Z4M - carrying a few too many lbs?

mark seeker · Post by **mark seeker** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 9:42 pm

I was talking to a friend about how over the years many have moaned about how heavy the E85/E86 is, but has anyone done anything about it? I did look on Z Post and I can see a couple of posts of owners talking about changing the battery / seats for lighter options, but I just wondered if anyone has put their Zed on a strict diet?

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 10:01 pm

mark seeker wrote: ↑Sat Nov 24, 2018 9:42 pm but I just wondered if anyone has put their Zed on a strict diet?

The ones I've seen are strickty track builds.
Lightweight seats, carbon dash and of course ditching all the creature comforts: aircon, radio/satnav, insulation, doorcarts, plastic interior panels etc.
Compared to a lot of modern day sportscars the e85/86 isnt heavy at all I think. Cars that are lighter are a mx5 or an elise, but those cars are both a lot smaller and less comfortable

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 10:44 pm

I do agree it's a bit of a podge for a sports car. But as said it is actually lighter than most. Plus has that wonderful engine and throttle response to make up. Having two Mx5s and an MR in the family I can say the MR, despite being the lard arse, changes direction best.

PS The other important thing. I can actually fit in it. Unlike the others in my signature pic.

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 11:26 pm

The thing that surprises me is that the Z4MC is only about 50kg less than the E46 M3. And about the same amount heavier than a 997 Carrera S, which is half a metre longer. Nearly half the price when new, of course.

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 11:39 pm

According to my data the 04-08 carrera S (with manual) is heavier than the z4m coupe; 25kg.
And its 31cm longer (the 997), but the wheelbase is 14cm shorter. So it has a lot of overhang.

But with those weights, its very debatable. A car manufacturer is allowed to enter the lightest configuration for sale in the database. Knowing porsche thats probably an extreme flimper spec as everything is optional on those cars where the /m is already a well equipped car in base trim.

Adam D · Post by **Adam D** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:05 am

I suppose you could fit a lighter engine, but that may be missing the point

philbo909 · Post by **philbo909** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:20 am

MrPT wrote: ↑Sat Nov 24, 2018 11:26 pm The thing that surprises me is that the Z4MC is only about 50kg less than the E46 M3. And about the same amount heavier than a 997 Carrera S, which is half a metre longer. Nearly half the price when new, of course.

That's because of all the steel they threw into the roadster to stop it flopping, it's a shame they couldn't re-engineer the Coupe cheaply to make it lighter

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:37 am

philbo909 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:20 am
MrPT wrote: ↑Sat Nov 24, 2018 11:26 pm The thing that surprises me is that the Z4MC is only about 50kg less than the E46 M3. And about the same amount heavier than a 997 Carrera S, which is half a metre longer. Nearly half the price when new, of course.
That's because of all the steel they threw into the roadster to stop it flopping, it's a shame they couldn't re-engineer the Coupe cheaply to make it lighter

Ah, yes that does make sense. Not the worst thing ever, mind. The roadster is still a good benchmark and the coupe has a lot of things going for it, even if weight isn’t one of them.

Lightweight alloys, seats, battery and brakes could save you about 50kg, bringing the DIN weight into the 1300s. Then the returns are diminishing unless, as GuidoK says, you start stripping bits out.

There’s a thread on zpost listing out the weight of various Z4M components.

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:43 pm

I thought the Z4 was designed as a roadster in the first place, then they decided to add a roof and hatchback to please the hairdressers

Doddsy · Post by **Doddsy** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 4:56 pm

firebobby wrote: ↑Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:43 pm I thought the Z4 was designed as a roadster in the first place, then they decided to add a roof and hatchback to please the hairdressers

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 5:14 pm

firebobby wrote: ↑Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:43 pm I thought the Z4 was designed as a roadster in the first place, then they decided to add a roof and hatchback to please the hairdressers

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 5:32 pm

Swap on a set of 18" Style 32 wheels they're 27kg lighter than your OEM wheels overall leading to less unsprung weight

Doddsy · Post by **Doddsy** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 8:22 pm

Even a backbox mod or full delete can save a canny bit of weight

R60BBA · Post by **R60BBA** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 11:28 pm

Unless you wish to get serious on track I would not bother with weight reduction on that car.

E86 is not heavy at all. In fact it is finely balanced and is such a fun car to drive.

If you think E86 is heavy you’d think my M3 is a boat. Which it isn’t of course!

Trav · Post by **Trav** » Tue Nov 27, 2018 7:56 am

The wheels as Marlon said must be your first option. Weight loss is spread around and it may even improve the feel of the car. If you do battery, seats and back boxes then you would need something to remove from the front surely. Give the M engineers a bit of credit. Wheels, less fuel on a short blast, no passenger. Or passenger seat out if your heading to the track.

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