[///M TOWN]

This makes me completely pause at the thought of my purchase

No Bueno ❕

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

Makes me completely pause at the thought of my purchase

No Bueno

Purchase of the car or the aftermarket brakes?

The M2 forum has some instances of the same thing - bad brake issues after mods.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Purchase of the car or the aftermarket brakes?

The M2 forum has some instances of the same thing - bad brake issues after mods.

What exactly are they having problems with?

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

What exactly are they having problems with?

Brake vibration especially at low speeds and significant brake noise

[Living Dead]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

I failed to convince them. Will be taking this up with BMWNA.

I had a 2006 CPO E85 that was just out of warranty when the hydraulic pump for the roof died (common problem due to rust because the drain holes plug up with debris), dealer denied coverage because I should have cleaned the drain holes even though they are deep in the body and not able to be cleaned out without removing the roof and motor, not to mention there was no service requirement for such maintenance, and wanted $4K for the repair. I contacted BMW, explained the problem and they covered the repair. I hope you get the same response I did!

[Bimmerfun82]

Got my car back sans spacers. It’s just sad. But I love this car and can’t do the M2.

The silver lining is that my CA confirmed the manual Z4 is coming.

[SpeedyATL]

Good decision. M2s are for Pu**ies!

Not really...they do look like lots of fun but glad you stayed in the fold.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

Good decision. M2s are for Pu**ies!

Not really...they do look like lots of fun but glad you stayed in the fold.

Sat in a 2 series and was completely underwhelmed. Realize the M2 is a step up, but...

[BMWGirlFL]

I've driven the G42 but not the G87. G29 much more FUN to me. I think the M2 is a step up, so to speak, in many respects but with some compromise compared to the Z4 because of size difference, especially the longer wheelbase. I also think the Z4 has a sexier look.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

I've driven the G42 but not the G87. G29 much more FUN to me. I think the M2 is a step up, so to speak, in many respects but with some compromise compared to the Z4 because of size difference, especially the longer wheelbase. I also think the Z4 has a sexier look.

To clarify, I meant the M2 is a step up from the 230i/M240i but that I wasn't impressed with the look or feel of the outside or inside.

The z4 looks much better imo than the M2, on that we agree, and on the driving dynamics - plus the top goes down.

[bacampbe]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

To clarify, I meant the M2 is a step up from the 230i/M240i but that I wasn't impressed with the look or feel of the outside or inside.

The z4 looks much better imo than the M2, on that we agree, and on the driving dynamics - plus the top goes down.

I just traded an M240i vert for my Z4. I would have seriously considered an M2, except: 1) no convertible, and 2) it's kinda funny looking.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by bacampbe

I just traded an M240i vert for my Z4. I would have seriously considered an M2, except: 1) no convertible, and 2) it's kinda funny looking.

Congrats, you won't be disappointed!

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

I've driven the G42 but not the G87. G29 much more FUN to me. I think the M2 is a step up, so to speak, in many respects but with some compromise compared to the Z4 because of size difference, especially the longer wheelbase. I also think the Z4 has a sexier look.

It definitely has sexier lines!

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Brake vibration especially at low speeds and significant brake noise

When I test drove an M40i I noticed that it had alot of brake noise, but it only happened at the start of a drive when everything was still cold. I thought it was weird at the time, but also noticed the same thing with the 30i.

When I was at the dealership and I saw an M850 grand coupe doing the same thing... I'm like.. ah.. must be a BMW thing lol.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Horseman

When I test drove an M40i I noticed that it had alot of brake noise, but it only happened at the start of a drive when everything was still cold. I thought it was weird at the time, but also noticed the same thing with the 30i.

When I was at the dealership and I saw an M850 grand coupe doing the same thing... I'm like.. ah.. must be a BMW thing lol.

The same thing has happened to me. Once it warms up the noise disappears.

[Bimmerfun82]

I don’t have noise on mine. They just completely failed NBD.

[Kevin45E]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Got my car back sans spacers. It’s just sad. But I love this car and can’t do the M2.

The silver lining is that my CA confirmed the manual Z4 is coming.

I don’t want to hijack this thread. Would you mind going to one of the Z4 manual threads and giving some detail on your CA confirming the Z4 manual?

[stlcdr]

I don’t see a reason to give up the Z4 because of this issue (especially for an M2 - different cars). Unless you are for a decent step up in performance, in which case, prioritizing performance would probably push to a coupe.

Every car has a weak link. From a chassis standpoint, how far away is this car from a true M car? My guess is the brakes, when pushing the car for an extended period of time.

It looks like there are performance options available. Not cheap, but then this is a BMW, with performance in the (rough guess) top 10% of performance capability - however you want to measure it.

Stick with it, reassess, and maybe look at a brake upgrade at a later point?

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

I don’t see a reason to give up the Z4 because of this issue (especially for an M2 - different cars). Unless you are for a decent step up in performance, in which case, prioritizing performance would probably push to a coupe.

Every car has a weak link. From a chassis standpoint, how far away is this car from a true M car? My guess is the brakes, when pushing the car for an extended period of time.

It looks like there are performance options available. Not cheap, but then this is a BMW, with performance in the (rough guess) top 10% of performance capability - however you want to measure it.

Stick with it, reassess, and maybe look at a brake upgrade at a later point?

Thank you, this is exactly the conclusion that I arrived at.

It's unfortunate but let's see how the brakes perform over the next 6 months without the spacers.

If I have an issue again, then I'll upgrade the brakes.

[Westside Guy]

I think the moral of this story is that if you’re going to do a modification like this to your car be prepared to have a dealer use that as an excuse if there are any issues and not honor the warranty. Unless the dealer does the installation and guarantees it, you were bound to get screwed!

[ebirotedu]

Assuming that your rotors warped from excessive heating, you could try to improve airflow over them with a brake ducting kit. That's substantially cheaper than an aftermarket brake setup.

Either way, it's a somewhat speculative investment because I rarely see non-OEMs post real-world data that shows in any objective measure exactly how much improvement you can expect to see with either a brake kit or a ducting solution as the vendor has implemented it. A ducting kit will cost quite a bit less than new brakes though, is simpler to install, and may achieve a better outcome (bigger brakes won't necessarily help if they end up heat-soaked due to inadequate ventilation) depending upon whether you just want better braking endurance and un-warped rotors, or more stopping power in all conditions.

Found a couple of Supra front brake duct kits - I'd imagine these could be easily fit to a Z4 as well:

https://www.verus-engineering.com/sh...tegory=57#attr

https://www.speedengineering.de/prod...ota-supra-mk5/

Again, disappointing that the vendors don't provide any hard data on how effective these are - if I were to get either kit, I'd do some before & after testing with an infrared thermometer to satisfy my own curiosity re: how effective they are at managing rotor heat.

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Thank you, this is exactly the conclusion that I arrived at.

It's unfortunate but let's see how the brakes perform over the next 6 months without the spacers.

If I have an issue again, then I'll upgrade the brakes.

[Bimmerfun82]

Well, I took her for a spin. First of all, nice to have brakes that actually work. And second, I did notice the narrower track, oversteering a few times… but C’est la vie. What a phenomenal car! Thanks all for the encouragement and guidance on this issue.

Whether it was the spacers or my driving, I’ve now budgeted for new brakes every year (wife signed off on the budget request).

Have a great weekend and enjoy your rides!