Got '07 si today--First Impressions

B

Blue42

Member
 Maryland, US
2007 si manual with sport package, M-seats, premium package, 53,000 miles

--It drives good. Lots of torque at normal driving RPMs.
--Coasts well when in neutral and will probably be a good daily driver.
--I don't notice any difference in throttle response or steering with sport mode on or off.
--I miss the hydraulic steering, as anticipated. EDIT: Didn't notice it on the first few rides, but do now. When driving straight it feels unresponsive until you get to a certain force, then it's like you've crossed the threshold where it will digitally accept an input and turn the wheels. Not so great. :EDIT
--Muffler is very quiet. Would prefer it to be a little louder just so I can tell where the engine revs are
--M sport seat cuts into leg by the console, bad. Needs fixing; bad.

The clutch/transmission makes a little clicking/clanking sound with every engine rotation at idle when the clutch is engaged. When I push the clutch pedal in, the sound stops. Don't know if this is normal for a Z4, but it is a little louder than other manuals I've driven. No other problems that I've discovered yet.
 
Noisy DMF is not uncommon with Si Z4s so wouldn't worry too much over that observation
Throttle response in SPORT should make it more eager to pull away , doesn't have effect on steering , i always drove manual Si with it on as it made initial clutch take up seem easier , in autos it was not necessary to use unless you were planning a full chat tear up 60-130mph in quick succession :driving:
 
Reset the adaptive driving thing.

The ticking will go away after 5 minutes driving. Check the oil level and get it changed to decent oil if required.

Clutch chatter is common. Probably nothing to worry about.

:worthless:
 
I do miss my si!

The clutch rattle is common, and I wouldn’t have thought anything to worry about. Most seem to do it. I think 350Zs so this even louder from memory.

As mentioned above, do a reset. The cars learn and adapt to the driver for throttle response.

Sport mode ... I’m sure it stiffens up the electric steering doesn’t it ?
 
-Tom- said:
Sport mode ... I’m sure it stiffens up the electric steering doesn’t it ?
Click to expand...

Ive never noticed any difference to steering on any Si with sport on / off :? it does have effect on E89 steering
 
mr wilks said:
-Tom- said:
Sport mode ... I’m sure it stiffens up the electric steering doesn’t it ?
Click to expand...

Ive never noticed any difference to steering on any Si with sport on / off :? it does have effect on E89 steering
Click to expand...

It made mine heavier, but not a lot.
 
mr wilks said:
-Tom- said:
Sport mode ... I’m sure it stiffens up the electric steering doesn’t it ?
Click to expand...

Ive never noticed any difference to steering on any Si with sport on / off :? it does have effect on E89 steering
Click to expand...

I must be getting confused with my mini :? Memory is terrible sometimes :tumbleweed:
 
Thanks gentlemen. I know the BMW motorcycles are known for having clunky transmissions. I've ridden three or four and can vouch for that. They shift fine but you can hear the clanking into gear. Maybe the cars are the same. First to second is the most noticeable. But I think my clutch is worn, even at 53k miles, which makes it harder to shift smoothly.

It's not a fast car, which I miss some, being used to Chevy V8's. But on back roads I can't even safely go through more than three gears as it is. In a Corvette you wouldn't even be able to get out of first before you're at 60mph and have to let off.
I was also going to put a limited slip in it, but I'm not sure I could break the tires loose without serious commitment to it anyway, and without being a little hard on the car.
With the top down the cavity behind my left ear between the folded top and the front of the quarter panel makes a pretty loud crackling sound in the wind. If I turn and cover it with my hand it stops. Will have to make something to tuck in there.
Thanks for that throttle reset tip. I'll look at the link.
And I'll see if I can get a picture posted up here.
 
The site made the pictures easy.
I don't care for the wheels much. I like the oiginal 108 style better.
 

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Very nice, welcome... am sure this place will relive you of some cash for new boots
 
Welcome to the forum, love the interior colour combo and I see you are a member of the rare wood club :)
 
Thanks. I think the wood breaks up too long of an expanse of blank aluminum in the other trims.
Drove it again a couple times tonight and am starting to notice the steering not being so great when driving in a straight line. Seems like it gives no response to input until you cross a threshold of force that it will accept. Then and only then will it turn the wheels.
But it's probably the smoothest engine I've ever driven and it handles great.
 
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