Z4 or 330 Clubsport?
Discussion
I drive a clubsport but its not really much different from a 330CI Sport. Its just got extra kit on it. The sound proofing which has been taken out does little to the performance to be honest.
As for the new 3 series out depreciation on the E46 is worse. I think the Z4 will hold value better and I think it uses the new 3ltr engine and not the one in the E46.....
As for the new 3 series out depreciation on the E46 is worse. I think the Z4 will hold value better and I think it uses the new 3ltr engine and not the one in the E46.....
Z4 on none run flat tyres 
Check out www.Z4um.com for tons of info.
I'd also say take a look at an Alpina Z4.
Check out www.Z4um.com for tons of info.
I'd also say take a look at an Alpina Z4.
I have a 3.0i Z4 having come out of a 330D Sport. I did a few track days in the E46 and quite often drove like I stole it !, as for the better drivers car my Z4 has not been tracked yet but it's very easy to say that it's on an awesome chassis and is a really rewarding drive, if anything the M54 3.0 lump is a bit lacking and this car can easy cope with lots more power, obviously hence Z4M!, the E46 was quite limited on track but a very competant road car my gut feel is that the Z is going to knock spots off it on the track as it's that good on the road. I have had mine remapped and delimited, not a massive power increase at all but the feel and driveability is sooooo much crisper and smoother, throttle response is instant by comparison to pre remap, I have also opted for a set of conventional tyres with a 12v compressor and can of tyre weld in the boot, this is an absolute must it totally transforms the ride and feel of this car. I would also agree with the above Z4 residuals are pretty bombproof against E46 prices in freefall, this was another reason I made this change, the cheapest Z4 3.0i's are in the order of £14000 for big milers so putting 18/19 grand into one with sensible mileage you aint gonna loose much money at all if any and there is no replacement due until 2009/2010, so I would consider this the better car to buy in every area....
SMG is a personal thing, though it detracts from being in control IMO, as for chipping then the remap like what I have is going to be as good as you get unless you get into spending big bucks on induction, cams, head work etc, the one big thing to get supercar performance is to go down the supercharger route 350/370 bhp is common but you can go further with this motor it all depends on budget, I understand they start fitted in the region of 3.5/4K, the 2.5 is a peach of a motor just like the 3.0i but why bother when you'll find a 3.0i for the same money on the second hand market, if you buy a 2.5 you'll always be left wanting the 3.0i.......
Edited by plowy on Sunday 18th March 20:25
I have a SMG box on my 330CI Clubsport. At first the SMG box is hard to get used to. You need to take time to get used to the box and how it works. You'll find that there will be a lot of Kangaroo hopping through gear change. The SMG box is more like manual box than an auto.
A manual box will seem like you're more in control but with a SMG box you can focus on line and throttle pressure. Once you get used to the box its great, gear changes are a lot quicker.
Remapping the car is a great idea. I've remapped mine. You can feel the power and its a lot smoother and more crisp. I used a company called DMS. Although they are not as cheap as other but they are highly recommend. They will come to you and program the car from scratch. It will take a few hours but results are not disappointing.
[url] www.dmsautomotive.com/[/url]
There are a lot of companies doing superchargers at reasonable prices, but the SMG box can only take so much power as there is an electronical cluch. I not sure if you can get an aftermarket cluch for the SMG system.
I've heard about a 330 using M3 internals. I was told the car was the same or maybe quicker than the M3 but I'm not too sure if this can be true or not.
A manual box will seem like you're more in control but with a SMG box you can focus on line and throttle pressure. Once you get used to the box its great, gear changes are a lot quicker.
Remapping the car is a great idea. I've remapped mine. You can feel the power and its a lot smoother and more crisp. I used a company called DMS. Although they are not as cheap as other but they are highly recommend. They will come to you and program the car from scratch. It will take a few hours but results are not disappointing.
[url] www.dmsautomotive.com/[/url]
There are a lot of companies doing superchargers at reasonable prices, but the SMG box can only take so much power as there is an electronical cluch. I not sure if you can get an aftermarket cluch for the SMG system.
I've heard about a 330 using M3 internals. I was told the car was the same or maybe quicker than the M3 but I'm not too sure if this can be true or not.
Edited by philchunghk on Monday 19th March 03:48
I'd agree with the above sentiments regarding SMG (and automated manuals in general), in that it's a personal taste thing rather than being "better or worse". The downside will be that it takes a while to learn to drive smoothly and loss of direct control of the engine. But the upside is quick, easy and (frankly) savage gear changes when you're hooning and easier driving in traffic.
The Z4's H-SMG unit is based on the six-speed manual, having only a hydraulic system added to conduct linkage and clutch movements in place of the pedals. So I can't see remapping the engine causing too many problems.
The difficulty may be that SMG is pretty rare on the Z4, as it was only offered pre-facelift and on the 2.5i and 3.0i, and there weren't many takers given that an auto was also available.
The Z4's H-SMG unit is based on the six-speed manual, having only a hydraulic system added to conduct linkage and clutch movements in place of the pedals. So I can't see remapping the engine causing too many problems.
The difficulty may be that SMG is pretty rare on the Z4, as it was only offered pre-facelift and on the 2.5i and 3.0i, and there weren't many takers given that an auto was also available.
Edited by Andrew D on Monday 19th March 08:07
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