Decision decisions!
- Thread starter bazzae123
- Start date
bazzae123 said:
Just out of academic interest I looked into this a few weeks back when I was doing some initial investigation before committing to purchase. Being a turbo there is scope for a reasonable power boost and there are several companies offering remaps that claim to add around 50BHP for reasonable money. Can't say I wasn't tempted, but the thing that finally put me off was the clause in the BMW pre-paid service plan that made it null and void if they detected any performance tweaks. Several of the remaps claim to be completely invisible to BMW service personnel, but I'm in IT and I can't see how that's possible unless you go for one of the more expensive re-programmable types that allow the original mapping to be temporarily put back when it goes in for a service - and even then I'd be concerned they could tell it had just been reflashed!
Hello
I swapped an E90 335d M-Sport for an E89 35is about two weeks ago. They are different in almost every way. I don't do mods, so both were as standard as when the left the factory. Here are my thoughts.
Straight line performance - no contest. The Z4 is riotously fast. It feels noticeably faster all the way around the dial. The pick up from a standstill is also faster. The diesel was powerful, but was slower to rev and I hated the tail off at 4600rpm. The Z4 has a similar tail off, but not until 6600 (I think) and it isn't as noticeable. I think the diesel opens a valve at that speed to cut the boost. I think something similar is going on in the Z, but, like I said, it isn't as distinct.
Steering. I hate to say it - the 335d steers better. It has a traditional power steering set up - and whilst it is heavy - you get more feel for what the car is going, and what the tyres are doing. I am not used to the car changing the level of power assistance according to what it thinks is best.
Motorways - The 335d is a cruiser - steady and stable. And quiet. The Z4 is much louder, but the sound it makes is worth it. I’ve not had it long though, and it may get on my nerves if I think about it. (I’m not thinking about it.) My average speed in the 335d was higher - it was better at cruising. Both have rock hard suspension - the Z4 is harder than the 335d, even in Normal mode.
Twisty roads - no contest. The 335d is a great drive. The Z4 is much better. It turns in better. Once you get used to where you are sat relative to the steering wheels, you can place the car pretty accurately. It feels lighter and more willing to change direction. It does tramline a bit, but not significantly more that the E90. I have the 326 wheels, which I suspect are the cause. They look great though! I can see why some of the reviews of the car were a bit unflattering because it took me a few days to get used to it.
Noise. The diesel has a nice growl, but the Z4 barks, yelps, booms, roars and sings. At speed though, the Z4 cabin is much louder. Not headache levels, but if you move from one to the other you’ll notice that you have to talk much louder on the hands free phone - even yelling at it if you are going fast. Sometimes the bark at 3500rpm is annoyingly loud. Annoying for other people that is. I like it.
Gearbox - In normal mode, the DCT is determined to be in 7th gear by 40mph. I never got into 6th in the 335d until 55mph. The DCT hunts around its gears a lot more, but the changes are just as smooth. Unless you select sport or sport+ and then they become much more aggressive.
Kerb appeal. People don’t look twice at a 3 series. I’ve noticed that people take time to have a good stare at the Z4. I have also noticed that people are happier to let you out in front of them at a T junction.
Interior - you’ll notice lots of bits that are exactly the same. The window controls are in a much better place in the Z4. Other than that, everything is in the same place. Visibility with the roof in place is OK - but I can’t see traffic lights if I am at the front of the queue.
Summary - both do the job they are designed for very well indeed. The 335d was a tough act to follow - and I agonized for ages as to what to buy. M3’s are nice but I think have the wrong sort of image. Porsche makes cars that look boring for boring people that boringly drive boringly well. I’d rather walk than own an Audi and there isn’t a lot left to choose from. I am completely satisfied with the Z4. Thrilled with it, even. It has made the job of what to have next very difficult indeed.
I think that's all I have to witter on about. Congratulations on your purchase - its a great toy!
I swapped an E90 335d M-Sport for an E89 35is about two weeks ago. They are different in almost every way. I don't do mods, so both were as standard as when the left the factory. Here are my thoughts.
