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35is vs M4

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ibroker

Member
So Ive had an itch to swap the Z4 35is I have for an M4 for a while now. I have also had a niggle in the back of my mind not to part with the Z until I have scratched the M4 itch in case it proves to be a mistake. I decided to buy one which was delivered by the dealer today and sit on the Z for a couple of months as well, right decision.

So i am 6 hours in and my first impressions.

The M4 in question has had a visit to Litchfield Tuning. Its running 520hp and 510lbs torque. s**t its fast.......brutal be honest,due to the way it delivers it makes the Z feel pedestrian. . And if Im frank on the UK roads Im questioning when I would ever be able to use it. My Z4 is running 400hp and the way its delivered is almost perfect as a comparison to the M4, theres a smoothness to it . The M4 has had the GTS software flash to supposedly eliminate the lurching gear issue but its far from smooth. The DCT on the Z is way ahead

M4 seats are super comfortable, standard Z seats are shite.
M4 is disappointing is build quality, it rattles, not much but it does. As a BMW premium brand its lacking. Mines now 8 years old and The Z is solid.
The Cabin on the Z fells a great place to be, good on the M4 but its not a special day out.
M4 Climate control without the ability to match driver and passenger heating, each is individual?
Sound system is shite.
Love the M4 heads up display
Love the one button switch between 2 modes on the fly between sport modes and suspension set up

Its all first impressions at the moment, but Im glad I kept the Z and didnt px it, if I had seen it going out of the drive at lunchtime today Id be having serious regrets right now. Im going to live with the M4 for a while and see how it pans out, but the 35is is a great machine.
 
The engine is a dream... but always felt the ride quality on the M4 is borderline, especially in Competition spec. And it’s incredibly tail happy. Fantastic car though. Sure you can sort the rattles! No Harmon Kardon on it?
 
Interested to hear your update after a while longer. I may have switched from my 35is had the new version had a hard top but alas it didn't so it was off my radar.
 
That's an interesting comparison.

Hopefully with a bit more time in the M4 it'll grow on you, but at least if it doesn't you've already got a Plan B!
 
So Ive had an itch to swap the Z4 35is I have for an M4 for a while now. I have also had a niggle in the back of my mind not to part with the Z until I have scratched the M4 itch in case it proves to be a mistake. I decided to buy one which was delivered by the dealer today and sit on the Z for a couple of months as well, right decision.

So i am 6 hours in and my first impressions.

The M4 in question has had a visit to Litchfield Tuning. Its running 520hp and 510lbs torque. s**t its fast.......brutal be honest,due to the way it delivers it makes the Z feel pedestrian. . And if Im frank on the UK roads Im questioning when I would ever be able to use it. My Z4 is running 400hp and the way its delivered is almost perfect as a comparison to the M4, theres a smoothness to it . The M4 has had the GTS software flash to supposedly eliminate the lurching gear issue but its far from smooth. The DCT on the Z is way ahead

M4 seats are super comfortable, standard Z seats are shite.
M4 is disappointing is build quality, it rattles, not much but it does. As a BMW premium brand its lacking. Mines now 8 years old and The Z is solid.
The Cabin on the Z fells a great place to be, good on the M4 but its not a special day out.
M4 Climate control without the ability to match driver and passenger heating, each is individual?
Sound system is shite.
Love the M4 heads up display
Love the one button switch between 2 modes on the fly between sport modes and suspension set up

Its all first impressions at the moment, but Im glad I kept the Z and didnt px it, if I had seen it going out of the drive at lunchtime today Id be having serious regrets right now. Im going to live with the M4 for a while and see how it pans out, but the 35is is a great machine.
 
