't stupidly expensive and I knew were more than up to the task.

For my e89 I spent more money on the car so I decided it deserved appropriately costly rubber, so went for the well received michelin pilot sport 4s, they seem to infinitely improve the road noise, comfort and handling of the car

 

[R.E92]

So have I

try it without RFTs on the wheels, it gets even better

When I put non runflats on a previous E85 I thought that although the ride quality was inmproved, the sharpness of turn in deteriorated.

My previous E89 on M sport suspension was firm but acceptable but my current E89 is on 19s and Adaptive. I don't want it to loose any of its feel - maybe you could advise please ?

I have adaptive with 19" non-RFT. Much better ride, grip and handling by switching to the Pilot Super Sport tyres.

 

[sars]

The bottom line here like in most cases is, buy the best you can sensibly afford and be happy with it!

sound advice

though if you want to have both fun and fuel economy 435D. 1/4 mile in 12.3 seconds @ 111.7 mph

http://www.dragtimes.com/BMW--435d-Drag-Racing.html

Now you've mentioned the 'D' word !

It's worth saying that 0:60 isn't necessarily a good measure of performance. I would say 50 : 90 is a better measure.

That's a fair point, in gear acceleration is all about torque not entirely about traction

Those figures were for an almost stock car, revised suspension was the only change indicated, compare that to a stock 35is and more interestingly against a stock Z4M

 

[Rockford]

I'm aware of the performance difference between the two but I'd like to know about reliability.

I'm looking for an auto/DCT but I'm a little concerned about the added complexity of the 35i vs the 30i.
Primarily gearbox and turbos. Are they any more prone to issues and as expensive to put right as I suspect/fear?

There's a very nice 30i very local to me but top dollar @ £14,850.
Looking around I see two 35i for £14,980 and £14,495.
Man maths says I'd be silly not to go for the 35i but I'm really not all that fussed about outright performance at the expense of reliability and running costs/repairs.

I'm on my second 35i DCT and must admit the 30i never even crossed my mind on both occasions. Touch wood I have had no major issues (come to think of it I have had no problems at all bar the DCT box getting an update free of charge when it refused to change to even gears - all warranty work).

Have you driven both? I was lucky to view a 30i and 35i back to back at the dealership coming from my E85 3.0i. The 35i was different the moment I turned the key and sold it for me.

If performance and future tuning are not a priority and there is a 30i with fantastic spec then I'm sure you'll enjoy it but for me the extra bhp, sound and go is worth the extra fuel (insurance was the same and servicing done at a local Indy at good rates).

 

[Twin Turbo]

Sorry for taking topic of line...

However my point was the 28i is cheaper to own more frugal and just as quick - as cost of ownership was an important influence in your decision.

Why do you keep going on to every thread saying how your 28i is "just as quick" as a 35i lol.

A stock 28i runs the 1/4 mile in 15.4s
A stock 35i runs the 1/4 mile in 13.4s

Your modified 28i still only runs the 1/4 mile in 13.8s.....

The 28i is cheaper to buy, own and run perhaps, but that is obvious. If fuel economy is your primary concern a Honda Civic is a great car....

I love for your reference my best personal time is 13.57 and I am not an professional driver and that time I posted an video for you - as you wanted facts and figures so I gave you video evidence. These magazine times quoted are probably with less than 1/16 tank of fuel.

I can only report my personal experiences not based on unfactual blindness belief - on the day at Santa Pod the 35is was only 1/10 quicker than me - and lets face it there is not much a driver needs to do in an auto box - press pedal an go.

Please prove me wrong - go to BMWShow 2017 and go down the stip - and if you do I will never mention this topic again - or if you prefer I am doing Donington on the 26th Feb its only £179 - and show me your prowess.

A 35i modified will be quicker than a stock 35is - you guys can not accept that a 2ltr is quicker than your precious 35i's

All good fun..

 

[Twin Turbo]

28i stock is just as quick as 30i = FACT
28i stock is slower than 35i even though it has 50 Bhp less and 100KG = FACT
28i stock are cheaper to own than 3.0i & 35i = Fact

You sound like chris evans when the new top gear came out. FACT