35is versus 370z - anyone driven both?

Hi guys,

Thanks for your further input.

Maybe I should make the effort to go an test drive one and see for myself.

The only 35is that are coming up are continuing to do in the hands of BMW dealers for silly prices and I am getting stressed out with watching and waiting to be honest, as I'm up to my eyeballs in the business and need a presentable car for seeing my clients. Scouring AT, PH and the BMW Used Car site every day is starting to do my head in!

My old Alfa stop-gap also started stalling last night, so I have today picked up an Astra 1.7 diesel on a two week rental to keep me on the road in the short term.

I was also starting to look at E92 M3s but the price combined with the prodigious thirst is putting me off. Whilst a 370Z would be probably equally as thirsty, at least it would be comparably cheap to buy. Off to the classifieds again...

Thanks again for your interest. :thumbsup:
 
jamesbond said:
jamesbond said:
no no ..

I was just asking ... as there is one in my local dealers .. :D honest
Click to expand...

don't panic .... not selling mine :rofl: :rofl:
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm..

You do know if you're fibbing you will be found and a laser sent right up yer jaffers don't you...
 
Well, I have made my mind up.

I test drove a 370z this morning and loved it. First impressions are that they are better looking in the flesh than in pictures. Photos often make them look quite gawky from some angles, but the lines really work 'in the metal'. The ride was really nice - firm but well damped and not quite as busy as my outgoing Z4 Coupe, which was on 19s, Bilsteins and Eibachs. The interior is a little plasticky and gimmicky, but everything feels solid and well made and the standard spec is brilliant.

But as you might expect, its the engine that makes it. An industrial sounding thing, full of grumbly charisma. When you reach with your right hoof into the deep throttle pedal, you feel like you are drawing from a deep reservoir of power. The throttle response is actually a little lazy after the razor sharp straight six of the 3.0 Z4, but it has such a lovely brawny character that I imagine will make it lovely just to waft around in during day-today driving. Meanwhile on the open road it piles on speed at a deceptively quick rate and I totally get why some have described it as more muscle car than sports car.

On the downside, the road noise on the motorway certainly was noticeable, but not as bad as I had expected. To be fair, the Astra hire car I am running at the moment as a stop-gap sounds pretty much the same.

Other than a bit of tyre roar, the only other downside is that the seat bases are a bit short and lack thigh support, but sure I can learn to live with it.

So I have decided to take the plunge and have put a deposit down on a lovely low mileage GT in gunmetal grey, for delivery next week.

I would have loved a 35is, but given the scarcity and my need for something here and now, I just ran out of patience after six weeks of watching and waiting for a nice one to come up at a reasonable price.

I will be sure to put up some pics of the Big Zed when it arrives.

Thank you all for your input, especially Andy as your positive review was what pushed me to take a closer look at the 370Z. :thumbsup:
 
Well as long as you've got something that makes you grin that's all that matters, congrats James, pics when it lands if you will. :thumbsup:
 
Nice one James I'm pleased you found one.
It sounds nice mate enjoy driving it!!! They are very nice cars that's for sure.
 
Good choice of colour have you gone manual too ? you will have fun in it especially with the TC, the 3years I ran my 370z GT was fun Enjoy :D
 
Thanks guys, I have bought an Auto with paddleshift.

It was excellent value - FNSH, just serviced and MOT'd, 28k on a 2011 plate for £16,750 from a reputable trader. That is around £2k cheaper than comparable cars up with other traders. I had budgeted up to £30k for a 35is, so nice to have some spare change....which no doubt will get munched by the thirsty 3.7 V6 in no time! :rofl:

The one I have bought is actually over 200 miles away in Cornwall. Its a dealer known by a good friend of mine - he and his family love fast cars and have had all their motors from this trader for the past 8 years. I haven't even seen the car myself, but the dealer sent me videos and it looks immaculate. My mate viewed and test drove it on my behalf and confirmed the condition and really liked it. He remarked about how fast it was, which is praise form Caesar as he has had some very fast cars and still has an SL AMG in the stable among other rather swift machines!

Will be sure to post some pics up once it has arrived. I am expecting delivery tomorrow morning. Can't wait.
 
They are very quick cars for sure, have a very different sound, power delivery and handling to the 35is. Certainly not setup as firmly and easier to live with on a day to day commute.

When we bought the 370 I had just sold my Z4MR and was struggling to get used to the very different steering in the 35i I'd just bought. The 370 steering was much better. However over time I grew to like / get used to the 35i helm and the 370z's started to feel a little more strange. This mainly because the 370 was primarily the others half car and I drove it less.

We've now gone totally the other direction, decided 2 sports cars was not the best mix and replaced the 370 with an Evoque :D
 
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