New Z4MC owner - from E46 M3

[shibby!]

Yo!

I recently bought a Z4MC, i bought a black one!... Carbon black with Champagne Interior

So i sold E46 M3, i suppose it sold within 30 mins of it going on sale on M3 Cutters... Maybe i sold it too cheap, but it was the right spec, right condition, right price, and had all the right things done to it (subframe) for this buyer, who was super enthusiastic about it. This incendentally was also Carbon Black with Champagne interior



I sold the M3 for no other reason than wanting a change, i had the car for 3 and a bit years and loved the car very much, but decided it was time for a change.

I decided the car i wanted would be, obnoxious, fast, loud and not German, because i was feb up with the repair costs (massive) and servicing costs compared to japanese cars. So i wanted Skyline, Rx7, TVR, Esprit..... so i bought a Z4MC!

Picked it up fairly local, for a good price, i have driven it a good bit and up the hills to Glenshee

Comparisons with the M3... i thought it would be very much the same, just a little sharper in every way.... No, its really not!

- Engine sounds different
- Its much stiffer, dear god its much stiffer!!
- Steering is much sharper
- It seems to pull harder and strong towards 8k (although this may be the difference between 50k and 110k, and and 2007 vs 2002)
- Its sooooo stiff
- Throttle mapping seems a good bit sharper, probably closer to sport setting in the M3
- Brakes are sharper for sure
- Did i mention its stiff?
- M3 Harman Kardon stereo is better than Logic 7
- Its also quite stiff.

Im getting used to the car (SMG vs Manual) and other bits and bobs, its definatley faster than the M3, but the M3 is easier to drive... I dont like the tyres on the Z4 (continentals) to be fair so i might change my mind when i change to the Michelins.

Just thought id put it out there.







It's such a fun car, I loved the m3, but I think I may love this more! Which is quick, it's only been a week!

Edited by shibby! on Saturday 10th May 19:08

[KENZ]

Yep, they are super stiff. You certainly notice it when on the edge and pushing on. I also found it a fair bit faster than my E46 M3 too which had low miles. Exhaust was re-engineered on the z4m. The metallic rasp of the E46 is almost gone and sounds more like the porsche flat 6.

[BuzyG]

Shibby ya lazy git. Fancy posting up exactly the same post here, as on the Z4 Forum.

Just the sort of thing I'd do.

Good to here your enjoying your new stead.

[0836whimper]

Only quicker on a smooth road/track and with a good driver.
Otherwise the M3's refined chassis, longer wheelbase and compliant suspension makes it easier to get from point to point faster.
Z4M definitely feels more special though, sat almost over the rear wheels.

[Craigwww]

The Carbon Black/Champagne leather is such a rare combination, it's guaranteed to sell quick. Would love the cinammon or champagne for mine too :-)

[theaxe]

shibby! said:

I dont like the tyres on the Z4 (continentals) to be fair so i might change my mind when i change to the Michelins.

I have a Z4MC and one thing I'd recommend is checking the tyre pressures, they seem to be very sensitive to this. When I first checked mine they were all over the place. I found that by setting them all very slightly below the BMW recommendation that the ride and handling improved significantly.

My only other tip is to take care when parking at first, the bonnet is a LOT longer than it looks from the driving position!

[shibby!]

KENZ, the exhuast rasp, thats exaclty what i was trying to figure out! i couldnt put my finger on it! Its the exhuast rasp, or lack of!

Ha! yes i posted this on Z4 forum too! I made some slight tweaks thought

Tyre pressures! Ok ill check them out, thats interesting. I was very particular with them in my old MR2 Turbos, they were sensitive also. Tyres are about done anyway, so could do with changing fairly soon, i had the Vreds and Pilot sports before on the M3 so i will probably change... i was holding off as i though i would get CSL wheels, but i think i have changed my mind.

[InductionRoar]

Sounds like you're enjoying it.

You will notice a huge benefit for swapping the OEM rubber especially as they are shot.

I went with OEM size Michelin PSSs and cannot fault them although I only use it on dry weekends. The old contis used to really dislike road markings even at low revs and partial throttle - no such issue with the PSSs. They just give you so much confidence.

You will not regret them. Oh and stay with the OEM wheels. Much classier in my opinion and 19s just look too big to my eyes.

[Diderot]

Very nice car there.

I've had mine for 20 months now and still really enjoying it, though the ride is horrible at times.

[shibby!]

I agree the 19's do look a bit too big, although i think the CSL's make anything look good!... well maybe not!

My intention was to replace the wheels right away, as i dont like them..... i have changed my mind, they are growing on me now... although i still might change, i need to go for 18's though. I have spotted a set, wil have to save my pennies, although the tyres i buy/already have will fit, so at least i woudlnt have a whole new set of tyres to buy on top!

[KENZ]

I prefer the CSL's wheels they look very OEM on the Z4m. Been close to buying a couple of sets but just got outbid. IMO they suit the z4m better than the e46.

Especially the deep set look at the rears..lovely..

[Franzino]

- Engine sounds different
The sound inside the car is also different between the Z4M roadster vs Z4M coupe. The open trunk of the Z4M coupe is above the exhausts. It serves as a kind of resonator chamber and makes the engine sound different-louder inside the car.

- Its much stiffer, dear god its much stiffer!!
Do you mean suspension or torsional rigidity? Both are true, the suspension feels much stiffer then the e46 M3. The torsional rigidity is really high on the Z4M coupe (32.000Nm). This a lot more then a e46 M3...even a Z4M roadtser has more chassis stiffness then a e46 M3.

- Steering is much sharper
Z4M coupe has the faster steering rack of the e46 M3 CSL

- Brakes are sharper for sure
Z4M has the brakes of the M3 CSL. They are perfect on the road...but upgrade if you wan to trackdays.

- M3 Harman Kardon stereo is better than Logic 7
The Logic 7 sounds like crap and really artificial. I have the Hi-Fi sound upgrade in my Z4M (les expensive then the top logic 7)... The Hi-Fi option sounds better and more realistic (I did the comparison between two cars).