Straight line performance - no contest. The Z4 is riotously fast. It feels noticeably faster all the way around the dial. The pick up from a standstill is also faster. The diesel was powerful, but was slower to rev and I hated the tail off at 4600rpm. The Z4 has a similar tail off, but not until 6600 (I think) and it isn't as noticeable. I think the diesel opens a valve at that speed to cut the boost. I think something similar is going on in the Z, but, like I said, it isn't as distinct.
Steering. I hate to say it - the 335d steers better. It has a traditional power steering set up - and whilst it is heavy - you get more feel for what the car is going, and what the tyres are doing. I am not used to the car changing the level of power assistance according to what it thinks is best.
Motorways - The 335d is a cruiser - steady and stable. And quiet. The Z4 is much louder, but the sound it makes is worth it. I’ve not had it long though, and it may get on my nerves if I think about it. (I’m not thinking about it.) My average speed in the 335d was higher - it was better at cruising. Both have rock hard suspension - the Z4 is harder than the 335d, even in Normal mode.
Twisty roads - no contest. The 335d is a great drive. The Z4 is much better. It turns in better. Once you get used to where you are sat relative to the steering wheels, you can place the car pretty accurately. It feels lighter and more willing to change direction. It does tramline a bit, but not significantly more that the E90. I have the 326 wheels, which I suspect are the cause. They look great though! I can see why some of the reviews of the car were a bit unflattering because it took me a few days to get used to it.
Noise. The diesel has a nice growl, but the Z4 barks, yelps, booms, roars and sings. At speed though, the Z4 cabin is much louder. Not headache levels, but if you move from one to the other you’ll notice that you have to talk much louder on the hands free phone - even yelling at it if you are going fast. Sometimes the bark at 3500rpm is annoyingly loud. Annoying for other people that is. I like it.
Gearbox - In normal mode, the DCT is determined to be in 7th gear by 40mph. I never got into 6th in the 335d until 55mph. The DCT hunts around its gears a lot more, but the changes are just as smooth. Unless you select sport or sport+ and then they become much more aggressive.
Kerb appeal. People don’t look twice at a 3 series. I’ve noticed that people take time to have a good stare at the Z4. I have also noticed that people are happier to let you out in front of them at a T junction.
Interior - you’ll notice lots of bits that are exactly the same. The window controls are in a much better place in the Z4. Other than that, everything is in the same place. Visibility with the roof in place is OK - but I can’t see traffic lights if I am at the front of the queue.
Summary - both do the job they are designed for very well indeed. The 335d was a tough act to follow - and I agonized for ages as to what to buy. M3’s are nice but I think have the wrong sort of image. Porsche makes cars that look boring for boring people that boringly drive boringly well. I’d rather walk than own an Audi and there isn’t a lot left to choose from. I am completely satisfied with the Z4. Thrilled with it, even. It has made the job of what to have next very difficult indeed.
I think that's all I have to witter on about. Congratulations on your purchase - its a great toy!
that's brave.
I still haven't gone over 5500 rpm despite already having done the run-in mileage of 1200 miles.
although, i have started to increase the poke a little bit now.
also the speakers have finally properly opened up today (at about 2000 miles) ...but i need to rein back the mileage for now to keep under the limit.
Hi Chutters,
I couldn't agree more to what you have said already, I could have written those words myself. The Zed does take a bit of getting used to and I'm driving like miss daisy at present. Two thing that I hope I can get used to are the steering and the road noise, but like you said the 335D is a real cruiser. One reason why I wanted to get rig of the E92 was it didn't get noticed that much and the streets are full of 3 series BMW's in one form or another, the Zed is so much different.
On another note. Is anyone from this forum going to satapod on the 10th July, it would be nice to put some faces to names. I got my tickets from these guy's as it appeared to be a bit quite here. http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29588
Bazza
I couldn't agree more to what you have said already, I could have written those words myself. The Zed does take a bit of getting used to and I'm driving like miss daisy at present. Two thing that I hope I can get used to are the steering and the road noise, but like you said the 335D is a real cruiser. One reason why I wanted to get rig of the E92 was it didn't get noticed that much and the streets are full of 3 series BMW's in one form or another, the Zed is so much different.
On another note. Is anyone from this forum going to satapod on the 10th July, it would be nice to put some faces to names. I got my tickets from these guy's as it appeared to be a bit quite here. http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29588
Bazza
A
Anonymous
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I'll be there, even though I fly back from Dubai the night before!0