E89 35I 3.0

[TOMGREEN413]

HI folks,
So I haven't posted in a while since selling my e86 coupe and whilst my wife still has her e89 I have been investigating a replacement for myself and seem to be drawn back to THE BMW Z range , the above model seems very appealing but I've known idea how they compare to the 20i that my wife has. I had been thinking a his n hers e89 was ridiculous.....but.....the e89 looks so amazing. I'd love to hear from anyone who has driven or owned the 35i , please let me know your thoughts and any buying advice would be really appreciated.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Just wanted to ask, what's the difference between the 35is and the 35i ? I'm guessing turbo and non turbo?And what's DCT?

 

[Chippie]

Just wanted to ask, what's the difference between the 35is and the 35i ? I'm guessing turbo and non turbo?And what's DCT?

Both the 35i and 35is are the same twin turbo charged engine, the 35is is tuned to produce an 35 BHP more, Duel Clutch Transmission is a automatically shifting manual gearbox (no clutch) and is the only option on the 35is, the 35i had the option of DCT or manual.

 

[Chippie]

Just wanted to ask, what's the difference between the 35is and the 35i ? I'm guessing turbo and non turbo?And what's DCT?

Both the 35i and 35is are the same twin turbo charged engine, the 35is is tuned to produce about 35 BHP more, Duel Clutch Transmission is a automatically shifting manual gearbox (no clutch) and is the only option on the 35is, the 35i had the option of DCT or manual.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Thank you for this information, the car I'm looking at isn't manual, it has the DCT.....I'm guessing it's just a type of auto box.
I wonder if these models 30i or 30is are any less reasonable than the smaller engined 20i models?

 

[Chippie]

Here’s a link explaining the DCT
https://www.bmwblog.com/2015/07/09/dct-transmission-how-they-work-and-why-we-use-them/

I don’t think the 35’s are much more expensive to run then the 2.0l if nothing breaks, they are more expensive once things like fuel pumps, injectors and turbos start failing, they also seem more prone to oil leaks.

 

[matsmith749]

There are more differences between the 35i & the 35is than that TBH.

Off the top of my head:

35is gets standard adaptive suspension (you might like that / might not)
35is has slightly higher power output (from the same engine setup)
35is has a louder sports exhaust fitted as standard (about a £2k option on the 35i)
35is is 'top of the range' if that matters to you
35is is DCT only (no slushbox auto / manual options)
35is fuel consumption compared to a 2.0 is pretty bad - around town only 20ish mpg / long motorway run 35ish. The 2.0 will better that by maybe 50%.
35is road tax is £360 a year - I think it's cheaper on the smaller engine versions.

It's easier to find super high spec versions of the 35is - many people went to town on the options list as it was the top of the range. If you want every toy available on the car, this may be the way to get that.

Other thoughts

There is no 30is - if you see one advertised it is a mistake. Some people think 's drive' means it is an 'is' model. It's not. 's drive' just means it's 2 wheel drive (as are all z4's). 'x drive' is 4 wheel drive (no z4's).

'is' is BMWs moniker to state it is a special performance version, in our case of the 35i. In the z4 range, there has only ever been one 'is' model - it's the 35is.

30i is a standard 6cyl non turbo car from the early days of the z4 - all will be 15 years old at this point. Widley loved engine, with great sound & character, but no big performance to be had in comparison with the 2litre turbo cars. The early 6 cyl (2.5 / 3.0) non turbo cars are considered to be more reliable & pretty sweet cars - but not 'faster'.

If you are out shopping - facelift cars are from 2013 onwards. Headlights the biggest change IMHO & much better. Some people don't care, only very minor other changes.

 

[Marcoose]

My old Indy recommended, and I do follow, to change oil on the 35is twice per annum irrespective of mileage.

The DCT is prone to leaks. Mine hasn’t yet.

Just two things that will make owning a 35is more expensive.

 

[Chippie]

.

 

[B21]

35i and 35is

The E89 Z4 35i was launched in 2009 and along with the rest of the BMW E89 line-up (23i, 30i)

The 35is was launched in 2010

The 35is is essentially a 35i with various modifications and changes

The 35i use the BMW N 54 engine rated at 302 horsepower and 400 newton metres of torque. This was a 6 cylinders, twin turbo, and direct injection version of the same family as the N52.

In certain markets i.e. North America The 35i uses the same front and rear brakes as the 30i i.e. 330MM front discs and 294 MM rear discs single sliding caliper.

In the European market the 35i use the same brakes front and rear as a 35is i.e 348 MM front and 324MM rear single sliding caliper

The 35is was always based on the M Sport (different bumpers, steering wheel, door trim, seats) version of the E89 whereas the 35i had the M Sport as an option

The 35is use the same identical physical BMW N54 engine But it was rated at 335 brake horsepower and 450 Newton metres of torque And had a engine ecu controlled overboost that allowed up to 500 newton metres of torque for up to 7 seconds in 3rd through 7th gears

The 35is came with an off board oil cooler in one of the lower ducts, some 35i did not have this.

