First week - early impressions and questios

[Ouroux71]

Hi folks...

Locked down in France I have the time to write a bit about my recent purchase.

The vehicle is a an E89 Z4 23Sdrive. 2009. The car is a 2 owner car with 50,000 miles and FSH (last indi local dealer). Finished in metallic black with cream coloured leather. The factory options are: wind deflector, auto wipers/lights, extended light pack, storage pack, ski hatch, PDC, headlamp wash and heated seats, auto climate dual zone and BMW Professional radio. The car has non BMW 19'' alloys. Priced at the equivalent of £18K it's much more expensive than a UK sourced car - European prices are much higher and 2nd hand cars hold their value much more. I suppose it will pay divdends later when I resale it again.... perhaps....

So my experience so far:

Everything works (great news). I love the open driving (never had a open top car before so it's a new experience for me and my children). It doesn't feel too dated for an older style car. Despite most people ribbing the 2.5L engine I am quite happy with it for a simple roadster - although I do miss the modern turbo urge at low revs. The 6 cylinder engine is lovely. The interior is close to new condition and the engine/mechanics all seem in VGC.....

Economy - well not modern day economy (10L/100km, 28mpg imperial) but since it will only do a few thousand km/year I don't care about that. I have a insurance policy full coverage with a Bluetooth box that registers jouneys - £20 month and 0.01€/minute for driving - so that's cheap enough.

Now on to the bad: The car crashes badly on potholes and bad road surfaces - yes the 19inch wheels won't help that (they have Hankook EVO 1 tyres that I don't care for and they are showing their age with mild cracking even though there is plenty tread on them). I had the car up on ramps yesterday. The rear on ramps via the rear central lift point (I couldn't get my low profile trolley jack under the front centre one). The suspension is stock as it is marked BMW.
The handling on B roads is not great and does not insprire condidence even if it rides flat.
I have ordered another battery as my battery tester shows it down to 30% CCA compared to new.

Planned improvements:

Interior
Infotainment will be fitted - Android nav, bluetooth (with improved radio headset) etc.
USB socket for phone charging
Upgrade side speakers
replace tired steering wheel
Improve exterior lighting for indicators/headlamps/rear lights
Improve interior bulbs
2013 revised style side indicators
Change badges on wheels and bodywork
Buy English handbook (I have the PDF but only a German handbook)
Replace gearbox oil and diff oil (other oils/coolants/brake fluid checked ok)
And replace those famous salmon roof relays

Exterior:
Paint in good shape but I've purchased a D/A polisher to correct the painwork

Mechanics:
It's all about the suspension/handling and here I would welcome thoughts advice: Note I don't do any track days or racing

Firstly who knows about this, https://www.superproeurope.com/news.read.cfm?articleid=4 and their assorted https://www.superproeurope.com/products.cfm?vehicleid=1430
It would seem these polymer bushings are interesting?

Next up: sway bars, anti-rolls etc - this is a minefield for me. Layman's guide welcome :? :? :?

Next: Coils and shocks - any thoughts?

Brakes - Is it worth paying a bit extra for drilled higher quality discs when they need replacing? I do brake work myself.....

Finally what's worth getting done at the same time as this work? The exhaust is good but the rear suspension cradle has light surface rust. I'll be coming to the UK sometime after the human malware has passed - anyone have a recommened indi garage for this sort of suspension work.

Regards

Mark

 

[tintoverano]

Now on to the bad: The car crashes badly on potholes and bad road surfaces - yes the 19inch wheels won't help that (they have Hankook EVO 1 tyres that I don't care for and they are showing their age with mild cracking even though there is plenty tread on them).
The handling on B roads is not great and does not insprire condidence even if it rides flat.

welcome on board

I got 19" wheels too, consider https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=120791

 

[Ouroux71]

Now on to the bad: The car crashes badly on potholes and bad road surfaces - yes the 19inch wheels won't help that (they have Hankook EVO 1 tyres that I don't care for and they are showing their age with mild cracking even though there is plenty tread on them).
The handling on B roads is not great and does not insprire condidence even if it rides flat.

welcome on board

I got 19" wheels too, consider https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=120791

Thanks, I saw that post. I'm going to look at tackling all the issues as a job lot. I feel that this item alone is not going to be enough....

 

[RobbiZ4]

 

[tintoverano]

I second Robbi, non-RFT is a must

my 19" wheels are non-RFTs and still felt uncomfortable as Mark

 

[Tinker15]

Under normal circumstances we live in France for 6 months of the year near Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. We would have been going out on the 24th April but obviously this is not going to happen. The Z4 normally comes over for the summer months and what a joy it is on the quiet roads where we live. The car has stock suspension and 19inch wheels and we don’t experience the problems you are having. It will never have a soft ride but for a sports car it is pretty good.

As others have pointed out RFTs are the killer particularly if, as you say, they are getting old and hard. Before spending loads of cash on suspension modifications change the tyres. It will make a difference!

Photo of our car on Mont Ventoux last year. Now I can only dream!

 

[sw4nny]

Before you do anything else address the tyre issue.as said above

 

[Ouroux71]

Thanks folks..... Just to be clear the tyres are not run-flat - they are Hankook Evo so they won't be run flat I imagine or could they be run-flat? How can you tell are they marked run flat?

