E86 Z4 coupe steering

C

ColinBR

Member
Hi guys

Sorry for probably a lame question.

Can anyone tell me if it is just the ZM4 that has the hydraulic steering rack, or if the Z4 3.0 si also has the hydraulic steering?

Im hoping both have it, as the feel with the hydraulic rack is something that I feel is missing in most modern cars, and 1 of the main reasons I am looking to get an older car again

Thanks
Colin
 
ColinBR said:
Ah well.
Boom goes the idea of a Z4 then.

Is the Si as bad as I expect feel wise in the steering?
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Well ive had 4x ZMs & 8 x Si.s :oops: this may get some ZM owners irate but the Si for 95% of the time is a far more pleasant proposition to own in virtually every department :o i have zero issues with the electronic power steering in the Si .
 
Suppose I really need to try 1 then.

Im really fussy about the feedback that a car gives. If it feels numb then its a massive no for me. Especially if its going to be a fun/weekend car.
 
ColinBR said:
Suppose I really need to try 1 then.

Im really fussy about the feedback that a car gives. If it feels numb then its a massive no for me. Especially if its going to be a fun/weekend car.
Click to expand...

Don't be deterred , the E86 is a great car to own so just buy a bad one & you'l be more concerned over its tramlining / wayward wandering feel than its steering feedback :D
 
mr wilks said:
ColinBR said:
Suppose I really need to try 1 then.

Im really fussy about the feedback that a car gives. If it feels numb then its a massive no for me. Especially if its going to be a fun/weekend car.
Click to expand...

Don't be deterred , the E86 is a great car to own so just buy a bad one & you'l be more concerned over its tramlining / wayward wandering feel than its steering feedback :D
Click to expand...

Haha. I have no intension of buying a bad 1.

Got time to get the best car I can as in no rush and don't mind travelling.

Just need to stop watching Z4M videos at the moment as I'm trying to tell myself that a 3.0 is would be better for me.
 
I had my 3.0Si Coupes for over 5 years and wasn't put off by the electric PAS, but then my 1st Coupe replaced a 1 Series I'd had for over 6 years that also had electric PAS!

Now I've got my M and a 330i with the same engine as a 3.0Si with Hydraulic PAS I do prefer it but EPAS wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me.

As you say the best idea would be to try one to decide whether you could live with it - after all the E86s have plenty of plus points!
 
Definitely going to have to try 1.

I loved the feel from previous cars with hydraulic steering and its something I've craved since moving onto newer cars.
 
you can get the hydraulic steering conversion done fairly easily these days so you can always factor that in to your budget if its not to your liking :thumbsup:
 
mr.tourette said:
you can get the hydraulic steering conversion done fairly easily these days so you can always factor that in to your budget if its not to your liking :thumbsup:
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Any Idea of costs for such a conversion?
 
ColinBR said:
Any Idea of costs for such a conversion?
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Here's a thread about it, but it doesn't look cheap. :( https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=118282&p=1695100&hilit=N52+PAS#p1695100
 
Mr Tidy said:
ColinBR said:
Any Idea of costs for such a conversion?
Click to expand...

Here's a thread about it, but it doesn't look cheap. :( https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=118282&p=1695100&hilit=N52+PAS#p1695100
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Hhmm maybe a Z4M coupe would make more sense.

Didnt really want to get that spendy on a fun/weekend car. An M3 might be a better prospect if I need to go that far
 
I wanted a Z4M coupe for ages, but I got wangled into testing a 3.0Si Sport coupe. I was worried about the steering based on the fact it wasn't hydraulic and having just come from a 60's Mini too. I was really surprised how good the 3.0Si is, and I haven't even thought the steering feels electric in all honesty! It's got a really good weight to it and it's very consistent like hydraulic.
 
dougie1142 said:
I wanted a Z4M coupe for ages, but I got wangled into testing a 3.0Si Sport coupe. I was worried about the steering based on the fact it wasn't hydraulic and having just come from a 60's Mini too. I was really surprised how good the 3.0Si is, and I haven't even thought the steering feels electric in all honesty! It's got a really good weight to it and it's very consistent like hydraulic.
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Does it let you feel the road surface thru the steering wheel on your finger tips?

I have a 2017/17 335d and yes it feels weighty, but thats all. I dont get to feel the tyres scrubbing or the pebbles on the road. Feel it more with my bum in the seat or when having to correct when it moves about without that warning thru the wheel.
 
mr wilks said:
ColinBR said:
Ah well.
Boom goes the idea of a Z4 then.

Is the Si as bad as I expect feel wise in the steering?
Click to expand...

Well ive had 4x ZMs & 8 x Si.s :oops: this may get some ZM owners irate but the Si for 95% of the time is a far more pleasant proposition to own in virtually every department :o i have zero issues with the electronic power steering in the Si .
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: What Mr Wilks says. The SI is a delight to drive, at any speed. The car is light and nimble, and dances with you, being 250 lighter in the front end by comparison to the 4M. Which is heavy, ponderous and thuggish.
 
mr wilks said:
ColinBR said:
Suppose I really need to try 1 then.

Im really fussy about the feedback that a car gives. If it feels numb then its a massive no for me. Especially if its going to be a fun/weekend car.
Click to expand...

Don't be deterred , the E86 is a great car to own so just buy a bad one & you'l be more concerned over its tramlining / wayward wandering feel than its steering feedback :D
Click to expand...

:lol:
 
ColinBR said:
Does it let you feel the road surface thru the steering wheel on your finger tips?
Click to expand...
No.

If you care about steering feel, and it sounds like you really do, then the EPAS will disappoint.

Buy a Lotus :)
 
Liam22 said:
ColinBR said:
Does it let you feel the road surface thru the steering wheel on your finger tips?
Click to expand...
No.

If you care about steering feel, and it sounds like you really do, then the EPAS will disappoint.

Buy a Lotus :)
Click to expand...

Na not a Lotus for me.

Maybe a Porsche Cayman, though I still prefer the look of the Z4C.

I'll give 1 a try and decide from there. Might need to stretch out to a ZM4C.
 
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