Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

[1536Z4]

nd might not do the car's value any favours either!

I have thought about that but surely I`m not the only person that would want/need a Z4M auto and wouldn`t it also be "unique" ?

[tomscott]

I suppose the other thing to bare in mind is the time factor and the fact there might not be a solution. Could end up buying a car that will end up sitting for months as assuming you would need the car to develop this (as you mention you would struggle to drive a manual anyway) as its developed and in parts so it can't be used anyway.

Even if it is possible suppose reliability comes into it too. I generally believe they didn't add an auto variant is because of space constraints in the drive train and also the fact the standard auto box wouldn't give the M experience.

As good as the Z4M is its also flawed (which is why I like it) but there are faster, (Much) cheaper to run and newer alternatives that will give as exciting experience out of the box.

As much as I love the idea of people modding and improving/changing for personal situations, if you actually want to just get in, drive and enjoy it seems like it could be a long and expensive road without a guarantee it will work.

Worst case you can always put the manual back in no harm but for me I just want to drive it not mess about.

In the photography world they say the best camera is the one you have with you.

From being on this forum for 10 years there have been lots of projects that start with lots of energy and then fizzle and get moved on for a fraction they were purchased with.

I mean lets be honest if you want a fabulous auto in a great body engine combo why not by a 981 cayman or Boxster PDK. That car in almost every respect is better than the Z4M apart from the axe murder feel. 90% of people don't like the idea of the car trying not to kill them and the 981 is a very enjoyable car to drive and easy to drive on the edge the Z4M is a handful on UK a-b roads and can be very rewarding but the Porsche equivalent makes you feel like a hero because they are that good. Take that as a positive or negative everyones different.

I had a 987 Boxster S and as good as they are I missed the Z4M because its more of a handful driving quick. The Boxster hit every apex and does everything you want but I found it a bit clinical. If its a fast smile machine in auto your after the 981s are fab cars... the engine maybe isn't as exciting as the Z but it sounds better especially the sports exhaust variants.



PDK is literally insane too, my dad has a 991 Carrera S PDK and we took it on a 3000 mile euro trip and it was incredible through the alps. A buddy went with his 981 and in the tunnels it sounds a whole lot more car than it is.

I would go and drive a load of options and make sure the Z4M is worth it

[TomK]

My probably hypothetical question is which auto gearbox do you think would be best to put into a Z4M and do you think it would be possible without costing more than the car is worth . ( Just waiting for someone to say the car would be worthless without a manual gearbox )

Apologies for any offence caused by this post .

Mechanically I wouldn't have thought it would be 'that' difficult if you were to use the ZF smg z4 box which is near identical to the M's I believe, should fit but perhaps there is constraints for the pump etc. Obviously you can also get the z4smg paddles and selector, not sure how you go about getting gear info displayed on the dash and I imagine the whole electronics side might be a bit of a mare!
6-speed ZF GS6-S37BZ SMG automated manual (2.5i, 3.0i)
6-speed manual ZF GS6-37BZ (3.0i, 3.0si, Z4M)

[1536Z4]

I would go and drive a load of options and make sure the Z4M is worth it

Thanks Tom . I used to ride motorbikes but obviously cant now so I am definitely in the driving a car section rather than get in and let the auto box go through the gears . I always had a manual box on my previous cars .Mine is nearly always in sport mode and I change gear with the flappy paddles ( which I don`t find intuitive ) or stick .
I would love to drive lots of other options but how would I know how they compare with a Z4M when I cant drive a Z4M ?
I suppose I could sit in the passenger seat of a Z4M but does that give you the same feeling ?

We could discuss this until the cows come home which is fine by me and is why I posted the question and I hope it helps other people that may be in the same position one day . I would love a Porsche with PDK and going by the amount you see on the roads plenty of other people do also but I suppose that is another point about the Z4M it`s exclusivity . How often do you see one compared with a Porsche

[1536Z4]

I imagine the whole electronics side might be a bit of a mare!

From looking at many you tube build posts the electrics are normally where you see the most issues and my electrical skills are worse than my mechanical so that is definitely an area that would need to be sorted by a specialist .

[RedUn]

lets see how his wife likes that

We`re not married but she would love it ( I think )

Who wouldn't, sequential whine adds more to the experience if you ask me

I think it would suit then character of the engine more than a standard slush box type auto, I imagine if you wanted to sell it later it wouldnt be too hard for someone who's looking for a track / race car build.

[RedUn]

This seems reasonable enough to me for popping to the shops

[1536Z4]

Who wouldn't, sequential whine adds more to the experience if you ask me

Would a sequential gearbox be much noisier if you soundproofed the floor and kept it carpeted ?

[RedUn]

Who wouldn't, sequential whine adds more to the experience if you ask me

Would a sequential gearbox be much noisier if you soundproofed the floor and kept it carpeted ?

I'd imagine it would be a lot quieter yes but its the straight cut gears that are the problem.

Someone will have a sequential road car to get advice from...

[RedUn]

Doing some reading it seems around 2004 they made the z4 with an SMG box... If that's the case I'd be tempted to head that route!

[1536Z4]

z4 with an SMG box... If that's the case I'd be tempted to head that route!

That has been suggested but in other posts the SMG gearbox doesn`t get the best reviews . Maybe it could be improved with new electronic settings .

[BMWZ4MC]

…the engine maybe isn't as exciting as the Z but it sounds better especially the sports exhaust variants.

I disagree, the ///M sounds markedly better than that Boxster. The S54 is a characterful engine that rises from baritone to banshee across the rev range, accompanied by the metallic rasp of a buzz saw. In comparison, the sound from the Porsche in the video is one-dimensional under load and not improved on the over run by the artificial overlay of bronchitic crepitations worthy of a hundred-a-day smoker. It would be at home driven in convoy with a Golf R and an A45!

*that is not to say that the Boxster cannot sound amazing, just not in that video

[tomscott]

…the engine maybe isn't as exciting as the Z but it sounds better especially the sports exhaust variants.

I disagree, the ///M sounds markedly better than that Boxster. The S54 is a characterful engine that rises from baritone to banshee across the rev range, accompanied by the metallic rasp of a buzz saw. In comparison, the sound from the Porsche in the video is one-dimensional under load and not improved on the over run by the artificial overlay of bronchitic crepitations worthy of a hundred-a-day smoker. It would be at home driven in convoy with a Golf R and an A45!

*that is not to say that the Boxster cannot sound amazing, just not in that video

Its the only one I could find that wasn't a car park launch They do sounds fab in tunnels. My car was in the tunnel at the same time and was completely inaudible with the standard exhaust.

[tiglon]

I really don't think this is the thing to do unless the £30-40k is just loose change that you want to play around with, particularly if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

How about an SLK 55 AMG? No one can complain that the V8 lacks drama.

[RedUn]

…the engine maybe isn't as exciting as the Z but it sounds better especially the sports exhaust variants.

I disagree, the ///M sounds markedly better than that Boxster. The S54 is a characterful engine that rises from baritone to banshee across the rev range, accompanied by the metallic rasp of a buzz saw. In comparison, the sound from the Porsche in the video is one-dimensional under load and not improved on the over run by the artificial overlay of bronchitic crepitations worthy of a hundred-a-day smoker. It would be at home driven in convoy with a Golf R and an A45!

*that is not to say that the Boxster cannot sound amazing, just not in that video

Agreed... I don't know why manufacturers think that it sounds good, its bloody terrible to my ears.

Anti-lag I get but fake anti lag, I assume that's the what the idea is? I don't know why else they'd chuck fuel down the exhaust, even more comical on an NA car