35is Vs E85 "M" Z4
- Thread starter sunnydays
- Start date
Twin Turbo
Active member
and to conclude, it does seem the 35is is faster even though its handling is not as good - so as Clarkson says more power.
Liverpool
You do realise that all the lap times on that site are submitted by various people (some race drivers, some manufacturer test drivers, some journalist, some normal drivers) - and the time of one lap, on one day by one driver, does not necessarily compare to another time at the same track, with another driver - even in the same car 
You only have to compare that websites info for the similarly powered (to the 35is) SLK55, and it hows the SLK55 faster in all the acceleration tests - but then all over the place at different tracks...some faster, some equal, some slower - but if you look into the details you will see some 'wet' tags next to the times, which are not tagged as such on the comparison pages.
I can't find an 'official' or 'magazine' Ring time for a 35is. - but according to SportAuto the M2 is 8m:01s, 1M is 8m:15s, Alpina Roadster S is 8m:15s.
If the 35is pulls like the M2 (SportAuto Ring time of 8m:01s), then there's no way the Z4M will keep up on the straights...and you'd probably lose a second to 100mph just in the gear changes...and if you can't get past one under braking or through the twisties, then you're not likely to get past it trying to out drag it up a long straight either. While I agree the 35is may be quicker than the Z4M in certain parts of the Ring, I can't see it being 3 seconds faster than the M2.
I've seen very well driven Caymans pissing all over poorly-driven GT3s at the Ring, and Suzuki Swifts or Alfa 147 holding up faster cars.
Get the right driver in any car and they'll show you how quick it will really go. I've been in cars with professional drivers, seeing them changing up a gear where I'd be braking/lifting.
According to two different 'magazine' tests (Evo & SportAuto), the Z4M is a couple of seconds quicker around the Ring than an e60 M5 - but there's no way a Z4M would keep up with one of those on the straights either.
Swap the EDC with proper suspension and you may have a car which does the corners as well too!
P.S. I'd happily have a 35is.
P.P.S. I bet an 'average' driver would get closer to a professional driver's time in the 35is or Z4MR than they would in the Z4MC, as I think the coupe is just too rigid for playing and you have to out a lot more in to make it perform well.
You only have to compare that websites info for the similarly powered (to the 35is) SLK55, and it hows the SLK55 faster in all the acceleration tests - but then all over the place at different tracks...some faster, some equal, some slower - but if you look into the details you will see some 'wet' tags next to the times, which are not tagged as such on the comparison pages.
I can't find an 'official' or 'magazine' Ring time for a 35is. - but according to SportAuto the M2 is 8m:01s, 1M is 8m:15s, Alpina Roadster S is 8m:15s.
If the 35is pulls like the M2 (SportAuto Ring time of 8m:01s), then there's no way the Z4M will keep up on the straights...and you'd probably lose a second to 100mph just in the gear changes...and if you can't get past one under braking or through the twisties, then you're not likely to get past it trying to out drag it up a long straight either. While I agree the 35is may be quicker than the Z4M in certain parts of the Ring, I can't see it being 3 seconds faster than the M2.
I've seen very well driven Caymans pissing all over poorly-driven GT3s at the Ring, and Suzuki Swifts or Alfa 147 holding up faster cars.
Get the right driver in any car and they'll show you how quick it will really go. I've been in cars with professional drivers, seeing them changing up a gear where I'd be braking/lifting.
According to two different 'magazine' tests (Evo & SportAuto), the Z4M is a couple of seconds quicker around the Ring than an e60 M5 - but there's no way a Z4M would keep up with one of those on the straights either.
Swap the EDC with proper suspension and you may have a car which does the corners as well too!
P.S. I'd happily have a 35is.
P.P.S. I bet an 'average' driver would get closer to a professional driver's time in the 35is or Z4MR than they would in the Z4MC, as I think the coupe is just too rigid for playing and you have to out a lot more in to make it perform well.
According to Top Gear Test Track times....
