Z4 3.0 SI performance not that impressive

[Ooch]

I picked up a 07 3.0SI roadster on saturday. 2 owners 33K miles.
My part x 09 mini cooper s with remap seemed just as quick.
There is nice low down pull but I havn't been blown away by the performance as yet. I have had a 2.5i Z4 ,civic type R, Vauhxhall VX220, Audi TT 3.2 DSG in the past.
My cooper s had 230 HP after remap.
The car is great though. Lovely drive and a great sound. I have a few jobs to do. I going to check door membranes as there is some water coming through Somewhere.
Got 33 mpg on the way home. I wasnt really taking it easy. Amazing that 3.0L 260 HP can be that eco. MY Audi 3.2 never got much over 22 mpg.

 

[Ste]

Welcome!

Is it an auto or manual? It's all about learning where the pull is and holding the gears, stick the sport button on and don't be afraid to let it scream. Think these cars more then most are ones you have to really learn about to drive well.

From the meets I've been on, on the road I don't think there's a great deal of difference between a 2.5 and 3.0si, a little bit more pull at the top and bottom ends I'd guess.

Also :worthless:

Lets see your new car then? And some pics of the VX220 etc wouldn't go amiss

 

[Ooch]

My Z4 is manual. A steal at £10K from a dealer I thought. Some of my other past cars too.

 

[aquazi]

Coming from a cooper S the Z probably wont feel as massively faster 190 (on overboost) vs 232 lb/ft add to the fact you had a remap; you are probably looking at similar torque.. NA vs FI engines. In reality head to head there would prob be a car lengths difference to a qtr mile.

 

[Brasseye]

Have you tried the twin turbo 35i or scroll turbo 35is

Might be more like your used too.

Don't forget the z has a couple hundred kg extra which makes a big difference.

 

[Ooch]

Its quick enough for me. I expected a bit more from 260 HP and a claimed 5.5 0-60 . The new 35is is the one for me but a long way off as they are still quite expensive.

 

[parlivus]

Get a 135i if you're used to turbo/supercharged performance, they're cheapish to buy, but horrendously unreliable... I had one for 3 weeks before Sytner took it back off me (I think the estimate to put it right was at about £3500 due to HPFP, injectors, and inlet valves needing blasting). It was hoontastically quick though.

 

[Maniac]

Have you tried the twin turbo 35i or scroll turbo 35is

Might be more like your used too.

Don't forget the z has a couple hundred kg extra which makes a big difference.

35i/35is is same engine, both N54 twin turbo. Z4 does not yet (and may not ever) have the N55 twinscroll single turbo engine.

 

[mr wilks]

These engines benefit greatly from getting past 3k revs then pressing the pedal again , ,only harder this time :evil:
then you should feel the pace quicken a little especially in 3rd & 4th
Can never be classed as raucous but the performance is there

 

[Beedub]

i love that 3.0l si motor, wonderful sound, and revvy.... i would guess it would be quicker than the mini still.

 

[Bing]

Agree with Ste and mr wilks, don't be shy with it - from about 2,500 to about 6,500 RPM the torque curve is pretty much flat and maxed, so you get all the pull most of the time

 

[parlivus]

Have you tried the twin turbo 35i or scroll turbo 35is

Might be more like your used too.

Don't forget the z has a couple hundred kg extra which makes a big difference.

35i/35is is same engine, both N54 twin turbo. Z4 does not yet (and may not ever) have the N55 twinscroll single turbo engine.

Completely unrelated to the original topic, but how has the reliability been on your N54? I've not known anyone who has not had something serious go wrong with them?

 

[Adamski]

The linear torque curve will never match a charger for pinning you in the seat.

My mates WRX felt faster than my zed, but in reality both cars were equal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bing]

Zed power - in mine anyway - feels more like a train. It just pulls and pulls and pulls, but you're right Adam - it doesn't pin you. I think the M might do more, however I haven't driven one in anger so can't say.

 

[Ben Cole]

I agree with the general thread. Because its a naturally aspirated engine it doesn't feel that quick as your "butt dyno" never feels torque in one big lump.

For example I'm sure my mum would think my 180bhp Audi cabriolet diesel is faster because it hits a big torque peak. It then dies away but by then the body is fooled into thinking its moving really quickly.

I've had mine for just over a month and I'm dialled in to it now and can see how quick it is. I felt a bit underwhelmed at first but knew that it was just the torque delivery fooling me.


Again, as others have said...hit the sport button and don't be frightened of high revs

 

[Ben Cole]

I think the M might do more, however I haven't driven one in anger so can't say.

The M suffers the same just to a lesser degree in my opinion.

I drove a pals Z4MR straight after jumping out of my modded VX220 Turbo and I thought it was broken it felt so weak.

One glance at the speedo revealed however that it was my internal gyro that was broken!!!!!!

 

[Wildfire]

I think it's the power delivery. When I went from a 2.9 V6 to a 4.0 V8 I thought "This isn't that fast". There was no rush like the V6. Looked at the speedo and the power was just delivered smoother and more linearly. Turbos have that "on boost" lump in the curve.

 

[The hairy angler]

:roll: Recently traded in a 2002 saab 93 that had a turbo re-map from Abbot racing. Pushing out 200 bhp. Very quick if you really used the gears. Traded it in for a 2004 2.5i Z4.
First impressions "what have I done' When I thought about the situation I realised that the power delivery from the 2.5i was VERY different. Slower to start BUT plenty of PULL and very smooth. Saab, Forget about 5th gear below 50mph. Z4, very tractable, will pull 5th from 30mph. Saab 26 mpg at best. Z4 31mpg no problem. Finally, I CAN take the lid off the Z4 :driving:
Just need to get it sorted so that I can ENJOY the experience!! :roll:
Regards, John Duggan aka. The hairy angler

 

[craig3.2]

The 3.0i/si are quick, but as said, may not feel it as much as a pin u in the seat turbo/s'charged car does...my 210 bhp Leon Cupra felt faster though it wasn't, 6.9s 0-62, as oppose to 3.0i being 5.9,si being 5.7s in the z4; just a smoother delivery and different power delivery altogether

As mentioned, don't be afraid to rev it to 6k(max power @ 5750 rpm aprox.,in the 3.0) so 6k rpm is ideal...the Ms max power is at around 7250rpm so u need to rev them more to get the best out of them but again u have to look at the speedo to realise how fast u are ACTUALLY going :evil: :driving:

 

[Bing]

I love the feeling of flooring mine on a long straight stretch - it'll kick down to the lowest possible gear (which definitely gives you a smack in the back & a scream from the engine), then the changes in full auto are so smooth it just feels... relentless.