Tuesday 14th November 2023

BMW Z4 35i manual | Spotted

This era of Z4 never quite hit the spot - it might with M2 matching power and Ohlins suspension...

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It’s never quite been clear what BMW wants to make with the Z4. Even now, for what must be the final one produced, there are parts that make it feel like a proper sports car, parts that feel like a laidback GT, and parts that make it feel like any other BMW. Across three generations you'd be forgiven for thinking that BMW made it because it felt that it should - rather than with all the effort possible. There have been highlights along the way (remember the original 3.0si), though for a model that’s always featured a straight-six up front and rear-wheel drive, the Z4 has never really captivated enthusiasts in the way it might have. 

The E89 generation, seen here and launched in 2009, was recognition that BMW couldn’t beat the Boxster as a driving device; its approach changed, and the car was intended more as an SLK rival - the ultimate compact cruiser. So a folding hardtop was introduced (meaning no more coupe), there wasn’t an M version, electric power steering was standard - you get the idea. Manuals were rare, autos prevalent, with the dual-clutch-only version introduced very late on. 

In that context, this is an interesting spec. There’s the Atacama Yellow paint, for starters, which must have been an expensive option in 2010 and certainly brings a conservative design to life a little. It’s a range-topping sDrive35i, too, which means more than 300hp from the N54 twin-turbo straight-six. And it’s paired to a manual gearbox, so it’s about as driver-focused as this generation of Z4 got before the sDrive35iS. But there’s a little more to it than that…

Because this Z4 has been to the renowned BMW specialist Birds (no relation) for some upgrades. Most notable is the fitment of Ohlins Road and Track coilovers, which should have worked wonders for the ride and handling. Going off the Birds BMW price list and its four levels of B4 Dynamics Package, that’s at least £2,200 spent, and potentially up to nearly £4k depending on if anything else was included. It’s even been set up at an Ohlins specialist, to really get the most from the hardware. It’s the first Z4 we’ve seen with any work from Birds, and a whole lot more interesting as a result. The coilovers mean the baby BMW’s stance is improved, too - it looks like much more of a sports car now. 

There’s some additional power as well, with induction, intercooler and ECU tweaks yielding 370hp, up from the standard 306. A useful gain, then, and should mean performance similar to that of the original BMW M2 (which made 370hp from the later N55 engine). Bet it sounds great, too. 

Should the next owner wish to build on it, the car surely offers an encouraging foundation to work with. If a Boxster is a bit predictable, a yellow BMW with thousands spent on its suspension must appeal a bit. Or those just waiting on a great spec of manual Z4 will be happy - they don't turn up very often. The price is higher than average because of just 19,000 miles, but then the appeal of three pedals and more focused chassis is probably quite niche as well; there’s surely a deal to be done that benefits all parties. Do let us know if it’s finally the old Z4 come good…

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SPECIFICATION | BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I

Engine: 2,979cc, twin-turbo straight six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 306@5,800rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 295@1,300-5,000rpm
MPG: 30.1
CO2: 219g/km
First registered: 2010
Recorded mileage: 19,216
Price new: £42,870 (2013, standard)
Yours for: £19,950

See the original advert here

 

[Bencolem]

It’s a no from me…

[aka_kerrly]

It's yellow so automatically cool, good spec with well considered upgrades.

I like!!!

[forzaminardi]

It's a yes from me. I'm not a fan of the design of these, but the colour really lifts it and the improved stance makes it look a bit more purposeful. Attractive car imo.

Edited by forzaminardi on Tuesday 14th November 04:47

[Dombilano]

Those air filters look like a heat soak nightmare

[Motormouth88]

These have never looked right…and this one is no different

[Iamnotkloot]

Lovely, lovely colour…….but it’s still a no from me

[cerb4.5lee]

I love these in this colour, and I've always fancied the 35i model with a manual gearbox as well. I also prefer a folding metal roof to a cloth one too(especially roof up, and all cloth roofs are ugly to my eyes roof up). The upgrades add a bit of something I reckon, and these are definitely a car I'd like one day.

Shape wise I love the front of them, however the rearend never seemed to match the front enough for me though.

[GreatScott2016]

cerb4.5lee said:

I love these in this colour, and I've always fancied the 35i model with a manual gearbox as well. I also prefer a folding metal roof to a cloth one too(especially roof up, and all cloth roofs are ugly to my eyes roof up). The upgrades add a bit of something I reckon, and these are definitely a car I'd like one day.

Shape wise I love the front of them, however the rearend never seemed to match the front enough for me though.

So agree. As the article says, I bet that makes a glorious noise too plus a manual shifter too for added fun

[Slowlygettingit]

A good friends wife had one.
It was a fast, comfy boulevardier, not a sports car.
Accept it as that and I found it be enjoyable. Sounded good too.

[smilo996]

Small sports from BMW always seemed like an after though t/ somewhere to put eccentric engineers (Z1,Z8, Z3M Coupe) or a bit crap - the Z4 blue rinse.
The only one worth buying for decent money is the Z4M coupe but even then, odd looks tend to put people off.

[Pereldh]

Contrived & compromised when new, contrived & compromised today.

[WPA]

I like that in yellow, not sure on the cone filters however

[Fishy Dave]

It's a no from me, but love the earlier E85/E86.

[Hammerhead]

Looks a nice way to make gentile progress whilst wrapped up in a banana suit I quite like the colours of this example, bold and fun.

[SweptVolume]

The lukewarm reception to this must be why these are so keenly priced on the used market.

If you forget about the twin turbo, you can get a straight-6, RWD, manual two seater that is old enough to not be pegged down with modern safety tech, but modern enough to not look dated, for less than £6k.

There aren't really many used car bargains any more, but these seem to be a good candidate.

[humphra]

It's going to depend a lot on whether the ohlins improve the ride quality - i can't real l tell if this is M-sport spec, but if it is then the original suspension plus run flat tyres created a real bone shaking ride - I used to think something would break just going over modest potholes. Apparently, non-runflats also help a lot.
Apart from that, I like it! Though my like doesn't extend to £20k....

[redroadster]

Negative comments on looks shows we are all different ,I think they look fab not my choice in colour maybe on a boxster but a great roadster .

[pb8g09]

Curious to know if all the negative responses are from previous owners?

I had one in my twenties, with an i6 (but not a 35i). It sounded great, seating position was nice and low and other than a battery change, it ran perfectly. I had it in that BMW dark blue that you don't see anymore on the new cars but seemed to be rife back when these came out and I thought it looked awesome. The suspension/OEM tyres made it a bit bone shaking on bumps and I actually really hated the manual gearbox - it was notchy and felt like it wouldn't shift fast, and the clutch was a bit '2000s' in that it was pretty unforgiving. I came from a faster car with a slicker gearchange and ultimately it probably ruined the Z4 owner experience for me.

I can imagine this one in the article will drive better, but I don't fancy that gearbox again, nor spending that much on a Z4 of this vintage either.

[tripleB]

How would sir like the air entering his engine?
As hot as possible please, preferably pre warmed from the engine bay and not outside
Certainly sir right this way…

[L1ttl3dud3]

Always liked the looks of these and think they're a bargain now, not everyone is boy racer and looked at through the prism of where they will sell and to who,rather than is it fast round a track, they're a nice car. Yellow is very cool.