How to get the most from a 35IS test drive?

[gwatson]

This will be the red one at Peter Vardy I assume?

Its a tidy looking car. We went to have a look at it a couple of weeks ago, it was outside in the covered area. They wouldnt let us even open a door as it had a sold sign on it. I mean, come on, its a 3 year old BMW FFs, not a Ferrari!

No bother to us as we were only looking. Anyway, got a call a few days later asking us if we would like a test drive as it was now for sale again.......dunno what happened there.....

Anyway, it looked pretty good, let us know how you get on!

Oh and in the showroom......wow some of those F types are stunning! ...... Just £90k is the sticking point!1

It is that one yeah, interesting history. To be honest, I'm probably not interested in this particular model, too expensive and still heavily depreciating. Would need to be a car closer to £18k to £20k, it also doesn't have the upgraded sound system. But, if I like it, then at least I'd be more comfortable buying from down south and wouldn't be a wasted trip.

It certainly is an impressive showroom, went in looking at F types earlier this year.

[gwatson]

That said you'll find bags more torque and power than the S2000, so much more accessible too, you don't have to wring its neck

But that's what I love about the S2000 and the Z4M to an extent, worried the turbo engine won't have that rush at the redline.

[gwatson]

Sport and see how you go.....

Simple as that is it? That both firms up the suspension and puts DCT into the most aggressive mode? Nothing to do in idrive?

[Gaffa22]

I'm selling my S2000 to get a 35i DCT
I road tested one and loved it, I agree with most of what John-e89 says except I wasn't disappointed. Whilst I do love the sporty handling of the S2000 I am loking for a long distance cruiser, with a little more room than the S2k and a few more bells and whistles.
Loved the torque of the 35i and the DCT box is a peach.
But let us know what you think

[gwatson]

I'm selling my S2000 to get a 35i DCT
I road tested one and loved it, I agree with most of what John-e89 says except I wasn't disappointed. Whilst I do love the sporty handling of the S2000 I am loking for a long distance cruiser, with a little more room than the S2k and a few more bells and whistles.
Loved the torque of the 35i and the DCT box is a peach.
But let us know what you think

I should have said, the S2000 is my weekender, so long distance cruising I won't be doing, S2000 would be horrible for that, so understand your move.

S2000 is the best car I've ever had out of around 25, including the Z4M and supercharged Z4 3.0i, so really intrigued to see how I get on. I do fancy I change though next year and something safer for the kids to be in, but do I hold out for couple more years for a Boxster, that's the question.

[Gaffa22]

Well I have driven the S2000 to Italy twice, round trip of 2500 miles and it was fine, even though I'm 6'4"
So certainly not horrible, the roads in Europe are a lot better than they are here

[gwatson]

Sorry, I was thinking more using daily for commuting wouldn't be great Euro trip would be great.

[john-e89]

I'm selling my S2000 to get a 35i DCT
I road tested one and loved it, I agree with most of what John-e89 says except I wasn't disappointed. Whilst I do love the sporty handling of the S2000 I am loking for a long distance cruiser, with a little more room than the S2k and a few more bells and whistles.
Loved the torque of the 35i and the DCT box is a peach.
But let us know what you think

Ah well if you're looking for a cruiser with oodles of power then the 35i is superb, you definately won't be disappointed imho, in fact I think you'll love it long term. I just didn't know if the OP wanted another sports car or GT.

Let us know how you get on Gaffa, you're correct about the DCT, it's a fabulous box, bit clunky going from forward into reverse but other than that it's superb. Hope you find a nice one.

[Gaffa22]

Thanks John, found a couple I'd be interested in but ideally need to sell the S2000 first.

[john-e89]

That said you'll find bags more torque and power than the S2000, so much more accessible too, you don't have to wring its neck

But that's what I love about the S2000 and the Z4M to an extent, worried the turbo engine won't have that rush at the redline.

No need to worry fella, dual blowers deliver hard acceleration right up to the redline, zero lag, so much so you won't know it's forced induction from driving it. Bear in mind though that if you go for DCT over a manual the box will upshift just before the redline wether you're in manual or auto if you don't yourself, you can't turn that off, but in reality it's so close and you'll be really flying it doesn't matter unless you're a total control freak...

[Z4M-2006]

Sport and see how you go.....

Simple as that is it? That both firms up the suspension and puts DCT into the most aggressive mode? Nothing to do in idrive?

Nope,

Nowt in the I drive ..

Sport does exactly what you expect, firmer suspension, quicker shifts and different throttle map..

There is also overboost on the 35is and launch control too..but that's all stuff learn about if you buy it..

It seems to divide opinion, personally I loved mine, thought it was a great alrounder and couldn't fault the car in any way..
I have had M3's,M5's all kinds of different M cars, 911's, GTR and C63 and for the money I think the 35is can outrun many of them for cheap money..

Is it a track car.... no, is it eck, but neither is a Z4M..

If you want that, buy a caterham or a ginetta and do that part of car ownership the proper way...

[Kugaman1]

It is that one yeah, interesting history. To be honest, I'm probably not interested in this particular model, too expensive and still heavily depreciating. Would need to be a car closer to £18k to £20k, it also doesn't have the upgraded sound system. But, if I like it, then at least I'd be more comfortable buying from down south and wouldn't be a wasted trip.

It certainly is an impressive showroom, went in looking at F types earlier this year.

Well, if you do end up talking figures with them, Id be interested to see what kind of deal they talk about....knowing Peter Vardy, I wouldnt imagine any great deal, but you never know, the car is none franchise and just sat there depreciating....already sold once then “not sold” ...... maybe there is a deal to be done!

EDIT....just looked on their site, they have knocked £1000 off the asking price in the past few days.
However, ran it through CAP and it books at £22000, so as soon as you drive off the forecourt, thats £3000 gone!

[Busterboo]

And, if it's on its original Bridgestones, you'll have to factor in new tyres and perhaps even new wheels.

That said, it's a young, quite well spec'd car in apparently very good condition. If I didn't have one already, I'd buy it.

As for the thread's original question ... put it in 'Sport', push the stick to the left and press hard with your right foot.

Then, when you've been over 4,000 revs a few times, start using the stick and/or paddles and, if you're feeling sharp, go into 'Sport +'.

[Ducklakeview]

Drive it like you stole it!

Mike

[Busterboo]

Exactly.