Is the BMW 35i/35is a better car than the TTS?

[tranquility]

(EDIT: I mean the Z4 35i and 35is) I've recently been checking out the BMWs and they are quite nice, but also a bit more $ than the TTS. Just wondering what your views are on which is the better overall car?

[Cabern A]

You mean 135i, I assume. I'm partial to Audi but I see the great value in BMW's. And so it's down to the AWD vs. RWD argument, magazine references and tests, personal beliefs and prejudices.

Which do you see yourself in?

I've had my TT for two years now and still stare at it in the parking lot, but hey that's just me.

There are no bad German cars in my book. If I wanted to spend the money to get a TTS, I would do that before the 135i - but we're an Audi family.

[Va_TTer]

I sold a 335 convertible to get into my TT roadster, which isn't even a TTS. On paper, the 335 is the better car, mainly because of the powerplant and the fully functional back seat. In reality, I can think of at least 5 reasons a TT is better:

1. there are chronic reliability issues with the engine in the 335s (and 135s for that matter). Go to any BMW forum and search for "HPFP," and you will read tales of woe from owners who have their fuel pumps fail after 1500 miles, or who are on their fourth or fifth fuel pumps after 20,000 miles.

2. BMW's build quality has gone down hill in the past few years. It is all anecdotal, but in my last year as a BMW owner (after 8 years in one BMW or another) there seemed to be far more gripes about fit and finish issues, rattles, minor part failures than there used to be. As they've ramped up the number of units built, they seem to pay less attention to detail.

3. Today's 335 is less of a car than a 2006 330 was, and much of what made them "luxury" as compared to other cars is disappearing. To cut costs, BMW has persistently downgraded standard options, eliminated others entirely, and generally tried to sell less car for the same or more money. That has been most noticeable in things like the radios, in cabin storage, accessories, etc. The TTS offers just about every standard option a BMW 3 series does but for less money.

4. The interior of 1 series and 3 series cars are starting to feel cheap and dated. The "wood" panel doesn't make up for the boring interior lines, and the dash still looks the same as a late 90's 3 series did.

5. The DSG transmission kicks the a$$ of the Steptronic in the BMW. Again, go to a BMW message board and see how many folks gripe about wanting to get their transmissions reflashed, because they aren't getting the clean power application they should in all situations. Yes, in a straight line the 335 flies. Going up and down through the gears, though, the steptronic disappoints compared to the fast shifting of the DSG. I also think the TT handles much, much better than my BMW did, but that isn't a wholly fair comparison as my 335 didn't have the sport suspension package. The reason I didn't go with the sport suspension in the BMW, though, is that their sport seats are much more confining than the sport seats in the TT. I couldn't ever get comfortable in a sport BMW seat, but absolutely love the seats in the TT.

These are all my personal impressions, of course, and ones that would get me branded a heretic and a traitor over at Bimmerfest, but I haven't regretted for a single second leaving my bloated bimmer for my nimble Audi roadster.

[NICE TTS]

it took me a while to decide between the TTS Roadster and the 135i convertible. They both drove great, but what it really came down to was as said, the AWD v. RWD for a convertible. Also I thought the TTS was built better, the inside seemed nicer and you aren't able to see the mechanisms of the convertible top from inside like in the 135i. I also liked how the TTS gripped the road a little better, but if I could have plucked off that M steering wheel and gone home with it I probably would have ;P

All in all I definitely love the choice I made with the TTS, love this car!

[tranquility]

Meant to clarify that I was talking about the Z4, not the 1-series. Thanks.

[Va_TTer]

I think the jury is still out on the new (2009+) Z4's. They've given them longer front ends than the prior generation for pure aesthetic reasons (check out all the lost space between the front bumper and the radiator), and with the folding hard top you lose a lot of trunk space with the down. They eliminated the naturally aspirated inline 6 found in the Z4 3.0si through 2008, which may have been the best small engine BMW ever built, and replaced it with a new turbocharged 6 (single scroll, I believe) found in 2010+ 135 / 335 cars that is a direct derivative of the engine mentioned in my prior post that has reliability questions. They've also taken the sport suspension of the prior generation and softened it a bit, to make the car more appealing to folks wanting touring roadsters. The worst thing is that, to recoup the cost of the expensive roof, they've elevated the car to an irrational price point given what you actually get for the money.

If you'd asked me about the prior generation Z4, and in particular the Z4M, I'd have given you a very different answer. You can still find low miles certified pre-owned 2008 Z4M coupes or roadsters with the soft top selling in upper $30k range. Go take one for a drive and see what you think.

[AndyR83]

I was looking for a 335xi coupe when I stumbled upon my TT and fell in love with it. I still sometimes see a 335 and wish I had one, but I've reaed about the issues listed above in Va TTer's post so I don't feel as bad. The only issue that really bothers me with my TT is the squeaky brakes and I have read that the modern crop fo BMW's have bigger issues.

[verttigo]

Flair. The TT has it in spades. The 35 doesn't.

[tranquility]

I dunno. I test drove both the TTS and Z4 (all 3 variants) and the TTS does seem to lack power and that lag from fullstop is quite noticeable. However, the Z4 doesn't seem as surefooted since it is only rear-wheel drive. Of course, the Z4 35i and 35is are a bit more expensive too, so that's another consideration.

[BosTTon]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I dunno. I test drove both the TTS and Z4 (all 3 variants) and the TTS does seem to lack power and that lag from fullstop is quite noticeable. However, the Z4 doesn't seem as surefooted since it is only rear-wheel drive. Of course, the Z4 35i and 35is are a bit more expensive too, so that's another consideration.

Drove the top end Z4 and loved it EXCEPT for the somewhat harsh ride and more important, the RWD. Also felt the TTS lag from a fullstop disconcerning and a nonstarter re purchase....so spent a few months searching for the TT V6 and found a nice one. Did not like the 135......thought it too large. Think the TT coupe too large. Love the pure 2-seater of a TTR. If not in New England where an AWD is so important (if year round driving), would go with the 300hp SLK350....a very sweet drive and there is nothing quite like a hard top convertible, the best of both worlds.

BosTTon