Z4 3.0 SI performance not that impressive

[Ben Cole]

I'm new here too, my 2008 3.0si auto (M suspension, 108s etc etc) is sitting in the garage waiting for the rain to stop! Not sure I entirely agree about the performance point raised. My Z4 feel very quick, especially when in sport, it just keeps pulling at an incredible rate. Or is it me :? .
Need a little help also, I want to post some pictures but can"t find how to do so, can anyone advise please.

Well it's all relative and we all have different frames of reference.

Makes a change to have a thread where we all agree! Basically we've all said the same thing.

Which is...3 litre Si is plenty quick enough but the delivery may fool you if you're not used to it.

 

[Bing]

Just discovered it feels plenty fast in the dark after your friendly local Indy reset the headlights to their factory spec level at your MOT the other week

 

[billz]

I have a 3.0 Z3 as well as the 3.0si and on the road the Z3 feels a lot quicker but believe me its not, its just that the Z4 is a lot more refined, (doesnt grab you by the seat of your Arse. I always say its like driving a 3 series but with 2 seats and better handling. It will be quick but you just wont notice it as much. for the Sports button tho

 

[PlumbNB1]

Quick reality check for me is pulling away from the lights (in my 3.0i) at what 'feels' like normal smooth acceleration then look behind and all the other traffic is around 100ft away after a very short time.

 

[Brizza]

I've only had my 3.0i a few weeks now, and i just love the pull it seems to have in all gears. Had a good motorway run at the weekend, cruising nicely in 6th, you can still put your foot down without having to change down. And the rumble you hear from the thing simply makes you want to put your foot down even more!
:driving:

 

[andya1]

Well I am a new z4 3.0si owner and for me that car pulls like a train it is so quick I love it

 

[LeeZ4MR]

Well I am a new z4 3.0si owner and for me that car pulls like a train it is so quick I love it

It all depends on what you have been used to i think, I rarely think my M3 is quick & you soon get used to the power that your car has & then you want something quicker...well I always do! :driving:

My old TVR was the only car I have owned that I was almost happy with power wise, but that was just because you had to be very brave to drive it flat out as a field was waiting for you if you did!

I do have a massive soft spot for beemers straight six though its a very sweet sounding smooth engine, enjoy.

 

[andya1]

Well I am a new z4 3.0si owner and for me that car pulls like a train it is so quick I love it

It all depends on what you have been used to i think, I rarely think my M3 is quick & you soon get used to the power that your car has & then you want something quicker...well I always do! :driving:

My old TVR was the only car I have owned that I was almost happy with power wise, but that was just because you had to be very brave to drive it flat out as a field was waiting for you if you did!

I do have a massive soft spot for beemers straight six though its a very sweet sounding smooth engine, enjoy.

I agree with you there my z is more than fast enough for us, and I know what you mean with that TVR and a field

 

[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.

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?

I've not known anyone who has had something serious go wrong with them.Thought the n54 was one of BMW,s best flat six engines for use in the UK.

I know the fuel mix in the USA has caused some seal problems and the ethanol content here will rise in our fuels too.

 

[goon]

Tested the 3.0 myself no quicker than my Focus ST so bought the M.

 

[Bing]

Tested the 3.0 myself no quicker than my Focus ST so bought the M.

A 3.0 facelift or prefacelift ? Have to disagree if the former - I came from an ST and my Z is definitely faster. Though it is a completely different driving experience, and aurally the ST was brilliant in comparison.

 

[willgill]

I'm quitely happy with the performance of my 3.0si, it's not as fast as previous cars I've owned but I bought it to provide me with a comfortable, quiet, reasonbly effecient mid life crisis wagon.

it manages this all quite nicely, I often ponder getting the z4m but having had an m3 previously I know the knock in economy would annoy me again!

whilst on performance, my sports button doesnt seem to do anything apart from light up - is this a common comment? I know int he m3 it obviously advanced the throttle. or could mine be broken?

 

[Bing]

The sport button should make the throttle more responsive/sensitive and the steering slightly heavier (by reducing power assistance).

 

[Mr Whippy]

260bhp is plenty of poke.

It'll leave 90% of cars on the road without really trying at all... and probably reach the limit point on most 'fun' roads within 10% of the speeds any car could achieve on those roads.

I bet the 3.0Si is a perfect overall balance for this kinda car. Yes the M has more power and extra goodies, but I bet it's the extra goodies and delivery of power that make that so special, not the peak power figure itself...

Dave

 

[domsz4]

i feel the weight in the z... but then im always comparing it to my westy :evil:

 

[Mr Whippy]

Hehe, anything compared to a Caterfield is going to feel a bit blunt

 

[BobZ4]

Well i have had my 3.0si since sunday and I can safely say its impressing the hell out of me, I previously had the old M54 engined Z4 and this car feels totally improved over that. The steering feels safer and heavier, the acceleration is relentless when the power kicks in.

I am well pleased with the performance, what a car .

 

[Bing]

Well i have had my 3.0si since sunday and I can safely say its impressing the hell out of me, I previously had the old M54 engined Z4 and this car feels totally improved over that. The steering feels safer and heavier, the acceleration is relentless when the power kicks in.

I am well pleased with the performance, what a car .

Interesting - did you have the 3.0 M54 ? I know there's 30 more horses in the N52 3.0, but is the difference that marked ?

 

[BobZ4]

Yeah I had the 3.0 M54 with a manual gearbox, dont get me wrong it was a quick car. But my new 3.0si N52 engined Z4 feels more noticeably quick compared with my old one. I do still think the M54 is the better engine from a tuning point of view but the N52 is a really smooth and quick engine, i am unlikely to ever stump up for a supercharger anyway so the N52 suits me fine.

 

[Mr Whippy]

Iirc the N52 revs a bit harder and makes peak power at 6500rpm vs 5900rpm. Because of that it runs a slightly shorter final drive too so it'll feel quite brisk in comparison I bet!

The M54 is nice but the N52 is very nice hehe...

I only ever drove the valve lift limited 2.5Si but the delivery was very sweet... so I bet the 3.0Si is very nice indeed.

Dave