Newbie with a dilemma

O

oldjonesey

Member
Hi everybody,

An oldey newbie with a bit of a dilemma I hope you guys can help be resolve.

I joined this site because after watching an old Fifth Gear programme on Sky and wanting to get a "new" Sunday car I decided on a Z4 as a good compromise between cost and performance.

Now, my dilemma is this, (YES, FOR GODS SAKE GET TO THE POINT YOU OLD FOOL, says the inner voice) which version to buy. I have narrowed my choice down to either a Z4MC or a Z4 35s. I've got about £20/- to spend on either so I'm looking for a good low mileage one. Whilst doing my research I was struck by the prices, in some cases the older Z4MC is way more than a comparable mileage Z4 35s, why is this? Is the MC such a better drivers car than the 35s or is it rarity? HELP!

Also is there anyone who has owned/driven both and can comment on the driving experience between the two.

Cheers guys.

OJ
 
Hi and welcome.

As for your dilemma, firstly a M yes is a lot more special but it's also a much rarer car. Also for some the coupe is much more practical car than the convertible. The E89 hasn't been that big a seller for BMW I believe. However I thought most 35i's were going for around 20k plus with 35is's around £27k plus whilst your looking at 15/16k for a low millage coupe? Both are beautiful looking cars and the E86 was my fav from the 1st gen z'ds.

However you are technically comparing two completly differnt cars so are you after a coupe or a convertible??

I assume you do know that there is a 35i sDrive and a 35is sDrive and the 35is is very rare, not many to be had anywhere and certainly not for M Coupe money
 
Tough choice. The M is more driver focused, will guzzle more fuel, but ultimately could put a bigger smile on your face.

The 35i is nearly as quick, more forgiving and has the roof down option, which is lovely.

You'll hear both sides on here. Depends what you're after though.

Welcome aboard 8-)


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Echo what these busy are saying. Depends on what your favour. MC is lovely, the coupe is gorgeous and for your money you should be able to pick up a good very low miler. Don't know on the 35 as never driven one but alway been intrigued by them and love the interiors.

Know it sounds obvious but maybe drive both and see which one works bets for you.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Get the convertible. Otherwise, when you're driving along on a lovely summer's evening, you'll say to yourself "I wish I'd bought a convertible".
 
The original coupe is a lovely looking thing but with the newer model you have the benefit of lowering the roof and as already said that's a lovely thing to be able to do and have the coupe looks to start with?
Listen to the advice on here though as the driving experience is said to be different. Test drive is obviously the way to go - good luck!

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
The more modern car is probably better if its to be your only car.

However if like me you have other cars then you should go for the older M, it has so much more to give. Also go for a roadster, the sound of the straight 6 near the redline top down is just pure magic... I got my minter for well under your budget...

Good luck.
 
Hi Guys,

Well thanks for all your inputs. It has all helped, I think I need to now test drive both and then decide. I'm a little bit confused on the E89 front, is the 35is the twin turbo one or is the 35i sdrive also twin turbo, I love turbo'd cars, my R33 GTR flings you down the road like your ass is on fire.

As for usage, it will be primarily a Sunday car, I've a cheap MX5 as a daily driver for the top down experience in the summer and an M50 engined E30 for the winter.

One thing I'm concerned about when touring is that if you put the roof down on the 35 you effectively halve the boot space, not so on the Coupe which seems practical and fast at the same time.

Decisions, decisions.

OJ
 
The 35i and 35is are both twin turbo however they are different bhp and the 35is comes with the DCT 7 speed auto box.

My OH has a R32 GTR with a Tomei exhaust and has been advising me that my car, 35is is louder than that on start up but it sounds really good and even better with the roof down. Just to give you an idea of the sound. Yes you loose boot space but I can still get all my camping gear in the back with the roof down which surprised me! It's a lot more roomier than you think and if you weren't going to be taking loads you can still get it in. Dealer made a good point that taking soft sided luggage was great as it can squish down. I usually only use soft sided unless I'm going on a aircraft.

Maybe as suggested a E85 M could be a compromise if you wanted a topless M to enjoy that sound but I'd say E86 if it's a M Z you want.

Oh and both these cars will still fling you down the road like your ass is on fire just with a lot more refinement. All GTRs handle brilliantly but these cars have the power when you want it and the refinement of a GT
 
Hi OJ and welcome,
What a great dilemma to be in !
For myself having the top down is just great for giving the illusion of speed at lower speeds and for letting in the summer.
The twin clutch gearbox on the 35i and 35is is just amazing for an automated manual gearbox.One of the best I have used (not far off the PDK Porsche system)
Adaptive suspension gives the car different characters which gives nice contrast when required.
With the roof down the boot space is halved from 300 liters to 150 but while on the beer run or to the camp site we just suffer with the roof up.
The 35 range produces a lot of low down power compared to the M engines making for much more lazy and relaxed driving style.
IMHO Id say the M would be a more exciting car overall (and a touch thirstier due to the power being further up the rev range)
 
Thanks for all your inputs guys, looks like some test drives are coming my way!

I love the looks of the Z4M coupe and the relatively good supply of tuning parts but I also love the interior of the 35i which is uber cool.

OJ
 
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