Z4 35iS to M135i LCI

[Tea Pot One]

abarber said:

Don't get the hatch unless you need to. It sounds like you'll miss being able to drop the top, just before the summer.

The Z4 35is is similar to a Z4M, but certainly not significantly quicker. 17.2 seconds to 200kph vs 17 dead for the S54 beasties.

I had a Z4M Roadster ... the 35iS feels noticeably quicker to me. The 35iS is easier to use the power which may down to the DCT gearbox as opposed to the notchy manual on the Z4M R that I never got on with. The Z4M R was better handling though and relished being thrashed

[Tea Pot One]

SFO said:

could you briefly summarise them please?

I will have a go ... High pressure fuel pump failures, coil packs and injectors, turbo wastegate rattle. Can't think of more off the top of my head. The failures are less the later the car was built - I have been told my 2013 35iS will not suffer the same issues as pre 2011 models as just when BMW brought out the N55 engine BMW were finally getting the N54 well sorted.

[SFO]

Tea Pot One said:

SFO said:

could you briefly summarise them please?

I will have a go ... High pressure fuel pump failures, coil packs and injectors, turbo wastegate rattle. Can't think of more off the top of my head. The failures are less the later the car was built - I have been told my 2013 35iS will not suffer the same issues as pre 2011 models as just when BMW brought out the N55 engine BMW were finally getting the N54 well sorted.

thanks. doesn't sound catastrophic

[Jonsv8]

Tea Pot One said:

SFO said:

could you briefly summarise them please?

I will have a go ... High pressure fuel pump failures, coil packs and injectors, turbo wastegate rattle. Can't think of more off the top of my head. The failures are less the later the car was built - I have been told my 2013 35iS will not suffer the same issues as pre 2011 models as just when BMW brought out the N55 engine BMW were finally getting the N54 well sorted.

Yep, the HPFP is pretty much sorted, mainly early engines before the Z4 came out. They also stuck the engine in early 335i without an oil cooler but soon changed that too. I think the Z4 benefited from the 3 series ironing out the problems.

Turbo wastegate rattle can be an issue and the turbos themselves are expensive to fix if they go. There's also been some reports of coking (and a bizarre sounding fix using walnut blasting) unless that was what was meant by the injectors.

The good news is a few hundred quid and a man with a laptop will easily get either the 35i or 35iS to 370bhp.

[abarber]

Tea Pot One said:

I had a Z4M Roadster ... the 35iS feels noticeably quicker to me. The 35iS is easier to use the power which may down to the DCT gearbox as opposed to the notchy manual on the Z4M R that I never got on with. The Z4M R was better handling though and relished being thrashed

I can see how it would feel quicker, you have that nice wedge of torque that you just don't get with the Z4M.

[SFO]

can you control the adaptive suspension independently of throttle/gearshift response (for example, dampers set to comfort, and throttle/gearshift set to sport)?

[Tea Pot One]

SFO said:

can you control the adaptive suspension independently of throttle/gearshift response (for example, dampers set to comfort, and throttle/gearshift set to sport)?

Nope

[ladderino]

I moved from a E85 Z4 to a 335i, in my case this was a significant power upgrade as I had the 2.5si before.

Whilst the 335i is fantastic, I still miss the Z4 as I loved having the roof down. Winding the windows down is a poor replacement.

If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely stay put.

[hajaba123]

Stay put, I had a couple of Elises, replaced one with an M135i for 2 years. Ok car although I massively missed the roof off stuff. Replaced it with an M3 convertible a couple of months ago and love it.
Was going to get a Z435is then found just the right M3

[Tea Pot One]

Thanks for the views. I am staying with the 35iS at the moment but will drive a new M135i when I can.