If they are run-flat they will be getting changed and the ones I have now will be getting changed in any case whether run-flat or not. Such a lot to do for the car - nothing essential but the car will be a much better animal when finished.

 

[Busterboo]

Old tyres or new, your 19" wheels just can't put enough rubber between you and French B roads (or the echoing potholes of English A roads).

So, don't waste money on new 19" tyres. Buy some 18" wheels with tyres and discover how good the E89 can be.

 

[RobbiZ4]

 

[Ouroux71]

Thanks folks..... Just to be clear the tyres are not run-flat - they are Hankook Evo so they won't be run flat I imagine or could they be run-flat? How can you tell are they marked run flat?

Can be RFT as well. To be checked on the tyres ("runflat" or "RF") or on the last invoice.

No need to go back to 18", as the 19" on my car are from stock.
Just a RFT example:
https://www.autoreifenfinder.de/hankook/ventus-s1-evo2-k117/255-30-r19-91y-129890/

Thanks Robbi, I'll check the tyres

 

[Rassi]

Your wheels are actually genuine BMW, Style 276. I have the same and quite like them! If the Hankook tyres are RFT, change them. I went from RFT Bridgestone Potenza to Michelin PS4S and big difference in ride and general smoothness.

 

[Ouroux71]

Your wheels are actually genuine BMW, Style 276. I have the same and quite like them! If the Hankook tyres are RFT, change them. I went from RFT Bridgestone Potenza to Michelin PS4S and big difference in ride and general smoothness.

Hello Rassi.... How's Belgium tonight?
I checked the tyres - I couldn't see runflat or any mention of that on the tyres. I did notice they were produced week 44 2013 so almost 7 years old - they show light cracking. I don't have much to say for Hankook and will try to find something better when I changed them. I will perhaps try the Michelin PS4S you refer to - they cost more but my Z4 is a 2nd car so tyre use will be minimum.
Did you do any suspension mods?
Thanks, Mark

 

[MACK]

Your wheels are actually genuine BMW, Style 276. I have the same and quite like them! If the Hankook tyres are RFT, change them. I went from RFT Bridgestone Potenza to Michelin PS4S and big difference in ride and general smoothness.

Hello Rassi.... How's Belgium tonight?
I checked the tyres - I couldn't see runflat or any mention of that on the tyres. I did notice they were produced week 44 2013 so almost 7 years old - they show light cracking. I don't have much to say for Hankook and will try to find something better when I changed them. I will perhaps try the Michelin PS4S you refer to - they cost more but my Z4 is a 2nd car so tyre use will be minimum.
Did you do any suspension mods?
Thanks, Mark

Hi,

With Hankook you'll usually find the letters HRS written on them if they're runflats. If comfort is your main aim Id recommend Goodyear F1 over PS4

 

[Silverstar]

Your wheels are actually genuine BMW, Style 276. I have the same and quite like them! If the Hankook tyres are RFT, change them. I went from RFT Bridgestone Potenza to Michelin PS4S and big difference in ride and general smoothness.

Hello Rassi.... How's Belgium tonight?
I checked the tyres - I couldn't see runflat or any mention of that on the tyres. I did notice they were produced week 44 2013 so almost 7 years old - they show light cracking. I don't have much to say for Hankook and will try to find something better when I changed them. I will perhaps try the Michelin PS4S you refer to - they cost more but my Z4 is a 2nd car so tyre use will be minimum.
Did you do any suspension mods?
Thanks, Mark

Hi,

With Hankook you'll usually find the letters HRS written on them if they're runflats. If comfort is your main aim Id recommend Goodyear F1 over PS4

I have to say I have the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy 3s and the ride comfort is just fine. I have 18" though so not sure how much difference they will be with 19" although I do remember someone here (Mr Wilks I think) recommending to go for 35 profile rear tyres on 19" to improve the ride comfort. Whatever you do make sure they are not run flats, I think that is the common theme here.

 

[Busterboo]

I checked the tyres ... I did notice they were produced week 44 2013 so almost 7 years old - they show light cracking.

The industry standard maximum age for tyres, whatever their mileage, is 6 years.

 

[obelix54]

I just replaced my 18"runflat wheels & tyres for 19" non-runflats and the difference is like night & day. All that banging & crashing I was getting has gone.

 

[Arsouille]

great car 8)

 

[flybobbie]

At 50k my 23i rear shocks were worn, new Bilsteins made a lot of difference.
So impressed with rears i later replaced the fronts.
Knew the old were worn because the traction light would come on, on the bumpy road i drive to work.

 

[Ouroux71]

Thanks everyone for all your replies. I can't see any sign of the letters RF or HRS or such like so I have to assume they are not run flat....

I do take onboard that these tyres are too old now. They will be replaced when the garages here are open again..

I was considering the Goodyear Eagle F1 as they report to be quieter tyres than the very top of the price range tyres...
I could change to smaller alloys but I just don't want to as the ones installed look so good - stupid I know. If I had bought the car and it came with 18'' wheels I wouldn't have changed to 19'' but the car came with these wheels so for the moment it'll stay on 19''

Still wondering if people have done must work with polymer bushings and control arms/radius arms and anti-roll bars etc..
I will also change the shocks and springs... I don't want to lower the car but new shocks will help for sure....

Regards, Mark