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      12-06-2019, 12:33 PM   #1
Scolirk
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Z4 M40i Winter Driving & Snow

Hey everyone,

A couple weeks back I had the chance to drive the 2020 BMW Z4 M40i, I had hoped to check it out a bit earlier but someone had damaged it during the week I had it lined up and things got pushed back a few weeks. Lucky for me it snowed during the week I had it, and I was able to test it out using some really good winter tires.



I know almost no one is going to be winter driving any Z4, but in the off chance you want to know what it's capabilities are than this video is the way to go. Fun little car either way!
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      12-08-2019, 09:27 AM   #2
sanfordrich
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Thanks for the winter driving impressions. Did the winter tires come with the car? Can you provide specs for them? Thanks again.
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      12-09-2019, 04:09 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sanfordrich View Post
Thanks for the winter driving impressions. Did the winter tires come with the car? Can you provide specs for them? Thanks again.
I think specs were provided in the comments of the video on YouTube.
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      12-09-2019, 04:10 PM   #4
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Nice test of heated everything as well ... top down while it snows, below freezing, is kinda hardcore!!!
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      12-10-2019, 07:11 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sanfordrich View Post
Thanks for the winter driving impressions. Did the winter tires come with the car? Can you provide specs for them? Thanks again.
At around 5:30 it says 225/50R17 98H Bridgestone Blizzak LM001.

FWIW I don't think the car looks good in those - I'm keeping my 19" rims on for the winter and swapping to Continental WinterContact TS860S. Probably not as good on proper snow but good enough for an English winter.
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      12-10-2019, 10:09 AM   #6
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Good to know.....but my Z4 is sitting comfortably in the heated garage where it will stay for the next 5 months. :-)

Dave
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      12-10-2019, 10:51 AM   #7
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Just watched the whole video and have to say; well done. I agree with the value proposition (obviously, I suspose as I bought one) though I'd expand on the whole "base boxster" thing as a boxster with the options you have on the Z4 was $117,500 Can....and the P store didn't want to deal much on that number. I also agree on the space, both inside and luggage; much better than my previous F type. ....and yeah, the charger works for me but it's slow and gets warm, better to plug in.

There are only a couple comments I'd question. To start with, I really like the sound of the Z4, it's throaty without being ridiculous.....my V8 Ftype scared old people, children and wildlife on startup and got louder from there! Fun for awhile but ultimately I got tired of it and running with the baffels engaged was too quiet - the Z4 sounds better to my ears, if more subdued at WOT. .....it also sounds FAR better than the Audi and Porsche.

The only other item I'd mention is that I get tired of the bemoaning about the "lack of a true Z4M" on virtually every video, test and article on the G29.....I get it but since the M40i is equipped with the M brakes, M diff, active suspension and is faster than every Z car to come before it, I'm not sure it's really worth mentioning in every test.

Thanks and cheers,
Dave
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      12-11-2019, 11:09 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DPelletier View Post
I really like the sound of the Z4, it's throaty without being ridiculous...

I get tired of the bemoaning about the "lack of a true Z4M" on virtually every video, test and article on the G29...
I agree with you on both points Dave. The one thought that doesn't enter my head when I'm driving the car is "if only..."

Also re the luggage - I love the fact I can fill the boot/trunk to the gunwales and drop the roof without having to move anything. I am so looking forward to next summer's road trip!
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      12-11-2019, 02:23 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZedsRedBaby View Post
Also re the luggage - I love the fact I can fill the boot/trunk to the gunwales and drop the roof without having to move anything. I am so looking forward to next summer's road trip!
I love the soft top and spacious trunk; we had an SLK and an F type previously. The SLK had decent space but only with the top up which was a PITA as we only drove the car when it was nice. The F type's top didn't interfere but the trunk was really small.

Dave
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      12-11-2019, 02:35 PM   #10
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I've had a couple of 4 series convertibles. Spent a lot of time over the last few summers moving stuff back and forth between the boot and the back seat. I won't miss that!
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      12-20-2019, 11:17 PM   #11
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The Continentals on 18" wheels are much better than the Blizzaks.

Except for a 3-year detour into an M4 Cabrio, my daily year-round car in the New Hampshire mountains for 15 years has been a Z4. They do fine in snow.
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      01-24-2020, 11:26 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sanfordrich View Post
Thanks for the winter driving impressions. Did the winter tires come with the car? Can you provide specs for them? Thanks again.
As someone else mentioned we include the complete tire specs for the winter tests we do right at the beginning of our driving segment. In terms of whether or not they 'come with the car', they don't, but BMW often has winter tire packages on their website and these were one of those that they offered. Had I driven this a few weeks prior it would have come with the 19" style 799M rims. Hope that helps.
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      01-25-2020, 09:55 AM   #13
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Link to the BMW winter tire/wheel catalog, includes packages and part numbers for G29 Z4:

http://click.dpsedigital.com/?qs=f64...176917eb98ec6c
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      02-10-2020, 09:21 PM   #14
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We run the OEM 19s with Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 in 255F and 275R sizes. The car feels very planted on all but the deepest snow..

When dealing with generous amounts of snow, it definitely struggles a bit on start ups while on inclines. You can manage this a bit by using eco mode and starting off in second gear. Worst case turn on "traction" mode. Otherwise, great winter car! Haha. The locking diff helps. I run the same tire setup on my M3!
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      02-11-2020, 08:36 PM   #15
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I'm not sure I would drive mine in the snow. I have a 2018 Golf R for that and this is really meant to be a summer fun car for me.

It's gonna suck parking it for the winter

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      04-12-2021, 06:33 AM   #16
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FWIW - I put a square set of Sottizero's on & drove my 30i all winter. Big snow or forecasted snow I took my AWD - but never hesitated to take out the Z4 .. Took trips from PA to FL and drove around in sub freezing temps & hooked up & stuck in corners just fine! Could launch in my 30i with almost 0 wheelspin.. Was awesome.

I 100% get & respect others covering it & keeping until Spring - but that's just not for me. I enjoyed driving it all winter & those days when we had 40+ & all sun I was right there with top down & seats on.. loving life.
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      04-12-2021, 07:56 AM   #17
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Unless a person is keeping the car for 20+ years, the only thing you are doing by not winter driving it is keeping it cleaner for the next owner and depriving yourself of driving it. I may test the waters of selling mine this spring since I now have plans of retiring sooner as opposed to later.

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      04-12-2021, 12:07 PM   #18
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I just went through a NY winter with the exact wheel/tire combo and have no complaints the car handled great in the snow, will be putting the "19s back on this weekend.
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      04-12-2021, 01:12 PM   #19
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More power to you guys, but I'm much happier driving my Range Rover through the snow than a low slung, rwd, 2seat convertible sportscar.

2 cents,
Dave
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      05-06-2021, 11:10 AM   #20
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Hello everyone

Can you confirm the 17inch is OK when we have the M Brakes ?-
It seems yes since the M40i has series M Brakes but on EUR configurator, when we put the M Brakes option, it implies to switch to 18inch minimum....
Thanks for your info

Max from France
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      05-09-2021, 02:41 AM   #21
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Hey

Here an illustration of the non compatibility announced by BMW
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...17-36112462579
Well indicated « not with sport brakes »....

Looking forward your info

Max
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      05-09-2021, 12:42 PM   #22
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What do you mean?
No one has 17inch as winter wheels with M Brakes?
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