finally.. Stock gt4 Vs Highly modded z4m, back to back !

[Beedub]

couldnt quite believe how slow the gt4 was / is..... no where near enough power for a GT product, i think 425 would have been the sweet spot! The engine choice and gearing feels totally wrong, and not just by alittle bit given the price point !! That needs to be remembered.

Agree with that, I've had a couple of run in's with gt4's on track. In a straight line the GT4 was no faster than my car, my laptime's were quite a bit faster but that's kind of irrelevant, different drivers etc. Ultimately I'm sure the GT4 would be the quicker car all things being equal, but there's not a lot in it. In a straight line I would have expected a 2016 Porsche GT product to be a fair bit quicker.
The point brought up earlier in the thread is an important one, they are simply too loud for track use in the UK (louder than a GT3) which is ridiculous being as it as it is marketed as a track car (also personally from the outside I found the sound of them quite unpleasant). The chap at goodwood I spoke to said there's a fair few unhappy customers on their forums regarding this, he was the only one black flagged for noise a couple of times whilst we were there on a bloody TVR day

its very loud no doubt as i stated in my first post , very surprised by how loud, i liked the sound however, really didn't like the rev matching feature, its the first I've ever used and it just didn't feel right, Back to the power output that i think needs clearing up, no way am i saying that 380 isn't alot of HP, just in this car, with that gearing , and its weight it just doesn't feel fast enough given the price point...... As you rightly say i really cant see one of these running away from a z4m on the straights, its advantage comes from the braking and cornering and if you've got this properly sorted on your z4 you'll have a great battle with one of these! Driving the gt4 was a total pleasure and real eye opener, if anyone has some time, please go to your local Porsche centre in your Z4 and try one of these!! id love to hear your findings .

I would really like some sort of short shift kit now but don't know which is best , and I'm definitely going to invest in some proper seats to finish the car off, I've always wanted to change them but love the look of the stockers, so i think ill store them away and invest in some carbon tillets with some custom trim work...

 

[MrPT]

...he was the only one black flagged for noise a couple of times whilst we were there on a bloody TVR day

:rofl:

A mate recently bought a 981 GTS and I'm itching for a go now. £60k+ seems like a piss take but the chassis setup looks to be a significant step up on the Cayman S. Only thing I didn't like was super farty exhaust, but at least that can be turned off.

 

[buzyg]

Great write up Beedub.

 

[Beedub]

Had a great afternoon out with the car, and re-assessed certain parts of my write up...

The gearbox ratios are bang on imo, really well stacked, the clutch on my car is heavy ( uprated clutch with stainless lines ) and your leg hurts after a while, The gear change itself isn't bad at all, but the throw is too long and it actually think it could use some more weight to it, its just doesnt slot home in the way the gt4 or say an mx5 does, so next week, I'm going to order something very cool, shiny and metal! :evil:

Re the braking performance i think the difference I'm feeling is the cold performance of the gt4 pads, i mentioned that bite and pedal feel, today in the higher ambient temps, and alittle use, that solid top of the pedal brake feel was their in my car too, so I'm guessing the gt4 may have a more road friendly pad that works quicker compared to the RS pagids I'm using ( id expect their ultimate endurance to not be as high due to this but cant comment in a few hours of driving) , one thing i do notice in my car is the rear brakes are also really working hard, today i came off the a38 , accelerated HARD, lets not talk speeds but quick :wink: i slammed on the anchors and i can hear all 4 tyres screeching , the fronts more so but definitely the rears biting hard and again today with the higher ambient temps the car pulled up dead straight , so i think the cheaper semi slicks I'm using more in their optimum range.... I'm looking forward to putting the car through its paces on the new tyres I've had for a while...

Engine - what a masterpiece this is, jesus christ , its really something isn't it.... i wish you guys could experience this motor with boost, its mental. rung out 2, 3rd, and the tyres are rotating just ahead of the road speed to the top of second you can feel the car gently stepping to the left and right hunting for traction , you look out the rear view and see clear smear of fresh rubber , just mental.... The sound of those ITB with the blower whining, whistling and popping away with the classic s54 metallic rasp and thrash is as about evocative , motoring nirvana as it get..... its exotica! LOVE IT... Gt4 3.8.... all exhaust note and pops/bangs without the Go, engine is not special in any way shape or form at all.

What a journey its been with this car over the years, what a thing to own. Feel blessed. Now I'm off for a 10 mile bike ride on the trails! :driving: :driving: :driving: :driving: :driving: :driving: :driving:

 

[craig3.2]

Great write up,needing.

Never driven the gt4,but having driven various other Porsches,the best one for me is the 911 GT3 RS.......which feels like the homes from one finely tuned bit of metal...awesome car.
The z4m, especially supercharged,is a superb Cr,and one that's hard to beat.