01:26.0 BMW Z4 M roadster (E85)
01:28.2 BMW Z4 sDrive35i (E89)
01:37.3 BMW Z4 3.0i (very wet) (E85)
No time recorded for the 35iS
01:26.0 BMW Z4 M roadster (E85)
01:28.2 BMW Z4 sDrive35i (E89)
01:37.3 BMW Z4 3.0i (very wet) (E85)
No time recorded for the 35iS
Twin Turbo
Active member
sunnydays said:So from what I have seen it seems fair to conclude the following:
The 35IS is quicker on straights
The 35IS is quicker round tracks
The 35IS is a more comfortable GT Cruiser
The 35IS wins
Well I agree on some points - and I am impartial as I don't have a Z4M or a 35is, and don't have an agenda to say one car is better than the other.
The 35IS is quicker on straights
The 35IS is quicker round tracks - where there are lots of straights
The 35IS is a more comfortable GT Cruiser
The 35is makes a poor driver look good
Z4M is quicker around more twisty circuits
Z4M better drivers car - more involved - and give a smile to your face every time you drive it.
Z4M Suspension is more driver focused - rather than a Sunday cruiser
Z4M is a classic car - even though the 35is is fewer I doubt it will get the cuedos of been an M Car.
My Conclusion = Draw; different cars
However.....
The 35is with Stage 2 or more, coilovers and additional suspension and improved brakes then there is no comparison in my opinion.
Once you start modifying it's not the same car either. :wink:
I think it would be interesting to compare the times with the cars on the same tyres... Has everyone forgot just how shite the oem continentals are on the M? 
I'm not sure what tyres the 35is comes with as standard though but they must be better?
Mpss must be worth 10 seconds round the ring compared to the continentals?
I'm not sure what tyres the 35is comes with as standard though but they must be better?
Mpss must be worth 10 seconds round the ring compared to the continentals?
Twin Turbo
Active member
I am glad my car is not the one I originally purchased - it's now the car I wanted to be.
Quick, nimble, frugal,
puts a smile on my face when I see it and a grin on my face when I drive it.
Quick, nimble, frugal,
puts a smile on my face when I see it and a grin on my face when I drive it.
RedUn said:I think it would be interesting to compare the times with the cars on the same tyres... Has everyone forgot just how shite the oem continentals are on the M?
I'm not sure what tyres the 35is comes with as standard though but they must be better?
Mpss must be worth 10 seconds round the ring compared to the continentals?
The 35is comes with runflats that arent fantastic. With both on the same tyres I estimate the 35is would still maintain a 15 second lead atleast around the nurburgring!
sunnydays said:RedUn said:I think it would be interesting to compare the times with the cars on the same tyres... Has everyone forgot just how shite the oem continentals are on the M?
I'm not sure what tyres the 35is comes with as standard though but they must be better?
Mpss must be worth 10 seconds round the ring compared to the continentals?
The 35is comes with runflats that arent fantastic. With both on the same tyres I estimate the 35is would still maintain a 15 second lead atleast around the nurburgring!
It would need to be 5 minutes for me to consider one
sunnydays said:RedUn said:I think it would be interesting to compare the times with the cars on the same tyres... Has everyone forgot just how shite the oem continentals are on the M?
I'm not sure what tyres the 35is comes with as standard though but they must be better?
Mpss must be worth 10 seconds round the ring compared to the continentals?
The 35is comes with runflats that arent fantastic. With both on the same tyres I estimate the 35is would still maintain a 15 second lead atleast around the nurburgring!
Being a geek it would be interesting to see some reviews of both the oem tyres, you would think the newer run flats would be better than the old contis? I think the contis were released in 2001?
I am not sure it matters much.. they are both great cars, and that roof on the e89.. thats just pure sex on a stick.. you have a roadie and a coupe in one car... that my friends is just AWESOME!!! I quite like the shape too and can only sigh that the ///M boys have never given this car the M treatment it so much deserved.
Would i buy one? Sure!! I've looked at one several times.. would i sell my Z4MC for one.. Heck NO!!!
Would i buy one? Sure!! I've looked at one several times.. would i sell my Z4MC for one.. Heck NO!!!