Pics of my new Z4M Coupe

Pics of my new Z4M Coupe

Author
Discussion

DoctorD

Original Poster:

1,542 posts

257 months

Monday 30th October 2006
quotequote all
EdwardLovett said:
Dr

Where did the strut brace come from? or is it standard?

Have you just put the Cup Alloys Straight on with out making any adjustments?

Edward


Hi Edward, the strut brace is just the standard BMW strut brace from the Z4 accessories catalogue. I believe it only became available earlier this year.

The CSL alloys just fitted straight on without need for any spacers. The clearances between strut and wheel and between tyre and inner fender are exactly the same as in my CSL, so it's a 'factory type' fit and entirely within normal BMW specifications.

There really is no excuse for BMW not fitting these as standard or making them available in the order configurator.

DoctorD

Original Poster:

1,542 posts

257 months

Monday 30th October 2006
quotequote all
gunner said:
I must admit to being very tempted by one of these.Can you provide some sort of benchmark for how it drives vs Cayman/911/GT3...anything like that?Also I would need to do some commuting in it around town,would it be ok in that respect?Thanks a lot.


I've owned a GT3, 996C2 and tested several Caymans so I can draw a reasonably comparison. The Z4M Coupe is less compliant than a Cayman (on standard suspension or in the softer PASM setting), the Cayman tends to 'float' across the road surface whereas the Z4MC is a little bit firmer on the rebound. It's not a problem per se, but is noticeable. Part of the problem is that the standard tyre pressures are too high, rather than 31/32 psi it's much more compliant on 28/29 psi. The Z4 has always been very sensitive to tyre pressures. The 3.2l engine on the Z4MC feels bigger and more torquey than the 3.4litre Cayman, exactly the opposite to what you would expect and is clearly more accelerative. There's no doubt in my mind which engine I would choose. Agility would again go with the Z4MC which turns in more quickly and feels like the smaller car to hustle. The Cayman by comparison feels the larger car to drive and manoeuvre. In standard guise the Cayman feels the more homogenous in the corners, but change the tyres on the Z4MC and fit a strut brace and then you can lean on the Z4MC's chassis in total confidence.

A GT3 rides a lot firmer than the Z4MC and is nowhere near the everyday car. Even by comparison my M3 CSL doesn't settle into a GT mode anywhere near as well as the Z4MC, which is a perfect every day car. My problem is that it's all too easy to rack up the miles in the Z4MC, and I've already covered 3500 miles in little over a month, so I'm letting it rest in my garage whilst I drive one of my other cars, but given the choice I would just keep on driving it.

I guess overall the Z4MC reminds me of a 911, very similar in being totally usable, comfortable on long journeys and fun when you plant your right foot. It feels a performance level above the Cayman, in the same way that the 911 does, although clealry it doesn't have the same cachet as driving either Porsche. But then neither does it cost as much..

edwardlovett

622 posts

213 months

Tuesday 31st October 2006
quotequote all
Thank you for your help, off to the workshop to make the tweaks now!!!

Rags

3,642 posts

237 months

Tuesday 19th December 2006
quotequote all
ah SteveD!

Awesome cars you have there!

DoctorD

Original Poster:

1,542 posts

257 months

Wednesday 20th December 2006
quotequote all
Why thank you.. beer

gunner

710 posts

231 months

Tuesday 26th December 2006
quotequote all
thanks Dr.Must say the new GT3 is unreal....but remain very tempted indeed by this Z4...guess I'd better give Edward a call.

Catherinej

9,586 posts

244 months

Saturday 17th February 2007
quotequote all
Can someone tell me if the CSL wheels will fit a standard 3.0Si?

DoctorD

Original Poster:

1,542 posts

257 months

Sunday 18th February 2007
quotequote all
No they will not, the offset (particularly at the rear is completely wrong - I tried my CSL wheels on my Alpina Z4 before I bought my Z4M Coupe). You will need to buy replica CSL wheels rather than OEM ones.

