Torque & horsepower 3.0si vs. S54

[psygnosis]

Originally Posted by BTM

Mine came with 4 or 5 but that wasn't enough, I stepped my game up to like 35

Only 4? The X3 with the M Sport package has 7 and it's not even a real M car.

[BTM]

1 on engine, 1 on steering wheel, 1 on rear, and 1 on each side...unless I'm forgetting some

[psygnosis]

Wheels? Door sills? Head rests?

edit: Is there one in the trunk somewhere?

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by djlogan33

==============================================
I assume, with all the high performance upgrades, you must do a lot of Driver Schools, right?
Did you notice a difference after installing the "OEM Strut Bar"?

Yeah, I went to the track 6 times in the course of the first four months of this year. However, I've been cutting down recently because I'm trying to save up money as best I can
Sad, but true story

I'd say that if I didn't have the front strut bar, the car probably wouldn't turn in as well. How much of a difference though? Probably negligible to 90+% of people that buy this bar (hopefully myself excluded) xD

With the addition of my harness bar which I finally installed recently, I felt the same (probably but hopefully not negligible) difference while driving in the mountains

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by psygnosis

Wheels? Door sills? Head rests?

edit: Is there one in the trunk somewhere?

Nope. But you forgot the floormats. There are 14 M badges, iirc.

[krusty]

I've got the 18inch M wheels (style 135) on my 3.0 si coupe, and each has an M on it. Not sure if they actually use those wheels on the M itself.

[gcochard]

The z4m wheels each have m badges on them, yes.

Like I said before, I would have paid for the m strictly because of the thick steering wheel. The difference between the e36 m wheel is insane. I really feel like it is a race car when I hold that wheel.

With all that said, the diff and the high revving engine are completely usable on the street, I regularly bring my engine to redline between lights and on the freeway. If I had a 3.0si, I would want more revs.

[ZStig]

even with a lot more power, its still completely usable on the street

[Huz-Z]

GP20- get over yourself man, there is NOTHING "pathetic and terrible" about my 3.0SI.

I always chuckle when guys describe the shortcomings of the SI in disparaging terms, while at the same time, the shortcomings of the M are characterized as "well worth it, or minor". Each of these cars is an example of great engineering design, and like all great designs, there are compromises in each to enhance certain attributes.

There is no need to use those terms to describe other forum members cars.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

GP20- get over yourself man, there is NOTHING "pathetic and terrible" about my 3.0SI.

I always chuckle when guys describe the shortcomings of the SI in disparaging terms, while at the same time, the shortcomings of the M are characterized as "well worth it, or minor". Each of these cars is an example of great engineering design, and like all great designs, there are compromises in each to enhance certain attributes.

There is no need to use those terms to describe other forum members cars.

I don't think he is talking about the si in general - specifically he is talking about the steering. I have to agree, when I drove an si for the first time, I was disappointed with the steering feel(and I was driving an S2000 at the time which also has electric steering). The steering feel alone made me decide on the M. If I could have specified the M's steering rack in an si, it would probably be a different story.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by epbrown

Nope. But you forgot the floormats. There are 14 M badges, iirc.

I count 15 as stock (not including floor mats):

2 front fenders
1 trunk
4 wheels
1 engine
2 headrests
1 steering wheel
1 gear knob
1 instrument cluster
2 door sills

[Silververtu]

Don't forget the M on each brake caliper

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by chickdr

I don't think he is talking about the si in general - specifically he is talking about the steering. I have to agree, when I drove an si for the first time, I was disappointed with the steering feel(and I was driving an S2000 at the time which also has electric steering). The steering feel alone made me decide on the M. If I could have specified the M's steering rack in an si, it would probably be a different story.

Regardless, I would not use those terms to describe the M's fuel consumption, requirement for a manual valve adjustment, more costly brakes or the VANOS issue. Most M owners are not fussed at all by those things, so I wouldn't use that to crap on the M.

In any case, most Z4 owners ditch the run flats for a massive improvement in the car's steering. simple fix, great car.

[esqu1re]

Wow. Not much between the two until later in the RPM.

[GP20]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

GP20- get over yourself man, there is NOTHING "pathetic and terrible" about my 3.0SI.

