It’s Official: BMW Releases the BMW Z4 sDrive35iS

BMW 2011 Z4 sDrive35is range topping Z4 unveiled ! || BIMMERPOST = BMW Forum, BMW News and BMW Blog Dec 12th, 2009 Link

[...] Some photos courtesy of Bimmerfile. [...]

lava Dec 12th, 2009 Link

There is a product for M here if they make one with a fixed carbon roof.

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Eliot R. Dec 12th, 2009 Link

Don’t like the silver mirror caps. Thought the same thing about stealing a page from Audi.

Otherwise, really, really like it. M-like performance but probably won’t command a M-like price markup. Would prefer to get it with a proper gearbox, though.

Anyone know what this specific shade of red is? Is it just the standard Crimson Red? It looks a shade darker in these pics… But I might just be seeing things.

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Michael Dec 12th, 2009 Link

It’s Melbourne Red Metallic.

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Eliot R. Dec 12th, 2009 Link

Interesting… it made sense for BMW to offer an M color on a car like this. Thanks for the info.

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Michael Dec 13th, 2009 Link

Forgot to mention- People should use their imaginations and think of other models and how this engine will fit in Sports editions..

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RJ Dec 13th, 2009 Link

Michael…that last comment of yours is intriguing….share some addtl details, pls!!

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RJ Dec 13th, 2009 Link

I’ll echo Eliot R’s comments….what message is BMWNA sending us when the highest-performing Z4 variant is not offered with a manual gearbox? Yes, I’m certain that the DCT is a faster gearbox….but who is the targeted customer when a manual gearbox option isn’t even mentioned in the BMWNA press release? No offense intended, but is it the 50+ guy shown in the official BMW video? I think even 50+ guys still like manual gearboxes!!

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Gabe Dec 13th, 2009 Link

I’ll echo Eliot R’s comments….what message is BMWNA sending us when the highest-performing Z4 variant is not offered with a manual gearbox? Yes, I’m certain that the DCT is a faster gearbox….but who is the targeted customer when a manual gearbox option isn’t even mentioned in the BMWNA press release? No offense intended, but is it the 50+ guy shown in the official BMW video? I think even 50+ guys still like manual gearboxes!!

Having driven both I can tell you I vastly preferred the manual. My guess is that the manual box’s internals weren’t up to the task of that much torque. My hunch is based off of the 135i Performance Engine Kit and how it’s power output is capped due to the longevity of the 6 speed manual – the same one found in the Z4.

Of course that still doesn’t absolve BMW. They put a new manual six speed in the E46 ZHP. It would be nice if they could here.

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Eliot R. Dec 13th, 2009 Link

It makes sense that gearbox longevity is the reason we don’t get a manual. But I’ve always been curious just how conservative that situation is. Like has already been mentioned, it just seems very odd that BMW comes out and says, “Here’s our sportiest Z4 you can buy and it won’t come with a proper gearbox!” Just doesn’t seem right.

And if this engine is going into other models, that is great. But with my money, I’m not touching it if it’s only paired to a 7-speed DCT.

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RJ Dec 14th, 2009 Link

Re: gearbox longevity…..plenty of other manufacturers have much more powerful engines than the twin-turbo N54 and their manual gearboxes seem to hold up just fine…Corvette, many Porsche models, Viper….so I can’t really understand / buy the logic that the internals can’t handle the torque or horsepower. Just my humble opinion. Perhaps it’s just BMW trying to steer their customers away from manual gearboxes.

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eager2own Dec 14th, 2009 Link

I was very interested in this vehicle — until I saw that it is not offered with manual. Let’s hope the Z2 will.

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RJ Dec 14th, 2009 Link

Ahhh…wonder when / if ever…we will see the mysterious Z2.

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Gabe Dec 14th, 2009 Link

Re: gearbox longevity…..plenty of other manufacturers have much more powerful engines than the twin-turbo N54 and their manual gearboxes seem to hold up just fine…Corvette, many Porsche models, Viper….so I can’t really understand / buy the logic that the internals can’t handle the torque or horsepower. Just my humble opinion. Perhaps it’s just BMW trying to steer their customers away from manual gearboxes.

Has nothing to do with that they can’t. They just didn’t design the current manual to withstand that much torque. Why? Because of the cost of components and BMW’s desire to always reign in costs.

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Matt Dec 14th, 2009 Link

. . . they are in the end a business. that’s not a slight, just the fact.

i was indifferent vis-a-vis the gearbox. the manual was more involving and the choice i’d make, but the DCT seemed to suit the character of the car. it is a convertible and consequently a softer car, marginally less enthusiast oriented as a result. but maybe this “is” is more deserving of a standard box?

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BimmerFile » Archive » Official: 2011 740i/Li and Z4sDrive35iS Pricing Jan 11th, 2010 Link

[...] Today at NAIAS BMWNA released the pricing of the new six cylinder 7 Series (740i/740Li) and the performance oriented Z4sdrive35iS. [...]