Making the car better

[petrolhead]

I have now had the Z4 for a while and as I have got used to it I have started to push it more.

My finding so far:

Tyres, I have just replace the Run Flats with no Run Flats. More comfort and more grip.
Brakes, ok but lack feel and soon fade when driving fast B roads. Replace with EBC yellow stuff or alternative
Steering, this is what I need help with. The car steers fine but the front end, especially which driving straight feels loose, slightly unnerving. I have come from a MX5 which just had better front end grip, turned in better. The Z4 feels like its going to understeer

So, is the suspension adjustable, ie caster, camber etc. What would be a good to in/out setting. Anything else I can do to improve

 

[Stu Boy]

Have you checked your 'lollipop ' bushes on the rear of the front wishbones, they are a common problem and might account for loose feel?

 

[petrolhead]

God, dont talk to me about Lollipop, totally screwes my Galaxy 4

The car has done 27K miles, could they have gone by now?

 

[Stu Boy]

A friend has a low mileage zed, his were shot, loads of play in them

 

[petrolhead]

I'll have a gander this week

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I'd wager bushes perish as a function of mileage and time, especially the hydro ones.

 

[petrolhead]

Well the car is at BMW today for a replace Dynamic Suspension ECU so I asked them to check the bushes as well

 

[abeardo83]

Instead of altering the car, why not pay for some driving tuition on a track? I found that much better value than modding my s2000 when I had it?

 

[petrolhead]

I have already done a lot of motorspot, karting, single seater, rallying so I think I am ok in that respect

 

[Theivz]

i kind of get that feeling of understeer too .i think its body roll, rwd and front nose height when pushing through corners ...

im no expert but lowering nose may help plus ?arbs/strut brace. bushes have been mentioned as above

 

[petrolhead]

Well I got the car back from BMW, they did say the steering electronics were a bit out and I now have the Non run flatts fitted again and the turn is much better.

 

[imported]

When I saw the thread title I thought you were going to ask about the aesthetics. It seems I'm way off of the typical Z4 owner.

 

[petrolhead]

I have also just fitted Mintex 1144s and the brakes feel much better, just need some anti squeel shims

 

[flybobbie]

Well I got the car back from BMW, they did say the steering electronics were a bit out and I now have the Non run flatts fitted again and the turn is much better.

That's interesting because I have always felt that the centre position on my steering is a bit off.
Wheels are all straight and steering wheel is centred, but the force to turn seems slightly easier to the right and needs more turn than to the left.
Turning left seems to need less wheel movement.
Just put it down to the rubbish eps system.
Perhaps the force sensor needs resetting somehow.
Was going to have a look again at the wiring to the motor, as the sockets are all exposed to the elements and have read somewhere about possible corrosion on the power lead causing heavier steering.