Had a Jag f type,v6s AWD (85k car), for a few days, recently, and while it did things a little bit better/quicker/more grip and speed through corners(due to the 4wheel drive, obviously),it also didn't feel as raw or as exciting as the z4m does.
It certainly didn't feel twice the new price of my car,or over £65k better than the value of mine, currently.

Agree with that,Byron,the z4m is excellent in so many ways :driving:

 

[abar121]

Hi Byron,
Many thanks for your review, really enjoyed that.

It's quite sobering to think that the stock 718S is as quick as a GT4 straight out of the box and on non-R tyres! It's not just the motor, but the GT4 / Turbo chassis parts. Even the stock 718 is a quick car these days - similar to a stock Z4M. Both are a good match for the 991.1 generation too.

I've driven both 718 models on track and whilst they are measurably better in every discipline (compared to the zed), the engine's really do let the side down for aural pleasure - there is none! It's actually the manual 718 on smaller wheels and brakes, that is the sweeter drive. A better turn in than the PTV (LSD) equipped S (option) and a much lighter feel.

The gearing also lets down most modern Pork and the GT4 / 718 are still geared way too long. Even with the added torque, the 718S feels cripped by such long 2nd and 3rd gear ratios.

I've not driven the GT4, but I have tried the 3.8 flat is in a 991 and the more powerful version in a GTS. Very nice, but still not the character and sound of our six throttle bodies screaming at 8k.

I really do think we have a bargain here with our Z4Ms. There is nothing like it, this side of a 997 GT3 :driving:

I'd love to experience your heavily modded example one day, it must be fabulous!

I drove an Evora Sport 410 also, that was quite some car!

 

[Beedub]

Hi Byron,
Many thanks for your review, really enjoyed that.

It's quite sobering to think that the stock 718S is as quick as a GT4 straight out of the box and on non-R tyres! It's not just the motor, but the GT4 / Turbo chassis parts. Even the stock 718 is a quick car these days - similar to a stock Z4M. Both are a good match for the 991.1 generation too.

I've driven both 718 models on track and whilst they are measurably better in every discipline (compared to the zed), the engine's really do let the side down for aural pleasure - there is none! It's actually the manual 718 on smaller wheels and brakes, that is the sweeter drive. A better turn in than the PTV (LSD) equipped S (option) and a much lighter feel.

The gearing also lets down most modern Pork and the GT4 / 718 are still geared way too long. Even with the added torque, the 718S feels cripped by such long 2nd and 3rd gear ratios.

I've not driven the GT4, but I have tried the 3.8 flat is in a 991 and the more powerful version in a GTS. Very nice, but still not the character and sound of our six throttle bodies screaming at 8k.

I really do think we have a bargain here with our Z4Ms. There is nothing like it, this side of a 997 GT3 :driving:

I'd love to experience your heavily modded example one day, it must be fabulous!

I drove an Evora Sport 410 also, that was quite some car!

i really liked the 3.8 in the gts guise, i think it was just right.... Thanks for the comments, i really was quite surprised driven back to back how similar the cars feel once the z4m is given some upgrades. I love the new ever models but again i feel they are too expensive.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Byron, all I can hear you saying is that you're going to add forced induction of some kind when you buy your GT4 :evil:
Very interesting thread and a great write up. I think the Z4M can still hold it's own in much more expensive company, especially when properly fettled.

 

[buzyg]

Byron, all I can hear you saying is that you're going to add forced induction of some kind when you buy your GT4 :evil:
Very interesting thread and a great write up. I think the Z4M can still hold it's own in much more expensive company, especially when properly fettled.

Indeed and as most fast back drivers think it's about as quick as an MX5. It can still cause a little shock and awe too.

 

[Beedub]

Byron, all I can hear you saying is that you're going to add forced induction of some kind when you buy your GT4 :evil:
Very interesting thread and a great write up. I think the Z4M can still hold it's own in much more expensive company, especially when properly fettled.

no way buddy.... imagine buying one if these at 80k then spending a fortune tuning Porsches notoriously chocolate engines...... this dream ended after a proper drive.... lovely car but after such a highly modded car it didn't offer higher thrills I'd hoped infact it felt tame!! . a gt3 would but, unfortunately I'm no longer in the position to buy one like a once was. Today modifying a z4m to this level again is now not really viable either in reality , the engine mods are knocking on 10k with all the bells and whistles and today's exchange rate factored in, when you consider the cars value today, you'd be spending the cars value and then some in mods.... wheres the sense in that unless you keep for many many years to realise your money spend in "fun".

 

[RedUn]

Alls I picked up from this is Byron needs some buckets and a short shifter? :evil:

 

[Beedub]

Alls I picked up from this is Byron needs some buckets and a short shifter? :evil:

lol! Working on it!

