Hi from a newbie looking at Z4MC

[silentandy]

Firstly Hello

I'm a newbie here, but have posted a few times in other forums.

I have always been interested in the Z4M Coupe, with a liking for the roadster too.... Although I dont know too much about them.

Being a member of other forums, I thought it best to seek some advice from people who have some experience with their cars in here Rather than listening to the usual road test blurbs... :|

I would be interested to hear some owners views on what to look for in buying one?
Anything in particular to be aware of?
I would like to use the car on a track day or two, as I have done so with some previous cars and also the present one (not bmw)

Having done Rockingham in an 03 plate M3 (admittedly a known hard braking circuit) It was found to suffer with brake fade after 3 laps. It was kind of expected, but I am wondering if the Z4M will suffer with the same, albeit a lighter car with the same brakes (so I am told, though different years specs probably change).
Do members fit a different pad to overcome this? Or are there some good after market big brake kits with braided hoses etc?
If so, I would like some info on some of the better upgrades to look out for.
Brakes. Further suspension mods like lowering and stiffening up. Exhausts. Trackday wheels and tyres. Then any further engine chipping.

I see it has been mentioned that the Coupe, although stiffer, is heavier than the R. I know that the roof can add weight, but surely any extra stiffening that the R requires along with all the electric rag top would be heavier than just a steel roof?

Thanks for any pointers.

Soon to own a nice Z4M.... I hope

P.S. Please dont try swatting my avatar.... You'll only damage your screen

 

[MarkW]

Hi and welcome

The most important thing by far is if it has had its running in service around 1200 miles. If not the general consensus is to walk away.

I believe the Z4MC has the brakes from the M3 CSL, so maybe they will be more resistant to fade but someone else can probably answer better.

I think the coupe is only 10kg heavier so negligable.

Coupe = good choice 8)

 

[silentandy]

Thanks Mark

Yeah, service history is always a good thing. Especially the first service.

I have been lucky enough in the past to have been able to buy a new car. I changed the oil in this at 500 miles myself, rather than wait for the 1000 mile service. Just for my own peace of mind. Some may call that overkill, but as an ex mechanic I know how much s**t can possibly fly around in a new engine. Todays better toleranced units are so much better than they used to be, hence some manufacturers not offering first services untill umpteen thousand miles...

Interesting point about the possible M3 CSL brake fitment, that would certainly do away with some brake fade.

Anyone know the differences between the std M3 discs and pads, to the M3 CSL ones? Like bigger, lighter perhaps, bigger calipers?

10kg in them eh... Any ideas where that is? I'm not planning on stripping anything out, just curious.

 

[mmm-five]

The ///M has a running in service at 1200 miles to remove the 'running/bedding in' oil, so I wouldn't take that out before it's due, especially if BMW found out as it could mess up warranty claims on engine, gearbox & transmission.

As for the other services, I don't think it would matter. In fact I've already done an interim oil service on mine at 6.5k miles since its 'official' first oil service that was done at 9.5k-ish.

My M5 was done every 3,000 miles, so I'm saving a bit of money that way too

 

[silentandy]

The ///M has a running in service at 1200 miles to remove the 'running/bedding in' oil, so I wouldn't take that out before it's due, especially if BMW found out as it could mess up warranty claims on engine, gearbox & transmission.

Valid point

I wasn't sure if ///M used a specific running in oil, I know now
Though I doubt I'll be buying new this time. Haven't BMW stopped production of the Z4M's now? Or have I got that wrong? :?

 

[mmm-five]

The ///M has a running in service at 1200 miles to remove the 'running/bedding in' oil, so I wouldn't take that out before it's due, especially if BMW found out as it could mess up warranty claims on engine, gearbox & transmission.

Valid point

I wasn't sure if ///M used a specific running in oil, I know now
Though I doubt I'll be buying new this time. Haven't BMW stopped production of the Z4M's now? Or have I got that wrong? :?

Correct, production stopped in June 2007, although you can still get 2008 registered cars and those owners seem happy to pay a £5-10k premium for it, even though it might have come off the production line on the same day as another that's registered in 2007

 

[silentandy]

Correct, production stopped in June 2007, although you can still get 2008 registered cars and those owners seem happy to pay a £5-10k premium for it, even though it might have come off the production line on the same day as another that's registered in 2007

Lol.. Yep, though trade valuations are done on year registered, and will therefore command a higher trade in later (unless the glasses guide doesn't list one for 08, where grey areas may appear). "Cough" up to 10k premium...

I guess that will be because the all new "///M" may not be released untill 2010-11 (so I am led to believe), and people will be going with the 3.0si untill the sDrive 35i gets here. May iirc :?

 

[Top pup]

Interesting point about the possible M3 CSL brake fitment, that would certainly do away with some brake fade.

Anyone know the differences between the std M3 discs and pads, to the M3 CSL ones? Like bigger, lighter perhaps, bigger calipers?

10kg in them eh... Any ideas where that is? I'm not planning on stripping anything out, just curious.

The CSL brakes use bigger discs, I think they're 348mm instead of 330mm.

The extra weight is from the roof and tailgate, the coupe retains all of the extra stiffening used in the roadster hence not being lighter.

 

[silentandy]

Interesting point about the possible M3 CSL brake fitment, that would certainly do away with some brake fade.

Anyone know the differences between the std M3 discs and pads, to the M3 CSL ones? Like bigger, lighter perhaps, bigger calipers?

10kg in them eh... Any ideas where that is? I'm not planning on stripping anything out, just curious.

The CSL brakes use bigger discs, I think they're 348mm instead of 330mm.

