Ride Quality Question

[spiceyxi]

How is the ride quality in the Z4 Coupe? Test drove the one below a couple of weeks ago and it seemed excessively harsh, is that normal? It had the sports package with RFT's. This car seemed a bit rough around the edges, but is this ride quality normal? I have driven a couple of loaner BMW 3 Series with the sports package and they didn't give me a headache.

The Z4 Coupe has been a personal favorite of mine (style) and I look forward to getting the wife to agree to one. If not, it looks like there will be a corvette in my future....

This is the car we drove http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/...ave%20car:page

[WAMz4]

The biggest culprit is the RFT's. I cant stress enough what a horrible idea the RFT's were on this car. Always dump the RFT's, it makes a huge difference.
Also this car needs to be in alignment for the best ride.
The combination of non RFT's and a wheel alignment will tame the ride a great deal but it is of course a sports car and the ride will never compare to the 3 series, or any other BMW.
Some call it bumpy, some call it raw, some call it FUN!

[spiceyxi]

Thanks WAM. I suspected it was the RFT's. I will need to keep an eye out for a Z4 coupe without them to test to see if that works out better for us. It would be a lot to spend getting a car and switching the tires to decide it still wasn't right.

Is there that much of a difference between the Coupe and the Roadster in terms of ride quality? I have test driven one of them and it was much less noticeable.

[XMetal]

As indicated above, the Z4 isn't going to be as comfy as a 3'er. Remember, the Z4 had one of the stiffest chassis ever made, coupled that with a shorter wheelbase...it's going to be a bit more on the "harsh" side. But then again, ride quality is subjective and relative as what may be considered "harsh" to you may not be for some of us.

[nks979]

how much does it differ in normal to sport+ mode? not sure if thats only an e89 thing or if on all z4s

[Emmrbee]

Just replaced my RFTs with Hankook Ventus Evo2s. All I can say is WOW!

[Aries326]

I got rid of the run flats and put on H&R coilovers. The ride is much more comfortable.

[seank]

A 3 series and a z4 are night and day apart. One is heavy, quiet and comfortable. The other is light and nimble (to today standards) and exciting.

Think of it like wife vs fun girlfriend.

[spiceyxi]

Thanks Seank. I will probably skip the analogy with my wife, but I get the point. I guess I was expecting the difference between my non-sport 528i and a 3 sport with RFT's to be the same delta between the 3 and the Zed.

Based on some of these replies I will definitely keep an eye out for a Zed with non-RFT's and have my wife try that and hopefully I can get a green light. The Z4 coupe has been my favorite looking car for years.

There was a Sport button on the center console. The ride quality seemed to be the same regardless if the button was pressed or not.

[wdupdog]

Originally Posted by spiceyxi

There was a Sport button on the center console. The ride quality seemed to be the same regardless if the button was pressed or not.

The sport button only increases throttle response and enhances "road feel" on the steering.