ZM to 35is
- Thread starter john-e89
- Start date
I think jamesbond on here has done. He prefers the 35iS.
CornishRob
Senior member
Think it depends wat you want. If you want more of a cruiser, the 35 wins hands down.
shortfuse 2
Senior member
changed from a m 29000 miles I am warming to the 35is the more miles I do in her gear box is silky smooth and the same performance .I think given time the 35is will come out on top 
Well my hand has been forced somewhat as I need to now get a wheelchair in now and again and no chance with the e85 but I can in an e89 so although I'm stretching funds to the limit I thought go for the 35is, better selling point if I ever need to I think, I'm more than happy with the ride after testing a 2.0 m sport on 19's and the fact it's more of a cruiser, just going to be hard letting the ZM go, brilliant car.
Hi
When I drive my 35is it sounds just like the z4m, and the same on start up from cold. the 35is has the 10db sports exhaust.
The DCT is great .. which is funny as this was one of my big concerns, but turned out to be a great gearbox. When I had my m's (I have owned three) I always wanted a auto due to a bike accident when I was younger.
so in some ways it reminds me very much of my old E85 z4m'S .. as you said great cars, but for us battle bruised chaps the DCT is a great compromise
When I drive my 35is it sounds just like the z4m, and the same on start up from cold. the 35is has the 10db sports exhaust.
The DCT is great .. which is funny as this was one of my big concerns, but turned out to be a great gearbox. When I had my m's (I have owned three) I always wanted a auto due to a bike accident when I was younger.
so in some ways it reminds me very much of my old E85 z4m'S .. as you said great cars, but for us battle bruised chaps the DCT is a great compromise
Brill thanks for that James, I had a n e85 3.0si in auto that got written off and tbh the novelty of paddles wore off very quickly but I think that was largely due to the push with the thumb downshift, did'nt like that at all but they've put the proper left for down and right for up shift on now as you know. This is obviously all down to individual taste but I like to get as many peoples opinions as possible as I'm in that paranoid phase of 'have I done the right thing' going back to auto! :roll:
I had a Z4M Roadster and have moved on (albeit with a gap and a 330d) to a Z4 35iS.
Personally I find the ride softer in the 35iS than the Z4M unless the 35iS is put into 'sport' mode.
Noise I find the 35iS louder , more bass.
The 35iS is quicker and doesn't have the annoying issue (well it was to me anyway) of the 1st to 2nd gearchange. The DCT is great up through the box and stunningly quick whilst smooth. Kickdown makes you wait a second or so which is a bit frustrating and nowhere near as quick as the new 8 speed auto in the M135i / M235i but I would never swap it for the manual box of my Z4M R. The paddles are something I never use. With the DCT box set to sport along with the suspension it does seem to make the car fly ! Steering is heavier (and in this setting like the Z4M R), gear changes happen *very* quickly and the car seems to burble more on over run with the odd pop and bang you don't get as much of in 'normal' mode.
Personally I find the ride softer in the 35iS than the Z4M unless the 35iS is put into 'sport' mode.
Noise I find the 35iS louder , more bass.
The 35iS is quicker and doesn't have the annoying issue (well it was to me anyway) of the 1st to 2nd gearchange. The DCT is great up through the box and stunningly quick whilst smooth. Kickdown makes you wait a second or so which is a bit frustrating and nowhere near as quick as the new 8 speed auto in the M135i / M235i but I would never swap it for the manual box of my Z4M R. The paddles are something I never use. With the DCT box set to sport along with the suspension it does seem to make the car fly ! Steering is heavier (and in this setting like the Z4M R), gear changes happen *very* quickly and the car seems to burble more on over run with the odd pop and bang you don't get as much of in 'normal' mode.
Have to say I agree with you so8 on the 1st to 2nd change in the M it gets a bit of a pita at times, and to be brutally honest i'm not upset at changing it as I think at 48 i'm ready for something a bit more cruisey, and an e89 seems just right, though I might change the spec to a 35i if it's a bit quieter, 305 bhp is still more than enough grunt. Just getting old and clapped out I reckon! 
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.shortfuse 2
Senior member
john-e89
the noise level is about the same .I wanted a auto box the gearbox is superb smooth responsive much more of a cruiser
more comfortable ,I think in a couple of months I will be saying it is far superior to the m .but hey its everyone to there own .
I am just getting older and have something easier to drive hip and knees playing up.
(old git that I am ) lol
the noise level is about the same .I wanted a auto box the gearbox is superb smooth responsive much more of a cruiser
more comfortable ,I think in a couple of months I will be saying it is far superior to the m .but hey its everyone to there own .
I am just getting older and have something easier to drive hip and knees playing up.
(old git that I am ) lol
Maybe we ought to start a sub forum 'the knackered zed drivers club' or something :roll: Well I reckon i'm going for 35i with the DCT option, want to keep to 6 cylinders for the torque but keep it as quiet as possible. Having said that still got a week and a bit to change spec and as I can never make a decision it could end up 1.8m sport come a week Tuesday :lol:
john-e89 said:
Hi John
I recently sold my E85 3.0si manual and am hopefully picking up a used 35i next Friday
it is our weekend car and I didn't want to go too mad on price so as much as I fancied a 35is I know that the 35i with 306bhp will be more than enough and it is quite a bit more powerful than my last one, it has the DCT box which is something I really fancied and I know it will sound superb as well 
keep us posted on your choice.