Catherinej

9,586 posts

244 months

Sunday 18th February 2007
quotequote all
What about CS wheels?

el77

622 posts

213 months

Sunday 18th February 2007
quotequote all
i'm sure they will but we shouldn't really be supplying them on the z4 cpe's.

i'm based at swindon now ask for me next time your in the dealership.

Regards

Catherinej

9,586 posts

244 months

Sunday 18th February 2007
quotequote all
Hi Edward,

I was in yesterday but didnt see you. Allegedly my car is coming in on Wednesday, so I shall be coming in to see it.

baz1985

3,598 posts

246 months

Sunday 18th February 2007
quotequote all
Catherinej said:
Can someone tell me if the CSL wheels will fit a standard 3.0Si?



4* fronts required.

Couperman

9 posts

207 months

Tuesday 20th February 2007
quotequote all
DoctorD said:
[quote=EdwardLovett]Dr

Where did the strut brace come from? or is it standard?

Have you just put the Cup Alloys Straight on with out making any adjustments?

Edward


Hi Edward, the strut brace is just the standard BMW strut brace from the Z4 accessories catalogue. I believe it only became available earlier this year.

quote]

Hi DoctorD,
Fantastic Z4M you have there.
I've just got the 3.0si Coupe (not the M unfortunately) and have enquired about the suspension cross brace (part number 51 71 0 305 114) at 2 different BMW dealerships and they are both saying this brace does not fit the coupe even after I told them you have done it. Was it a straight fit or did it need modifying? How did you find out it did fit?
Because they are special order I can't even try one to prove it and I don't want to chance ordering it until I have confirmation. Thanks for any help you can give.

Ian




Edited by Couperman on Tuesday 20th February 14:49



Edited by Couperman on Tuesday 20th February 15:27

DoctorD

Original Poster:

1,542 posts

257 months

Monday 26th February 2007
quotequote all
It was a straight fit on the M Coupe, and it wasn't even designed especially for the Z4M. Your dealer (as usual) just doesn't know so are playing on the cautious side. Just from reading this thread you have two options (apart from just buying it anyway and telling them to fit it), go to either my dealer (Murketts of Huntingdon) or Edward's (i.e. Dick Lovett).

el77

622 posts

213 months

Tuesday 27th February 2007
quotequote all
Couperman

all the parts fit straight on.

e-mail if you need anymore help.

y2blade

56,147 posts

216 months

Wednesday 28th February 2007
quotequote all
fantastic car DoctorD

a good friend of mine has recently bought one the same as yours,i drove it the other weekend...very impresed

enjoy

couperman

9 posts

207 months

Wednesday 28th February 2007
quotequote all
el77 said:
Couperman

all the parts fit straight on.

e-mail if you need anymore help.


Thanks El77 and DoctorD

gunner

710 posts

231 months

Wednesday 21st March 2007
quotequote all
can I ask how the ride is in this?Mine would be used to commute in town occasionally,speedbumps etc.How harsh is it vs Cayman,911,NSX etc??Thanks.

trackdemon

12,201 posts

262 months

Wednesday 21st March 2007
quotequote all
gunner said:
can I ask how the ride is in this?Mine would be used to commute in town occasionally,speedbumps etc.How harsh is it vs Cayman,911,NSX etc??Thanks.


I've spent a fair amount of time at the wheel of the cars you mention (funny, that) and the Z4C is the hardest riding of the three unless you're talking 911GT3. Its manageable but is the one area which could be improved. I actually dont mind - its not uncomfortable per se, and the Cayman & NSX are both particularly nice riding cars so were always going ot be better than the Z.....

gunner

710 posts

231 months

Thursday 22nd March 2007
quotequote all
thanks a lot.it's my one reservation.that's where,on the road at least,the NSX seems so far ahead of most sportscars.The ride,while still feeling totally connected,is excellent.