Is it possible to make an auto Z4MR?

[gadgetJunky72]

Hi Folks,

So I've recently had the itch to get my 6th (maybe 7th) Z4. If i could i would get an M roadster, but i'm unable to drive manuals due to back issues. I've had 3 x E89 35i and 1 x E89 35iS so thought i'd go back to an E85. Also partly because they are cheaper and I've just bought a new Supra. I'm also quite up for doing a project car.

So my question is what makes an M roadster special and can i replicate it in a non-M project car. I was thinking of starting with an auto 3.0si and changing the suspension, air intake, exhaust, engine tune to get me to maybe 80-90% of an M roadster.

Or am i just throwing money away?

Thanks

Pav

 

[pvr]

If it is to keep, then it is fine to throw money at it. As a project to sell on - forget it, any "M" look-alike car never sells for the price that it has cost to get to that point.

 

[mmm-five]

Would it not be simpler to put the gearbox from an auto Z4 (GA6HP19Z) into the Z4M (the manual gearbox in both is a GS6-37BZ/DZ), than trying to put all the Z4M bits onto a non-M?

 

[R60BBA]

You could probably swap an SMG into the Z4M.

However it would make much more financial sense to buy buy an SMG E46 M3 Cab instead.

 

[brillomaster]

Surely the thing that makes a z4m special is a proper M engine. Wheels and suspension are easy to change to suit.

That said, it would surely be easier to buy a z4m roadster and swap in an autobox, than buy a 3.0si and swap in an S54 engine... if you do that, might as well buy a 2.2i auto as a starting point.

And if you arent that fussed by the engine, then just go for a 3.0si auto. Still a quick car.

But no, a modded m54 or n52(?) Engine will never replicate a full fat S54 engine.

 

[buzyg]

Would it not be simpler to put the gearbox from an auto Z4 (GA6HP19Z) into the Z4M (the manual gearbox in both is a GS6-37BZ/DZ), than trying to put all the Z4M bits onto a non-M?

This has to be the only real viable way to achieve what you are after. It will require time and money to do though. So as you say your budget is limited along side your new Supra, may be a none starter.

Starting with any other E85 there would be so much to buy and swap over, that it makes no sense at all from here.

Body panels and badges
Wing mirrors
Engine
Exhaust system, routed differently under the car too, so several more bits needed under there.
Suspension
Brakes
Wheels
Power steering system
Steering wheel
Even those lovely ///M logo-ed sports seats. 8)
Oh and the gear nob

 

[Mister T]

A better option would be to convert an M Roadster to DCT.

Places like https://htg-tuning.com/ do standalone DCT controllers, so shouldn't be all that difficult.

 

[groovy_hippy]

I know someone who converted an SMG E46 M3 from auto to manual (it's now a track car), it surely it must be possible to go the other way!

 

[mmm-five]

A better option would be to convert an M Roadster to DCT.

Places like https://htg-tuning.com/ do standalone DCT controllers, so shouldn't be all that difficult.

Looks like they require an OE roboticized manual transmission (or an auto) on the car in the first place, and their ECU just replaces the OE one so that you can customise it.

 

[Mister T]

And a conversion kit for the GS7D36SG gearbox

https://www.facebook.com/adamatperformance/posts/2350638981901836

 

[Mister T]

A better option would be to convert an M Roadster to DCT.

Places like https://htg-tuning.com/ do standalone DCT controllers, so shouldn't be all that difficult.

Looks like they require an OE roboticized manual transmission (or an auto) on the car in the first place, and their ECU just replaces the OE one so that you can customise it.

It's a standalone gearbox controller, they have BMW DCT gearboxes fitted to all sorts of different engines (2JZ, 1UZ, HEMI, LSX, etc.).

 

[ph001]

The peak torque to weight ratio of the 3.0Si and M are virtually identical:

3.0Si - 0.181 lbft/kg
Z4M - 0.186 lbft/kg

...so it's really only after 5000 rpm where you will really feel the difference in an M. I think the noise from the 3.0Si with the resonator is just as good and it's a whole lot smoother to drive as a daily. Of course the M has other benefits like hydraulic power steering but I would say you get 90% of the experience in a 3.0Si and you can have an auto right out of the box.

