Z4 Coupe Strut Brace
Discussion
odyssey2200 said:
Why would you need one?
Good question, but have a read of some of the recent threads about the Z4M Coupe. Due to the large open space in which the engine sits, it makes a big difference to steering and front end stability once loaded up in a corner. BMW fit two diagonal braces as standard but strangely do not fit their own strut brace - instead you have to dip into the accessories catalogue.
You can feel the difference even at 40mph, so its still a worthwhile improvement. BMW fitted the same strut brace to M3's from 2002 onwards (prior to that they were not fitted to the M3) and given the smaller engine bay of the 3-series its even more surprising they didn't fit it to the Z4 Coupe.
DoctorD said:
You can feel the difference even at 40mph, so its still a worthwhile improvement. BMW fitted the same strut brace to M3's from 2002 onwards (prior to that they were not fitted to the M3) and given the smaller engine bay of the 3-series its even more surprising they didn't fit it to the Z4 Coupe.
Really? I'm surprised they left it off if it makes such a difference? Even at 40???
My car arrives in May so maybe I should consider it then? Blimey.
CatherineJ said:
No it's not that bad, its better than my 318i M Sport which was a bugger.
Doctor D, as you are a man in the know, can I fit a Z4mc gear knob on my car. I don't need the LED bit but would prefer a leather M gear knob instead of the nasty metal affect thing my car has.
Doctor D, as you are a man in the know, can I fit a Z4mc gear knob on my car. I don't need the LED bit but would prefer a leather M gear knob instead of the nasty metal affect thing my car has.
I am sure you can. You should also be able to get the lighting working too. Somewhere on either Z4 or perhaps one of the M3 forums there will be fitting instructions, since it is essentially the same design (although smaller) as that which was fitted to the M3.
Oh joy so there is another misleading statement made to me the other day. I do wish people would say, "we forgot to ask parts for you" instead of "it's not available and anyway it won't fit"
Just like I was told "no the car doors don't have an auto lock function", instead of "we forgot to set that for you".
Just like I was told "no the car doors don't have an auto lock function", instead of "we forgot to set that for you".
Edited by CatherineJ on Saturday 10th March 22:54
Without taking anything away from the Z4 Coupe, it's a parts bin special since many parts are interchangeable between E46 3-series and Z4. The complete rear end of the Z4M Coupe is an M3's for example, which is why I was able to just take my CSL wheels and fit them straight on. BMW could not justify developing many bespoke parts for the Z4, so they designed it to reuse existing BMW components.
catherinej said:
I did find today that my car is "wandering" a bit at high speed,
I had the cross brace fitted to my Z4C 2 weeks ago. Mine was very twitchy driving on narrow country lanes and was making me quite nervous when flashing past oncoming traffic at a combined head on speed of 120mph+.
The car seemed to be light at the front on many roads and any rut or pothole knocked the car, it felt like the front was flexing compared to the rear.
The brace has fixed the problem and is now rock steady, I still need to bin the RFT's though.
I complained to BMW but they say no-one else has complained so they won't acknowledge the problem, it needs a few more owners to speak up.
Regardless of what your dealer may tell you, the brace does fit the coupe and takes about 15minutes to do.
To cure wandering at speed please check your tyre pressures. Due to the setup of the Z4 (and it's the only car I've noticed this so prominently) but if there is more than a 1psi difference across the axle then the car will wander. I found this on my Alpina Z4 Roadster last year and the same characteristic continues on my Z4MC. Check them and see before trying anything else. I also find that tyre pressures particularly with the 19" wheels can do with being a few psi less than recommended by BMW. Running 29F 30R feels about right, or perhaps a few psi more in cold weather.
I carry an accurate tyre pressure guage in the boot at all times and whenever I find the car less than stable in a straight line, I just bleed a little air out to balance the axle and it's sorted.
I carry an accurate tyre pressure guage in the boot at all times and whenever I find the car less than stable in a straight line, I just bleed a little air out to balance the axle and it's sorted.
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