disappointed. ..

It's not really what I'd class as a sports car that I'm referring to, it's BMWs interpretation and branding, I'm just stating my understanding of what BMW class their car as. They have always referred to the E89 as a 'sporty roadster' and never marketed it as a sports car. Their own website has a very different descriptions, for example look at the BMW M sport page and their opening sentence is 'M. The most powerful letter in the world has always been a sure way of identifying GENUINE sports cars'. At the z4 page they just refer to sporty roadsters all the time (same as press launches). The outgoing z4 coupe was always referred to as a 'pocket GT'. They know that the minute they claim the Z4 is a genuine sports car, suddenly it will sit alongside the boxster, Cayman, AMG SLK etc. They could very easily have badged the 35i as an M given that it shares the same credentials as some current M cars but they chose not to. The write ups for the more powerful z cars was not great, talk of poor handling etc, and this is what happens when it gets categorised into something it is not meant to be.

That does not mean it's not a good car, I have an sdrive30i, but just because it has 2 seats it doesn't automatically mean it's a sports.
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Not to start an argument, but the 35is doesn't really share M credentials does it. It has a fast 0-60 time, but I would say it stops there.
 
CornishRob said:
It's not really what I'd class as a sports car that I'm referring to, it's BMWs interpretation and branding, I'm just stating my understanding of what BMW class their car as. They have always referred to the E89 as a 'sporty roadster' and never marketed it as a sports car. Their own website has a very different descriptions, for example look at the BMW M sport page and their opening sentence is 'M. The most powerful letter in the world has always been a sure way of identifying GENUINE sports cars'. At the z4 page they just refer to sporty roadsters all the time (same as press launches). The outgoing z4 coupe was always referred to as a 'pocket GT'. They know that the minute they claim the Z4 is a genuine sports car, suddenly it will sit alongside the boxster, Cayman, AMG SLK etc. They could very easily have badged the 35i as an M given that it shares the same credentials as some current M cars but they chose not to. The write ups for the more powerful z cars was not great, talk of poor handling etc, and this is what happens when it gets categorised into something it is not meant to be.

That does not mean it's not a good car, I have an sdrive30i, but just because it has 2 seats it doesn't automatically mean it's a sports.
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Not to start an argument, but the 35is doesn't really share M credentials does it. It has a fast 0-60 time, but I would say it stops there.
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I know what you mean. However it's as quick to 60 as the outgoing z4m, is faster 30-70, and beyond the engine you are left with updated exhaust (check), up rated chassis (ok not so but m-sport handling pack available), and up rated brakes. After that what else is there different that could qualify it as an M car? Not a lot other than a badge and special paint options! Look at this for example:

http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/bmw_z4_m_roadster-vs-bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

Not bad considering BMW don't class it as a genuine sports car!!
 
I always thinks its a pity the E89 has not had a Alpina version - i think that would have been lovely . as is the 35is - but its not an M Car .

Statistics are useless in this discussion - only subjective opinions please
 
I know what you mean. However it's as quick to 60 as the outgoing z4m, is faster 30-70, and beyond the engine you are left with updated exhaust (check), up rated chassis (ok not so but m-sport handling pack available), and up rated brakes. After that what else is there different that could qualify it as an M car? Not a lot other than a badge and special paint options! Look at this for example:

http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/bmw_z4_m_roadster-vs-bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

Not bad considering BMW don't class it as a genuine sports car!!
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Yes, I also understand your point, but you could say the same about a 335d M Sport etc. Fast, uprated bits and bobs etc.

In my experience, generally M cars especially of old (NA) have a character about them which makes them a bit more special. I didn't get this when I drive the fast e89s. They are really good though. Just my opinion of course!
 
CornishRob said:
I know what you mean. However it's as quick to 60 as the outgoing z4m, is faster 30-70, and beyond the engine you are left with updated exhaust (check), up rated chassis (ok not so but m-sport handling pack available), and up rated brakes. After that what else is there different that could qualify it as an M car? Not a lot other than a badge and special paint options! Look at this for example:

http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/bmw_z4_m_roadster-vs-bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

Not bad considering BMW don't class it as a genuine sports car!!
Click to expand...