Interesting read... :thumbsup:

I can’t help but think with some choice mods, seats, suspension swap, the 35i/is is now a relatively cheap and very very good car with more than enough grunt....I totally get why you have reservations. :driving:
 
All M cars are a compromise, generally harsh ride, rattly as a result, especially as they age
As for buying a new one, well I will never spend good money on a 'high performance' gas car ever again.
The unfortunate truth is that all the great exhaust notes, popping and farting exhausts these days really mean your out of touch, or worse, that your car is slow!
My gym buddy just bought the new electric Porsche, he took me for a spin after first asking me what kind of car I liked the best, I said F1, so he selected F1 as the exhaust note (yes it makes engine noise via a very high end sound system OUTSIDE the car). We drove around 50 miles in the afternoon and I am seriously envious. The accelaration is gut wrenching, after warning me he floored it from some lights on to the slip road here onto the A38, my legs came off the floor! I mean what the hell.
If you get the chance get in one, test drive one for a laugh.
Would I swap it for my 35i? Hell no, but then again like the rest of us I am a gas dinosaur and I love it :-)
 
I sold my 35is 2 years ago. Regretted it almost immediately. It was a beauty. 2016 fully loaded with 18k on the clock.
Regretted it so much that I ended up buying an m40i to get back in the zed.
I know the boxster is a better drive and blah blah blah. I just loved that zed.
 
mcbutler said:
The unfortunate truth is that all the great exhaust notes, popping and farting exhausts these days really mean your out of touch, or worse, that your car is slow!
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What a ridiculous statement.
 
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What a ridiculous statement.
[/quote]

Very true, I heard that statement on some YouTube video..... by Rory Ried I think. Seem like he's gone all pro EV which is fine but as Harry Metcalf points out EVs are bit like white goods would much rather have a proper car with an ICE engine no matter how fast an EV is, although as an everyday run around I would replace the mrs diesel Fiesta with a EV but only when I can get a decent one (like the VW ID3 e.g) for 10K spending 30K or so on a basic EV car right now is just nuts! I am sure the Porsche Taycan is great but for the 150K or so it costs I would much rather have a second hand 911 turbo or a Ferrari 458.
 
Had both...

The M4 even in standard trim is substantially quicker than the 35is..

I found build quality very similar in the pair,both were ok....

Audio.... Probably down to what option you have,have HK in the M4 and its fantastic,the 35is had pro audio..... Was fine too,just not as good.

Both were good on fuel and cheap to tax.

Tech in the M4 is nicer....

Observation... Overall the M4 is harder to drive quickly,you need to be committed and position the car well. The 35is is much more forgiving,Probably due to the power being a lot less..
 
Z4M-2006 said:
Had both...

The M4 even in standard trim is substantially quicker than the 35is..

I found build quality very similar in the pair,both were ok....

Audio.... Probably down to what option you have,have HK in the M4 and its fantastic,the 35is had pro audio..... Was fine too,just not as good.

Both were good on fuel and cheap to tax.

Tech in the M4 is nicer....

Observation... Overall the M4 is harder to drive quickly,you need to be committed and position the car well. The 35is is much more forgiving,Probably due to the power being a lot less..
Click to expand...

OP's mapped 35is shouldn't be far off an M4 pace wise.
Here's a vid of a 420bhp Z4 35is gapping a M4 :)

[youtube]X2qnYwq8l2k[/youtube]

Also agree on your points regarding driving an M4 quickly. They are very twitchy imo.
 
Comp and a cabrio.... Slow in m4 world...

But even so.....

A mapped 35is isnt a slow motor,but a mapped M4 would leave it for dead..Same if they were both standard...

Iirc a M4 is about 3 seconds quicker for 0-100mph..... Thats a lot in the 0-100mph stakes...
 
Z4M-2006 said:
sunnydays said:
R.E92 said:
The S55 engine is a different beast once tuned. Sounds crap but has huge potential for power.
Click to expand...
Yeah it is a beast, until the crank hub spins lol
Click to expand...


Quoted from an N54 owner.......... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Click to expand...

Haha, I don't own an N54 anymore. Anyhow your point is valid. Either way both cars are ace.
 
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