 

[mmm-five]

It's a standalone gearbox controller, they have BMW DCT gearboxes fitted to all sorts of different engines (2JZ, 1UZ, HEMI, LSX, etc.).

Sorry, thought you were suggesting the controller was all that was needed

A DCT would be nice for the motorway/city centre commute.

 

[mmm-five]

The peak torque to weight ratio of the 3.0Si and M are virtually identical:

3.0Si - 0.181 lbft/kg
Z4M - 0.186 lbft/kg

...so it's really only after 5000 rpm where you will really feel the difference in an M. I think the noise from the 3.0Si with the resonator is just as good and it's a whole lot smoother to drive as a daily. Of course the M has other benefits like hydraulic power steering but I would say you get 90% of the experience in a 3.0Si and you can have an auto right out of the box.

You can have 90% of the fun with a dead Victoria Coren Mitchell as you can with an alive one - but I think I'll take the non-necro option

 

[srhutch]

I know someone who converted an SMG E46 M3 from auto to manual (it's now a track car), it surely it must be possible to go the other way!

That’s different as the gearbox is not replaced, just modified to manual, but there was never an SMG for the Z4///M.

My understanding on the Z4///M gearbox is that space is very limited so not sure what options are available.

 

[Mister T]

I know someone who converted an SMG E46 M3 from auto to manual (it's now a track car), it surely it must be possible to go the other way!

That’s different as the gearbox is not replaced, just modified to manual, but there was never an SMG for the Z4///M.

My understanding on the Z4///M gearbox is that space is very limited so not sure what options are available.

Too expensive for BMW to make a new transmission tunnel, but not a problem for any competent fabricator.

 

[PDJ]

What is the difference in the chassis shape between an M and a 3.0ltr in the transmission area?

The steel work I would think is the same for all of the Z’s just brackets etc that changes.

So for my money you would need to remove the manual box ( keep in case you ever need to put it back to sell it) and see if the auto box from the Z that has the closest power etc to the S54 engined M cars will fit, after that it should just be prop shaft and brackets under the car and gear stick (auto one) and trim in the car along with making it work ecu and electrics the hard bit I would suggest.

Simplistic answer I know...

 

[gadgetJunky72]

I should have said I wasn't thinking about engine or transmission swaps as that would make it a pretty uneconomical undertaking. I thought I might have been able to recreate the essence/drama of an M by making smaller changes like suspension, induction, etc.

I was actually thinking of an SMG E46 M3 convertible as an out-of-the-box M-car, but I prefer a 2 seater convertible.

 

[tomscott]

I really wanted to like the E46 M3 vert but it was really disappointing. The chassis is all over the place really not a compromise thats worth it. I fell in love with convertibles with my 996 C4S you would think it would be similar as a car designed as a coupe and lopping the roof off but it is 10 times better. It’s a heavy car but the chassis is not compromised, I find it a great GT and love long road trips in it, even blasting country roads with the great exhaust sound track. I had a Z4Mc originally and the vert never really interested me... then I ended up buying one as it ended up being the obvious choice. I test drove a 35i and although a great car in its own right it just didn’t push my buttons after the E86.

I would seriously consider having test driving one. The m3 vert was a no in the first mile for me this one also was an SMG and I think it’s probably the worst combination. Shame the coupe is probably one of my fav cars ever made many memories as a kid as it was my dads first sports car.

A DCT Z4M would be a very intriguing car.

 

[R60BBA]

I know someone who converted an SMG E46 M3 from auto to manual (it's now a track car), it surely it must be possible to go the other way!

That’s different as the gearbox is not replaced, just modified to manual, but there was never an SMG for the Z4///M.

My understanding on the Z4///M gearbox is that space is very limited so not sure what options are available.

Too expensive for BMW to make a new transmission tunnel, but not a problem for any competent fabricator.

The SMG box itself is exactly the same, just robotised...