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35i or 35is?

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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rchamp
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35i or 35is?

Post by rchamp » Sat Jun 03, 2017 11:42 am

Hello again z4 forum

A few years ago I had an e85 3.0 roadster and regularly used the forum. I loved the car, had a few tasteful mods, but I sold it to buy an E60 M5. Fitted an Eisenmann race exhaust to that and loved every minute of it, but sold after a year to buy a house. Sad times.

Since then I've had a 350z and now drive an Astra. How times have changed! However, I'm now hoping to become a z4 owner again later this year!

I had been planning to get a 35is, however I'm now having second thoughts given the cheaper option of the 35i.

Regardless of which model I go for I plan to make the following mods:

Either eisenmann quad exhaust teamed with 3d design diffuser, or a custom dual tip exhaust with larger diameter tips
Sports cats
Wagner tuning intercooler
Remap
CSL reps

If I go for the cheaper 35i I could make several of these mods for the same price as a stock 35is.

What do you guys think?

Cheers
2011 Z4 35is | Alpine White | Kansas Red Leather | Mods to come!
Gone: 2003 Z4 3.0i SE Roadster

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Wrs
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35i or 35is?

Post by Wrs » Sat Jun 03, 2017 11:52 am

Welcome back. Do you prefer manual or DCT that's the first question? If manual then 35i it is..

I'd defiantly recommend test driving a 35is before you decide either way.
Gone - Black Sapphire Z4 E89 35is
Gone - Midnight Blue Z4 E85 3.0si

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35i or 35is?

Post by john-e89 » Sat Jun 03, 2017 12:00 pm

You're question is a little vague mate. There is a 35i in the for sale section on here for £36k and you can pick a 35is up for under £20k in the classifieds so 'cheaper' is a bit confusing. As WRS says which gearbox do you want is really the main question as you can find all sorts of prices of cars to fit your criteria. If you want DCT then although I haven't driven a 35i it would seem a 35is would be your best bet for a little more power and adaptive suspension as standard.

Hope you find a suitable car, some tasty mods you've got lined up there. :thumbsup:
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
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35i or 35is?

Post by Z4M-2006 » Sat Jun 03, 2017 12:52 pm

If you want a manual,then you havent got a choice

Personally i prefer the 35is..

I have always changed my exhaust,but the 35is exhaust is perfect for the car..The 35i has a quieter exhaust as OEM..

Cooler,boost pipe,cats and remap will see you nicely into the 400's and the car will feel great...

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35i or 35is?

Post by ronk » Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:41 pm

I went from a 3.0l E89 (Auto ) to a 35is and the performance is amazing and the DCT 'box suits it very well.

I think it will be a long time before I crave for more power The 340 ish is enough to get any of us into trouble very quickly.
IMG_2233.JPG
IMG_2233.JPG (52.53 KiB) Viewed 1563 times
This graph was posted on here a while ago - I take no credit.
It compares the 35is and a 335xd - I think it fair to assume in perfect conditions!
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with. :thumbsup:

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rchamp
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35i or 35is?

Post by rchamp » Sat Jun 03, 2017 4:01 pm

Thanks. At the moment I'm on the fence regarding the gearbox, so think I will need to test drive both.

Ideally I would like to spend less than £20k on the car before mods, but could spend more if I decide the 35is is the one to have.
2011 Z4 35is | Alpine White | Kansas Red Leather | Mods to come!
Gone: 2003 Z4 3.0i SE Roadster

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35i or 35is?

Post by bob4333 » Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:30 am

As others have said, it's really all down to your gearbox preferences. With the mods you intend you'll largely negate the premium price of the "is" over the "i", but remember with the "is" you do get a few other things thrown in as well.

A manual box was a must for me so I had to forgo the choice additions of the "is" which I admit were tempting but the BMW computer said no to a manual "is".

You're right - drive both - it's the only way.

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rchamp
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35i or 35is?

Post by rchamp » Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:43 am

bob4333 wrote: Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:30 am As others have said, it's really all down to your gearbox preferences. With the mods you intend you'll largely negate the premium price of the "is" over the "i", but remember with the "is" you do get a few other things thrown in as well.

A manual box was a must for me so I had to forgo the choice additions of the "is" which I admit were tempting but the BMW computer said no to a manual "is".

You're right - drive both - it's the only way.
Thanks, your second sentence hits the nail on the head!
2011 Z4 35is | Alpine White | Kansas Red Leather | Mods to come!
Gone: 2003 Z4 3.0i SE Roadster

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R.E92
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35i or 35is?

Post by R.E92 » Tue Jun 06, 2017 10:46 am

No point driving both if you are planning to mod the car. The 35i and 35is tune to exactly the same figures as the engines are identical.

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35i or 35is?

Post by Busterboo » Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:39 pm

The DCT is much more complex than perhaps those who've driven only manual boxes realise. It's a long, long way from being only 'an auto'.
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35i or 35is?

Post by Smartbear » Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:48 pm

Busterboo wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:39 pm The DCT is much more complex than perhaps those who've driven only manual boxes realise. It's a long, long way from being only 'an auto'.
It hasn't got a clutch pedal though, has it?
Rob
Image

e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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35i or 35is?

Post by Busterboo » Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:57 pm

Smartbear wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:48 pm
Busterboo wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:39 pm The DCT is much more complex than perhaps those who've driven only manual boxes realise. It's a long, long way from being only 'an auto'.
It hasn't got a clutch pedal though, has it?
Rob
No.
Thank God. :)
Vidi, vici, veni

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Smartbear
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35i or 35is?

Post by Smartbear » Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:03 pm

Busterboo wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:57 pm
Smartbear wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:48 pm
Busterboo wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:39 pm The DCT is much more complex than perhaps those who've driven only manual boxes realise. It's a long, long way from being only 'an auto'.
It hasn't got a clutch pedal though, has it?
Rob
No.
Thank God. :)
I've heard even God prefers a good manual :lol:
Rob
Image

e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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35i or 35is?

Post by Busterboo » Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:16 pm

Smartbear wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:03 pm
Busterboo wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:57 pm
Smartbear wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:48 pm

It hasn't got a clutch pedal though, has it?
Rob
No.
Thank God. :)
I've heard even God prefers a good manual :lol:
Rob
Mmm ... have you been hearing this voice long?

:)
Vidi, vici, veni

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35i or 35is?

Post by Z4M-2006 » Tue Jun 06, 2017 3:16 pm

The DCT has a clutch pedal very similar to the F1 automatic gearboxes..

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