I always chuckle when guys describe the shortcomings of the SI in disparaging terms, while at the same time, the shortcomings of the M are characterized as "well worth it, or minor". Each of these cars is an example of great engineering design, and like all great designs, there are compromises in each to enhance certain attributes.

There is no need to use those terms to describe other forum members cars.

Sorry about hurting your ego.

I've owned 2 non-M's and 2 M's. The sensation of the electric steering is downright pathetic. I would not describe it any other way. I'll say it again and again - because it is. And wow you're clueless if you think changing out the run-flats fixes the steering sensation. I don't think you know what I'm talking about, or what youself is talking about.

Now get over yourself.

[Swashplate]

Don't forget the A-Arms.

[gcochard]

Originally Posted by TheBroker

Don't forget the A-Arms.

The rear trailing arms too right?

[Swashplate]

Originally Posted by cliffhopper

The rear trailing arms too right?

Yup. Those ones are even cast into them.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by GP20

Sorry about hurting your ego.

I've owned 2 non-M's and 2 M's. The sensation of the electric steering is downright pathetic. I would not describe it any other way. I'll say it again and again - because it is. And wow you're clueless if you think changing out the run-flats fixes the steering sensation. I don't think you know what I'm talking about, or what youself is talking about.

Now get over yourself.

Jesus. the point I am trying to make is that you can say that one car has a superior characteristic, without coming across like some egotistical, callous zealot. Your kind of condescending commentary serves to benefit nobody here. In fact, I know of several Z4 owners who have stopped posting here because of all the bashing of non M cars.

with respect to the steering, I don't know what you did to your non M cars, but on my SI, the steering is fine by me. The only pathetic thing here is your arrogant attitude.

[Huz-Z]

Oh yeah. two of my friends recently bought SI's, after driving my car. They both remarked about how nice the car was, in particular the power - and the steering. These guys are capable folks who carefully researched what they would buy, and they know what is good and what is not. The M is certainly better still in those areas of power and steering, but there is no way the SI is "pathetic".

[-c-]

hey Huz!

I hear ya man!

actually it’s a funny story but my friend Ryan who owns an exige S and a whole list of other very formidable vehicles actually prefers the N52 based z4's to the M z4, I was actually shocked when we test drove both and he preferred the lighter feeling of the Si and all around drive of the car, so that’s his opinion and neither right nor wrong but right by me, wink wink we are all here guys because we love the car whether it’s a 2.5 3.0 3.2 its all good and we are all passionate about what we own and love so let’s talk about everyone’s auto's with a little respect, you bought the M because you liked it Huz bought an Si because he liked that it does not mean one car is inferior to another it’s just that car fit better to that owners requirements....... now if you want to bash a Toyota please by all means I won’t stop you!

but again a little bit of playful banter is OK !

[djlogan33]

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

Yeah, I went to the track 6 times in the course of the first four months of this year. However, I've been cutting down recently because I'm trying to save up money as best I can
Sad, but true story

I'd say that if I didn't have the front strut bar, the car probably wouldn't turn in as well. How much of a difference though? Probably negligible to 90+% of people that buy this bar (hopefully myself excluded) xD

With the addition of my harness bar which I finally installed recently, I felt the same (probably but hopefully not negligible) difference while driving in the mountains

=================================================
When I had my S54 Z3 M Coupe, I put lots of $$$ into upgrading the springs, shocks and 3.73 diff...and it did help my lap times @ Mid-Ohio, but the car was still hard to handle in some of the corners.

I got better lap times with my completely stock Z4 Coupe 3.0si than I did with the upgraded S54 Z3 M Coupe.

The only thing I did to the Z4 Coupe 3.0si was upgraded to BBS wheels and better tires and brakes.
When I did laps with track tires, the Z4 Coupe 3.0si was even better.

I knew what RPM range to keep the 3.0si in for the best performance and that helped.
It did require more shifting into lower/higher gears, while navigating the track.

What's nice about the S54 engine is that, because of its wide power range, it requires less shifting to lower/higher gears, so I can concentrate more in setting up for corners, braking and steering.

I'm looking forward to see how the Z4 M Coupe handles @ Mid-Ohio with track tires.

“A Need…for Speed”…: