[GerryC]

Nice looking car.

As for the brakes, you'll adjust to the feel of them around town. But if you need to stop from high speed, step HARD on them. They work really well. You'll appreciate them when you need them.

[bacampbe]

Originally Posted by GerryC

Nice looking car.

As for the brakes, you'll adjust to the feel of them around town. But if you need to stop from high speed, step HARD on them. They work really well. You'll appreciate them when you need them.

No kidding on on "HARD".

I just did a performance center delivery for my m40i. One of the exercises involved steering while braking. You accelerated down the track and braked hard when you got to the red cone. They had a lane of cones to force you to steer to the left while braking. The instructor got onto me several times for not braking hard enough to engage the antilock function, and I felt like I was standing on the pedal.

The funny part is the car kept stopping before it got into the turn, even then. (The course was shared with a bunch of X5s)

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by bacampbe

No kidding on on "HARD".

I just did a performance center delivery for my m40i. One of the exercises involved steering while braking. You accelerated down the track and braked hard when you got to the red cone. They had a lane of cones to force you to steer to the left while braking. The instructor got onto me several times for not braking hard enough to engage the antilock function, and I felt like I was standing on the pedal.

The funny part is the car kept stopping before it got into the turn, even then. (The course was shared with a bunch of X5s)

Yeah. I've done PCD twice. What most people think is max braking is typically less than 75%. You have to brake hard enough to get the side windows to close (except for about an inch.) That helps keep you in the car and give the curtain airbags something to push against.

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by GerryC

Yeah. I've done PCD twice. What most people think is max braking is typically less than 75%. You have to brake hard enough to get the side windows to close (except for about an inch.) That helps keep you in the car and give the curtain airbags something to push against.

This sounds…interesting. Never really thought about that much. Does it activate the windows as soon as G forces are detected?

[Pprior]

Such a pretty blue. I love my PB but I think that color more suits the car. That would have been my spec.

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

This sounds…interesting. Never really thought about that much. Does it activate the windows as soon as G forces are detected?

It's triggered by the activation of the ABS. As an event that often indicates a pending crash, it triggers a set of pre-crash safety actions. The windows are one. Another is locking the seatbelt retractors. I suspect accelerometers are also used, especially when braking does not precede an accident.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by GerryC

It's triggered by the activation of the ABS. As an event that often indicates a pending crash, it triggers a set of pre-crash safety actions. The windows are one. Another is locking the seatbelt retractors. I suspect accelerometers are also used, especially when braking does not precede an accident.

I’ve had this happen while sport driving the XM

What BMW’s are you referring to? Does the the Z4 have this function?

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

I’ve had this happen while sport driving the XM

What BMW’s are you referring to? Does the the Z4 have this function?

All current BMWs have it. The Z4, being a two-seat convertible, has fewer airbags, but they still provide side, front, and knee protection.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by GerryC

All current BMWs have it. The Z4, being a two-seat convertible, has fewer airbags, but they still provide side, front, and knee protection.

It freaked me out when it first happened on a M Town event

I looked at my passenger and I said you didn’t do that did you and he said no I didn’t

So then I mashed the throttle, and then jumped back on the brakes, and it repeated itself, and I was like wow

[MisanoblueZ4]

Just wanted to update the thread as I’ve had the 2021 Z4 M40i for about a month now.

A month in and I do love the car, as I’ve been getting comfortable back in a fast sports, it’s extremely quick even at 3/4ths for passing or normal acceleration. When driving in a quick fashion I do not miss having a manual at all, this ZF is tremendous. Below 80mph it feels as fast as my former 2006 Z06 thanks to snappy shifts and less need to focusing on hitting proper shift manually.

Very very happy with the street handling of the Z4, it feels great, excellent ride in comfort or Sports mode.
Consumer Reports absolutely ripped on the Z4 for its ride quality and I wonder if their car had suspension issues. They claimed it was not even viable as a daily driver due to its terrible ride quality……complete BS imo. Now being on the coast of SC our roads are some of the best compared to the Northeast where Consumer Reports is based so maybe if it’s broken pavement all over that would change my opinion but I doubt it. Brakes are STRONG and grabby, I do find it tough to come to a stop on a slow roll without a little jerkiness. With these performance brakes there is some squeak also at slow roll speed, lots of brake dust as expected.

Onto the interior, it’s a wonderful place to be, seats are easily the best I’ve had in a sports car, lots of tech, HK stereo is good enough but nothing out of this world. With almost 3 years old and 13k miles on it there are no rattles, fit finish and component quality are excellent and as it should be compared to former sports cars this interior is top dog.

Misc thoughts….the trunk space is awesome, will make this car capable of vacation trips with the wife and runs to Costco are not a problem great versatility thanks to its space.
Miss a manual in slower casual driving, with an automatic sports car there is not much to do lol, so some driver engagement is missing. On backroads/twisty roads I can see the paddle shifters would be awesome and be a push versus manual if desired. On 35-55mph straight roads with light traffic a manual would make it a little more interesting……if in stop and go forget the manual completely.

