Z4 M Coupe - M3 or CSL

[Mikerob20]

I have just purchased a 07 Z4 M Coupe and having done some reading up both before and after buying it I have found lots of the information about the car with many sources contradicting each other....

So.... I keep reading that the Z4MC has the CSL enginge, suspension, brakes traction control etc but then when comparing the stats the engine matches the standard M3....

I have found the following link listing the differences between the M3 and CSL - I would be interested if anyone could confirm if the Z4MC actually takes all its shared componenets from the M3 or the CSL, and if from the M3 are there any recomendations to upgrade the Z4MC to bring it more in line with the CSL performance....

http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/products-Y2FyX21ha2...

Any thoughts appreciated

thanks

[the_smalls]

Pretty sure that the Z4MC has a similar set-up to the CS, rather than the CSL - that being upgraded brakes (maybe steering rack as well?), but not the engine of the CSL - yours will be the standard E46 M3 unit. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

[TheBaj]

There's quite a good guide on the car here: http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=24

Enjoy the car

[Wiggwam]

For basic upgrades see this

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2046...

I have the CSL wheel and bodykit. THe wheel do make a diff to handling and grip. Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Enjoy! :-)

[Lost soul]

Wiggwam said:

Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Enjoy! :-)

Yes indeed , because i am sure you notice the 7 k difference

[sjj84]

Wiggwam said:

For basic upgrades see this

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2046...

I have the CSL wheel and bodykit. THe wheel do make a diff to handling and grip. Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Enjoy! :-)

Hmmm, the CS and CSL share the same rear wheels, well the part numbers are the same anyway, the CS front wheel however is 8" wide against the CSL 8.5" wide, so wouldn't a set of CS wheels actually be lighter??

[m3eezer]

I was under the impression that the z4mc was an underpowered e46 m3 engine?? Here is a quote from wikipedia about the z4mc

"The Z4 M is powered a slightly detuned 3.2-litre BMW M3(E46) straight-six engine. Performance figures are: 3,246 cc displacement, 330 bhp (246 kW; 335 PS) at 7,900 rpm, 262 lb·ft (355 N·m) of torque at 4,900 rpm, 8,000 rpm redline. Output per litre is 103 bhp (77 kW; 104 PS) , and power-to-weight ratio is 9.9 lb/bhp. Acceleration to 60 mph (100 km/h) comes in 4.8 seconds and top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph (249 km/h)."

Not sure if there have been changes to the newer specs? Also isnt the only difference between the csl and m3 engine the intake, ecu and exhaust? I wasnt aware that the csl had a higher specced engine i.e cams, compression etc??

Maybe someone can shed some light on this. Hopefully the above information is useful to the original post.

[flimper]

Z4M has 338bhp, same as the E46 M3, but weighs 75kg less

[Mikerob20]

Thanks for all the info.

So in short a good upgrade is the CSL wheels (£1600 ish)

Having read the link posted above it looks like the CSL is very different to the Z4MC - I guess I thought they would be a little closer as they are both aimed at those wanting to drive hard.

Unfortunatly I have yet to have a good dry day to really get used to the Z4MC and see what it can do in standard form... role on Summer!!!

[Vinny09]

Wiggwam said:

Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Personally, I've saved the £1,600 for the CSLs and just make sure I have a really good sh*t before I go for a drive....

[Great Pretender]

Lost soul said:

Wiggwam said:

Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Enjoy! :-)

Yes indeed , because i am sure you notice the 7 k difference

Indeed you do. Given the sacrifice in tyre wall height by opting for 19" wheels, the car rides ever so slightly better with the CSL wheels.

[healntoe]

Wiggwam said:

For basic upgrades see this

..Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

I'm yet to see evidence of the weight saving quoted around. The Z4M comes with a lightweight wheel which according to the link below suggests a very similar weight to the CSLs. However the CSLs look miles better...

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E86/Coupe/Europe...

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E46/Coupe/Europe...


In terms of common traits between the three, this is what i'm aware of:

Engine - Z4M and later M3's (>2005 i think) share the same.
Brakes - Z4M and CSL share the same set up (identical part numbers)
Rear springs & rate - Z4M and CSL share a similar spring rate hence the rather stiff setup that some don't like. Exacerbated on Z4M due to shorter rear wheelbase as you sits closer to the rear wheels.

CSL's engine has 2 distinct differences.

1) Uses a different ECU and air filter system
2) Uses slightly more aggressive cam settings

All 3 are great choices for different reasons...

Edited by healntoe on Friday 15th January 21:34

[daz4m]

Great Pretender said:

Lost soul said:

Wiggwam said:

Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Enjoy! :-)

Yes indeed , because i am sure you notice the 7 k difference

Indeed you do. Given the sacrifice in tyre wall height by opting for 19" wheels, the car rides ever so slightly better with the CSL wheels.

Wrong!! Thinner sidewalls = harder ride. Equivalent 19" tyres will also be heavier than 18"ers.

[mmm-five]

m3eezer said:

I was under the impression that the z4mc was an underpowered e46 m3 engine?? Here is a quote from wikipedia about the z4mc

"The Z4 M is powered a slightly detuned 3.2-litre BMW M3(E46) straight-six engine. Performance figures are: 3,246 cc displacement, 330 bhp (246 kW; 335 PS) at 7,900 rpm, 262 lb·ft (355 N·m) of torque at 4,900 rpm, 8,000 rpm redline. Output per litre is 103 bhp (77 kW; 104 PS) , and power-to-weight ratio is 9.9 lb/bhp. Acceleration to 60 mph (100 km/h) comes in 4.8 seconds and top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph (249 km/h)."

Not sure if there have been changes to the newer specs? Also isnt the only difference between the csl and m3 engine the intake, ecu and exhaust? I wasnt aware that the csl had a higher specced engine i.e cams, compression etc??

Maybe someone can shed some light on this. Hopefully the above information is useful to the original post.

That's for the yank version which got slightly higher emissions controls.

[Steff]

Lost soul said:

Wiggwam said:

Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Enjoy! :-)

Yes indeed , because i am sure you notice the 7 k difference

Yes, you would notice the improvement in body control etc due to the lower unsprung weight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_mass

http://hondaswap.com/general-tech-articles/unsprun...

[daz4m]

Steff said:

Lost soul said:

Wiggwam said:

Need to make sure you get the genuine CSL rims though not the CS version otherwise you don't get the same 7kg total weight loss (all 4 wheel combined)

Enjoy! :-)

Yes indeed , because i am sure you notice the 7 k difference

Yes, you would notice the improvement in body control etc due to the lower unsprung weight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_mass

http://hondaswap.com/general-tech-articles/unsprun...

Your theory is does not apply in this case due to the miniscule differences, what about the added weight of they tyres? CSLs allow you to add wider tyres and look better at the expense of a slighly more bumpy ride but there is very little difference.