Back in a Z4 (35iS)

R

Rassi

Member
 Belgium
So, having pondered the question of “fun weekend car” and trying to find a good Z4M or E92 M3, I took a rash decision to go for a Z4 35iS instead - having had a Z4C previously as well as an E92 M3 I knew what they were but the E89 Z4 is quite an unknown. However, was extremely surprised by how well the package works, with the hardtop, N54 engine, sports exhaust, DKG and a very pleasant interior, which frankly is much nicer than both the E86 and the E92.

Will be picking it up next week, but already ordered the “stubby” aerial and the retrofit pull paddles (32306799619), and think this could be a keeper.
 
Nice one :thumbsup:
I certainly love mine
Make sure you post some photos when you pick her up.
 
Nice choice (but I am biased too)! Come and join the club! Not sure about retrofiting the paddles - I'm confused.. surely your 3.5is has them? Or am I missing something obvious? :rofl:
 
clarker63 said:
Nice choice (but I am biased too)! Come and join the club! Not sure about retrofiting the paddles - I'm confused.. surely your 3.5is has them? Or am I missing something obvious? :rofl:
Click to expand...

There is a mod / kit that changes the original mode of paddle operation , wasn't a issue for me when i had mine as i never used them :)
 
mr wilks said:
There is a mod / kit that changes the original mode of paddle operation , wasn't a issue for me when i had mine as i never used them :)
Click to expand...
ah ok.. what does it do differently?
 
clarker63 said:
mr wilks said:
There is a mod / kit that changes the original mode of paddle operation , wasn't a issue for me when i had mine as i never used them :)
Click to expand...
ah ok.. what does it do differently?
Click to expand...

Someone who's actually done the mod will explain fully but think it alters which side does what as in push - pull , think it works left is up gear & right is down gear but could be wrong :?
I only tried the paddles on mine once :cry: had lots of autos with paddles & same with them all , stick it in D & go , if i want to change gears i buy a manual :oops:
 
On the pre-LCI the paddles are push/pull, while the LCI is the normal pull only (left: -, right: +)

There are to mods possible: Changing the pins over so the original push/pull paddles become “pull” in function only, or replacing them with the LCI paddles (part number 32306799619, priced around 320-350 euro).

I actually found a second hand LCI steering wheel, for a reasonable price, so swapped it over and sold the original (incidentally to someone in the UK).

I much prefer the functioning of the LCI paddles, as this push/pull malarkey was not for me, and as the whole operation didn’t cost me a fortune, I am well pleased.
 
mr wilks said:
clarker63 said:
mr wilks said:
There is a mod / kit that changes the original mode of paddle operation , wasn't a issue for me when i had mine as i never used them :)
Click to expand...
ah ok.. what does it do differently?
Click to expand...

Someone who's actually done the mod will explain fully but think it alters which side does what as in push - pull , think it works left is up gear & right is down gear but could be wrong :?
I only tried the paddles on mine once :cry: had lots of autos with paddles & same with them all , stick it in D & go , if i want to change gears i buy a manual :oops:
Click to expand...
Couldn't have put it better myself.
 
I love my 35iS, my Indy commented on how it was a pleasure to work on such a well looked after car when he serviced her last week. He told me he couldn’t believe how many expensive cars come through his workshop looking like someone has emptied a bin bag of rubbish into them, that’ll be mostly women I would imagine if my missus is anything to go by !
I use the paddles regularly, mostly for dropping down a gear to overtake, the kick down on the auto box has a delay albeit only slight and can be frustrating !
Enjoy your new car, you’ll find yourself constantly smiling and turning off the stereo to listen to the engine and exhaust note :thumbsup:
 
Rassi said:
I actually found a second hand LCI steering wheel, for a reasonable price, so swapped it over and sold the original (incidentally to someone in the UK).
Click to expand...

How funny - if that happened this week, that someone is me :D
 
Timmyboybunter said:
Rassi said:
I actually found a second hand LCI steering wheel, for a reasonable price, so swapped it over and sold the original (incidentally to someone in the UK).
Click to expand...

How funny - if that happened this week, that someone is me :D
Click to expand...

Figured it could be someone on here! :thumbsup: It was posted Thursday, hope you receive it in good order soon! If you need help to remove your steering wheel, this video is quite useful for the airbag part https://youtu.be/jgnPs4RMUJk
 
Thank you :D

Yes I've had the wheel off before to do cruise control - once you've done it once, it's nice and easy (all about the screwdriver angle to get the airbag off - took me ages the first time)
 
I never use paddles in Normal and not often in Sport, but often in Sport+, especially for changing down in deceleration (before pushing gearstick across into Sport and then immediately back into Sport+ to reactivate automatic upchange).

Prefer +/- on each side. Use left hand for gearstick and right hand for paddle. Rarely use left paddle.

Dislike system of left paddle for down and right for up.

(Whatever your choice and however you use it, remember that, if you stop in Sport+, gearbox will not go into Reverse until you move gearstick to the right.)
 
The Zed is the first car I’ve had with the paddle shift and I don’t have a problem with it, I tend to just use my right hand for up and down shifts or my left on the gear knob if I need to shift up while the steering wheel is turning (mainly 1st to 2nd gear)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom