Z4M owner just accidently test drove a 35is

[billy_beemer]

Swung by the BMW dealer on way home from shopping earlier.......

Just popped in to have a look at any Z4 to see how it compares to my model (a 60,000 Z4M roadster). The sales man showed me round his staff car which despite having the entry level engine had the M sport kit and looked very tidy.

Anyway I explained I'd be looking for a 35i MANUAL with iDrive, 14 speaker system, etc. As we were leaving he came running out to say, ohhhh I didn't know but we have a 35i just in, not even on the system yet......

So I ended up test driving the 35is - which means yes - DCT gearbox.

As a package it was alot more grown up than my current car, no annoying niggles or rattles and the iDrive compared to my dated MK4 Nav is just sexy. Foot down the thing it very rapid but I just couldn't get on with the gearbox, put your foot down too far and it shifts regardless of what mode you have it in, and why are the peddles not LEFT for DOWN and RIGHT for UP instead of both sides being push forward for down, pull towards for up? Please tell me that's tweakable with a nice BMTechnic cable?

Anyhow..... not for me..... it would have to be the 35i Manual. But nice car..... But is it worth the extra to trade up from my Z4M? Not sure yet?

 

[ZermattV]

Care to add anything here ...http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=56347&p=826053#p825627

How did it handle compared to the M ?

 

[Stuart Truman]

I test drove a 3.5iS when I was thinking about changing from my Alpina. Drive wise they were similar in that I'd say the 3.5iS is a very fast tourer. The engine is lovely though and the power delivery is very smooth indeed. I did like it a lot and would have bought it but the dealer wouldn't meet me where I wanted to be on price so I walked away and ultimately bought my M.

In comparison to both the Alpina and the 3.5iS, the M is a total hooligan, much more raw and a more instant delivery.

 

[ZermattV]

In comparison to both the Alpina and the 3.5iS, the M is a total hooligan, much more raw and a more instant delivery.

Exactly how I felt about the alpina after driving it just before an M.

 

[Maniac]

So you didn't try the DCT in full manual mode? That won't shift unless you redline it.

As for paddles, I like them both to do the same thing as I can drive in manual mode and use either hand to shift. Post 2012 cars have left and right paddles though.

 

[pvr]

So you didn't try the DCT in full manual mode? That won't shift unless you redline it.

You sure? The one I drove, drove me nuts with the gearbox that even in full manual, it would shift up whilst in the middle of a roundabout - each time. I wanted to pull out of it in second, but it always knew better and put it in third so was completely "dead" when coming off the roundabout. I only drove it in full manual mode so don't know what auto mode would be like, but it was and will never be for me.

It actually drove the same as my X5 does - even though the Z4 was a DCT and my X5 an automatic, but the behaviour is the same.

 

[LeeZ4MR]

I love the 35iS as a package it offers so much...but then they ruin it by only offering it with DCT & twin clutches just don't get me going which is a massive shame as I love the look, power & interior.

 

[billy_beemer]

So you didn't try the DCT in full manual mode? That won't shift unless you redline it.

You sure? The one I drove, drove me nuts with the gearbox that even in full manual, it would shift up whilst in the middle of a roundabout - each time. I wanted to pull out of it in second, but it always knew better and put it in third so was completely "dead" when coming off the roundabout. I only drove it in full manual mode so don't know what auto mode would be like, but it was and will never be for me.

It actually drove the same as my X5 does - even though the Z4 was a DCT and my X5 an automatic, but the behaviour is the same.

This is kinda how I felt, the pedal has a physical limit and then a bit extra and if you went too far it just goes into a do whatever it takes to accelerate fast now mode where as really I just wanted a bit more oomph in the gear I was in.

 

[billy_beemer]

I love the 35iS as a package it offers so much...but then they ruin it by only offering it with DCT & twin clutches just don't get me going which is a massive shame as I love the look, power & interior.

Couldn't agree more! So basically if I went for it I'd have to seek out a 35i with all the options and have a little tune to get that extra power.

Then there's the issue of no LSD......

 

[billy_beemer]

In short driving the M home, it felt more involved, heavier steering, but then I was looking around and the interior feels pretty dated by comparison, really tough decision....

