Z4M - carrying a few too many lbs?

M

mark seeker

Member
 London
I was talking to a friend about how over the years many have moaned about how heavy the E85/E86 is, but has anyone done anything about it? I did look on Z Post and I can see a couple of posts of owners talking about changing the battery / seats for lighter options, but I just wondered if anyone has put their Zed on a strict diet?

:D
 
mark seeker said:
but I just wondered if anyone has put their Zed on a strict diet?
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The ones I've seen are strickty track builds.
Lightweight seats, carbon dash and of course ditching all the creature comforts: aircon, radio/satnav, insulation, doorcarts, plastic interior panels etc.
Compared to a lot of modern day sportscars the e85/86 isnt heavy at all I think. Cars that are lighter are a mx5 or an elise, but those cars are both a lot smaller and less comfortable
 
I do agree it's a bit of a podge for a sports car. But as said it is actually lighter than most. Plus has that wonderful engine and throttle response to make up. Having two Mx5s and an MR in the family I can say the MR, despite being the lard arse, changes direction best. :D :thumbsup:

PS The other important thing. I can actually fit in it. Unlike the others in my signature pic. :lol:
 
The thing that surprises me is that the Z4MC is only about 50kg less than the E46 M3. And about the same amount heavier than a 997 Carrera S, which is half a metre longer. Nearly half the price when new, of course.
 
According to my data the 04-08 carrera S (with manual) is heavier than the z4m coupe; 25kg.
And its 31cm longer (the 997), but the wheelbase is 14cm shorter. So it has a lot of overhang.

But with those weights, its very debatable. A car manufacturer is allowed to enter the lightest configuration for sale in the database. Knowing porsche thats probably an extreme flimper spec as everything is optional on those cars where the /m is already a well equipped car in base trim.
 
MrPT said:
The thing that surprises me is that the Z4MC is only about 50kg less than the E46 M3. And about the same amount heavier than a 997 Carrera S, which is half a metre longer. Nearly half the price when new, of course.
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That's because of all the steel they threw into the roadster to stop it flopping, it's a shame they couldn't re-engineer the Coupe cheaply to make it lighter
 
philbo909 said:
MrPT said:
The thing that surprises me is that the Z4MC is only about 50kg less than the E46 M3. And about the same amount heavier than a 997 Carrera S, which is half a metre longer. Nearly half the price when new, of course.
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That's because of all the steel they threw into the roadster to stop it flopping, it's a shame they couldn't re-engineer the Coupe cheaply to make it lighter
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Ah, yes that does make sense. Not the worst thing ever, mind. The roadster is still a good benchmark and the coupe has a lot of things going for it, even if weight isn’t one of them.

Lightweight alloys, seats, battery and brakes could save you about 50kg, bringing the DIN weight into the 1300s. Then the returns are diminishing unless, as GuidoK says, you start stripping bits out.

There’s a thread on zpost listing out the weight of various Z4M components.
 
I thought the Z4 was designed as a roadster in the first place, then they decided to add a roof and hatchback to please the hairdressers :P :exitright:
 
firebobby said:
I thought the Z4 was designed as a roadster in the first place, then they decided to add a roof and hatchback to please the hairdressers :P :exitright:
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:o :violent1:
 
firebobby said:
I thought the Z4 was designed as a roadster in the first place, then they decided to add a roof and hatchback to please the hairdressers :P :exitright:
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:lol: :rofl: :evil: :thumbsup:
 
Swap on a set of 18" Style 32 wheels they're 27kg lighter than your OEM wheels overall leading to less unsprung weight
 
Unless you wish to get serious on track I would not bother with weight reduction on that car.

E86 is not heavy at all. In fact it is finely balanced and is such a fun car to drive.

If you think E86 is heavy you’d think my M3 is a boat. Which it isn’t of course!
 
The wheels as Marlon said must be your first option. Weight loss is spread around and it may even improve the feel of the car. If you do battery, seats and back boxes then you would need something to remove from the front surely. Give the M engineers a bit of credit. Wheels, less fuel on a short blast, no passenger. Or passenger seat out if your heading to the track.
 
Also look on fastestlaps.com at the torque to weight ratio. You need to look at the value of your weight losses against adding more Nm of grunt. Remove a bit of weight and add a bit of grunt. Cost and discomfort goes up a lot the more of each you do. Look where you get best value.
 
Very hard to seriously lighten a modern car while retaining functionality.

One of my old English race cars was 1700 lbs and the other was just under 2000. Today with all the added collision measures (side intrusion beams in doors etc.) mod cons (things like motorized seats) and such, the only ones that can be considered to be relatively light weight are Lotus and the Miata. Most sports cars are up around the 3,000 mark, and the added weight takes a toll, although the extra 150 lbs or so over a Cayman or Solstice isn't going to kill a Z4. What is does is make the modern sports cars less agile and heavier feeling in terms of handling.

If you have ever driven a Lotus Europa (1600 lbs) in anger will be able to appreciate the difference. Lightening a street car like the Z4 is usually a thankless job - limited results and often reduced resale value. Building a dual purpose street/track car would be the only exception to that.
 
doing some of this atm. stripped the rear, 11 pound braile batt and holder, and removing all 3 modules that are on the rear bulk head. removing the air pump and radio/nav/speakers. plus the barage of sensor mounts that are mounted on the rear wheel wells.

looking at changing door cards, but that will be Alcantara project in itself.
 
Vanne said:
doing some of this atm. stripped the rear, 11 pound braile batt and holder, and removing all 3 modules that are on the rear bulk head. removing the air pump and radio/nav/speakers. plus the barage of sensor mounts that are mounted on the rear wheel wells.

looking at changing door cards, but that will be Alcantara project in itself.
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Do you know how much the CF roof saved you in the end? I know it’s not a huge amount but it’s the highest part of the car and I don’t think the price is too silly for a moderate saving.
 
savings were 15.3 kgs. carbon roof was 1.9kgs before clear coat, and the oem e86 roof weighs about 17.3 kilos. :thumbsup: There is a hell of a lotta weight in the standard oem battery and tray.. 25kgs savings (thats a few big macs) :oops:

there is another easy 7kgs in the rear sub woofers alone.

nav and Audio:
04.8 lbs-Harness
01.0 lbs-misc brackets
04.2 lbs-2 Kick panel Speakers
14.2 lbs-2 Rear subwoofers
00.2 lbs-GPS antenna
09.0 lbs-Amps/amp brackets
03.4 lbs-4 mid range speakers
00.2 lbs-2 tweeters
03.6 lbs-GPS/DVD drive
02.4 lbs-Pop-up display
02.6 lbs-Head unit
 
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