KW v3 E89 Z4 Dropped and Wrapped

[flpnout]

Mods:
- Dinan Stage 2
- Eisenmann Race Exhaust
- KW v3 Coilovers (corner weighted)
- BMW Performance Brakes
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport
- 3D Design Carbon Fiber front lip and rear diffuser
- Tekarbon CF Mirror Caps
- AutoCarbon CF Steering Wheel
- Gloss Black wrapped roof

Possible Future mods:
- Dinan High Performance Intercooler
- Dinan Stage 3
- Wheels (not sure what since I really like my 326M)
- Dinan Light Weight Fly Wheel
- LCI Headlights (whenever available)

[Torn]

So how do you like the kw's man? Btw I love the wrap! I do think you should have dropped it more tho! Mine is WAY lower than yours and it looks/performs great.

[redhot]

Nice HDR effect on one of the pix ...

[Torn]

Now that is LOW. lol

[flpnout]

Are you making your own adjustments on your ride height, dampening, and compression? I don't want to mess with mine since I just paid extra for the corner weight balancing.

[javol]

Originally Posted by flpnout

....It sure handles like an M car now...

We have a similar background since my previous car was an M3 E92 CP.

I well know what you mean with “the Z4 raises/jumps up during hard acceleration out of the corners”: a typical strange behavior of this car that, together with a remarkable understeer, make difficult to push it.

The question is: do you REALLY feel that great improvement with a “simple” coilovers work? It would be great!

Because I feel that the Z4 cannot be compared to the M3 in terms of handling, steering response, and chassis rigidity and that could be difficult and frustrating trying to change this situation…

I love my Z, but definitively it doesn’t seem a track car… I have always thought that the M3 and the Z4 are two really different cars, engineered for different purposes…

[Nkc]

first two tone z4 that looks right. Good job on the roof.

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by javol

We have a similar background since my previous car was an M3 E92 CP.

I well know what you mean with “the Z4 raises/jumps up during hard acceleration out of the corners”: a typical strange behavior of this car that, together with a remarkable understeer, make difficult to push it.

The question is: do you REALLY feel that great improvement with a “simple” coilovers work? It would be great!

Because I feel that the Z4 cannot be compared to the M3 in terms of handling, steering response, and chassis rigidity and that could be difficult and frustrating trying to change this situation…

I love my Z, but definitively it doesn’t seem a track car… I have always thought that the M3 and the Z4 are two really different cars, engineered for different purposes…

Previously I had a 2008 Z4 M Roadster. I was hoping BMW would have produced an E89 Z4 M. Since they did not, I simply wanted to enhanced the ride quality of this car for my taste. After adding the the coilovers and ditching the RFTs, the handling has been enhanced in comparison to a Z4 M.

M3 and Z4 have different personalities. I love both cars. If I had to downsize to one, it would be hard decision. If I was going up a steep canyon road on the Z4, I could leave it in 3rd and still climb at a spirited pace. As for the M3, I would have to drop down to 2nd to gain speed up the incline.

Why did you switch from the M3 to the Z4? Would like to see it from your point of view?

[Torn]

Originally Posted by flpnout

Are you making your own adjustments on your ride height, dampening, and compression? I don't want to mess with mine since I just paid extra for the corner weight balancing.

I just had the shop lower it when I had it installed. I am running KW's recommended settings tbh, thought about making the ride a bit firmer but nyc driving is a bit ridiculous!

I can't say I dont love how low it is though. Even if it is more of a task!

[javol]

Originally Posted by flpnout

Previously I had a 2008 Z4 M Roadster. I was hoping BMW would have produced an E89 Z4 M. Since they did not, I simply wanted to enhanced the ride quality of this car for my taste. After adding the the coilovers and ditching the RFTs, the handling has been enhanced in comparison to a Z4 M.

M3 and Z4 have different personalities. I love both cars. If I had to downsize to one, it would be hard decision. If I was going up a steep canyon road on the Z4, I could leave it in 3rd and still climb at a spirited pace. As for the M3, I would have to drop down to 2nd to gain speed up the incline.

Why did you switch from the M3 to the Z4? Would like to see it from your point of view?

First of all, thanks for the fast reply .
For what concern the switch from the M3 E92 and the Z4 E89 35i it was a difficult decision. The lease period of the M3 was ending and I never buy back a car. Due to the kind of work i have (tax issues) i need to start every time a new leasing on a brand new car… and so on.
And…. at the end of 2011 I preferred to avoid going for another M3 E92 since the F30 was coming. Essentially that’s it. My wife has an X6 35i so…. 3 BMW cars were too much for our family budget and boxes too.
The M3 was a great love. Mine was a DKG. After….. 30 minutes I was driving around I felt her fitting me like a glow. The steering, the handling, the incredible DKG, the fantastic intake sound of the V8 coming from the left vent on the hood (you know what I mean)… WOW 2 years of emotions and permagrin. The best and funniest car I owned, better than the other 2 sport cars (or GT) i have had: a Cayman S PDK and a Carrera 4S PDK. Better than those 2 monsters, believe me or not (my Porsche dealer hate me for this! )
Now I’m in love with the Zed. It is a completely different car with respect to the M3: gorgeous and exotic, open roof, GREEEEEEAAAAAAT torque (JB4 and DPs) and so on… I have to say that in daily driving is even nicer to drive than the M3.
But when I organize with my friends to go to the track (4 – 6 times / year) or when a good, tortuous, country road appears in my way.... I miss the M3, FOR SURE.
I never felt the Z4 like a sport car. Simply I suffer (hate? ) the way it comes out of the corners and I cannot push her as I want. With the M3 i was able to desconnect all the aids, push hard, perfectly knowing her reactions.... with the Zed I’m not.

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by Nkc

first two tone z4 that looks right. Good job on the roof.

Thanks!

[Vintage]

as always, your mods look great

[flpnout]

Thanks Vintage. Always nice to see familiar members that still have their Z4s.

[vladberca]

Great pics & upgrades! Thanks for sharing!

[daninsyd]

Love the black roof, is it a CF wrap??

[flpnout]

Thanks! They used 3M gloss black vinyl wrap.

[Vintage]

You too flpnout. I just washed and waxed it - honestly after 3 years and 27k miles it just gets more beautiful from every angle. It is the first car that I love more over time and my bride agrees. It is now our 3rd car and we plan on keeping it a very long time. It would take something very special and probably too expensive to talk me out of the e89.

[Endless619]

Looks great.

I am a former owner of Z4MC, E92 M3, E46 M3, and E70 X5. I can say the Z4 was a great little car for what it was but me being tall it just took its toll on my back and thus had to get rid of it for that reason. Moved over to E92 M3 and never looked back. At first I didnt like the E92 M3 in stock trim. Looks horrible. Now after $10000 in aftermarket parts on the M3 its now looking how its supposed to look. lol

I would have considered an E89 Z4M but honestly with the room in the M3 and more power, it was the right decision to move on.

All great cars none the less..

[valentino501]

Love the black roof on white. It looks great! I am curious to see how black wheels would look on the car.

[kbryce]

really diggin the black roof

[the infamous...]

clean! all u need is a nice set of wheels n u're golden

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by the infamous...

clean! all u need is a nice set of wheels n u're golden

Any suggestions on type?