The newer car was very smooth and would probably be a lot better to live with, probably cheaper to run too, no more £490 road tax or 22mpg...... or £200 brake discs

 

[Maniac]

lol am I sure... I've only had the car ooh, how many years. Perhaps you weren't driving it correctly? It was a strange car to you... Yes I use the car to its fullest. In sport/manual it will stay in whatever gear you choose. It will shift if you try to stall it, or redline it, that's all. In non manual mode (i.e. you used paddles but did not put the 'box into (left) sport) it will 'assist' with gears just like when its in normal mode.

 

[billy_beemer]

I think I need a gear stick........ I find the gear stick for auto beemers a bit offensive

 

[Maniac]

Lol

 

[pvr]

Without looking, how do you know what gear you are in? I found I was guessing that I had to shift down 1 or 2 depending on which gear I was in.

I "need" to know that when approaching something to overtake I can just put it in second, and not guess 1 or 2 clicks down. Not to mention that a long click moves it down more than you might want.

The Abarth has the same box and controls, so I am used to not being fully in control of the gearbox in manual mode.

 

[billy_beemer]

It says D4 etc for 4th gear in the centre console, push the level left and it goes to 'sport' so S4....

In sport mode it doesn't shift for you unless you (approach/hit) the redline (I'd assume - didn't test) or if you push your foot right down, it will down shift for you.

In either mode if you floor it all the way it goes into a sort of "just accelerate as fast as possible - right now!" mode

So - onto the important stuff, if you start tuning a 35i, do you need to get an LSD fitted?

 

[Maniac]

You have to check which gear you are in, either by looking, guessing, feeling, listening etc... Just like any automatic/automated transmission. Kick down is something I have never tried in Manual mode, perhaps thats where you went wrong? I've no idea if it shifts on kickdown in manual mode, but you do have to push the pedal past a very resistive point. In manual mode the car does what I tell it, with as I say the exception of too low or too high a gear.

As for the LSD, QuadRacer has one and loves it. If you're going to use the car on normal roads, you might not feel the benefit of the LSD, well you will, but not as much as if you're using the car 'hard' like on track or private roads. If I ever remap mine, an LSD is a yes. A remap for road use though I don't need, as the car is already very quick.

 

[Anonymous]

I cannot see how anyone can have a problem with the 35iS's DCT gearbox "if" driven correctly they are miles better and faster than a manual, worrying which gear you're in shows it's not been driven correctly

The Porsche PDK is light years ahead of it's 991S counter part with it's notchy gearbox and very, very heavy clutch pedal.

 

[pvr]

You have to check which gear you are in, either by looking, guessing, feeling, listening etc... Just like any automatic/automated transmission. Kick down is something I have never tried in Manual mode, perhaps thats where you went wrong? I've no idea if it shifts on kickdown in manual mode, but you do have to push the pedal past a very resistive point. In manual mode the car does what I tell it, with as I say the exception of too low or too high a gear.

As for the LSD, QuadRacer has one and loves it. If you're going to use the car on normal roads, you might not feel the benefit of the LSD, well you will, but not as much as if you're using the car 'hard' like on track or private roads. If I ever remap mine, an LSD is a yes. A remap for road use though I don't need, as the car is already very quick.

It did the opposite to kick down, it shifted up to third, therefore leaving the car "dead" coming out of roundabouts.

 

[Maniac]

Mine does not shift unless it thinks it may stall or exceed max revs. in full manual mode. (push left on the gearstick and then use the stick or paddles to choose a gear)

 

[StevenH72]

"if" driven correctly they are miles better and faster than a manual

Faster: Agreed

Better: Strongly disagree.

For me the best bit of driving is the involvement of the clutch pedal. Down-shifting and heel-toe shifting are two very rewarding skills, both of which (skills) are non-existent in auto cars. No doubt I would still enjoy driving an auto (and for a DD I will always advocate autos) but for a weekend/ hoon/ sports car imo a manual is the only way to go.

I don't care how much faster i'd drive with an auto box. Most cars with greater than 300 BHP are too fast to fully utilise on public roads anyway (where I do my driving). I can seriously understand why the GT86 is getting so much praise, enjoying the experience of driving isn't about out and out speed.

EDIT: I don't want to start another auto v manual debate just replying to Kryton's apparent inability to possibly perceive an alternative view,