Right Then!!!

B

BeemerMad

Active member
Before i get too old, and whilst i can afford one, and before the mr's wants any children i am determined to get in a BMW straight six. Now, its got to be automatic so the wife can drive it as well :poke: Soooooo the question is. Is there much difference between the 35is and 35i? Why have owners decided the 35i over the 35is etc. Nothing much between fuel economy, 35is is slightly quicker. I have always wanted an M car but the fuel economy has put me off, this is what is enticing me towards the 35is purely for the speed.

Please let me know your thoughts, bare in mind this will not be brand new. You can pick 35i for around £20k but yet to find a 35is for sale as well. Looking for around 2009 upwards, so could anyone shed some light on how much a 2009 35is would be please?

Cheers

David
 
The 3.5is has an over boost capability that gives it around the same bhp as an M. With the DCT box it's slightly quicker to 60 on paper, although on a track it might be a different story.

I test drove one and really liked it, although bought an M in the end.

Prices will vary by mileage and options list etc, but expect to pay c20k for an early 3.5is with high-ish miles but a top spec list.
 
Buy the M you hanker after. Then spend the money you will save on depreciation, of a newer 3.5, on petrol and insurace. Simple maths. :driving:
 
Stuart Truman said:
The 3.5is has an over boost capability that gives it around the same bhp as an M. With the DCT box it's slightly quicker to 60 on paper, although on a track it might be a different story.

I test drove one and really liked it, although bought an M in the end.

Prices will vary by mileage and options list etc, but expect to pay c20k for an early 3.5is with high-ish miles but a top spec list.
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Thanks for that, not entirely sure what the over boost is, does the 35i not have this, and what is this? so there is no real difference in price so that's a good start.

Trying to decide what the BIG difference is between the two, i take it servicing is the same?

Would you rule out the 3.0 auto, not fussed about keeping it N/A.
 
buzyg said:
Buy the M you hanker after. Then spend the money you will save on depreciation, of a newer 3.5, on petrol and insurace. Simple maths. :driving:
Click to expand...

I know but the newer car is swaying me, i am waiting for the e90 m3s to drop in price. Then that will be my M :evil:
 
Check the BMW website for specifics (or wait for an owner to clarify) but I think the 3.5 is about 305ps and the 3.5is is about 340.
 
Stuart Truman said:
Check the BMW website for specifics (or wait for an owner to clarify) but I think the 3.5 is about 305ps and the 3.5is is about 340.
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Hi Stuart, that's all i can see is the difference between the two also! they cannot be a million miles between the two on acceleration.
 
35is comes with DCT & adaptive suspension , which you can fit to a 35i but then they nearly cost the same , of course you may want a manual gearbox
 
chasBMW said:
35is comes with DCT & adaptive suspension , which you can fit to a 35i but then they nearly cost the same , of course you may want a manual gearbox
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Thanks chasBMW. DCT over the normal auto box then. So 7 speed?
 
DCT is a 7 speed twin clutch system.
The low down power of this engine makes it a good match for the dct,with 400nm-500nm available from 1400 rpm !
The only reason I got a 35i over the 35is was just choice when buying.
The 35is are still fairly rare on the market while I had a choice of 35i with good specs.

Adaptive suspension is also a great tool. Almost like having two cars in one.
The roof on both is amazing with the newer version now operating while driving at low speed.
 
A LOT of things that are standard on the 35is are options on the 35i.

The 35is has more horsepower and more torque. The is has more power. The 35is is faster. The engine in the 35is produces more power. The 35is has an engine that produces more power than the 35i. The 35i doesn't have as much power as the 35is. The 35i has an engine that doesn't produce as much power as the 35is. The engine inside the 35i is less powerful than the 35is.

I think you get what i'm saying. I am American, therefore...

MOAR POWUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Plus, the E89 is already pretty rare. But the 35is? Now that's RVRE. Plus, you gain instant rights to be able to talk crap to anyone with a lesser Z4... :poke:\

Also, dyno tests that show that BMW is RIDICULOUSLY conservative when reporting figures. The 30i, 35i, and 35is all seem to have an average of 30 more HP than BMW reports.
 
Thanks brasseye, the adaptive suspension does sound tempting.

Lol at keepittrill. I do like more power as well! I have already noticed how rare the 35is' are. I think i will be riding a unicorn before i find a 35is
 
BeemerMad said:
Is there much difference between the 35is and 35i? Why have owners decided the 35i over the 35is etc
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Hi David

Apologies for the delayed reply - we're just back from holiday
AFAIK the 35is wasn't introduced until 2010 and only comes with the 7speed DCT auto box
The 35i could be specced up to a similar level by adding options but obviously the overboost power would be absent
So if you are looking for a pre-loved vehicle there will be more 35i around than the 35is and they will be a bit cheaper

We got our 35i a couple of months ago and the previous owner appeared to have ticked every option when he specified it and I don't know why he then decided to sell.
However, I'm not complaining especially as my wife loves it!

In terms of making your decision, you need to identify which options are a "must have" and which would just be "nice but not essential"
Then when you find a nice car you can come to a compromise provided all you "must haves" are present.
I would however advise you to be patient and don't jump at the first one you drive - unless it ticks all the boxes :thumbsup:

Happy hunting
Regards
Terry
 
Is it just me or are 35iS used prices on the up?

Not that i'm complaining but having a look around on line I have seen a couple of cars re-advertised for a fair chunk more and they are now gone.

I was also asked if I would sell mine as the guy couldn't find one anywhere. So they do seem to be very rare. A 35i with the right spec isn't a kick of the arse of the iS but the extra "S" seems to matter a lot in the badge wars.

Not wanting to sell mind as mine is going great and is as new. There isn't much out there that comes close. I wasn't even that impressed by the new F-Type. Well not at those prices.

Been looking at R8s though :?

Ohh and to add you get different floor mats with the iS :poke:
 
Thanks Terry thats great advice thankyou. In regards of gear box i would like the DCT. In regards with the over boost, whats the point in it?
 
You might find that a used 35i has the same spec as the iS apart from the power. Ours had 2.5k on the clock when we got it with Nav, Msport, adaptive and DCT at pretty much half list price. On a used car you'd need to weigh up spec vs mileage vs age vs power to decide what's most important to you.

Gotta say in SPORT mode with DCT the 35i is pretty damn rapid.

Sean
 
BeemerMad said:
In regards of gear box i would like the DCT. In regards with the over boost, whats the point in it?
Click to expand...
So, eliminate manual models from your search
Add MSport to the 35i and start hunting :)

rhodesey35iM said:
Gotta say in SPORT mode with DCT the 35i is pretty damn rapid.
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+1
I gotta agree!
 
the reason why the 35is is holding its value its because its pretty rare and when they do come up for a reasonable price, dealers snap them up and add on the premium

they are even doing it on the 35i m sport models from what i have seen..... hopefully if i change to one next year, the prices would of fallen a bit.... but i doubt it :?
 
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