Yes, I also understand your point, but you could say the same about a 335d M Sport etc. Fast, uprated bits and bobs etc.

In my experience, generally M cars especially of old (NA) have a character about them which makes them a bit more special. I didn't get this when I drive the fast e89s. They are really good though. Just my opinion of course!
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I agree with all your points!! I'd like to have seen a proper z4m personally, with the added sparkle. Maybe they'll bring one out before they retire the e89 (unlikely though).
 
When BMW brought the E85 out they had a real crack at the Boxter - The M was an attempt to knock the Boxter S of its perch - it didn't work so they aimed at the SLK with the E89 hence a more varied engine line up and more of an emphasis on GT rather than sports . to say its a GT car is not an insult the DB9 is A GT car and is loved by most.
 
Disappointed ? Nah. Its not a out and out sports car is it, its more of a cruiser and as its been pointed out 0-60 in 6.5 aint no slouch. Id say its pretty well rounded for what its meant to be used for and thats a fun car. Its for A to B with the roof down and enjoying the drive - its not meant for super fast track days, even the 35 isnt geared for that.
 
Transmat said:
CornishRob said:
It's not really what I'd class as a sports car that I'm referring to, it's BMWs interpretation and branding, I'm just stating my understanding of what BMW class their car as. They have always referred to the E89 as a 'sporty roadster' and never marketed it as a sports car. Their own website has a very different descriptions, for example look at the BMW M sport page and their opening sentence is 'M. The most powerful letter in the world has always been a sure way of identifying GENUINE sports cars'. At the z4 page they just refer to sporty roadsters all the time (same as press launches). The outgoing z4 coupe was always referred to as a 'pocket GT'. They know that the minute they claim the Z4 is a genuine sports car, suddenly it will sit alongside the boxster, Cayman, AMG SLK etc. They could very easily have badged the 35i as an M given that it shares the same credentials as some current M cars but they chose not to. The write ups for the more powerful z cars was not great, talk of poor handling etc, and this is what happens when it gets categorised into something it is not meant to be.

That does not mean it's not a good car, I have an sdrive30i, but just because it has 2 seats it doesn't automatically mean it's a sports.
Click to expand...

Not to start an argument, but the 35is doesn't really share M credentials does it. It has a fast 0-60 time, but I would say it stops there.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. However it's as quick to 60 as the outgoing z4m, is faster 30-70, and beyond the engine you are left with updated exhaust (check), up rated chassis (ok not so but m-sport handling pack available), and up rated brakes. After that what else is there different that could qualify it as an M car? Not a lot other than a badge and special paint options! Look at this for example:

http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/bmw_z4_m_roadster-vs-bmw_z4_sdrive_35is.html

Not bad considering BMW don't class it as a genuine sports car!!
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Hydraulic steering, limited slip diff - two very important distinctions. Oh and you can't dismiss the engine. It's the single most important characteristic of the Z4M's.

I'd be disappointed if a 35iS wasn't quicker than an M seeing as it was 5 years newer and cost more. It's not the car it could or should've been though.

Back to 23i debate though - I think as an entry level car (as it was when the E89 first came out) it's pretty damn quick. As other posters have said - a mid 6's 0-60 isn't bad at all. It's not fair to compare it to a E86 3.0 really. A 30i would be a better comparison - more apples with apples.
 
lux good said:
Oh go on start an argument, I love it when the M snobs are on their high horses!! :roll:
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Mines not a horse old boy it's a stallion! In comparison these new fangled e89's are seaside donkeys! :poke:

You can almost see the argument coming round here, on any topic I reckon I can give you an educated guess as to what page we'll get to when someone will get their back up. :lol:
 
CornishRob said:
lux good said:
Oh go on start an argument, I love it when the M snobs are on their high horses!! :roll:
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So people with Ms are apparently snobs. Do e89 have a chip on their shoulder then??
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I didn't say all, and I didn't say snobs, I said M snobs and there are a few on here deffo :)
 
oooh no way OG, I learnt my lesson last year, just a quick stir here and there is all I'm getting into :rofl:
 
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