[Balr14]

We have lousy roads and the ride is still acceptable... though a bit harsh in sport mode. I switched to automatic in 2019 after 60 years of manual transmissions. It took about 2 years until I completely lost desire to own or drive one. The last few times I drove a 6 speed, it just felt old and dated. That's when I knew I was over it.

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

...

Misc thoughts…... On backroads/twisty roads I can see the paddle shifters would be awesome and be a push versus manual if desired. On 35-55mph straight roads with light traffic a manual would make it a little more interesting……if in stop and go forget the manual completely.

I've found on the back roads (sport+) that the gearbox is in the correct gear, downshifting appropriately, faster than I could find the correct gear...

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

I've found on the back roads (sport+) that the gearbox is in the correct gear, downshifting appropriately, faster than I could find the correct gear...

I can definitely see that. Some folks though love being an extension of the transmission….gives their left foot and hand to do.

[MisanoblueZ4]

5ish month update on my CPO M40i. Can say I thoroughly love this car, other then a dealer trip to replace the radio amplifier (covered under warranty, known issue on 2021’s OG owner SHOULD have had it done) so far the car has run excellent. Nearing 15k miles, I purchased it with 12k.

In the household we replaced my wife’s 2018 CX5 with a lightly used 2022 Infiniti QX80 (she fell in love with the QX80 and there was no way to talk her out of it….happy wife happy life lol, another depreciation win as it dropped like 30k from new) now jumping in the Z4 is even more of a treat, going from a huge truck to the Z4 makes me appreciate its nimbleness even more.
I will say the Bose in the QX is superior over the HK the clarity cannot be matched.

So now it’s beauty and the beast at home. It’s been a lot of top up driving the past couple months due to cool temps and early sunsets, but that hasn’t tempered the fun of driving the Z4….back when I had the Miata PRHT I didn’t really enjoy driving it with the top up that much due to it’s cramped interior, the Miata NEEDED to be driven top down. With the Z4 it’s top up experience is very good thanks to the roomy cabin and wonderful B58 making any extra throttle a good time.
As we head into warmer weather and longer daylight the top down days will only increase from here and add to the fun.

You folks getting the manual Z4 are going to be in for a treat in a few months. Looking forward to reading about your experiences.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

So now it’s beauty and the beast at home. It’s been a lot of top up driving the past couple months due to cool temps and early sunsets, but that hasn’t tempered the fun of driving the Z4….back when I had the Miata PRHT I didn’t really enjoy driving it with the top up that much due to it’s cramped interior, the Miata NEEDED to be driven top down. With the Z4 it’s top up experience is very good thanks to the roomy cabin and wonderful B58 making any extra throttle a good time.
As we head into warmer weather and longer daylight the top down days will only increase from here and add to the fun.

With the weather warming up and driving with the top down your real fun is about to begin.

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

With the weather warming up and driving with the top down your real fun is about to begin.

It was 49 degrees today. I had my top down!

People were looking at me funny.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Balr14

It was 49 degrees today. I had my top down!

People were looking at me funny.

Screw them!

I have owned convertibles since 1994 and when I lived in New York and the weather was in the 40’s and it was a clear day, I always drove with the top down. People don’t realize what they’re missing out on! 👍🏻

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Screw them!

I have owned convertibles since 1994 and when I lived in New York and the weather was in the 40’s and it was a clear day, I always drove with the top down. People don’t realize what they’re missing out on! 👍🏻

Totally agree, but with work it has limited top down driving with the early sunsets. I drop the top on weekends and off days but when setting off after 6pm the top is up….until Spring when the nights start to stay in the 50’s-60’s as low temps.

[mdoneinvt]

Originally Posted by Balr14

It was 49 degrees today. I had my top down!

People were looking at me funny.

Hahaha was 29 on my way home also top down. I don’t get funny looks anymore as it is quite common now for people to see me with the top down at that temp…..🤣🤣🤣

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by mdoneinvt

Hahaha was 29 on my way home also top down. I don’t get funny looks anymore as it is quite common now for people to see me with the top down at that temp…..������

I am sure that you stand out, especially when your car is clean!

[NytLyt]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

The brakes are great, however. You’ll probably feel the grabbiness when coming to a slow stop; I don’t think it’s the brakes as such, but the engine wanting to ‘go’.

I swear that my car hates going slow and is always screaming at me to “GO FASTER!!!!” It goads me on to put my foot down and acts disappointed if I take it easy…especially the way it will hold a lower gear as its way of saying “LETS GO”

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Top down on cold days used to be the way to spot a new or first time convertible owner.

Things have changed as a 65 year daily driver of convertables. Sunny days down to the NT-01 cold temperature limit are doable to shake off the winter cobwebs.

I have a nice A2 leather flight jacket, over a turtleneck sweatshirt, under a WWII pilots full coverage leather hat.



Can also add a balaclava to the mix if so desired. Wife just rolls her eyes.