[alvitdk]

OK, finished my break-in period by putting on 1300 miles in 6 days, got a full frontal PPF, and took the car with a bunch of people to my favorite twisty Texas roads, the three sisters at Leakey for the 4th of July.

After running those roads for the past 5 years in a Porsche Cayman 981S, I knew well going into it, the Z4 will likely fall short on many things, it's just not necessarily build for the same purpose.

Having said that, it certainly has its shortcomings, again nothing I expected but was curious about how much of a difference it will be....and boy there are many differences.

The 981 was much more planted and predictable on when it will break with the ground in tight turns. Also way less roll than what the Z4 exhibited on the drive. Again, not a complaint, and was expected just wasn't sure to what extent. Other than that, superior power delivery with much shorter gearing than the 981 pdk, meaning grunt power from the get-go and not only past 4k rpm.

Now I am looking to get the car more back-road-worthy, starting with some H&R lowering springs only and see where that goes before getting a new coil over adjustable shocks.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspensi...29-Z4-30i.html

I was also looking for stiffer sway bars but the only ones I found are from Hardrace, not have found any reviews for them, and have a tough time finding the specs for the OEM bars in terms of rigidness, etc.

https://www.hardrace.com/vehicle_sea...5&MainType=114

Probably a pair of better strut braces and lower braces would help make the front more ridged, anyone has experience with those?

https://www.aleksracing.com/strut-ba...rkr-tw4-4227-b

Anything else besides getting rid of the tires and going to my favorite Michelin PS4?

[guodami]

I am a bit curious as to why you even bought the Z4 after reading this.

[alvitdk]

[QUOTE=guodami;30283995]I am a bit curious as to why you even bought the Z4 after reading this.

Hmm, are you saying you can’t like a car for a veriety of reason and not try to improve things to fit your needs?
Nothing to recommend, keep on scrolling and don’t answer, pretty easy.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by guodami

I am a bit curious as to why you even bought the Z4 after reading this.

I suspect price and availability weigh into the mix.

[ebirotedu]

I suppose I had the same question since you'll be giving up some of the GT-like characteristics of the Z4 with coilovers, or lowered springs that aren't matched to the calibrated adjustable suspension. It's been done, of course - there are others on this board that have installed coilovers and lowered springs. Though usually, people work there way there after owning the car for a while and deciding that what they thought they wanted at the time they bought it isn't what they want now - in your case it seems like you want a Boxster but for whatever reason you're going to make your Z4 more like a Boxster?

No judgement, just asking. People should buy and drive whatever the hell they like, IMO.

Also, curious to know why you are planning to replace new PSS's with the PS4S (assume you do not mean lesser PS4?).

AFAIK, the dry handling differences are negligible, with the PS4S having only a slight edge in the wet.




[QUOTE=alvitdk;30284008]

Originally Posted by guodami

I am a bit curious as to why you even bought the Z4 after reading this.

Hmm, are you saying you can’t like a car for a veriety of reason and not try to improve things to fit your needs?
Nothing to recommend, keep on scrolling and don’t answer, pretty easy.

[guodami]

a comparison based on a more apples to apples vehicle might have been more worthwhile reading but a 981? You are right…I should have just kept scrolling.

[ebirotedu]

These were two big reasons I didn't end up with a Boxster.

Though I do prefer the look of the Z4, and I knew I wanted something I could drive all weekend and thought the Porsche might be too racy (getting old!) for me.

Originally Posted by StanDiego

I suspect price and availability weigh into the mix.

[jdhiro]

You're hitting on a a lot of reasons I want BMW to make a Z4M again

Actually, I feel like every Z car should be an M car.

[jdhiro]

Originally Posted by ebirotedu

Also, curious to know why you are planning to replace new PSS's with the PS4S (assume you do not mean lesser PS4?).

AFAIK, the dry handling differences are negligible, with the PS4S having only a slight edge in the wet.

The breakaway characteristics of those two tires are quite different, and I personally very much dislike the PSS. The PS4S is a superior tire in handling feel and I'd take it any day of the week.

[alvitdk]

I suppose I had the same question since you'll be giving up some of the GT-like characteristics of the Z4 with coilovers, or lowered springs that aren't matched to the calibrated adjustable suspension. It's been done, of course - there are others on this board that have installed coilovers and lowered springs. Though usually, people work there way there after owning the car for a while and deciding that what they thought they wanted at the time they bought it isn't what they want now - in your case it seems like you want a Boxster but for whatever reason you're going to make your Z4 more like a Boxster?

No judgement, just asking. People should buy and drive whatever the hell they like, IMO.

Also, curious to know why you are planning to replace new PSS's with the PS4S (assume you do not mean lesser PS4?).

AFAIK, the dry handling differences are negligible, with the PS4S having only a slight edge in the wet.

Sorry, yes the PS4S which are not only different in wet condition but from experience have higher threshold at the extreme ends. Now to your original and valid/constructive question, there are several answer to it.

