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      01-08-2013, 07:35 PM   #1
dre99gsx
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Modifying and enjoying a rare Z4

Those of you who race, daily drive and modify your Z4MC, how do you handle the guilt? Coming from Supra world and owning a now-20 year old vehicle, we have already seen many components going out of production (rear quarter windows, interior trim panels, etc). Luckily, there are many aftermarket parts available, and many classifieds to keep parts flowing, but some specialty parts are becoming now extinct.

I haven't found much for the Z4MC as far as aftermarket, nor many drivers who modify these vehicles to the end of days. I'm surprised there aren't many (probably not one) Z4M coupes running 9s in the quarter mile! Is it lack of interest, aftermarket support, rarity of parts, cost?

And lastly, what is the prospects of Z4 OEM parts availability for the future? Does BMW have a 10-year production limit for parts after end of vehicle production? Anyone know their typical phase-out plans?
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      01-08-2013, 07:51 PM   #2
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What's the point of the 1/4 mile? I forget.
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      01-08-2013, 08:27 PM   #3
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Most people don't run 1/4

I personally autocross practically every weekend in the summer.

There are plenty of parts on the market for our cars, that are performance oriented. With that being said, be ready to pull out the wallet.
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      01-08-2013, 08:37 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dre99gsx View Post
Is it lack of interest, aftermarket support, rarity of parts, cost?
With only ~5000 Z4Ms built for North America, the aftermarket can't justify spending the R&D dollars for such a limited supply of cars.
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      01-08-2013, 08:37 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoGeo View Post
What's the point of the 1/4 mile? I forget.
+1000000000
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      01-08-2013, 09:00 PM   #6
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Turning is fun.
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      01-08-2013, 09:07 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dre99gsx View Post
I'm surprised there aren't many (probably not one) Z4M coupes running 9s in the quarter mile!
Who cares... We go to tracks with corners.
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      01-09-2013, 02:04 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rated M Roadster View Post
Who cares... We go to tracks with corners.
Who buys a Z4 M for the dragstrip???
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      01-09-2013, 06:18 AM   #9
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I like going fast as much as anyone else, but... The adrenaline rush I feel going 65-70+ on a set of twisties far outweigh the sensation I get in straight line acceleration. But to each its own.
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      01-09-2013, 06:58 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoGeo View Post
What's the point of the 1/4 mile? I forget.
Who would buy a car only to drive a 1/4 miles?

When I drive, it's usually 100 - 300 miles in a day down twisty roads.

How many turns are usually in a 1/4 mile?

Hell, getting out of my condo complex driveway would be a 1/4 mile.
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      01-09-2013, 07:30 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dre99gsx View Post
Those of you who race, daily drive and modify your Z4MC, how do you handle the guilt?
I understand your point... But people who gut and otherwise heavily modify these beautiful, future classics to improve track performance are not thinking about tomorrow... They're not collectors and they're not bad people... They're simply interested in maximizing their enjoyment of their car today. When the car is totally used up, they'll sell or scrap what's left and move on to something else without looking back. There's a good case to be made for this approach... After all, you can't take it with you when you go!

Others, who may be thinking about the future value and collectibility or resale value of this relatively rare beauty tend to limit their modifications to those that are easily reversible and retain the OEM parts. They rarely track their car, but still enjoy it every time they turn the ignition key. And I suspect they also secretly applaud the destruction of other Z4MCs by other owners through accidents and heavy track modifications thinking that the resulting attrition will only serve to enhance the uniqueness and value of their own particular car.
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      01-09-2013, 08:32 AM   #12
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      01-09-2013, 08:53 AM   #13
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I heavily modified my 1/100 sepang bronze z4m because I plan on keeping it until it hits 250k miles =)

Its modified to run low 12s now, and hoping mid 11s within a few months. I also autocross it a few times a year. And daily drive it.

To make it run 9s would be out of my budget, and lose its daily drivability

Not sure what the fack anyone is talking about lack if aftermarket support, when you can pretty do much anything you want with this chassis with the options available. Plus it shares many parts with the m3, or at least.. the important expensive bits (other than the soft top)
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      01-09-2013, 10:34 AM   #14
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The thing that's nice about the Z4 M is it's very track capable in it's stock form, maybe with a slightly different set of brakes, tires and fluids...

I never really understood why supra guys got into 1/4 mile stuff so much.. The car was never designed to be a drag car with an IRS, my guess is that people wanted to start making as much HP as possible and seeing how 1000HP @ 6000 RPM isn't too useful on a road course, about the only thing you can do is 1/4 mile, highway runs against bikes, and dyno runs...

If you want a drag car, make it out of something that's intended to be a drag car, not out of a well balanced, well handling sports car!
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      01-09-2013, 11:13 AM   #15
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Well, I added my first mod to my Z4 coupe today ... I transported two bags of pool salt in the boot. I thought the handling and grip superior ... they should sell all coupes with 2 bags of pool salt added. Methinks this perfect 50:50 thing is all wrong: if the power is to the rear, methinks you should have more weight on the rear!
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      01-09-2013, 12:19 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krusty View Post
Well, I added my first mod to my Z4 coupe today ... I transported two bags of pool salt in the boot. I thought the handling and grip superior ... they should sell all coupes with 2 bags of pool salt added. Methinks this perfect 50:50 thing is all wrong: if the power is to the rear, methinks you should have more weight on the rear!
Careful, this is starting to sound dangerously close to the design philosophy of a 911!
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      01-09-2013, 12:34 PM   #17
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I never understood taking a Supra and trying to run 9's in 1/4. I think you have to decide what you are mainly interested in and what your budget is. Not interested in 1/4 mile and if it was my main goal I think this is a poor car to start with.

I am also in the boat of limited mod's (soon to start but only easily reversed) with long term close to stock. Don't have any problem with others heavily modifying their cars but with the money involved I would probably just start with something more expensive and have the resale at the end.
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      01-09-2013, 01:13 PM   #18
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I've done quite a few mods on my car though I'm not sure it qualifies as heavily modified. I have only done reversible mods but I absolutely envy and admire the handful of guys on this forum who have really gone all out. That said I would feel guilty doing it to a pristine car. I've said before that I think it would be awesome to find a salvage title car (structurally sound of course) or something lightly abused to turn into a track only vehicle guilt free. Unfortunately my budget won't quite handle that right now.
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      01-09-2013, 01:18 PM   #19
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“Not putting miles on your Ferrari is like not having sex with your girlfriend so she’ll be more desirable to her next boyfriend.” -JG

This. Additionally, I feel no guilt. Life is short, you could slip and die in the bathtub.
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      01-09-2013, 01:20 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Digby Chicken Caesar View Post
“Not putting miles on your Ferrari is like not having sex with your girlfriend so she’ll be more desirable to her next boyfriend.” -JG

This. Additionally, I feel no guilt. Life is short, you could slip and die in the bathtub.
I saw the same quote on a Porsche forum and it's so true.
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      01-09-2013, 04:52 PM   #21
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Quote:
Others, who may be thinking about the future value and collectibility or resale value of this relatively rare beauty tend to limit their modifications to those that are easily reversible and retain the OEM parts
Keep your parts
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      01-09-2013, 11:07 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir Digby Chicken Caesar View Post
“Not putting miles on your Ferrari is like not having sex with your girlfriend so she’ll be more desirable to her next boyfriend.” -JG
I didn't know I could sell my girlfriend. Bazinga $$$
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