BMW E86 Z4 M Coupe - Forgotten Gem - Everyday Driver Fast Blast Review

[NickyC]

Not sure why all the taller people are saying the cars are too small, I'm 6'4 and have absolutely zero issues with my Z4M and it's my only car. Of course, I have the roadster version so perhaps the Coupe has less headroom or something?

[kav]

Absolutely wonderful car. I've owned my sapphire black coupe since new in 2007. I realized recently it was such a great car that I didn't have the itch for anything new till recently. Caved and put a deposit on a 2018 GT350R, but I'll be keeping the Z4MC.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Not sure why all the taller people are saying the cars are too small, I'm 6'4 and have absolutely zero issues with my Z4M and it's my only car. Of course, I have the roadster version so perhaps the Coupe has less headroom or something?

I dunno for me it wasn't so much headroom as legroom. I had my seat all the way back and could have used another inch.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I dunno for me it wasn't so much headroom as legroom. I had my seat all the way back and could have used another inch.

Agree 100%

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Not sure why all the taller people are saying the cars are too small, I'm 6'4 and have absolutely zero issues with my Z4M and it's my only car. Of course, I have the roadster version so perhaps the Coupe has less headroom or something?

At 5'11" my head was hitting the roof with a relatively upright seating position.

[MRV99]

I may get blasted for this but I have always loved the Shelby Daytona since I was 7 years old and going to Road America in the early 80's. I know the car was not driven then but that was my first car I loved. When I see the zed M coupe it reminds me of the Daytona profile and have been smitten with since car came out. I just need no kids and more garage space and I would have one of these

[wdb]

Originally Posted by MRV99

I may get blasted for this but I have always loved the Shelby Daytona since I was 7 years old and going to Road America in the early 80's. I know the car was not driven then but that was my first car I loved. When I see the zed M coupe it reminds me of the Daytona profile and have been smitten with since car came out. I just need no kids and more garage space and I would have one of these

Me too. Here's your chance.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...pe-recreation/

[Garage5]

I truly didn't enjoy my Z4 M the entire time I owned it. I truthfully couldn't stand the car in stock form. Since I had a modded S54 M coupe and e46 M3 there was no sense modding a third s54 powered car since I moved to full blown race cars.

I can't believe thats how my tenure with a Z4 M coupe played out, but I just sold the cheapest Z4 M coupe I've seen in ages. I am glad the new owner loves it.

I've seen so many videos like this and thats what made me chase one for so long.

[kav]

Originally Posted by Garage5

I truly didn't enjoy my Z4 M the entire time I owned it. I truthfully couldn't stand the car in stock form. Since I had a modded S54 M coupe and e46 M3 there was no sense modding a third s54 powered car since I moved to full blown race cars.

I can't believe thats how my tenure with a Z4 M coupe played out, but I just sold the cheapest Z4 M coupe I've seen in ages. I am glad the new owner loves it.

I've seen so many videos like this and thats what made me chase one for so long.

Originally Posted by Garage5

I truly didn't enjoy my Z4 M the entire time I owned it. I truthfully couldn't stand the car in stock form. Since I had a modded S54 M coupe and e46 M3 there was no sense modding a third s54 powered car since I moved to full blown race cars.

I can't believe thats how my tenure with a Z4 M coupe played out, but I just sold the cheapest Z4 M coupe I've seen in ages. I am glad the new owner loves it.

I've seen so many videos like this and thats what made me chase one for so long.

Agree with this completely. The minor changes (CVD delete, short shifter, intake, exhaust and headers) turn this car from a good sports car a great sports car.

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by Garage5

I truly didn't enjoy my Z4 M the entire time I owned it. I truthfully couldn't stand the car in stock form.

Do you mind sharing the main reasons you couldn't stand it in stock form?

Salty

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Is there that much difference between the hydro M and the electric 3.0si steering?

Yes. It's one of those "you don't know it until you have it" type thing.

I had an '03 Z4 3.0i before my MZ4 Coupe, and the Z4 3.0i uses the same electric assisted rack as the 3.0Si (the part number may have changed, but that may have just been rolling changes to fix the sticky steering. RealOEM shows the same PN for the '03 3.0i and the '06 and later 3.0Si). So I feel I am qualified in my assessment.

If you're used to all the later BMWs (after the E46 iX) there's a certain amount of lack of feel, or what I termed "condom" effect going on. The rack on the MZ4 has none of that. You get everything that's happening in front transmitted right through the palm of your hand.

A friend (F30 owner) and I went driving up and down Angeles Crest a few month ago to Newcomb's Ranch for b'fast, and I let him drive on the way back. It was funny to watch his wide-eyed amazement at what razor sharp and quick steering the MZ4 Coupe has. He said it's almost like relearning how to drive, because the front end does everything you ask it to do instantaneously. Absolutely zero pause. There's a few times he early apexed a turn, on a road he's driven on and ridden on, according to him, probably thousands of times (I had to roll my eyes on that, because that would have meant he drove on ACH once a week, every week, at least, since he was BORN), because he expected a slight delay between when the car actually bites and turns in, and he wasn't expecting the quick steering to turn as much.

In my experience, the electronic assisted steering on the Z4 was good. Not great, good. I took the 3.0i to the track about half a dozen times and while the front end doesn't communicate like my E46, it's precise and quick. Just lacks a certain feel. Actually, for a 1st generation electronic steering it was an excellent implementation. But the Servotronic steering on the MZ4 vs the EPS on the non-M Z4 is like the difference between leather clad ScarJo from Iron Man 2 vs. Penny from Big Bang Theory IMO.

