M Drivers Package

[Mr Tidy]

So I was reading through the supplementary handbook for M models earlier as you do when you are like a kid with a new toy, and I noticed that the top speed of the MR and MC is the usual limited 155 mph/250 kmh. But for the MC it said 171 mph/275 kph with the M Drivers Package. Which probably explains why there is a 180 mph speedo!

And I was idly wondering how you find out if your car has that package - would it show on a VIN decoder?

 

[mmm-five]

It should show in the VIN decoder.

It removes the limiter in 6th only, but you can go almost as fast if you just take it to the red line in 5th.

You could get the limiter removed as part of a remap.

 

[Mr Tidy]

It should show in the VIN decoder.

Thanks for the speedy reply.

It looks like my car doesn't have it then, but I don't think it will be a problem unless I go to Germany! :lol:

 

[abar121]

Top speed is in fifth anyway and is unlimited. Enjoy!

 

[buzyg]

They will all do 171 ish as far as I know. The ///M is geared to do 171 ish in 5th gear before it hits the limiter. The 155 speed limiter only seems to affect 6th gear. I doubt the car could pull 6th to that speed any way. I once took mine to 167 and it was still pulling, but did not feel overly stable with the roof down at that speed, so I left a bit in the tank. :wink:

 

[Mr Tidy]

They will all do 171 ish as far as I know. The ///M is geared to do 171 ish in 5th gear before it hits the limiter. The 155 speed limiter only seems to affect 6th gear. I doubt the car could pull 6th to that speed any way. I once took mine to 167 and it was still pulling, but did not feel overly stable with the roof down at that speed, so I left a bit in the tank.

Right, all 4 mph of it! :lol:

 

[buzyg]

They will all do 171 ish as far as I know. The ///M is geared to do 171 ish in 5th gear before it hits the limiter. The 155 speed limiter only seems to affect 6th gear. I doubt the car could pull 6th to that speed any way. I once took mine to 167 and it was still pulling, but did not feel overly stable with the roof down at that speed, so I left a bit in the tank.

Right, all 4 mph of it! :lol:

The point is, I'm pretty sure any healthy ///M would run into the limiter with shove to spare. possibly wouldn't remain healthy for too long at that speed though, so once was enough for me.

 

[Mr Tidy]

The point is, I'm pretty sure any healthy ///M would run into the limiter with shove to spare. possibly wouldn't remain healthy for too long at that speed though, so once was enough for me.

No, I know what you mean.

A bit of mechanical sympathy is always a good thing, but research can be a temptation! :wink:

 

[Argenta]

I’ve done 270 in 6th. Pretty std Coupe as far as I know..

 

[exdos]

I’ve done 270 in 6th. Pretty std Coupe as far as I know..

270kph? We use MPH on here...

 

[mmm-five]

I’ve done 270 in 6th. Pretty std Coupe as far as I know..

The standard limiter doesn't seem to be very active.

If I'm flat out in 5th (showing about 175mph/282kph on the speedo), then drop it into 6th, the speed will drop and no matter how much I mash the throttle, it will not go any faster than about 165mph/169kph on the clock.

But it takes a long time to get there - and I'll only do it on a clear autobahn, in good weather! The new suspension & ride height...and a bit of rake front to back seems to have made the front end a bit less flighty approaching those speeds too.

 

[abar121]

It's perfectly driveable at those speeds, but not the most stable car.

My GF had no problem cruising at an indicated 160mph in my old 993C2. It was solid as a rock, felt the same as 120mph really and relatively quiet too. The first time I took the Z4M above 140mph, her first comment was, it's not stable like the Porsche, wasn't happy

I had some fun in a C63. We thought it was limited to 155mph, so a quick trip to the limiter and back down was in order. It just flew past, right up to an indicated 185mph before lifting. We later got the throttle derestricted (~63% max stock) and the remaining 300KPH limiter on the gearbox removed. Looking at the forums, the 155mph limit seems to be a myth with those.

 

[thrill]

The point is, I'm pretty sure any healthy ///M would run into the limiter with shove to spare. possibly wouldn't remain healthy for too long at that speed though, so once was enough for me.

My BMW 323 was well tuned and could hold 150 mph on the autobahn all day ... until one day it couldn't, and dropped a valve. I'd still swear the front end lifted off the ground a couple of inches.

 

[enzed4]

I’ve done 270 in 6th. Pretty std Coupe as far as I know..

270kph? We use MPH on here...

The 19th century called and wants it's speed measurement back...

 

[Argenta]

It's perfectly driveable at those speeds, but not the most stable car.

My GF had no problem cruising at an indicated 160mph in my old 993C2. It was solid as a rock, felt the same as 120mph really and relatively quiet too. The first time I took the Z4M above 140mph, her first comment was, it's not stable like the Porsche, wasn't happy

I agree, as std the front lift of the Z4M Coupe is a bit much - steering wheel became very light above 250...

However, after lowering (20mm Eibach Pro) AND then adding a rubber front spoiler (own design) in the manner of 991 Turbo etc, the car did become super stable even at 270. The carbon splitter available many people use will do the same job if not even better.
So - it's perfectly fixable.

 

[buzyg]

The point is, I'm pretty sure any healthy ///M would run into the limiter with shove to spare. possibly wouldn't remain healthy for too long at that speed though, so once was enough for me.

My BMW 323 was well tuned and could hold 150 mph on the autobahn all day ... until one day it couldn't, and dropped a valve. I'd still swear the front end lifted off the ground a couple of inches.

I was following a pug 205 gti many moons ago in my Primera. We were pushing the limits and to cut a long story short, it let go all over my car. I had my boss in the passenger seat. (He drove an Astra GTE at the time. 8) ). We had to pull over to clean the contents of the pugs sump off my windscreen. :lol:

 

[Argenta]

How you fix the front lift forces is upon taste of course.
DIY or the famed carbon splitter.

The upside with the rubber spoiler solution (apart from different look) is of course in everyday driving - it does not crack against speedbumps.

 

[mmm-five]

I know the Z4MC already has a little rubber spoiler (p/n 51113442832 / #23 on picture below) to reduce some front-end lift - and I've had to replace mine multiple times due to kerbs/speed bumps/debris.

BMWFans.info/Realoem says this little rubber strip is not on the Z4MR, so maybe the coupe is twitchier than the Roadster and needs a non-hairdresser to drive it?

 

[Argenta]

Haha.
No, that's a lot less effective than the upper alternatives - it doesn't sit at the front end. So I think that was for drag and/or protection mostly.

And I'm pretty sure both Coupe & Cabrio got it, despite the Cabrio being more twitchy.

 

[Beedub]

I know the Z4MC already has a little rubber spoiler (p/n 51113442832 / #23 on picture below) to reduce some front-end lift - and I've had to replace mine multiple times due to kerbs/speed bumps/debris.

BMWFans.info/Realoem says this little rubber strip is not on the Z4MR, so maybe the coupe is twitchier than the Roadster and needs a non-hairdresser to drive it?

2020-01-10_10-55-53.png

2020-01-10_10-57-37.png

non hair dresser