Z4 urges
- Thread starter goon
- Start date
I have a 23i - great cars but 30i is better - gives best of both worlds soft top and coupe but more a GT than out right roadster.
Maybe looking at a 4 series with the grandkids about
my advice get the zed
Maybe looking at a 4 series with the grandkids about
my advice get the zed
At the summit of the picturesque fens
All Zee Germans do it these days. An AMG C63 merc is now a 4 litregoon said:
18,20 and 28 are the same engine (N20 4 pot 2 litre turbo) just with different outputs as standard.
23 is a 2.5 litre 6 pot normally aspirated. 30 is a 3 litre 6 pot n/a
35 and 35is are both 3 litre 6 pot twin turbos (N54).
Scottish Borders
Pondrew said:All Zee Germans do it these days. An AMG C63 merc is now a 4 litregoon said:
18,20 and 28 are the same engine (N20 4 pot 2 litre turbo) just with different outputs as standard.
23 was the original 2.5 litre 6 pot normally aspirated
30, 35 and 35is are all 3 litre 6 pot turbos.
30i is a normally aspirated N52 engine..non direct injection, the 35i and 35is are turbocharged N54 engines, direct injection…all are 6 cylinder
In my opinion the 18i/20i/28i with the auto boxes are the best handling and most cost effective performance versions..
The 23i and 30i are normally very reliable and more ‘classical’..not the fastest or best handling but ok
The 35i and 35is are fast but expensive to buy and run and handle poorly.
If a 4 series convertible is your reference point a 18i/20i/28i auto..preferably late and fully loaded is your option..
All the 18i/20i/28i can be re-mapped at low cost to outrun everything but a stock 35is.
San Francisco, CA
Naturally the only e89 worth looking into is the 35is. All else are wannabes. 
I believe the 35is only came with DCT. This is the first paddle shifter car I’ve owned, and am enjoying it massively.
Echoing the above, the 35is is a GT, a pig, not a proper performance car straight out of box. I’m probably US$7,000 in adjustments just to make it function properly. See sig. That is a big disappointment IMO for the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’. And I don’t even track it.
I believe the 35is only came with DCT. This is the first paddle shifter car I’ve owned, and am enjoying it massively.
Echoing the above, the 35is is a GT, a pig, not a proper performance car straight out of box. I’m probably US$7,000 in adjustments just to make it function properly. See sig. That is a big disappointment IMO for the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’. And I don’t even track it.
The 435 has the newer N55 engine, as opposed to the N54 in the 35 & 35s Z4.
The 440 has the B58 which, so far, seems a really good lump.
The 4 series has four seats
Z4 is smaller, lower, prettier and more like a 'sports car' inside and out.
The Z4 roof, whilst being potentially a PITA, is simpler than the 4 series as it has less panels!
The 4 series can have more issues with water ingress in the rear.
The 440 has the B58 which, so far, seems a really good lump.
The 4 series has four seats
Z4 is smaller, lower, prettier and more like a 'sports car' inside and out.
The Z4 roof, whilst being potentially a PITA, is simpler than the 4 series as it has less panels!
The 4 series can have more issues with water ingress in the rear.
North West Surrey
If you just want that glorious straight six sound, a good ole fashioned stick to change gears with, a roof that comes off and a nice silhouette to look at when you see your reflection in a window.... then you'll be perfectly happy with a 30i. Unless you really have to get to 60mph half a second quicker then there's no point getting a 35i/35is, it'll cost a lot more and be in for repairs more often too.
If your idea of acceptable handling is a Lotus Elise, then you're looking in the wrong place, but I suspect you already know that.
If your idea of acceptable handling is a Lotus Elise, then you're looking in the wrong place, but I suspect you already know that.