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04-20-2018, 11:14 AM | #23 |
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I was at this same juncture almost three years ago. If you are concerned about maintenance (scheduled and unscheduled) and not a DYI type person, stay with the 3.0si and have fun.
If you have resources and not overwhelmingly concerned about maintenance and labor rates, get the M Roadster and do not look back. I have never met anyone that was not happy they spent the time to find and then subsequently the money to acquire an M Roadster. The E85 M Roadster and E86 M Coupe were essentially the last analog BMW produced that had some rawness to it, and that legendary S54! Read the threads about how some are struggling on exactly what to replace them with, there really isn't anything like them. The S54 went into the sunset in the ideal chassis'. Frankly no manufacturer builds a car like either of them any longer, and yes this included BMW themselves. The E86 Z4 3.0si Coupe was built in very small numbers. A 2104 total were built for North American Market: 828 Manual 1276 Automatic Just my worthless $0.02 |
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04-26-2018, 12:36 PM | #24 |
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I have two E86's. One 3.0si coupe w/sport suspension, one M coupe. I pretty much echo what others have said; the 3.0si is a lot of performance without a lot of maintenance drama. Put a LSD in it and call it a day. You can also add hydraulic steering, it's been done. But I'd be happy with the LSD I think.
All that said, I'm keeping the M and selling the si. For what I want the car for, the M is the better fit. But under other circumstances I would not hesitate to keep the si. Great car. |
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04-26-2018, 01:34 PM | #25 |
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After driving the car again I've decided to keep the SI. I also finally installed the ZHP shifter and wholly crap it's a completely different car!
I'm trying to identify some tasteful mods. Any recommendations? Do strut mounts help improve the steering or handling? Which intake gives the best sound? GruppeM or AFE? Any others? Thanks! |
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04-26-2018, 07:10 PM | #27 |
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04-26-2018, 08:12 PM | #28 |
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04-26-2018, 09:04 PM | #29 |
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04-26-2018, 09:10 PM | #30 |
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What's the fitment for the e85. Do you have pictures of your car?
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04-26-2018, 09:30 PM | #32 |
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04-27-2018, 06:48 AM | #33 | |
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Quote:
and here are pics of my car: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1294464 VMR 718s in Hyper Silver. 18 inch rims with Michelin Pilot Super Sports: 225 40 ZR18 front and 255 35 ZR18 rear. Offsets are 35mm on the front and 45mm on the rear. The folks at VMR can confirm fitment for your specific car - just in case there are any differences from one model year to the next.
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BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package. |
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04-27-2018, 08:19 AM | #34 |
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Refreshing the suspension bushings transformed my non M handling wise.
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W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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04-27-2018, 04:58 PM | #35 | |
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Not sure what you mean by "just better grip". If you've ever tramped the gas coming out of a corner and had the engine revs jump up, it's because your inside rear tire is spinning away while your outside rear tire gets no torque at all. Or perhaps if you've jumped on the loud pedal in the wet and, again, the revs jump up but the car doesn't go faster -- one of the wheels is spinning while the other does jack squat for you. LSD puts a stop to that nonsense. It makes the car more engaging to drive enthusiastically. If none of this has ever happened to you, spend your money elsewhere. |
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04-30-2018, 12:51 PM | #36 | |
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ZHP shifter?
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Can you please enlighten me on the difference on upgrading to a ZHP shifter? Are you just talking about the shift knob? I'm not making a joke here- just want to know if I'm missing something. Just a smaller knob? Thanks! KG |
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04-30-2018, 12:54 PM | #37 | |
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Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75]
E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.20] |
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Headers, MILV’s, BPC tune Bilstein B12 kit & GC street camber plates 255 square tires Game over! MFactory offers a helical diff with lifetime warranty |
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04-30-2018, 03:20 PM | #38 | ||
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04-30-2018, 09:21 PM | #39 |
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I have the N52 in my 128i. I know its a bit of a different animal in the Z4 but I think it makes a better DD engine in a different kind of chassi (3er, 1er, etc).
S54 by contrast is a raw little demon under the hood just waiting to be unleashed. Totally different nature and temperament and if you have the budget and stomach for a bit more additional maintenance it pays off in character and throttle response. Make no mistake the M is a raw, visceral sports car and not a cruiser like a four seater BMW non-M vert or the E89 Z4. But its a pig on gas in case it matters and theoretically I've lost my car and license several times already just being unable to control myself with this mill's ready to kick ass attitude. |
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