Difference Between the z4 35i and 35is

[Z4MAD]

Dear Comrades,

Once again, I thank you for your more than kind responses to my enquiries; here is another and bear in mind, please, that I have yet to drive a BMW Z4 35i or an 35is, neither have I ever used a Dual Clutch Transmission:

So, the question is, when changing down through the gearbox via the paddle shift mechanism, does the engine, of its own volition, rev-up thus to match the speed of the engine to that of the lower gear to which it is engaging. I ask this question, because a friend had a Datsun with a manual gearbox which performed this very thing,... I though it was absolutely brilliant.

With kind regards,

MAD

 

[Anonymous]

Does 'Unidirectional Paddle shifts' indicate that the gear selection paddles move in unison with the steering wheel? If so, that would appear to be an excellent benefit.

Another question, is the adjustable steering column an standard fitment?

Unidirectional paddles refers to the fact that left paddle shifts the box down and right paddle (on the steering wheel) shifts up only.

Earlier versions had the ability for each paddle to do both up and down shifts…some people found that counter intuitive and / or confusing

As stated rake is adjustable on all models..no reach option was ever offered..

That’s not right. Mine certainly adjusts for reach.

 

[Flyingfifer]

Pay a bit less for fundamentally the same car but with a manual transmission, having looked myself I would 100% go for the 35i rather than the 35iS.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Pay a bit less for fundamentally the same car but with a manual transmission, having looked myself I would 100% go for the 35i rather than the 35iS.

We’ll get you into a roadster yet :hairdryer:

 

[Pondy]

That’s not right. Mine certainly adjusts for reach.

Yep; rake and reach (on LCI at least).

 

[Chippie]

So, the question is, when changing down through the gearbox via the paddle shift mechanism, does the engine, of its own volition, rev-up thus to match the speed of the engine to that of the lower gear to which it is engaging.

When changing down manually then it will blip the throttle to raise the revs, it will also change down automatically for you if the revs drop too low and drop a gear or two when braking down hill, it’s all very clever

 

[Z4MAD]

As you say, it does appear to be an inordinately clever system and seemingly hugely reliable. Thank you for providing the information.

With kind regards,

MAD

 

[The.Analyst]

That’s not right. Mine certainly adjusts for reach.

Yep; rake and reach (on LCI at least).

I stand corrected

Yes the steering wheel does move in and out…strange why BMW never mentioned it in all their detailed expositions.

Live and learn. In my case I’d want the steering wheel further back not forward which is why I never realised it could be move forward.

 

[2k35is]

Don't think it 's been mentioned but the adaptive M sport suspension is lowered by 10mm compared to normal M sport so all 35iS's are 10mm lower. Does the 35i come with M sport seats as standard?

 

[Z4MAD]

Does the 10mm reduction only happen when the Sport Mode is selected?

Interesting, during my research I came across something on the internet by Matt Prior a journalist with Autocar magazine. He also mentioned that it was not wise to have the optional nineteen inch wheels as it materially impacted what he stated was already a hard ride. Were I sufficiently competent in the operation of this electronic box-of-tricks I would place the link on this forum. Perhaps a young personage with the necessary expertise may be kind enough to do so.

An addendum: I have just spoken to a dealer in Barrow-in-Furness concerning a Melbourne Red Z4 35i which found a new custodian this morning. It appeared to be a particularly fine example (It is still on Autotrader).

With kind regards,

MAD

 

[Scubaregs]

Does the 10mm reduction only happen when the Sport Mode is selected?

Interesting, during my research I came across something on the internet by Matt Prior a journalist with Autocar magazine. He also mentioned that it was not wise to have the optional nineteen inch wheels as it materially impacted what he stated was already a hard ride. Were I sufficiently competent in the operation of this electronic box-of-tricks I would place the link on this forum. Perhaps a young personage with the necessary expertise may be kind enough to do so.

An addendum: I have just spoken to a dealer in Barrow-in-Furness concerning a Melbourne Red Z4 35i which found a new custodian this morning. It appeared to be a particularly fine example (It is still on Autotrader).

With kind regards,

MAD

If you go to the webpage and click on and copy the address at the very top of the page, you can then paste it here and it should then show as a link.

 

[The.Analyst]

Don't think it 's been mentioned but the adaptive M sport suspension is lowered by 10mm compared to normal M sport so all 35iS's are 10mm lower. Does the 35i come with M sport seats as standard?

As far as I understand it there were three sets of springs and dampers fitted to E89s.

Standard ie non msport non adaptive was the highest ride height.

Most literature refers to MSport springs and their dampers and Adaptive dampers and their springs dropping the height by about 10mm relative to the non msport ride height.

So the ride height of MSport springs and adaptive dampers is broadly similar (before the bumps and extra passenger loads take effect)

If you are in the market for new springs the suppliers generally refer to both MSport dampers and Adaptive dampers in the same breath.

Some suppliers eg Supplex actually list individual springs for each model to match the relative weight and balance of each variant.

35i came in both msport and non msport versions, further complicated by the ability to add msport seats as an option.

An example is here for this year…

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/united-kingdom/article/attachment/T0078767EN_GB/117470

 

[The.Analyst]

Does the 10mm reduction only happen when the Sport Mode is selected?

Interesting, during my research I came across something on the internet by Matt Prior a journalist with Autocar magazine. He also mentioned that it was not wise to have the optional nineteen inch wheels as it materially impacted what he stated was already a hard ride. Were I sufficiently competent in the operation of this electronic box-of-tricks I would place the link on this forum. Perhaps a young personage with the necessary expertise may be kind enough to do so.

An addendum: I have just spoken to a dealer in Barrow-in-Furness concerning a Melbourne Red Z4 35i which found a new custodian this morning. It appeared to be a particularly fine example (It is still on Autotrader).

With kind regards,

MAD

Initial ride height on adaptive dampers was not affected by which mode you are in.

How much reduction in ride height as you hit a bump would by affected by the mode setting.

The electronics controls only the damping not the spring rate or preload.

 

[Ed.Straker]

I'm not sure where you lot are finding these well-specced 35i's for so much less than a 35is, certainly not on Autotrader where a LCI 30k 35i without adaptive suspension costs £26k but a LCI 20k 35is costs £27k - a grand extra for much lower mileage and all the extras without having to modify anything.

I'm also curious where you find a louder exhaust for the 35i for "a small number of pounds".

On AT today the bottom 5 ish cars are 35i at £14k ish average ..the top 5 car ish cars are 35is at £23k ish..

As someone pointed out a bit of work on a reasonator box or baffle box with a 4.5 inch grinder and a welder would get you to the same point.

Given that there were precious few changes to 35i / 35is over its run, paying big money for a newer one doesn’t buy you a lot..

Condition is much more important than age or mileage

The cheaper 35i's are all older and pre-LCI - not really comparing like for like. The 2 LCI 35i's are just as expensive as the 35is. The £14k 35i's are £14k because they are 12 years old and higher mileage. Also they're not orange....

Who buys a £20k car and tales a grinder and welder to the exhaust?

Can't you enjoy your own car without snide remarks about people who bought a more expensive one? You bought a great car, so did I. We both win.

Many people attack their z cars' exhausts either personally or through people who do this for a living..nothing unusual about it at all.

I don't think the poster was being snide he was merely pointing out that you can pay a premium for not a lot.

As a 35is owner you seem to be overly sensitive.

The same happens with the 28i over the 20i.. a 2014 20i Msport was £33,000 a 28i MSport was £37,385

£4,385 was a lot to pay for an identical car save a 330mm front disc vs 300m front disc and a pure software re-map.

 

[tiglon]

On AT today the bottom 5 ish cars are 35i at £14k ish average ..the top 5 car ish cars are 35is at £23k ish..

As someone pointed out a bit of work on a reasonator box or baffle box with a 4.5 inch grinder and a welder would get you to the same point.

Given that there were precious few changes to 35i / 35is over its run, paying big money for a newer one doesn’t buy you a lot..

Condition is much more important than age or mileage

The cheaper 35i's are all older and pre-LCI - not really comparing like for like. The 2 LCI 35i's are just as expensive as the 35is. The £14k 35i's are £14k because they are 12 years old and higher mileage. Also they're not orange....

Who buys a £20k car and tales a grinder and welder to the exhaust?

Can't you enjoy your own car without snide remarks about people who bought a more expensive one? You bought a great car, so did I. We both win.

