Looking at buying my first z4

[Nick7602]

Hi Guys

I need some help please.

I have found a 3.0i Msport for sale, coming from a Porsche Cayman S, how good is the handling on these cars, the Porsche was a beautiful driving experience, how good is the E89 Z4s handling? Or would i be left wanting? Im not a balls out driver or tarmac terrorist, I don't do track days, however I do drive spiritedly occasionally


Thank you all for reading my post

Kind Regards

Nick

 

[Marcoose]

Hey, Nick. There are a few recent threads on the subject of buying an E89. Myself I went from an E85 to an E89 a little over a year ago. I’m loving it, but it came with surprises. OEM grip and DCT were disappointing, IMO. The mods in the sig cost approx US$7K. Ouch. But now she turns like a dream.

The E89 is more like a GT than a proper sports car.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Nick7602]

Hi Marcoose

Wow….all the way from Frisco,

Thank you so much for replying to my post, mmmm ok, so i guess as in your sig changing things like dampers, springs, swaybars, control arms and bushings will sort the car out and make her handle like a dream.

Again thank you Marcoose for replying so quickly, I will post some pics up if she turns out to be a stunner.

Kind Regards

Nick

 

[B21]

The 30i has conventional springs and dampers and isn't quite as nose biased as Marcoose 35is plus quite a bit less torque.

So whilst no Porkster the chassis is much more stable and less wanting than the 35is with the, IMHO, poor adaptive dampers and more power and torque than that chassis can cope with stock.

There are a number of 'standard mods' that improve things quite a bit, depending on your budget..but as you say dampers/springs/sway bars/steering components/wheels/tyres all can be changed for a very positive effect, on all models of the E89

 

[Marcoose]

Hi Marcoose

Wow….all the way from Frisco,

Thank you so much for replying to my post, mmmm ok, so i guess as in your sig changing things like dampers, springs, swaybars, control arms and bushings will sort the car out and make her handle like a dream.

Again thank you Marcoose for replying so quickly, I will post some pics up if she turns out to be a stunner.

Kind Regards

Nick

Here’s what’s funny. Nobody here says Frisco. I thought they did until I’ve moved here.

Anyhoo … I reckon the mods will depend on your driving style and what you want out of the car. This E89 is exclusively for street. Nevertheless, it was clear, as expected, the RFs provided insufficient grip for my style. So PS4S went in. And, as told, there’s no camber adjustment in the front. So the monoballs and camber plates went in. And we’ve tried better springs, H&R, but they are incompatible with the stock shocks, so the KW went in. Everything else is stock. She turns like a beauty, at least at street pace. And the comfort is still there.

The engine and trannie maps helped too. And the aux LFB, what a difference !

I drive spiritedly, not like a madman. I don’t want a ticket or a crash. I think I’m yet to go WOT.

With all that, I’m very happy with the car and the set up. Again, the E89 is a nice GT straight out of the box. It takes work to turn it into a proper sportscar.

 

[Nick7602]

Hi B21, & Marcoose

Loved the comment about San Fransisco that really made me smile.

This information is exactly the sort of thing I need guys and you really have been so helpful, I think I would buy the car just based on the communication on this forum, it really is part of the whole ownership experience when you meet other like minded car guys and you share knowledge like this, its truly invaluable…..thank you both so much.

I am definitely up for making the car my type of car, and so I'm really looking forward to creating her using quality aftermarket parts.

Im definitely a spirited driver to when its safe to do so……..thanks again guys……totally awesome responses……now wheres my Cheque Book.