Z4 M questions

[nickb55]

hi, am going to look into getting a Z4 M roadster. Does anyone know what the 0-100 time is? And one of the criticisms you read about these is the hard ride. Does anyone who has one have a view on that? (it's not a big issue for me, as i'm looking for something to track as well use on the road, but asking more out of curiosity).

cheers
Nick

[joust]

15.95 is what I can find for 0-100-0 (Autocar 0-100-0) and 0-100 in 11.6s

Ride is firm, but I wouldn't call it hard. Slightly less compliant than my Noble M400, but still not bad.

Test drive one - ride is such a subjective thing.

J

[Jason_W]

I wouldn't describe the ride as hard but it depends on what you're used to. For instance, I had a Smart Car on holiday and the ride on that was hard being particularly jarring on anything other than smooth tarmac over which my car would have been far better.

[nickb55]

Many thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.
cheers
Nick

[paoloh]

I've owned one for a few months and here are the issues:

Front end is very light at high speeds, above 100mph and it feels very twitchy

Gear change can be very harsh

Backs of seats rub against rollover hoops and damages backs of seats

Other than that, it is all good.

[nickb55]

Thanks for the honest assessment Paoloh.

[Z8cookie]

paoloh said:

I've owned one for a few months and here are the issues:

Front end is very light at high speeds, above 100mph and it feels very twitchy

I Don't like the sound of that. Do you mean REALLY light & twitchy?

I'm just about to buy one & I hate light & twitchy (had a Tuscan S that was like that)

Colin

[joust]

Seemed planted to me at 120+ over the Isle of Man TT course... Hit the "sport" button helps, otherwise the steering is overservoed IMHO.

J

[paoloh]

Z8cookie said:

paoloh said:

I've owned one for a few months and here are the issues:

Front end is very light at high speeds, above 100mph and it feels very twitchy

I Don't like the sound of that. Do you mean REALLY light & twitchy?

I'm just about to buy one & I hate light & twitchy (had a Tuscan S that was like that)

Colin

VERY light, you don't feel planted in my opinion but I did come from an E60 M5

[Winton]

Did you have a strut brace on your Z4M? I have one on my Z4MC and it really helps to tie in the front end feel.

[paoloh]

Winton said:

Did you have a strut brace on your Z4M? I have one on my Z4MC and it really helps to tie in the front end feel.

Wife is out in it, i'll check in morning and see. Did you try it without? Big difference?

[jezzaaa]

paoloh said:

I've owned one for a few months and here are the issues:

Front end is very light at high speeds, above 100mph and it feels very twitchy

Gear change can be very harsh

Backs of seats rub against rollover hoops and damages backs of seats

Other than that, it is all good.

Isn't opinion a strange thing. I came from a Boxster...a car acknowledged to be one of the best engineered in terms of handling. And I reckon my Z4MC feels absolutely planted at all speeds...especially at the front...it's just a bit twitchy when you're cornering on bad/uneven road surfaces. I would never describe it at light at the front. Can't imagine the C and R are that much different at the front??

[Winton]

paoloh

The strut brace is not standard fit AFAIK. I bought it from the dealer and had it fitted to mine - had it for three weeks without and three weeks with. Definitely a cost effective mod if you are looking for one. The gear change issue can also be overcome by fitting a modified clutch delay valve to allow more control of the rate that the clutch engages at.

[Jason_W]

Z8cookie said:

paoloh said:

I've owned one for a few months and here are the issues:

Front end is very light at high speeds, above 100mph and it feels very twitchy

I Don't like the sound of that. Do you mean REALLY light & twitchy?

I'm just about to buy one & I hate light & twitchy (had a Tuscan S that was like that)

Colin

I suspect there's something very wrong with Paoloh's car if he's experiencing those kind of problems as I've yet to experience anything like that from any of the several cars I've tried. Quite the opposite, mine feels planted at all speeds and although the car can feel a bit wayward over bumpy roads (compared to a Boxster) that's half the appeal of the Z4M and you soon get used to it.

As for the strut brace, I'm yet to be convinced by them although I agree its best to get rid of the Conti's as soon as possible as they have to be one of the most ill suited tyres I've come across.

[joust]

I'd concur. Something doesn't feel right. The Z4M feels only *slightly* less planted than my Noble at speeds, one of the best handling cars there is.

J

[elliotdavies]

I too came from a BoxsterS, IMO the Z4M roadster is a much more planted car, as said above hit sport button for a better feel and less servo'd steering at speed.

[Z8cookie]

Winton said:

The gear change issue can also be overcome by fitting a modified clutch delay valve to allow more control of the rate that the clutch engages at.

Add one? To an M car? The only M car (or with an M engine) as far as I know was the Z8 & all that did was to cause clutch slip & see off the clutch early. I had a Z8 & I removed the CDV.

Thanks for the comments on the handling. I used to have an M Roadster some years back & loved it, so if the Z4M is better I’ll be happy.

Colin.

[nickb55]

Must say, generally speaking i like what i see on these posts. Am going to take a look at getting one after the winter. cheers.

[joust]

Z8cookie said:

Winton said:

The gear change issue can also be overcome by fitting a modified clutch delay valve to allow more control of the rate that the clutch engages at.

Add one? To an M car? The only M car (or with an M engine) as far as I know was the Z8 & all that did was to cause clutch slip & see off the clutch early. I had a Z8 & I removed the CDV.

Thanks for the comments on the handling. I used to have an M Roadster some years back & loved it, so if the Z4M is better I’ll be happy.

Colin.

More technically, take it off. The Z4M, like your 318, has a CDV in it. You can either remove it, or get modified ones that free flow so that the BMW garage wouldn't know.

When it's in next I'm going to ask them to remove it and see what they say.

J

[Z8cookie]

Just remembered a great link to a feature about the CDV on the M5 & Z8. Here Worth a read.

Colin.