Many people attack their z cars' exhausts either personally or through people who do this for a living..nothing unusual about it at all.

I don't think the poster was being snide he was merely pointing out that you can pay a premium for not a lot.

As a 35is owner you seem to be overly sensitive.

The same happens with the 28i over the 20i.. a 2014 20i Msport was £33,000 a 28i MSport was £37,385

£4,385 was a lot to pay for an identical car save a 330mm front disc vs 300m front disc and a pure software re-map.

Sorry, but I still don't see any evidence of this 35is premium on the used market. There is a newer car premium, and a lower mileage premium, but I'm pretty sure that's fairly normal for a used car....

The insinuation that anyone with a 35is paid extra because they fell for some marketing bollocks is simply not true, and yes the regular comments about it do occasionally get slightly irritating and on this occasion I decided to respond.

I know you guys with the 35i/20i and remaps like that you've been clever by buying the detuned version and modifying it, and I would agree with you, it's a smart choice. But that doesn't mean you need to criticise anyone who made a different choice for different reasons. You don't need me to be an idiot for you to be clever.

By the way, talking of brakes, doesn't the 35is also have bigger brakes than the 35i?

 

[Pondy]

The same happens with the 28i over the 20i.. a 2014 20i Msport was £33,000 a 28i MSport was £37,385

£4,385 was a lot to pay for an identical car save a 330mm front disc vs 300m front disc and a pure software re-map.

The 28i also had one other addition as standard, but I can't remember what is was. :x I want to say self-dimming mirrors. It was something as silly if not

 

[Chippie]

By the way, talking of brakes, doesn't the 35is also have bigger brakes than the 35i?

i think it was only the American market that had smaller brakes, and possibly only on the rear, i'm sure the 35i and 35is are the same in Europe.

 

[Z4MAD]

Dear Comrades,

It occurred to me that whilst I have posed numerous questions on aspects of the BMW Z4 35i and 35is it has just occurred to me that I have no idea what the 'S Drive' is and what it does. Additional to this may I be made aware, please, what the 'Seven Second Overboost' is and what it does.

Finally, I have seen references made to 'Launch Control' and once again this is terminology of which I have absolutely no understanding whatsoever so, may I be advised please, what Launch Control is and what it does.

And, may I say what a revelation it has been to find that the difference betwixt the 35i and the 35is appears to be so utterly negligible,... unless, that is, a raft of additional information further resurrects the matter.

I thank you in anticipation of your kind assistance.

With kind regards,

MAD

 

[ronk]

What age of car are you still considering ?

I think I’ve got a copy of the 2015/2016 BMW sales brochure for the E89 cars.
I‘m quite happy to scan a copy for you if you intend to buy one of the later models.

 

[Silverstar]

Sorry, but I still don't see any evidence of this 35is premium on the used market. There is a newer car premium, and a lower mileage premium, but I'm pretty sure that's fairly normal for a used car....

The insinuation that anyone with a 35is paid extra because they fell for some marketing bollocks is simply not true, and yes the regular comments about it do occasionally get slightly irritating and on this occasion I decided to respond.

I know you guys with the 35i/20i and remaps like that you've been clever by buying the detuned version and modifying it, and I would agree with you, it's a smart choice. But that doesn't mean you need to criticise anyone who made a different choice for different reasons. You don't need me to be an idiot for you to be clever.

By the way, talking of brakes, doesn't the 35is also have bigger brakes than the 35i?

Sorry but I have to agree with the.analyst's comment. You are paying a premium for the 35is over the 35i for not that much more of a difference. If you look on Auotrader right now, do a comparison between the two models for the model year 2014 you will find the 35i is around £20k and the 35is around £25k for both models roughly the same mileage. If you check for the 2015 year model there is only one example of each 35i and 35is both cars at around £27k so no difference there but since there is just one of each it's difficult to give an accurate comparison as the chap selling the 35i may well have overpriced his car and vice versa with the chap selling the 35is but if you then compare for the model year 2016 you will see the 35i going for £25k and the 35is £27k so you are getting a 35i a year newer than a 2015 35is and for 2k less. Not saying one shouldn't pay a premium for the 35is that is entirely their choice but the fact remains for the price gap there isn't really much init.