Considering Z4M - few questions *Z4M pics added*

[stufarri]

My view from having the M3 cab before I swapped it for the Z4M is that the internals, except for the ratios, are the same.

In my opinion they are far too notchy/clunky - unless you are really on it, when they come alive.

In day to day normal driving they feel almost agricultural and not particularly refined but to cope with the power, if not the torque, I suppose they have to be tough.

Just my 2ps worth!

 

[ali_b]

I love the feel of it once warm, reminds me im driving a beast 8)

 

[Z4coupebeaver]

I agree with both of the posts above but my experience with this car, great as it is, has lead me to do more digging. Quite a few people have reported problems with these boxes, had them swapped by BMW and then the problem solved.

If the problem is that of layshaft bearing failure, then the box will go on for a long time, noisy but working.

What I can't understand is why would a box which is of conventional construction be so noisy. My dealer has said that the box is designed to run hotter so the tolerences are wider hence the noise. This sounds like BS to me. Racing box's are noisy beacuse they have tight tolerences and straight cut gears. If a component runs hot, then it would have some form of affitional cooling. These box's don't even have an external heat sink!

 

[mmm-five]

It's interesting to see that the 3.0Si shows a Getrag type H box and the Z4M a ZF type H. The ratios are the same but it still begs the question are the internals the same.

I suspect they are.

The 7th character of both of those gearboxes is a 'Z', so I'd assume they were both ZF 'boxes.

The 3.0 changed from a ZF to a Getrag box in 2006.

The Z4M uses the GS6-37BZ-TJEE (BMW part number 23007837983)

The 3.0si Z4 uses the GS6-37BZ-TJES (BMW part number 23007565178)

The pre 2006 3.0 Z4 uses the GS6-37BZ-TBEA (BMW part number 23007531345)
The post 2006 3.0 Z4 uses the GS6-37BG-TBEW (BMW part number 23007562722)

 

[Z4coupebeaver]

Well, I've got an official answer from BMW as to which gearbox I've got - it's a type H manufactured by Getrag!!. Not quite sure why it would have the ZF logo on the bellhousing but there you go. The computer says it's Getrag.

Over the last couple of days, a couple of very kind forum members have let me listen to their gearboxes (many many thanks to Shunt and stuffari, let me know if I can ever help with anything).

One car had done 30K and the other less than 1K. Both had thsimilar "grind, backlash and clatter at switch off". I realise now that this is a normal feature of these cars.

Many thanks for the useful contributions. I hope this will help others in the future.

 

[SO8]

Third day of 'Z' ownership now ... and absolutely loving it

I also got the other half to take a couple of pics of the car yesterday (I think I said in another thread - she is a professional photographer so I left it to her )

 

[Spud]

Looking very smart. What's the backdrop?

 

[Wondermike]

Wow fab pics

 

[SO8]

Looking very smart. What's the backdrop?

It's the East Beach Cafe at Littlehampton

My wife's idea .... but then that's why she's a photographer ! If I took them it would have been in the drive :roll:

 

[gannet]

looks great

 

[2dogs]

Need a clean.......................................................<joke> looks great

 

[dgm]

Well, I've got an official answer from BMW as to which gearbox I've got - it's a type H manufactured by Getrag!!. Not quite sure why it would have the ZF logo on the bellhousing but there you go. The computer says it's Getrag.

Over the last couple of days, a couple of very kind forum members have let me listen to their gearboxes (many many thanks to Shunt and stuffari, let me know if I can ever help with anything).

One car had done 30K and the other less than 1K. Both had thsimilar "grind, backlash and clatter at switch off". I realise now that this is a normal feature of these cars.

Many thanks for the useful contributions. I hope this will help others in the future.

Thanks for that, that opens it up again. I tried to get the make of the replacement gearbox that I had fitted but the dealer didn't know! I've asked them to find out for me.

 

[daz05]

Well, I've got an official answer from BMW as to which gearbox I've got - it's a type H manufactured by Getrag!!. Not quite sure why it would have the ZF logo on the bellhousing but there you go. The computer says it's Getrag.

Over the last couple of days, a couple of very kind forum members have let me listen to their gearboxes (many many thanks to Shunt and stuffari, let me know if I can ever help with anything).

One car had done 30K and the other less than 1K. Both had thsimilar "grind, backlash and clatter at switch off". I realise now that this is a normal feature of these cars.

Many thanks for the useful contributions. I hope this will help others in the future.

Interesting, so that does that mean you car is perfectly normal then?

 

[sammyz]

Wow that car looks fantastic in blue!
When you look at those pics it's easy to see why the Z4 will become a classic roadster. Fantastic proportions, loads of interesting angles and great looking from any side.