The extra weight is from the roof and tailgate, the coupe retains all of the extra stiffening used in the roadster hence not being lighter.

Thanks Top pup,

I can see that now.

Yeah, the extra diameter will help. I'm guessing they must use different calipers to cope with that, along with a bigger area pads.
I suspect that there are a host of aftermaket pads to upgrade to then, if the CSL set up is used.
Any recommendations from anyone? EBC? Pagid RS?

 

[fridaypassion]

My brakes held up very well at Cadwell Friday. In fact I think they needed the workout as they had previously been a bit weak on the road. They are definately performing better now.

 

[mmm-five]

The front brakes are identical to the CSL, unfortunately the Z4MC is a lardy 100kg heavier than the CSL too!

 

[silentandy]

The front brakes are identical to the CSL, unfortunately the Z4MC is a lardy 100kg heavier than the CSL too!

Lol... I'd better stop eating all the pies then....

How does the Z4MC compare to an 03 plate M3 2door weight wise, any ideas?
Only asking because that is my only real comparison after having experienced the brake fade at Rockingham.

 

[mmm-five]

How does the Z4MC compare to an 03 plate M3 2door weight wise, any ideas?

The e86 Z4M Coupé is 1470kg and the e46 M3 Coupé is 1550kg, so 80kg in the Z4MC's favour - the Z4MC is almost the same 50/50 (50.2:49.8 front:back versus 50.1:49.9) distribution as the M3 too although you'll find the Z4MC less progressive as you're over the back wheels.

The Z4MC is supposedly faster to 60mph 100kph and 100mph than the e46 M3, although if the M3 is SMG, then it might be an advantage over a non-race driver using the Z4's manual box.
According to the completely unscientific and mildly-entertaining Top Gear Power Lap board:

• E46 M3 CSL - 1:28.0 (wet, so 1:24.00 dry)
• e92 M3 - 1:25.3
• Z4MC - 1:26.00
• E46 M3 - 1:31.8

However, in a straight line, the:

• e92 M3 beats the CSL - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zGfF4aPsMk
• CSL beats the Z4MC - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG78-kMmYWU
• Z4MC beats the e46 M3 - (can't find the link right now)

Only asking because that is my only real comparison after having experienced the brake fade at Rockingham.

Have you tried changing your braking style, or carrying more speed into the corners

 

[Caddyshk]

How does the Z4MC compare to an 03 plate M3 2door weight wise, any ideas?

The e86 Z4M Coupé is 1470kg and the e46 M3 Coupé is 1550kg, so 80kg in the Z4MC's favour - the Z4MC is almost the same 50/50 (50.2:49.8 front:back versus 50.1:49.9) distribution as the M3 too although you'll find the Z4MC less progressive as you're over the back wheels.

The Z4MC is supposedly faster to 60mph 100kph and 100mph than the e46 M3, although if the M3 is SMG, then it might be an advantage over a non-race driver using the Z4's manual box.
According to the completely unscientific and mildly-entertaining Top Gear Power Lap board:

• E46 M3 CSL - 1:28.0 (wet, so 1:24.00 dry)
• e92 M3 - 1:25.3
• Z4MC - 1:26.00
• E46 M3 - 1:31.8

However, in a straight line, the:

• e92 M3 beats the CSL - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zGfF4aPsMk
• CSL beats the Z4MC - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG78-kMmYWU
• Z4MC beats the e46 M3 - (can't find the link right now)

Only asking because that is my only real comparison after having experienced the brake fade at Rockingham.

Have you tried changing your braking style, or carrying more speed into the corners

I thought the Top Gear test was the roadster?

 

[duckson]

I thought the Z4MC was 1495kg, Z4MR 1485kg?
Also the Z4MR gets the CSL brakes as well.

The Z4 was designed/built as a softop not coupe from the beginning, thats one of the reasons the Coupe isnt lighter

 

[mmm-five]

I thought the Z4MC was 1495kg, Z4MR 1485kg?
Also the Z4MR gets the CSL brakes as well.

The Z4 was designed/built as a softop not coupe from the beginning, thats one of the reasons the Coupe isnt lighter

The BMW Z4M brochure lists the Roadster as 3197lbs/1450kg, and the Coupé as 3230lbs/1465kg. Both ZMs get the CSL front brakes.

I thought the Top Gear test was the roadster?

You're quite right, although there wouldn't be a significant difference in lap times unless they had the roof down

 

[duckson]

The BMW Z4M brochure lists the Roadster as 3197lbs/1450kg, and the Coupé as 3230lbs/1465kg. Both ZMs get the CSL front brakes.

Page 39 of the brochure says 1485kg / 1495kg with the way BMW record the weight.

 

[mmm-five]

Mine's different then...

And according to the same BMW source, the 3.0 Coupé is only 50kg lighter than the Z4MC.

Also the 3.0i Roadster is 30kg lighter than the 3.0si roadster which is 10kg lighter than the 3.0si coupé - plus add in another 20kg if you've gone for the auto. I always thought the non-///Ms were about 100kg lighter than the ///Ms

 

[toplad]

I thought the Z4MC was 1495kg, Z4MR 1485kg?
Also the Z4MR gets the CSL brakes as well.

The Z4 was designed/built as a softop not coupe from the beginning, thats one of the reasons the Coupe isnt lighter

I think 1495 is the right number for the coupe , but BMW quote weights with driver and tank of fuel, IIRC

On the bimmerfest site, some members have weighed there cars and 1495 seems about right

BMW website is generally accepted to be wrong too

 

[mmm-five]

Right, I'd better start that diet then. If I get down to my ideal weight, the Z4MC will go like a CSL