1. I never like the boxter in terms of look with the top up, just does not fit imho

2. The interior has not changed in the last 11 years, not just the technical aspect but also the look are just small little updates

3. Despite all of it I tried ordering a new GTS 4.0, but not with an 30k ADM, not worth it.

4. I love the design and comfort of the Z4

5. The shorter gears are much better matched for autocross and backroad driving.

6. The B58 paired with the ZF 8 speed just works perfectly (hence having no desire to make any changes to the drive train)

7. Would never again buy a Porsche with the pdk, failed twice after just 75k and 82k miles on me with a positioning sensor error and the only “official” fix is a new transmission. (Went both times with an aftermarket part and shop in Arizona)

I don’t think it is unreasonable to see if the suspension can be improved without saying it’s the wrong car I bought into.

[ebirotedu]

That's all good feedback & appreciated.

I wouldn't mind trying coilovers on the Z4 myself, but I imagine I'd end up going back to the stock suspension since my use case is 90% puttering along and only 10% driving at 8/10ths.

Originally Posted by alvitdk

Sorry, yes the PS4S which are not only different in wet condition but from experience have higher threshold at the extreme ends. Now to your original and valid/constructive question, there are several answer to it.

1. I never like the boxter in terms of look with the top up, just does not fit imho

2. The interior has not changed in the last 11 years, not just the technical aspect but also the look are just small little updates

3. Despite all of it I tried ordering a new GTS 4.0, but not with an 30k ADM, not worth it.

4. I love the design and comfort of the Z4

5. The shorter gears are much better matched for autocross and backroad driving.

6. The B58 paired with the ZF 8 speed just works perfectly (hence having no desire to make any changes to the drive train)

7. Would never again buy a Porsche with the pdk, failed twice after just 75k and 82k miles on me with a positioning sensor error and the only “official” fix is a new transmission. (Went both times with an aftermarket part and shop in Arizona)

I don’t think it is unreasonable to see if the suspension can be improved without saying it’s the wrong car I bought into.

[alvitdk]

Originally Posted by guodami

a comparison based on a more apples to apples vehicle might have been more worthwhile reading but a 981? You are right…I should have just kept scrolling.

BTW, tons of comparison tests out there between the Z4 M40i and the Boxster, those are being cross-shopped all the time and tested accordingly...just thought you might want to look those up to make sure it's actually "Apples to Apples" with the Z4 directly aimed at the Porsche 718 (or 981 for that matter)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU3XM74M8VE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOpMv345uYU

[CJ421]

alvitdk Good to read your experience. I noticed the Z4 can "dig" into a hard turn and feel unsettled when the suspension reaches max travel and rebounds out. It's pretty typical for an OEM suspension to behave that way (weak compression/high rebound) though I feel the Z4 can be a little dangerous if you don't know to expect that.

I think shocks with higher compression would vastly improve the handling, though you'll probably sacrifice some comfort. Sway bars would help turn-in and wouldn't compromise ride quality, and you don't need an alignment after installing them, so that's where I would start if I wanted mild handling improvements.

I like the PS4S a lot, but I wasn't about to replace a brand-new pair of PSS with them.

Charles

[Bimmerfun82]

Perhaps buy this and sell your Z. One caveat, it was in some sort of accident the details of which are super vague. Also missing a key and no original window sticker.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxX...-years-edition

[tracer bullet]

I've not really looked into it but this might be a time to see how many Supra upgrades transfer over, and what people are doing with those cars. I'd guess that % wise far more people are tracking them.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

2022 718 with 500 miles through a used car dealer not a Porsche dealer?

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

2022 718 with 500 miles through a used car dealer not a Porsche dealer?

Yeah super fishy. But a great deal!

[alvitdk]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Perhaps buy this and sell your Z. One caveat, it was in some sort of accident the details of which are super vague. Also missing a key and no original window sticker.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxX...-years-edition

Appreciate you looking out for me but the intend of the post was just to get some opinions or recommendations on the Z4, not going to sell the car ;-)

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by guodami

a comparison based on a more apples to apples vehicle might have been more worthwhile reading but a 981? You are right…I should have just kept scrolling.

You have 2 posts on this forum total and both of them are antagonistic. Maybe this forum isn't for you.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by alvitdk

Appreciate you looking out for me but the intend of the post was just to get some opinions or recommendations on the Z4, not going to sell the car ;-)

Anytime. Haha. Keep us posted with what you end up doing and how much it costs. I follow Joe Achilles and he had a solution for the Z4 that didn’t ruin the ride but made it tighter.

[Top Gon]

I would also look into front lower control arms to gain some negative camber. Also wider tires can help with overall grip. Can fit up to a 305 in the back

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by alvitdk

Appreciate you looking out for me but the intend of the post was just to get some opinions or recommendations on the Z4, not going to sell the car ;-)

Here's the JA video I was referring to - go to 14:20 mark