The 35is always came with the Getrag 7 speed double clutch gearbox, this was an option on the 35i

The 35is always came with electronically controlled adaptive dampers, this was an option on the 35i.

The 35is had a body collared rear valance and diffuser, on the 35i it optionally a slightly different rear valance and diffuser were available
The 35is came with silver coloured wing mirror caps, optionally on certain colours these wing mirror caps were body coloured

35is came with a 35is insignia inset in the rev counter, it wasn’t an option on the 35i.

The 35is game with monogrammed heavyweight floor mats, it wasn’t an option on the 35i.

The 35is had plastic Grey silver coloured trim pieces inset into the M Sport Lower grills, it wasn’t an option on the 35i.

The 35is had a slightly noisier exhaust system than the 35i, it wasn’t an option on the 35i.

Both versions could have been fitted with the wider range of optional extras, interior trim and colour options. There were no specific colour /trim options unique to the 35is.

 

[Christopher72]

Rumor is, if you get a 23i and put an M logo on it, it automatically upgrades all of these parts to 35is

oke:

 

[B21]

Rumor is, if you get a 23i and put an M logo on it, it automatically upgrades all of these parts to 35is

oke:

Used to but now it mutates into a M2 CS..or maybe a 3 series 18d… :tumbleweed: :rofl:

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Thanks everyone, lots of excellent information, much appreciate the time taken to list everything
I might be looking at a 35i at the weekend.......shame about the less noisey exhaust but l guess there will be recommendations on this forum on how this can be rectified.........professionally.....and not by just ditching both back boxes.. :driving:

 

[simnew]

Not sure the 3.5i exhaust needs to be much noisier in my opinion. Existing box makes for noisier cruising as it is especially with hood down.

 

[Chippie]

I might be looking at a 35i at the weekend

If only looking you might be able to walk away, what ever you do don’t take it for a test drive or you will be a lost soul and won’t be able to resist the lure of the N54 oke: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[Pondrew]

If only looking you might be able to walk away, what ever you do don’t take it for a test drive or you will be a lost soul and won’t be able to resist the lure of the N54

At least until both turbos go pop, the fuel pumps fail, the injectors pack up, and so on.......
I have had an N54 and (luckily for me) someone else paid those bills, but they all went within 35k miles. I would not buy another N54-engined car if you paid me. If I wanted another turbo-charged 6 pot BMW it would only be the B58 as they (so far) don't have any of the issues of the N54. And the B58 is a far better engine to drive. It's awesome. But not available in the E89 of course. G29, though.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

I might be looking at a 35i at the weekend

If only looking you might be able to walk away, what ever you do don’t take it for a test drive or you will be a lost soul and won’t be able to resist the lure of the N54 oke: :rofl: :rofl:

That's exactly what I'm worried about :roll:

 

[tiglon]

If only looking you might be able to walk away, what ever you do don’t take it for a test drive or you will be a lost soul and won’t be able to resist the lure of the N54

At least until both turbos go pop, the fuel pumps fail, the injectors pack up, and so on.......
I have had an N54 and (luckily for me) someone else paid those bills, but they all went within 35k miles. I would not buy another N54-engined car if you paid me. If I wanted another turbo-charged 6 pot BMW it would only be the B58 as they (so far) don't have any of the issues of the N54. And the B58 is a far better engine to drive. It's awesome. But not available in the E89 of course. G29, though.

Mine's approaching 80k miles and 11 years old.

Pre-emptively changing the water pump for the first time next week as it's showing signs that it might be on the way out (but still drives fine). Not a particularly expensive job, in the grand scheme of car maintenance.

Turbos are still original, as are injectors, as far as I know. No evidence in the service history that they've previously been replaced.

Just for balance

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Thanks for sharing, the car I'm thinking about has 39k on the clock and is 2016 model year so l would assume its still in good shape ?

 

[TOMGREEN413]

If only looking you might be able to walk away, what ever you do don’t take it for a test drive or you will be a lost soul and won’t be able to resist the lure of the N54

At least until both turbos go pop, the fuel pumps fail, the injectors pack up, and so on.......
I have had an N54 and (luckily for me) someone else paid those bills, but they all went within 35k miles. I would not buy another N54-engined car if you paid me. If I wanted another turbo-charged 6 pot BMW it would only be the B58 as they (so far) don't have any of the issues of the N54. And the B58 is a far better engine to drive. It's awesome. But not available in the E89 of course. G29, though.

That's not what l wanted to hear but it's interesting to hear the flip side of things.