FAQ Thread

[MIKe86]

I've been a lurker here for a little bit, and have posted here in there. This forum, although full of knowledge and what seems like nice respectful people, lacks a FAQ thread for simple questions.


I've been searching and can not seem to find a definitive answer for "What are the differences between 06, 07, and 08 M coupes and M roadsters?". I did come across a brief thread regarding all z's, but I'm interested in the M's in particular. I'm sure other newbies that came here before purchasing an M are too.


Hopefully we can get a nice compilation of FAQ and links to threads answering the questions here.


-What are the differences between 06, 07, and 08 M Coupes and Roadsters?

• AUX-in for the stereo was added in 2007 but was not in 2006 cars.

• All years power output/engine is the same.
  
  3.2L/198
  
  HP @ RPM
  330 @ 7900
  Torque @ RPM
  262 @ 4900
  
  Fuel Tank
  14.5 Gallons

How about TPMS? Anything else? Particular year certain options or colors came out? Power output, emissions regs, etc?


-Why does my tranny grind when I shift 1 ->2?

• Short answer is it is most likely your technique.
  http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...t=tranny+grind
  http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...t=tranny+grind

-What is this CDV that I keep reading about?
It is a clutch delay valve. Read here: *again, will update with relevant thread links for more reading*

-How rare is my z4m?

• Pretty damn rare
  http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201969
  http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302570

.

-What are common issues with my z4m?

• Motor Mount Bolts Issue
  Bolts needed are:
  M8X26mm with 1.25 pitch 10.9 Grade
  M8X35mm with 1.25 pitch 10.9 Grade
  M8 Hardened Washers
  
  Oem replacement bolts Part # which are 8.8 grade are:
  07119905724 M8X26mm
  07119905533 M8X35mm
  *these come with washers*
  
  McMaster-Carr Part numbers for comparable bolts are:
  90854A167 M8x25mm (1mm shorter than oem)
  90854A172 M8x35mm
  *note* they are only sold in packs of 25*
  
  91812A230 Wedge Lock Washer (Nord-Lock SS washers that prevent loosening)
  *note* Sold in packs of 5
  
  Torque to 21 N*m
  
  Realoem shows 6 of the M8X26mm & 2 M8X35mm
  http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...64&hg=22&fg=05
  
  Link to more info:
  http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...9&postcount=42
  http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...=328626&page=2
  Thanks to Ron Stygar & others for providing all this info.
  

• Rear sway bar mounts loosen up over time.
  • Indicated by squeaking/groaning/popping from the rear (in that order of progression over time). If left unaddressed, the bolts can back themselves all the way out and the mounts can fall off. Usually affects the driver's side.
  • Solution: Re-Torque the mounting bolts. Many have replaced the OEM fastners with Nordlocks to keep the problem from coming back every 5k miles or so.
  
  
• Front strut-to-firewall braces loosen up over time.
  • Indicated by squeaking/groaning/popping from the front (in that order of progression over time).
  • Solution: Re-Torque the strut brace nuts/bolts (Depending on the build date of your vehicle, you'll have nuts or bolts up top). This will most likely need to be repeated every 5k miles or so.
  
  
• Windshield wiper motor starts acting sporadic while in intermittent mode.
  • Description and Solution: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1115530
  
  
• BMW Assist/SOS constantly being dialed.
  • Solution: Take it to the dealer.
  
  
• Ejector stuck inside of buffer stop units.
  • if it's stuck down, and you push it and there's zero resistance and goes in farther, then the innards of the assembly have been lost. If, however, there is resistance, it could be that the adjustment mechanism has been triggered and the pin is being held in.
  • More Detail and Picture: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1286047
  • Solution: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...4#post16999814 . Also one should NEVER slam the Z4s hood or you risk damaging these parts -- Hood should be pushed down on either side after being closed enough to latch the center safety catch.
• Wrinkles in driver's face due to joker-style perma-grin.
  • Solution: None.

• http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...or+mount+bolts

• http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...or+mount+bolts

-CPO a big deal? Worth paying the dealer to CPO my vehicle?
Links to related threads...

See where I'm going? Hopefully we can get a nice little guide here for all newbs, I found it SUPER helpful when I stepped into the world of Ducati's recently. I would even link that thread right now if I could to show an example of what I mean, but again I'm on my bb. Would love to get this stickied, with eventual mod clean up if needed.


Thanks guys. Please add to it!!!

[Dammmittt]

This probably doesn't help...but....

06/07 you will find if you search....I remember having this conversation in the past.

08 only changes to the car are the factory options available...like HD Radio. Also 08s are less likely to have the dreaded engine mount bolt failures based on the SIB.

[Blind32]

I had started a notepad file that contains a lot of good info like you talk of. Here is a copy & paste of it. I'll try to go back later and clean it up a bit. If you see something that is incorrect please let me know. Also, If I quote you and do not put you as the source, I'm sorry, Let me know and I'll fix that. I am not trying to "steal" your work. Some of this info may be opinion based. I basically grabbed it from threads and made a little cheat sheet for myself.

AUX-in for the stereo was added in 2007 but was not in 2006 cars.

3.2L/198

HP @ RPM
330 @ 7900
Torque @ RPM
262 @ 4900

Fuel Tank
14.5 Gallons


Motor Mount Bolts Issue

Bolts needed are:
M8X26mm with 1.25 pitch 10.9 Grade
M8X35mm with 1.25 pitch 10.9 Grade
M8 Hardened Washers

Oem replacement bolts Part # which are 8.8 grade are:
07119905724 M8X26mm
07119905533 M8X35mm
*these come with washers*

McMaster-Carr Part numbers for comparable bolts are:
90854A167 M8x25mm (1mm shorter than oem)
90854A172 M8x35mm
*note* they are only sold in packs of 25*

91812A230 Wedge Lock Washer (Nord-Lock SS washers that prevent loosening)
*note* Sold in packs of 5

Torque to 21 N*m

Realoem shows 6 of the M8X26mm & 2 M8X35mm
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...64&hg=22&fg=05

Link to more info:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...9&postcount=42
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...=328626&page=2
Thanks to Ron Stygar & others for providing all this info.


