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Handling

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
HaiderGilll
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Post by HaiderGilll » Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:43 pm

Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?

Thanks
Haider

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buzyg
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Post by buzyg » Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:41 pm

HaiderGilll wrote: Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:43 pm Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?

Thanks
Haider
I would take one out for a spin, before making any plans to change. It? :wink:
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Twin Turbo
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Post by Twin Turbo » Mon Aug 06, 2018 2:32 pm

Well I had KW3's on my E89 28i, and totally transformed the car to a different beast.

Even my mates in M-lights and M3's had difficulty following through corners Like I could.

My car was a bit of a track hoar, so I was able to customize its settings from a track and been a daily driver.

My @ Donnington: https://youtu.be/0n7gLJg7ACk

Maniac
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Post by Maniac » Mon Aug 06, 2018 4:38 pm

Stock setup even in adaptive mode is more about comfort than handling. It’s pretty wobbly with plenty of lean at high speed when throwing it around and definitely benefits from updated suspension parts.

Next on my list after the M sport bumper upgrade.

Busterboo
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Post by Busterboo » Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:21 pm

Twin Turbo wrote: Mon Aug 06, 2018 2:32 pm My car was a bit of a track hoar ...
Fruity, was she? :wink:
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john-e89
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Post by john-e89 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:49 pm

You can’t change the fundamental problem that that the E89 is a heavy car with a pretty dismal chassis, anything can be improved on of course but only so far, you can’t make a cheetah out of a hippo by putting it on a diet and get it wearing running shoes...it’s still a hippo... :lol:

However if you can live with that fact they can be acceptable, weight transfer and dead steering feel being its 2 main acchillies heels. Still cracking cars but you can’t make it superb. :thumbsup:
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
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Post by ihadablackdog » Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:47 pm

john-e89 wrote: Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:49 pm you can’t make a cheetah out of a hippo by putting it on a diet and get it wearing running shoes...it’s still a hippo... :lol:
I disagree....I used that very technique to train for a marathon!
2011 E89 sDrive20i

john-e89
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Post by john-e89 » Mon Aug 06, 2018 9:06 pm

ihadablackdog wrote: Mon Aug 06, 2018 8:47 pm
john-e89 wrote: Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:49 pm you can’t make a cheetah out of a hippo by putting it on a diet and get it wearing running shoes...it’s still a hippo... :lol:
I disagree....I used that very technique to train for a marathon!
:rofl: Tickled me that sir...! :thumbsup:
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29

Busterboo
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Post by Busterboo » Wed Aug 08, 2018 6:10 pm

HaiderGilll wrote: Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:43 pm Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?
Thanks
Haider
The first step with any E89 or, indeed, any car, is to pay attention to your tyres & pressures. The big suspension changes can come after you've exploited what you've got.

Throwing money at a car that's wallowing round on the wrong tyres at marshmallow pressures won't improve anything.
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Smartbear
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Post by Smartbear » Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:34 pm

Busterboo wrote: Wed Aug 08, 2018 6:10 pm
HaiderGilll wrote: Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:43 pm Hi,

Like the look of the E89 3.5i/si but it sounds like the handling needs to be improved to give it a sports car feel. Saw there is Bilstein B12 Pro kit, Koni Sport (with H&R Springs) and the Birds B4 suspension kits available. Wondering anyone has used these or something else?
Thanks
Haider
The first step with any E89 or, indeed, any car, is to pay attention to your tyres & pressures. The big suspension changes can come after you've exploited what you've got.

Throwing money at a car that's wallowing round on the wrong tyres at marshmallow pressures won't improve anything.
Nor will throwing money at a car that’s skating around on the wrong tyres at near to exploding pressures :P
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

Busterboo
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Post by Busterboo » Wed Aug 08, 2018 9:19 pm

"wrong tyres", Rob?
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HaiderGilll
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Post by HaiderGilll » Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:24 pm

I have been thinking about the weight issue as well and on that account would move to may be Z4 28i 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo, less weight at the front should help it be more agile. You lose the straight six sound-track though; I want to find out what people have done though before I pull the trigger on anything. Obviously i don't run flat, proper tyres goes without saying...

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Post by Smartbear » Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:29 pm

Busterboo wrote: Wed Aug 08, 2018 9:19 pm "wrong tyres", Rob?
That depends entirely on which side of the fence you stand on :roll:
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

Busterboo
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Post by Busterboo » Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:39 pm

The Pirelli P Zero side. :)

NRFTs, of course.
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Post by Pbondar » Thu Aug 09, 2018 4:27 pm

HaiderGilll wrote: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:24 pm I have been thinking about the weight issue as well and on that account would move to may be Z4 28i 4 cylinder twin scroll turbo, less weight at the front should help it be more agile. You lose the straight six sound-track though; I want to find out what people have done though before I pull the trigger on anything. Obviously i don't run flat, proper tyres goes without saying...
There have been many discussions on this issue of later 4 pot vs either earlier or later 6 pot.

The distilled essence is that a 4 pot is cheaper to run, handles better, can be made to go as fast as a stock 6 pot but lacks the 6 pot noise...

Application of money / prejudice / hearsay may affect your decision.. :fuelfire:

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