another newbie

fixit man

Active member
Hi to everyone,

I am new to this forum, I bought a Z4(2.2L 2004) a few months ago, after owning a Z3 for a few years, and then a Merc. 200CLK i had to go back to a roadster.

I really missed the handling, although I don't think that the Z4 is as good as the Z3 in the handling...anyone else notice that ?

I found that the back fishtails (oversteers) a bit going around tight corners and roundabouts when wet, where as the Z3 did only did slightly in really bad rain enough to aquaplane and it didn't go much.

Maybe It's my tyres they are good , but maybe they are made for longevity rather than grip ??(Enduro 916 225/40 ZR18)

any advise or opinions welcome :D

Fixit man
 
Hi and welcome to the forum, never heard of the tyres, i'm running Falken 452's and have no handling problems. :thumbsup:
 
The tyres are budget ones around half the price of premium tyres such as Conti Sport Contact or the Bridgestones fitted as standard. What size are the rears?
 
Welcome- good to see another 2.2 on board! There's a fair few easy mods for ur car. As for handling its gotta be the tyres
 
Welcome, never driven a Z3 but can't imagine it handles better than the Z4 :o Get those tyres changed. Now you need to decide whether to ditch the runflats :D
 
Hi Guys,

thanks for the input about the tyres, I was thinking(and hoping) it might be the tyres. I was a bit disappointed,I don't have the same confidence in the handling that I had with Z3.

The size of the front and rears are 225/40 ZR18, according to my Manual the ones on the back are not correct should be 255/35 R18 not sure if lower profile would make a difference, but wider would definately help.

I think I will go for a couple of new premium tyres on the back like Bridgestone or Conti as WLH suggested(thanks)

regards :D
Fixit man
 
Welcome :thumbsup: mine steps out in the wet if i give some stick and even in the dry when i hit the kick down button coming of a roundabout :D but then 3.0 rear wheel drive its gonna happen
 
fixit man said:
Hi to everyone,

I am new to this forum, I bought a Z4(2.2L 2004) a few months ago, after owning a Z3 for a few years, and then a Merc. 200CLK i had to go back to a roadster.

I really missed the handling, although I don't think that the Z4 is as good as the Z3 in the handling...anyone else notice that ?

I found that the back fishtails (oversteers) a bit going around tight corners and roundabouts when wet, where as the Z3 did only did slightly in really bad rain enough to aquaplane and it didn't go much.

Maybe It's my tyres they are good , but maybe they are made for longevity rather than grip ??(Enduro 916 225/40 ZR18)

any advise or opinions welcome :D

Fixit man
Welcome to the Forum!

Interesting comment about the handling. The Z4 is universally considered far superior to the Z3 in the handling department - a far better chassis.

May be as well to get your rear springs checked, as the effects of broken rear springs can be similar to those you've described.
 
Hi Bmw angler,

I'll check the springs tomorrow thanks,

Hi Gaza62,
yes I'd expect it on a 3.0L in fact I'd be disappointed if it didn't when you give it welly, but at least it's controllable...I suppose it is in my case too If I drive slower !...not going to happen !

fixit man
 
On my 2.2 the rears are 255/35/18 and the fronts are 225/40/18 which is what they call a staggered set up and my zed is a 53/04 model.
 
fixit man said:
Hi Bmw angler,

I'll check the springs tomorrow thanks,

Hi Gaza62,
yes I'd expect it on a 3.0L in fact I'd be disappointed if it didn't when you give it welly, but at least it's controllable...I suppose it is in my case too If I drive slower !...not going to happen !

fixit man


Mine will step out at lower speeds without warning sometimes when i drive over a manhole cover the car can twitch around and when theres a little ice on the road she can be a nightmare one time she stepped out so hard it hurt my lower back and the natural thing to do is steer into the skid but been told not to do this as it can confuse the driver aids.
 
turn off DTC, i will certainly step out then, awesome feeling :)

i don't drive with it on anymore
 
Hi,

update !...checked my springs they are OK, priced 2 Bridgestone 255/35 r18 this morning, €130 each not bad , might get them later and try them out

fixit man
 
fixit man said:
Hi,

update !...checked my springs they are OK, priced 2 Bridgestone 255/35 r18 this morning, €130 each not bad , might get them later and try them out

fixit man

Checked my rear brake pads today because the light was on, found both rear springs broken, they looked OK through the wheel and from the rear view, but when I had the wheel off, it was obvious,broken right down at the bottom :o ...

looking forward to driving it after the springs are changed to see If it makes a big difference :driving:
 
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