This looks like a great package, wonder how much it costs :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Every single area has been addressed and turned up.... Now this is how this car should have came. 430hp N/A. perfecto. Interesting how the owner of the car and of numerous GT cars noted the stock GT4 as the Least feeling GT car he's owned leaving lots on the table for modifications!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C8LbOEZiWY&feature=youtu.be

 

[wantaz4m]

what a great post beedub, really enjoyed reading it. Makes me feel better not buying a gt4, as have been lusting for one for ages!

 

[Beedub]

what a great post beedub, really enjoyed reading it. Makes me feel better not buying a gt4, as have been lusting for one for ages!

go and have a drive in one if you get chance!

 

[pHilli0]

Byron, all I can hear you saying is that you're going to add forced induction of some kind when you buy your GT4 :evil:
Very interesting thread and a great write up. I think the Z4M can still hold it's own in much more expensive company, especially when properly fettled.

no way buddy.... imagine buying one if these at 80k then spending a fortune tuning Porsches notoriously chocolate engines...... this dream ended after a proper drive.... lovely car but after such a highly modded car it didn't offer higher thrills I'd hoped infact it felt tame!! . a gt3 would but, unfortunately I'm no longer in the position to buy one like a once was. Today modifying a z4m to this level again is now not really viable either in reality , the engine mods are knocking on 10k with all the bells and whistles and today's exchange rate factored in, when you consider the cars value today, you'd be spending the cars value and then some in mods.... wheres the sense in that unless you keep for many many years to realise your money spend in "fun".

I have almost spent what I paid for my MC in mods. Transformational. Essential.

 

[Franzino]

Nice to know that with some 17000 mods on our beautiful cars, you can save 85.000 and avoid buying a P car..

If I need to guess; the total money that went into Beedub Z4M (with the car + all the mods) can be around 55.000...?

 

[Franzino]

. a gt3 would but, unfortunately I'm no longer in the position to buy one like a once was. Today modifying a z4m to this level again is now not really viable either in reality , the engine mods are knocking on 10k with all the bells and whistles and today's exchange rate factored in, when you consider the cars value today, you'd be spending the cars value and then some in mods.... wheres the sense in that unless you keep for many many years to realise your money spend in "fun".

In the past I always had the impression you are doing financially very well and spending big piles of cash on your Z4M was easy...and also not the only expensive car you owned.... Was this not the case? Or did I have the wrong impression?

 

[Beedub]

. a gt3 would but, unfortunately I'm no longer in the position to buy one like a once was. Today modifying a z4m to this level again is now not really viable either in reality , the engine mods are knocking on 10k with all the bells and whistles and today's exchange rate factored in, when you consider the cars value today, you'd be spending the cars value and then some in mods.... wheres the sense in that unless you keep for many many years to realise your money spend in "fun".

In the past I always had the impression you are doing financially very well and spending big piles of cash on your Z4M was easy...and also not the only expensive car you owned.... Was this not the case? Or did I have the wrong impression?

what a strange thing to ask...... and actually kinda rude , i think the paragraph above answers your question, i dont wish to really talk any further about where i am financially on a public internet forum. Lets stick to the thread about a highly modded z4 Vs a cayman Gt4.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I had a poke around a blue GT4 yesterday, it’s a really impressive looking car. I must take one for a test drive soon :driving:

 

[Franzino]

. a gt3 would but, unfortunately I'm no longer in the position to buy one like a once was. Today modifying a z4m to this level again is now not really viable either in reality , the engine mods are knocking on 10k with all the bells and whistles and today's exchange rate factored in, when you consider the cars value today, you'd be spending the cars value and then some in mods.... wheres the sense in that unless you keep for many many years to realise your money spend in "fun".

In the past I always had the impression you are doing financially very well and spending big piles of cash on your Z4M was easy...and also not the only expensive car you owned.... Was this not the case? Or did I have the wrong impression?

what a strange thing to ask...... and actually kinda rude , i think the paragraph above answers your question, i dont wish to really talk any further about where i am financially on a public internet forum. Lets stick to the thread about a highly modded z4 Vs a cayman Gt4.

Sorry; I did not want to be rude...or offend you
I never, ever posted anything here on this forum to offend people. But you started the money talk yourself. Financial situations can change for better of for worse. I don't need to know your current financial status (none of my business). Like I said before; because of your posts in the past I had the impression you were doing indeed very well and money for cars was not a big issue. I thought you also had a Porsche, a GTR, etc...but maybe I was mistaken. So I was wondering to myself; maybe I had the wrong impression...that is all. Almost nobody on this forum knows each other in real live; and when reading posts about their cars you sometimes make a mental image of who that guy is in real live. Again; it maybe came out offensive...but was not the purpose! Let's forget it....or let's delete the post and skip the financial talk.