Z4MC vs modified E46 & E92 M3

[Ed Doe]

I tracked my Zed only once before I started to modify it. The understeer was terrible on OEM Continental tyres. I went through half a dozen changes to tyres, geo and suspension before the handling balance was to my liking (oversteer on demand and never any understeer).

I've not driven a standard M on track, but that aligns with a lot of contemporary reports - miles of understeer followed by snap over steer.


EDIT: an Extract from a pistonheads article from a certain Mr Harris on the Z4MC (Full article here: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/tell-me-im-wrong-bmw-z4-m-coupe/26310)

Boy was it lively in the wet too. I remember switching the chassis nanny off and being a bit shocked. Not at the immediate oversteer, because that's more easily dealt with. No, what we had here was that pernicious build-up of understeer, the one that claims more victims than any other rear-drive mishap. The front would push and push and then, with half a turn of lock wound in, the rear tyres would say "actually we're going to take the wider line now, thanks" at which point the car became difficult to contain. Amusing, but very spiky.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Replacing the utterly hopeless Continental tyres made a big difference

 

[mmm-five]

My drifting instructor at Oulton Park was surprised (more than a few times) by how snappy it was - and that was on PS2s

The suspension just didn't seem to be optimised for enjoyable driving - too soft at the front and too stiff at the rear, with terrible geometry. Bilstein coilovers, Eibach ARBs, poly bushes and CSL alignment did wonders for it - as did decent rubber.