E89 - From Saab to BMW

C

CFSD

Member
 Cheshire
Hi folks,

After many years of being a loving owner of a 9-3 Aero convertible (Maptuned and Hirsch added goodies) it was finally time to move on.
My new ride had to have the drop-top ability for any blue-sky day that might grace the year and after much searching and reading (including this forum) I decided a Z4 was the way to go.
Found a 2.0i m-sport with idrive and paddle shift and was smitten!
Picked the car up last week and have enjoyed every second in it so far.

The car is booked in to have the alloys refurbished along with a full paint polish and ceramic coat (to keep it nice and fresh), and importantly, a stage 1 remap to release a few more horses!

Since this community was instrumental in my decision to go for a Z4, joining is a no-brainier.

Cheers!
I won't be prolific - but I will be active. :)

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Welcome along.
Nice looking motor you have there. Bit mainstream after a SAAB though? :D

Interested in why you've gone for the Stage 1 tune?
With stage 3 available for around £300 and still well within the safe parameters for the engine, will you not be wishing you'd gone 'all the way'?
 
Hi and welcome
Great choice in the e89 👍, make sure you let those horses out for a frequent gallop :driving:
 
enuff_zed said:
Interested in why you've gone for the Stage 1 tune?
With stage 3 available for around £300 and still well within the safe parameters for the engine, will you not be wishing you'd gone 'all the way'?
Click to expand...

Hmm - now, you've got me thinking :P I'll discuss it with the tuners when I take it in! :D
 
enuff_zed said:
Bit mainstream after a SAAB though?
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Parts - servicing - manufacturer still exists! :lol: I loved my Saab (with the tuning and other performance parts it was immense fun), but ultimately it was 'time'...
 
CFSD said:
enuff_zed said:
Interested in why you've gone for the Stage 1 tune?
With stage 3 available for around £300 and still well within the safe parameters for the engine, will you not be wishing you'd gone 'all the way'?
Click to expand...

Hmm - now, you've got me thinking :P I'll discuss it with the tuners when I take it in! :D
Click to expand...

Well I guess that depends where you're taking it and how they classify their stages.
Have a browse through the forum for Evolve or Celtic Tuning for some ideas.
Celtic have been used a lot recently.
It seems you basically order on their website and they come to you at your home.
Stage 3 is circa 280 bhp and similar torque for £295, the last time I looked.

Or look at posts from Smartbear or Pbondar for detailed feedback.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

Enjoy those extra horses! :driving:
 
Welcome on board. Classy looking Zed. 8) I've always liked the Saab Aero, after taking a Saab 900 Carlson out for run, in the early 90's and enjoying the way it simply destroyed a Lotus Elan S2 that wanted to play. :evil: :thumbsup:
 
buzyg said:
Welcome on board. Classy looking Zed. 8) I've always liked the Saab Aero, after taking a Saab 900 Carlson out for run, in the early 90's and enjoying the way it simply destroyed a Lotus Elan S2 that wanted to play. :evil: :thumbsup:
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I have loved it. They are classy looking cars, but the GM plastic dash wears out faster than Wayne Rooney's hair implants! :roll:
 
CFSD said:
buzyg said:
Welcome on board. Classy looking Zed. 8) I've always liked the Saab Aero, after taking a Saab 900 Carlson out for run, in the early 90's and enjoying the way it simply destroyed a Lotus Elan S2 that wanted to play. :evil: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I have loved it. They are classy looking cars, but the GM plastic dash wears out faster than Wayne Rooney's hair implants! :roll:
Click to expand...
:lol: :rofl: :thumbsup:
 
firebobby said:
Welcome to the forum, got any photos of the Saab
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Here's the soon to be ex...
Hmm, black convertible, tuned, with a cream leather interior... I could be a creature of habit!

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Looking forward to some good times with the Z4!
 
I had one of those prior to getting the Z4, really enjoyed the Saab, was a really nice place to be, quite luxurious, very comfortable and smooth. Unfortunately, for me, it was far too heavy to enjoy on a twisty country road.

Great to drive in it to the Alps, but once I get there I want the Z4.
 
Welcome to the forum!
Nice spec :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

E89 20i was the first-ever zed I drove and I remember driving it back to back with an M4 at my old job and thinking how much more fun the Z was!

Enjoy the remap (and your new MPG) :wink:
 
Working through my list of things to make the car 'mine' and I've ticked off the BIG one. A visit to the tuners.
tuning results.jpg
180.1hp to 259.0hp (222.7 at the wheels)! The car feels great and has a lovely growl in Sport mode.
The jump looks pretty big, but when considering that the 2.8i is 245hp stock (with the same engine), I'm seeing it as an upgrade to 2.8+ :P

I had the car given a thorough health check before the tune to ensure everything was good. The local BMW specialist said my engine and turbo's were "in robust health". In the week and a bit since it was done the car has been nothing but awesome.

I've also updated the iDrive software to the latest version and installed the 2020 maps update.
One other thing I've done is update the side repeaters to the 'facelift' versions.
on the dyno.png

The wheels are currently being refurbished (a previous owner had curbed them pretty hard a few times).
... and then I think I'm done (for now).

I have to say - I'm simply in love with this car.
 
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