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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Discussing the current generation Z4
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Zorro4
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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Zorro4 » Thu Jul 15, 2021 5:43 pm

Hi all, quick intro my name’s Al and I’ve been watching the forum since I purchased my Z4 M40i in December 2019. I’ve never really had anything to add until now .
I was so impressed with my 2019 Z4’s abilities that I decided while I could and before things really start to change with emissions and legislation etc, that I would purchase another 2021 model in the spec I wanted .
However, it would seem that a number of changes have already been made since 2019 and these are my personal experiences of the new car .
The 2021 car feels far more compliant on the road but whilst doing so it seems to have lost all of its sports car feel and now feels like a full on GT car. The car seems to ride higher and there’s a lot more body roll. It also has a much softer ride feeling quite soggy at times. The 2019 model cornered with hardly any body roll at all and handled superbly in my opinion .
Engine:
To me it sounds much quieter, pops and cackles are gone and power delivery seems even more lower down the rev range than it did before with less power up top .
Gearbox smoother, changes more gently.
Personally I liked the snappy changes of the 2019 Z4 more.
Steering:
Lighter with even less feedback .
I’ve tried all the settings and waited until I’d done over 1400 miles in it before I came to my conclusion and I was wondering if anybody could confirm these changes and let me know if it’s all software or if the springs or roll bars have been changed since the 2019 production .
Apologies for such a long winded first post.

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by john-e89 » Thu Jul 15, 2021 6:09 pm

Interesting post Zorro. :thumbsup:

I take it you have the same engine as before..? You’ll feel a difference on brand new tyres as opposed to the gradual decline of worn ones you may have left your other car with. Other than that I don’t ‘think’ there would be any mechanical changes, it’s too new a model.

Anyway congrats on the new one and pics when you get chance please. :thumbsup:
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Pbondar

2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Pbondar » Thu Jul 15, 2021 6:51 pm

Well the latest version has a different engine version and a different gearbox revision.

Given that so much of how these cars feel is governed by s/w parameters they could well have changed those which could have a marked effect I how it feels…and goes..

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Zorro4 » Thu Jul 15, 2021 7:53 pm

Thanks for the replies . Both engines state B58c on the order forms . I don’t know what versions of ZF boxes they are . The changes are far more than tyres. I’d say spring damper and ride height changes along with throttle mapping etc . Basically the new car feels in sport plus the way the old car felt in comfort ride wise .
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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by craig3.2 » Thu Jul 15, 2021 8:54 pm

Interesting points, coming from someone who has owned both,op.


From my search,as you say,the engine does appear to be the same designation according to BMW, but the gearbox has had a software update, apparently,to smooth out the shifts.
Maybe a result of"owner feedback", who knows.

Can't find any info on changes to the suspension. As john-e89 said,too new a model for them to start revising suspension components,which they had only just newly developed with Toyota, in development since 2013, so it would be odd if they had changed it already,given its all new,multi link etc?
I don't doubt what you're saying though,about it feeling different
I remember test driving two 2002/2003 Seat Leon Cupra's at two different garages,both brand new at the time,and one felt sharper in bends than the other,so bought to he one further away (both were pre registered new cars,no mileage on them).
Thought that strange at the time.

Maybe just this one is the same?
Would be interesting to know if they have changed the suspension?

Keep us posted if you find out.
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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by ori » Thu Jul 15, 2021 9:01 pm

Interesting.
I haven’t heard of this before. Any different options from your 2019 car?

I’m waiting on my new car which replaced my March 2020 car.
Won’t be able to compare until then.

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Zorro4 » Thu Jul 15, 2021 9:05 pm

The only extra option over my previous M40i was the tech pack .
I did wonder if due to shortages in the current climate that Magna Steyr might have had to source some of their components and materials from different sources , or if it might just be one of BMWs so called quality enhancement software upgrades

Pbondar

2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Pbondar » Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:24 pm

Real oem shows different engine codes / part numbers and different auto box codes and part numbers.

According to real oem rear dampers, which is when I gave up, are the same.

As I said with s/w changes you can change the feel dramatically ..

On this car with an engine, rear diff, auto box, dampers, brakes all s/w controlled who knows..

Without access to the code readers on both cars with access to s/w revision level and parameter changes it’s a guess.

I do know for example on mine that just toggling a few parameters in the DSC unit completely changes the feel of the brakes and how they react..

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Zorro4 » Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:33 pm

Thank you for looking Into that for me .
I totally agree with you on the S/W changes . I had an M240i have a BMW QE software Change a while back which totally changed just about everything on the car and made it feel like a completely different car (for the worse I’d like to add).

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Roadster_Surrey » Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:41 am

Do you miss original car? Unfortunately, all cars are being muted and slowed by the software. Ecology is killing fun.

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Zorro4 » Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:06 pm

YES I do , the 2021 model is nowhere near as much fun as the 2019 model I had . It feels less responsive and wallowy . The 2021 Z4 however feels more comfortable and is better on a long run I have to admit .
My advice would be if you have a 2019 model keep hold of it FOREVER.
Last edited by Zorro4 on Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Pbondar

2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Pbondar » Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:40 pm

If you know what you are doing you can, probably, get most of the feeling back by altering the s/w parameters and are-map..but it’s definitely not for the faint hearted or technologically illiterate..not to mention booting your warranty into the long grass…

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by ori » Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:13 pm

I don’t see how software updates can change ride height though.

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Zorro4
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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Zorro4 » Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:42 pm

I can’t defiantly say the ride height has changed as I don’t have the two cars side by side or the ride height measurements of my old car. All I can say is that it feels slightly higher due to the way it rolls in the bends . I always felt the party piece of these cars was the way they handled . That now sadly seems gone in favour of a more comfortable ride with what feels like more suspension travel . If I’d never driven a 2019 car I’d be more than happy with what I’ve just purchased, It’s just I know it can be better . I wouldn’t want to mess with the software due to warranty issues etc and the fact that every time they service it or there’s an issue they plug it in at BMW and it just sends it back to factory or gives it the latest QE update. :headbang:

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2019 to 2021 changes U.K. spec

Post by Obs-Com » Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:28 pm

Zorro4 wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:06 pm YES I do , the 2021 model is nowhere near as much fun as the 2019 model I had . It feels less responsive and wallowy . The 2021 Z4 however feels more comfortable and is better on a long run I have to admit .
My advice would be if you have a 2019 model keep hold of it FOREVER.
Sounds like pretty sound advice. My 2019 G29 continues to be the best all round BMW I’ve owned. :thumbsup:
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