This months Modern classics - Love for the Z4M

[99ron]

Just landed on my doormat. 6 Cyl Coupes - Z4M, Cayman S, 350Z.
Worth a read with lots of love for the Z4M.
Although lots of the usual inaccuracies in the article itself (Comfort mode?) they do at least seem to really get what the car is about.

 

[bmwaddict]

Probably my favourite car mag these days, thanks will check it out!
I'm guessing by "comfort" mode they just mean sports button off? :lol:

 

[survivalist]

Just reading it now. Good to know that sport mode will stiffen up the suspension ?!?!.

Makes me wonder how much the placebo effect plays into these reviews.

Anyone know if the car in question is silver grey or space grey?

 

[RedUn]

Clearly they have driven many new bmws and very few older ones

 

[Felix79]

Clearly they have driven many new bmws and very few older ones

I think this is pretty much the case. People often forget just how basic the Z4 and especially the Z4M's actually were/are.

 

[Argenta]

Subscriber too, great mag tho (with age) I tend to spot more & more inaccuracies.. But hey everybody cannot know everything I suppose.
In Sweden so I’ll have to wait another week for it’s arrival..

 

[mmm-five]

Clearly they have driven many new bmws and very few older ones

On the older e34 M5 (1993-1995 onwards) the sport switch did actually change the suspension & steering feel - although the steering adjustments were only on models with 'swervotronic' steering (speed-variable steering effort).

Most people kept it in sport mode 99% of the time - only leaving it on default in the pouring down rain (or ice/snow) as it allowed the suspension/steering to absorb some of the deflections caused by the puddles and reduced the understeer in those conditions.

I would not however, ever say it was 'track car' level of suspension control

Normal

Sport

 

[RedUn]

Clearly they have driven many new bmws and very few older ones

On the older e34 M5 (1993-1995 onwards) the sport switch did actually change the suspension & steering feel - although the steering adjustments were only on models with 'swervotronic' steering (speed-variable steering effort).

Most people kept it in sport mode 99% of the time - only leaving it on default in the pouring down rain (or ice/snow) as it allowed the suspension/steering to absorb some of the deflections caused by the puddles and reduced the understeer in those conditions.

I would not however, ever say it was 'track car' level of suspension control

Normal

Sport

Some top notch body control there

 

[mmm-five]

Some top notch body control there

It looks really ungainly, but it had the benefit of keeping the tyres in contact with the road over quite bumpy surfaces, where the Z4M would have bounced you off into the ditch.

Despite it being about 1750kg, it has with the same power (340bhp), a blob more of torque (305lbft in my case - they were all a bit different due to the hand-built engines) and no traction/stability aids. Much easier to drift too.

It was also much more comfortable to drive in poor weather than the Z4M. Pity it cost twice as much to run

 

[philipw]

Sport

That is a brilliant photo for understanding geometry requirements, thanks! I can understand now why neutral toe is optimum on the rear and how even modest toe out would induce oversteer and any toe in would cause understeer. Clearly a balance to be struck with the rear camber as well, since the loaded wheel would look to benefit from increased camber however the unloaded would suffer with its contact patch decreasing.

 

[Jembo]

So the carrier pidgeon is faster than the web... not appeared in my MC App

 

[Status]

Wot Felix said about basic is one reason I got my Z4 m coupe as it’s the nearest thing to my 260 z Datsun in many ways,oh yeah and it looks the nuts as well

 

[survivalist]

So the carrier pidgeon is faster than the web... not appeared in my MC App

I’ve the subscription that includes both and can’t event work out how to activate the App version. Do you get an activation code or email?

 

[survivalist]

Some top notch body control there

It looks really ungainly, but it had the benefit of keeping the tyres in contact with the road over quite bumpy surfaces, where the Z4M would have bounced you off into the ditch.

Despite it being about 1750kg, it has with the same power (340bhp), a blob more of torque (305lbft in my case - they were all a bit different due to the hand-built engines) and no traction/stability aids. Much easier to drift too.

It was also much more comfortable to drive in poor weather than the Z4M. Pity it cost twice as much to run

I had a 130i with all the bits from Birds which was similar. More roll than the M Sport suspension but soaked up the bumps and made you happy to push on when the standard car made you think it would ‘pogo’ over the nearest hedge.

I’m hoping that adding Ohlins to my M3 will provide a similar performance (to the former, not the latter)

 

[Jembo]

So the carrier pidgeon is faster than the web... not appeared in my MC App

I’ve the subscription that includes both and can’t event work out how to activate the App version. Do you get an activation code or email?

In the App Hamburger menu on the top left, 4th option ‘create an account’

In the welcome email there will be a long number that you receive that u enter during this process, then you can download the magazine (Febs)... the Z4M issue for March not got a clue just yet

 

[Jembo]

Some top notch body control there

It looks really ungainly, but it had the benefit of keeping the tyres in contact with the road over quite bumpy surfaces, where the Z4M would have bounced you off into the ditch.

Despite it being about 1750kg, it has with the same power (340bhp), a blob more of torque (305lbft in my case - they were all a bit different due to the hand-built engines) and no traction/stability aids. Much easier to drift too.

It was also much more comfortable to drive in poor weather than the Z4M. Pity it cost twice as much to run

I had a 130i with all the bits from Birds which was similar. More roll than the M Sport suspension but soaked up the bumps and made you happy to push on when the standard car made you think it would ‘pogo’ over the nearest hedge.

I’m hoping that adding Ohlins to my M3 will provide a similar performance (to the former, not the latter)

The Bilstein B12 kit has softer springs for the rear, harder & lower for the front - I kept the OEM softer front springs on & IMO for British roads with this Billy setup find not it’s not perfect, but doesn’t skip n hop half as much

 

[RedUn]

It's not the springs it's the dampers, any spring will hop and skip with the wrong dampers

 

[JoshsZ4M]

Good article, and I think echo’s the reason those of us driving M’s have them over the Cayman/Boxster in the first place. My neighbour has a 14’ Boxster... lovely thing, but even he admits to having a bigger smile on his face when he gets out of mine

 

[99ron]

Yea. Summed up nicely with the comment about the Cayman is like going out with the school prefect but it's the Z4M you'll take round the back of the bikesheds.

 

[LeeZ4MR]

I enjoyed reading that article and they are all good cars for sure. I'm a big fan of the 350Z(I also have a 370Z) but the Z4MC wins hands down for me in the way it looks.

They were a little bit critical of the ride/gearbox/brakes on the Z4MC and I also had the same gripes with my Z4MR. They certainly don't make cars like these anymore though so grab one while you still can! 8)