Oh, and obligatory MZ4 Coupe shots.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Yes. It's one of those "you don't know it until you have it" type thing.

I had an '03 Z4 3.0i before my MZ4 Coupe, and the Z4 3.0i uses the same electric assisted rack as the 3.0Si (the part number may have changed, but that may have just been rolling changes to fix the sticky steering. RealOEM shows the same PN for the '03 3.0i and the '06 and later 3.0Si). So I feel I am qualified in my assessment.

If you're used to all the later BMWs (after the E46 iX) there's a certain amount of lack of feel, or what I termed "condom" effect going on. The rack on the MZ4 has none of that. You get everything that's happening in front transmitted right through the palm of your hand.

A friend (F30 owner) and I went driving up and down Angeles Crest a few month ago to Newcomb's Ranch for b'fast, and I let him drive on the way back. It was funny to watch his wide-eyed amazement at what razor sharp and quick steering the MZ4 Coupe has. He said it's almost like relearning how to drive, because the front end does everything you ask it to do instantaneously. Absolutely zero pause. There's a few times he early apexed a turn, on a road he's driven on and ridden on, according to him, probably thousands of times (I had to roll my eyes on that, because that would have meant he drove on ACH once a week, every week, at least, since he was BORN), because he expected a slight delay between when the car actually bites and turns in, and he wasn't expecting the quick steering to turn as much.

In my experience, the electronic assisted steering on the Z4 was good. Not great, good. I took the 3.0i to the track about half a dozen times and while the front end doesn't communicate like my E46, it's precise and quick. Just lacks a certain feel. Actually, for a 1st generation electronic steering it was an excellent implementation. But the Servotronic steering on the MZ4 vs the EPS on the non-M Z4 is like the difference between leather clad ScarJo from Iron Man 2 vs. Penny from Big Bang Theory IMO.

Oh, and obligatory MZ4 Coupe shots.

My daily is an E70 X5 with hydraulic steering while the wife's car is an F30 328. My 3.0si has the electric steering rack, like the wife's 328. I've got lots of time behind the wheel of all three and in my view, you can clearly feel the difference in steering when driving the X5. But between the non-M E85 Z4 and the F30 328, I think the Z4 has a much better version of electric steering. With the Z4, I think BMW was trying its best to replicate the hydraulic steering feel as much as they could within the limits of what is possible with an electric system. But for the 328, unless you drive in Sport mode all the time, it has a very light, almost loose steering feel. Its a newer design so it should have been better than the Z4's electric steering, but it isn't. At least I don't think so.

Re the obligatory MZ4 Coupe shots:

And for the guys who don't have enough headroom in the Z4M Coupe, I have one word: E85M.

[Flying Ace]

People: This is what a proper fucking car should be.

[gds52]

Originally Posted by MSCD

This was at a recent meet... the aftermarket exhaust sounded fantastic!

Great shot
The best thing about this car is that it's v comfortable for long road trips as well.

[blschaefer1]

This was my first M car, and I still regret letting it go.

I had two gripes - the thing rode STIFF, and the gearbox was very latchy between first and second.

Still a great car.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by blschaefer1

This was my first M car, and I still regret letting it go.

I had two gripes - the thing rode STIFF, and the gearbox was very latchy between first and second.

Still a great car.

Yep, first to second quick shifts are the one and only problem I have with my Z4M. You really have to pay attention or you will grind that hard 1-2 shift. I pause for just a tiny bit compared to other gear shifts when I run it hard 1-2.

I've heard the CDV delete fixes this, but no such luck was had on my end. I'm going to try stiffer transmission bushings one of these days.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

The older cars are so nice. Especially this last one!

any more info on the mods on this gem:

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

any more info on the mods on this gem:

S85 plus e92 DCT and ediff from f10 m5. Parts bin glory. It's Albert biermann based too so can't deny it.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

S85 plus e92 DCT and ediff from f10 m5. Parts bin glory. It's Albert biermann based too so can't deny it.

so he was successfully able to mate a S85 to a DCT? He needs to sell that knowhow to shops servicing E6X M5/6s and make a shit ton of money.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

so he was successfully able to mate a S85 to a DCT? He needs to sell that knowhow to shops servicing E6X M5/6s and make a shit ton of money.

anything is possible when the shell of the car is only 8k LOL

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by NickyC

Yep, first to second quick shifts are the one and only problem I have with my Z4M. You really have to pay attention or you will grind that hard 1-2 shift. I pause for just a tiny bit compared to other gear shifts when I run it hard 1-2.

I've heard the CDV delete fixes this, but no such luck was had on my end. I'm going to try stiffer transmission bushings one of these days.

CDV didn't fix for me, but I replaced fluid, installed a weighted shift knob, and installed rogue trans mounts and Vibratechnic engine mounts, and I never grind now at normal revs. I did everything at the same time, so it is hard to say if it was one thing or multiple. It may still require a little delay going 1 to 2 at near redline, though. I think that's just a quirk of the gearbox, unfortunately.

Salty

[SaltyNC]

Anyone wanting an e86 Z4M Coupe, this one has had all the heavy lifting required to maintain these cars (vanos addressed and bearings):

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1432761

Salty