Test Drove sDrive23i

S

srhutch

Legend
 East Sussex, UK
Just taken ot an sDrive23i, auto with 17" rims. My first thoughts were it seemed more like driving the 3 series E90's, ride on runflats was fine and it seemed stuck to the road, I like the paddles on the steering wheel, as my hands are always at quarter to three and being able to change gear without moving them was excellent, although I would probalby still go manual.

Drove some very nice country lanes that I know at speed and felt very secure in what the car was going to do.

As soon as I got out of the dealer I got in my car and did the exact same route, now after driving a colleagues E90 the other day for 50+ miles, I was horrified when I got into mine it felt like it was back on runflats and very antiquated, however this wasnt the case after getting our of the new Z4, my ride quality was very similar and the handling seemed about the same.

My verdiict is that yes it's a nice car, and if you want a hardtop then it's a good choice, I however will be trading mine for a Z4 ///M.

Question is Roadster or Coupe as this will be my forever car, my heart says roadster but my head says coupe as this seems the more likely future classic :cry:

Dealer still had a brochure so nabbed that for the file, and saved a few quid not having to get one from ebay.
 
I assumed the 23i you tried did not have Adaptive M Sport suspension. Do you think its handling can be matched with your 2.5si if 23i with 18" wheels and sport suspension. 3-series E90 is already a driver car, so as you said the 23i with 17" should not be too bad.
 
the model I drove did have three sports mode settings, modes two and three altered the damper settings, but I'm guessing it's a softer ride to begin with.

Other comments I forgot about, standard steering wheel to thin, and there is no extra vibibilty gained by the extra windows on the side as the are obscured by the roll over hoops and headrests so are a complete waste of time.
 
I don't mind the wheel too much actually, just think the current ///M wheel is so much thicker than normal that you guys have got used to it. The wheel itself is very tactile and the diameter is about right. My SLK wheel has a massive diameter, too big.
 
As I said in my review, the new Z is a great upgrade if you come from a 2.5 or 3.0 model. Everything is the same, just a bit better.

You are right about upgrading to an M though as that is in a different league altogether again.
 
pvr said:
As I said in my review, the new Z is a great upgrade if you come from a 2.5 or 3.0 model. Everything is the same, just a bit better.

You are right about upgrading to an M though as that is in a different league altogether again.
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Cue Breaker :rofl:
 
pvr said:
As I said in my review, the new Z is a great upgrade if you come from a 2.5 or 3.0 model. Everything is the same, just a bit better.

You are right about upgrading to an M though as that is in a different league altogether again.
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Yes just cant see the point of the new model, doesnt do anything that much better than our Z4's, and the boot is crap to use really.

I plan to change mine for a ///M within 12 months, will be interested in the coupe my dealer has coming in soon, it's gre with "Upgraded wheels" the sales advisor didnt know what they were I can only guess CSL's which if the case would look awesome and the price could be very good to. Might have to start working on the wife.
 
This is my route of choice too, go to the //M in the next 12 - 24 months - my question is coupe or roadster? I LOVE open top driving - but I think the coupe is going to be more of a classic. Then again, I'm not buying it as an investment! Thoughts anyone?

(started working on the wife - she has no problem - :D )
 
csmith319 said:
This is my route of choice too, go to the //M in the next 12 - 24 months - my question is coupe or roadster? I LOVE open top driving - but I think the coupe is going to be more of a classic. Then again, I'm not buying it as an investment! Thoughts anyone?

(started working on the wife - she has no problem - :D )
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your view would appear to be the same as mine as per my original post.

I also assume you are planning to keep the ///M for a very long time, I would ask the forum members what they think but I can guess what the answers would be, I will take the coupe out when the dealer get it, but think I wuld miss the roof down days :(
 
Z4 M Coupe and Roadster have better performance compared with the new Z4 35i. But I really don't want to have similar exterior (M Aerodynamic Styling) and very similar interior (e.g dials are different) when I change my car next time.
 
srhutch, TBH I don't think you'd miss the roof too much. Coupe a safer bet as a collectors item - probably.
 
Wondermike said:
srhutch, TBH I don't think you'd miss the roof too much. Coupe a safer bet as a collectors item - probably.
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Says the guy who is getting bored of putting his roof down :poke:

I agree though coupe a better 'classic' bet far less around than roadsters...
 
gannet said:
Wondermike said:
srhutch, TBH I don't think you'd miss the roof too much. Coupe a safer bet as a collectors item - probably.
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Says the guy who is getting bored of putting his roof down :poke:

I agree though coupe a better 'classic' bet far less around than roadsters...
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What are the numbers on ///M's at the last meet there were more coupes than roadsters
 
Why does coupe owners :cry: always try to say there are better and their's is a better a car when roadster owners 8) just enjoy their driving and let the car do all the talking.
 
chetalien said:
Why does coupe owners :cry: always try to say there are better and their's is a better a car when roadster owners 8) just enjoy their driving and let the car do all the talking.
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Both gannet and wondermike are roadster owners, OK wondermike now has SLK but can still drop the roof.

I'm looking for an ///M to keep forever so as much as I want the roof down experience I also want to ensure I buy the right car, no point buy a car to keep for future classic if it isnt going to be one.
 
srhutch said:
chetalien said:
Why does coupe owners :cry: always try to say there are better and their's is a better a car when roadster owners 8) just enjoy their driving and let the car do all the talking.
Click to expand...

Both gannet and wondermike are roadster owners, OK wondermike now has SLK but can still drop the roof.

I'm looking for an ///M to keep forever so as much as I want the roof down experience I also want to ensure I buy the right car, no point buy a car to keep for future classic if it isnt going to be one.
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Will you call "M3 (E30)" a modern classic?
 
I would miss the M exhaust roar if I could not open the top ...

From a roof point of view - the post facelift versions do not suffer the same issue with the motor being submersed in water.

Just as a point to note - my other "forever keeper car", that electric roof still works fine after 16 years.
 
The E30 ///M has to be a classic, not so sure of the E36 though.

andy sixspeed said the same about his exhaust, in that he cant hear it being a coupe :( and exhaust noise has to be part of the appeal.
 
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