FAQs How to's
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=130986

Determining number made
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235232

Coupes, Worldwide: 4,275, North America: 1,815.
Roadsters, Worldwide: 5,070, North America: 3,042
Source - BMW Car magazine, Nov. 2008 issue, pp 9.

Aluminum hood

Stock Tires:
225/45ZR18
255/40ZR18

Stock Wheels
Front 18X8.0 ET42
Rear 18X9.0 ET30
Style 224M

Stock Brake Rotors
Front:
13.6 x 1.10 inch
Rear:
12.9 x 0.79 inch

The size most of us run on the stock wheels is
front:245/40-18 and rear:275/35-18.

Final Drive Ratio 3.62
We have the same differential that is in the E46 M3

More info on swapping in 3.91 or 4.10:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287976


Curb Weight 3230 lbs

OEM Wheel Weights

Front = 24.75 lbs.
Rear = 25.88 lbs.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=167236

With the Z4 M, the ideal shift points are at redline with the exception of 5th to 6th, where it's 500 revs sooner

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/

The gearbox is from the 3.0si rather than the E46 M3

DIY clutch stop mod
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=179858

ZHP Knob
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Z4M Production and Other Interesting Info Thread
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201969

Nav Tweek
http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...avtweak-2.html
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39...k-dummies.html

Camber
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=339138
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=321359
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html..._ID=TSU3690036

Approx what can be adjusted
front -1.00 camber stock with pins
front -1.5-1.75 stock without pins
front -2.5 with shims from turner




Suspension Guide
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44325

[MIKe86]

perfect blind 32. That is exactly the kind of info we're looking for. I was looking at an 06,would have been surprised to see no aux input!

Anyway, I will add to/edit original post. In the meantime, please add more people! And here is a link to that ducati FAQ I mentioned earlier. http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10733


Have to drop another motor into my e30 right now, will be back later tonight to continue z4mc hunting online and editing this bad boy.

[jragan]

the best FAQ is to be found on bimmerfest http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=130986

[dekaliber]

Thought the M's a final drive ratio of 3.62 rather than 2.62?

[Blind32]

Originally Posted by dekaliber

Thought the M's a final drive ratio of 3.62 rather than 2.62?

You sir are correct, must of fat fingered it. FIXED!

[wildag]

Following thread has all of the production info (colors, options, etC) for every North American Z4M.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302570

[dekaliber]

Someone should start a ZPost M Roadster/Coupe wiki -- seems like a more manageable solution that just updating a long forum thread...

[MIKe86]

Originally Posted by dekaliber

Someone should start a ZPost M Roadster/Coupe wiki -- seems like a more manageable solution that just updating a long forum thread...

That too, but I will update this later as I got caught up last night and it's work time now.

[MIKe86]

did some updating. more tomorrow.

[jragan]

You've missed several common issues:

• Rear sway bar mounts loosen up over time.
  • Indicated by squeaking/groaning/popping from the rear (in that order of progression over time). If left unaddressed, the bolts can back themselves all the way out and the mounts can fall off. Usually affects the driver's side.
  • Solution: Re-Torque the mounting bolts. Many have replaced the OEM fastners with Nordlocks to keep the problem from coming back every 5k miles or so.
• Front strut-to-firewall braces loosen up over time.
  • Indicated by squeaking/groaning/popping from the front (in that order of progression over time).
  • Solution: Re-Torque the strut brace nuts/bolts (Depending on the build date of your vehicle, you'll have nuts or bolts up top). This will most likely need to be repeated every 5k miles or so.
• Windshield wiper motor starts acting sporadic while in intermittent mode.
  • Description and Solution: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1115530
• BMW Assist/SOS constantly being dialed.
  • Solution: Take it to the dealer.
• Ejector stuck inside of buffer stop units.
  • if it's stuck down, and you push it and there's zero resistance and goes in farther, then the innards of the assembly have been lost. If, however, there is resistance, it could be that the adjustment mechanism has been triggered and the pin is being held in.
  • More Detail and Picture: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1286047
  • Solution: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...4#post16999814 . Also one should NEVER slam the Z4s hood or you risk damaging these parts -- Hood should be pushed down on either side after being closed enough to latch the center safety catch.
• Wrinkles in driver's face due to joker-style perma-grin.
  • Solution: None.

[Hawkeye]

Good idea, graet thread!

[MIKe86]

Just came across this link, lots of good stuff on here... thanks bill!

http://www.billswebspace.com/bmwmc.htm

[racerbruce]

Roadster Curb Weight: 3,197 lbs

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

Roadster Curb Weight: 3,197 lbs

Is that for the Z4MR? OM for the 3.0i and 3.0si show slightly lighter curb weights.......

[Daredevil6]

I have a repair question for the group:

I was driving my Z (2003 Z4 2.5 standard) last week when something odd happened. As I was pulling into a parking stack I heard a "pop." All of the lights on the panel illuminated as I pulled into a parking spot. Then the vehicle would not start (just a click when I turned the ignition.) The power in the vehicle would not shut off at the ignition even with the key removed.

If it weren't for the electrical issue I would assume its just a blown starter. Any thoughts on what might have happened?