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35i & Z4M
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
35i & Z4M
I had a visit from member BTZ461 and his friend who had just bought an ///M and was preparing to drive it home to Queenstown - a nice near 6 hour drive south. Grabbed the camera, took a few shots and got a bonus drive in his roadster. I was surprised at how 'normal' it was to drive, having never driven an M before and only hearing the online gospel about how harsh/firm they are, or how hard they can be to change gears (first to second?) - I found it an absolute pleasure to drive, so maybe that means my 35i is adjusted too firm on the Bilstein coilovers? Have never really had anything to compare them to except my old 2.5si which was on m-sport suspension.
Anyway, some pics of his newly acquired ride:
Anyway, some pics of his newly acquired ride:
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26531
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
35i & Z4M
Nothing harsh about the ride in the ///MR Shane. The Coupe is the one with the harsher ride. As for the shift I have never had any trouble with mine either. So perhaps some are better than others or perhaps it is just people's expectations. Good hear you enjoyed the ///MR any way.
We will hopefully get back down there one day, Our lad has bought a house in Miramar, so it could be a while before he heads back to blitey.
We will hopefully get back down there one day, Our lad has bought a house in Miramar, so it could be a while before he heads back to blitey.
- Jembo
- Lifer
- Posts: 6030
- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
- Location: 1066 Country
35i & Z4M
Looks good Shane - some ///M’s are piss poor between 1/2nd & some have some extra tlc to make it much smoother - plus, with a +12 year old car, it’s likely someone may have already invested in the suspension.
Great to hear first impressions were so good
Great to hear first impressions were so good
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,
Lifer 54
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,
Lifer 54
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- Member
- Posts: 417
- Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2019 11:01 am
- Location: Christchurch New Zealand
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 2552
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26531
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23835
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
35i & Z4M
Interesting OP.
I've found the gear shift quality in my M to be the best of the 8 manual BMWs I've owned. I'm sure I read somewhere that BMW use Getrag boxes, but the Z4M has a ZF, so maybe it's no coincidence!
I've no experience of E85s or E89s but an MC rides and handles much better than a 3.0Si Coupe on M-Sport suspension and run-flats so if your cars had RFs that might be a factor.
But you've gotta love the sound of an S54!
I've found the gear shift quality in my M to be the best of the 8 manual BMWs I've owned. I'm sure I read somewhere that BMW use Getrag boxes, but the Z4M has a ZF, so maybe it's no coincidence!
I've no experience of E85s or E89s but an MC rides and handles much better than a 3.0Si Coupe on M-Sport suspension and run-flats so if your cars had RFs that might be a factor.
But you've gotta love the sound of an S54!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
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- Member
- Posts: 417
- Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2019 11:01 am
- Location: Christchurch New Zealand
35i & Z4M
Both the Z4M and the 3.0si use the same gearbox,GS6-37BZ/DZ, manufactured by Getrag. Substantially narrower than the ZF transmissions used in M3 E36 and E46. The Z3M and other manual transmissions in the Z 3 series also use a Getrag transmission.
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- Member
- Posts: 417
- Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2019 11:01 am
- Location: Christchurch New Zealand
35i & Z4M
Sorry disagree. The ZF is too wide to fit in our cars. Hence the narrower cased Getrag (GS) works in the Z4 3.0si Z4M,
and in the S50 and S54 engined Z3M coupes a five speeder Getrag does the job. Try and fit a ZF from a E46M3 into a Z4 chassis, won't fit. Well it can be made to by chopping out part of the bulk head and transmission tunnel cover. Check the id numbers side by side. Even better, ask a BMW technician, err maybe not.
and in the S50 and S54 engined Z3M coupes a five speeder Getrag does the job. Try and fit a ZF from a E46M3 into a Z4 chassis, won't fit. Well it can be made to by chopping out part of the bulk head and transmission tunnel cover. Check the id numbers side by side. Even better, ask a BMW technician, err maybe not.