Test drove a Z4, left a bit disappointed...

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ethan

Member
Hi Guys,

Been considering a Z4 coupe for a while and today managed to have a good test drive in a 3.0si Sport. I was expecting to love it but came away feeling slightly disappointed, maybe this is because my expectations were so high, but would be grateful for your opinion.

My main 2 issues were with the ride quality and the tramlining. I don't mind a firm ride but just found it quite crashy, and the tramlining made it wonder around on the road, particularly on roads with varying camber. Then there was the steering feel, again not as good as I expected but understand this to due to the electric power assistance.

On the upside, it looks great and the engine is absolutely fantastic, quick, torquey and sounded lovely. Good driving position and a lot of luggage space in the back.

I understand from internet research and reading a few threads on this site, that changing the tyres to non run flats improves the ride and reduces tramlining. Does it eradicate the tramlining all together, and is steering feel improved too?

I really want to like this car, the looks, engine, rarity all appeal, but I'm not sure I can forgive the issues, so please tell me that these can be improved! Also, does an M have the same issues? I don't like the idea of the running costs, but if it does not have the same drawbacks then maybe it's worth the extra.
 
I have non-runflats and experience virtually no tramlining at all. I got a bit when the tyres were sticker new, but now that I think about it, I do not recall a single episode in quite a long time. I'm not quite ready to say it's completely eliminated, but it certainly isn't an issue.

Ride quality is very subjective, it's certainly better than runflats, but will you find it acceptable? I don't know. To me, it's sort of stiff, but completely acceptable for the level of performance. YMMV.

I can't say if the steering feel has changed as there were non-runflats on the car when I bought it. The ///M steering is definitely superior no matter what tyres are mounted.
 
Use of non runlfats will improve the ride no end along with very much reduced tramlining.

The weight of the steering is also greatly improved with the use of the Sport button. I used to use it all the time in my old car just to increase the steering weight.
 
My main 2 issues were with the ride quality and the tramlining. I don't mind a firm ride but just found it quite crashy, and the tramlining made it wonder around on the road, particularly on roads with varying camber. Then there was the steering feel, again not as good as I expected but understand this to due to the electric power assistance.
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Did it have Bridgestone Potenzas the OEM tyres ? if so they are the root of the problem
Latest RFTs give a much better .......everything and if you are happy to go non RFT others have already contributed their guidance
 
after a day of driving my shoulders used to ache from fighting the tram lining. Non run flats are massively better.

This is going to be controversial, but you should try the 3.0 SI SE for comparison. We had one of each, and the SE is a slightly softer ride.
 
Good advice RE the harder ride on sport spec ,i deliberately set ot to get the SE with our E91 purely for the better ride ,
On the Z front the difference from RF to standard is night & day , ,, http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=41356&hilit=switch+to+non+runflats+is+complete
 
I have Avon Z3's fitted and experience no tramlining.

I too was a little concerned about the ride before I test drove the Sport versions but I didn't find them at all uncomfortable and I'm more than happy with it a month into ownership.

You really do need to be sure though - think the recommendation to try the SE is a good one - but make sure you are comparing RF v's non RFs on both cars if possible

Good luck
 
i never noticed it at first, perhaps due to the excitement of finally buying the car i've wanted since i was a teenager, but the electric power steering really is crap. it's only a year later that i've been getting annoyed at how little steering feedback you get.

i had a puma before and loved chucking it around and it felt great to drive.

shame really as that's the only thing i don't like about the car :(
 
Thanks for the responses all. They were Bridgestone run flats, no idea if they are the original spec or newer ones. Consensus seems to be that non run flats do seem to remove the tramlining which is good. About the ride, I really don't mind a firm ride, I've owend Type R's and a Lotus before, which had firm rides but were in no way as crashy as the Z4. Maybe this is down to the tyres too.

The steering does worry me a bit as there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done about it, its a shame they've put electronic steering on it. I hear that the 135i coupe has hydraulic steering, so maybe I should try that but it just doesn't have the visual appeal of the Z4 coupe!
 
If it's hydraulic steering you are after in a Z4 Coupe then you need the Z4MC, and it doesn't have run flats too as an added bonus!
 
original guvnor said:
If it's hydraulic steering you are after in a Z4 Coupe then you need the Z4MC, and it doesn't have run flats too as an added bonus!
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Yes maybe I need to try one, just concerned by the increase in running costs!
 
ethan said:
Thanks for the responses all. They were Bridgestone run flats, no idea if they are the original spec or newer ones. Consensus seems to be that non run flats do seem to remove the tramlining which is good. About the ride, I really don't mind a firm ride, I've owend Type R's and a Lotus before, which had firm rides but were in no way as crashy as the Z4. Maybe this is down to the tyres too.

The steering does worry me a bit as there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done about it, its a shame they've put electronic steering on it. I hear that the 135i coupe has hydraulic steering, so maybe I should try that but it just doesn't have the visual appeal of the Z4 coupe!
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The Bridgestones are the cause of tramlining and everything else There are no updated Bridgestones yet
I switched to Michelin RFT and the ride is fine, no tramlining and transformed the handling and feel of the car
 
With regards to costs, I'm in a similar position to you, deciding between the 3.0si sport and the ///MC.

Based on an annual mileage of £12k, I reckon the running costs of the 3.0 to be about £480 PCM (inclusive of pro-rata saving for servicing Tax, Insurance and consumables, petrol costs etc.). Whereas the ///MC in comparison will be about £600 PCM.

Having taken both out for a drive, I must say the ///MC is in a completely different league to the 3.0 in both looks and performance/ feel.

Needless to say, I'm saving a bit extra and going for an ///MC :thumbsup:

Hope this helps a bit
 
The coupe, even with the M shocks and runflats, feels soft - too soft! - and comfortable after moving from my V6 Tiburon... so it's very subjective. Tramlining is inherent in the car's nasty character, it's even a bit fun, it's involving. It's not a Mercedes. :driving: The M does not have runflats by default, but it's not any softer! :evil: :evil: :evil:

The 3.0si lacks any steering feedback without the "Sport" button, which improves the artificial feedback a bit.

Try the 3.0si, try the //M - see what suits you, both performance- and budget-wise. It's your call.

I would've gone for the M, just for the steering and the LSD (not to mention the extra horsepower) but a decent one in my area is rarer than hen's teeth.
 
I might have another think about costs, I only do about 5k miles a year and it would mostly be a weekend car. The extra road tax and fuel costs won't bother me too much, but it's the servicing that has concerned me. However, looking into it am I right saying that the M would only need servicing every 2 years on 5k pa mileage? seems odd that I could potentially go 4 years between inspection services. Is changing the oil on them every 2 years really ok, seems like a long period.
 
ethan, welcome to the forum.... :thumbsup:
BMW suggest that the oil in the ///M be changed every year regardless of the number of miles driven... :driving:
 
WLH said:
ethan, welcome to the forum.... :thumbsup:
BMW suggest that the oil in the ///M be changed every year regardless of the number of miles driven... :driving:
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Luckily an oil change is pennies compared to the inspections :thumbsup: .

If you plan to use the car as a weekender on <5k per year, going for an ///M is a no brainer imo.
 
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