new Z4M coupe owner

[templarklimek]

Gents,

I'm trading my 2012 JCW mini coupe for a 2007 Z4M coupe. I've always been curious about the Z4 2007-. With the bangle style many people don't like it, my GF included. I find it intriguing. I love the mini but you can't quite replicate the RWD and straight 6 performance of a Z4M. I'm hopeful the Z4 will provide the mini like gocart aspect of fun driving. I also have a 2011 M3, it's somewhat heavier and it's reflected in it's nimbleness. The car is coming from several states away so it will take 7-10 days to get here.

Gents, I would love some feed back from ya'll on what you love about the Z4M, especially compared to an S65 M3 if any of you have experience with it. I have never even driven any Z4 at all. The Z has 25k miles on it, the owner traded it and a 2011 M3 for a new M5. Car has service records and is certified BMW.

I look forward to being a member of the rare "nogahide" Z4M community. I am curious how rare these cars are too.

I'm looking forward to the more involved and intimate driving experience I hope it offers!

[Phishman]

Nogahide? Anyways congrats on your purchase. Judging by the cars you own I'm sure you will love the ZMC. My ex hated mine but that was mostly because she found getting in and out of the car uncomfortable. Hopefully your gf is more flexible

[Finnegan]

Had an E92 M3 DCT. Z4M is in comparison:

Feels fast at lower speeds
Feels like you're in an airplane cockpit (good)
More raw
More nervous
More precise - more fun
Less forgiving - over cook a corner in the M3 "no problem buddy". In Z4 "sucks to be you"
Lighter, much more nimble
Requires more focused driving attention
Seat over rear axle provides a different feel
Visibility is limited
Park with seat next to rear seat of car next to you (or you will scrape bumper fangs) - pay attention to long front end and those ****ing concrete "stoppers".
Again, more fun and more rewarding to drive - IMO
Similar to S65 (need to be above ~4.5k RPM to be in powerband) but runs a bit out of breath around ~7k RPM. S65 pulls and pulls and pulls to redline.
Simpler interior and basic electronics.
Other--plenty of info here on engine mounts/bolts, transmission mounts, shifting 1-2 technique, alignment settings, suspension, engine care, etc.

[seank]

but runs a bit out of breath around ~7k RPM

unless you have a super charger!

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by seank

unless you have a super charger!

No kidding! And multiply the fun factor by somewhere between 5 and 10! Wheeeee!!!

[templarklimek]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Had an E92 M3 DCT. Z4M is in comparison:

Feels fast at lower speeds
Feels like you're in an airplane cockpit (good)
More raw
More nervous
More precise - more fun
Less forgiving - over cook a corner in the M3 "no problem buddy". In Z4 "sucks to be you"
Lighter, much more nimble
Requires more focused driving attention
Seat over rear axle provides a different feel
Visibility is limited
Park with seat next to rear seat of car next to you (or you will scrape bumper fangs) - pay attention to long front end and those ****ing concrete "stoppers".
Again, more fun and more rewarding to drive - IMO
Similar to S65 (need to be above ~4.5k RPM to be in powerband) but runs a bit out of breath around ~7k RPM. S65 pulls and pulls and pulls to redline.
Simpler interior and basic electronics.
Other--plenty of info here on engine mounts/bolts, transmission mounts, shifting 1-2 technique, alignment settings, suspension, engine care, etc.

Good points, thank you. I'm thinking engine mods of:

intake/exhaust/headers and ECU tune. if stock is 330hp will those give the Z a 30-40 HP bump and help it breath a little more like the S65?

[chickdr]

I don't think you will get anywhere near 30-40 hp from those mods. Maybe 10-20? I am sure someone who has done it will chime in. Mostly you get drive ability improvement and better sound as the stock exhaust is weak in the sound department.

[GriffBrew]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

Good points, thank you. I'm thinking engine mods of:

intake/exhaust/headers and ECU tune. if stock is 330hp will those give the Z a 30-40 HP bump and help it breath a little more like the S65?

Not many intakes will get your power up that much. This is the only one that comes to mind that will. (Still need to swap those headers for euros or something similar).
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719504

[templarklimek]

Wow, that is beautiful but 4200.00 That's almost as much as a S/C setup.

I will most likely S/c it in time, but after intake/exhaust/headers and front brakes.

I'm really excited about the mods for this car. I've modded my M3 quite a bit and it almost seems there is as much fun planning and modding our cars as there is in the end result and driving it.

[beta]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

Good points, thank you. I'm thinking engine mods of:

intake/exhaust/headers and ECU tune. if stock is 330hp will those give the Z a 30-40 HP bump and help it breath a little more like the S65?

For performance: gears, headers and a tune. Exhaust will get you less than 5hp, intake probably nothing. Intake and exhaust are all about sound for these cars.

I would recommend investing in some tires and vibra-technics engine mounts before getting into the bigger mods, probably the biggest bang for the buck.

[goomanchu]

Welcome! Is your car completely stock now? color combo?

[templarklimek]

It's black on black and completely stock and is being sold as bmw certified. I bought it sight unseen from out of state. These cars are generally hard to find ive noticed.

I'm thinking of redoing the seats/interior with a two tone fox red type color leather. Although closer to how audi does their seats in the S4.

you guys think the dash area that is now wood would look good if done in red leather to match the seats? I don't want to go overboard and make it gaudy.

[XMetal]

I think the OE Imola interior is a great match for a black car...I would have it done that way. But red dash would be overdone and would definitely be blinding staring at it from the driver's seat.

[Vanne]

Congrats mate, and welcome to the cartel.
Front brakes are great stock on this car btw, but think possibly brake lines and ofcourse brake fluid refresh. You asked what I love about the car? I love the look!! It just looks awesome, and with a good set of cans, it will sound to match. : D
My missus actually likes this one compared to our old Z3's.
you will love it! ; D

[templarklimek]

Thank you, I was just reading the brakes are from the M3 CSL and highly rated. Good to know, move that money to other mods! But yes SS brake lines and flush everything upon it arriving.

[Huz-Z]

Z4 owners can be prone to stiff necks and other injuries such as bruises, cuts scrapes and abrasions.

These are usually caused by excessive looking back at the car while you walk away, and can be exacerbated when you smack into something as you do so.

[Vanne]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Z4 owners can be prone to stiff necks and other injuries such as bruises, cuts scrapes and abrasions.

These are usually caused by excessive looking back at the car while you walk away, and can be exacerbated when you smack into something as you do so.

Lol!! Awesome!!

[puciorek]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Z4 owners can be prone to stiff necks and other injuries such as bruises, cuts scrapes and abrasions.

These are usually caused by excessive looking back at the car while you walk away, and can be exacerbated when you smack into something as you do so.

well said, very funny!

[Vanne]

Has it arrived yet? ; )

[templarklimek]

Originally Posted by Vanne

Has it arrived yet? ; )

No, it will take a week or so to get here. They just fedexed the paperwork today.

[ANUSTART]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Less forgiving - over cook a corner in the M3 "no problem buddy". In Z4 "sucks to be you"

Funniest thing I will read today.

Originally Posted by Finnegan

pay attention to long front end and those ****ing concrete "stoppers".

So true across the board. I think I have finally learned. Maybe.

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Z4 owners can be prone to stiff necks and other injuries such as bruises, cuts scrapes and abrasions.

These are usually caused by excessive looking back at the car while you walk away, and can be exacerbated when you smack into something as you do so.

SOOOO true.