Restricted Speed on the Z4

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

You folks need to do an European Delivery! I drove my E93 with the top down at 145 mph and I can tell you it was exhilarating. That said, while the car seemed pretty stable it was very nerve wracking. I stayed in the left lane for a while but had to move over several times for a couple Porsches and Benzes. Slowing down to around 125 seemed much more comfortable.

I know the feeling ... been there done that .... I go back to the old country every 3 years or so Next time I will take a ED just not sure if it ever will be a BMW again, I am fairly disappointed with BMW to sell there fine cars with RFT and not giving us a choice. I might change my mind in 2 years from now, only time will tell.

[Frankbrot]

Thanks for the replies. My previous car was an '07 Porsche 911 Turbo, and I'm missing some of that acceleration. But then the speed limiter has nothing to do with acceleration, does it. And I never drove the Porsche over 150 mph anyway. I also race motorcycles but have never been over 150 on one of those either. I guess I'm just another one of those idiots who just wants to know the car would do 180 if I wanted to! And I want to look down at the speedometer and see 200 mph that the needle could reach if I wanted to! It must just be a testosterone/ego kind of thing.

[marcw]

I'm gonna disagree with you there. The limit has been imposed since the middle 80's. The limit was chosen at a time when 250 km/h seemed insanely fast. Not so much today. Besides, if fear of component failure was the true reason than why oh why can you get an M5 or M6 from the factory with a limit of 305 km/h? Porsche doesn't put in a limiter either. Apparently they aren't concerned with component failure.

Originally Posted by Memphis1

Sorry marcw, not entirely true.

The speed limit of 155mph or 250kph, is the limit at which other components can withstand being pushed for an extended period of time. think about it in terms of the bugatti, the gasoline runs out in 12 mins at top speed because the tires will give out at 15mins. so it's a way of making sure your car lasts a good length of time because they know the consumer will be at risk and or doesn't have the budget like an F1 team to use an engine per race or three sets of tires per day.

[richard in NC]

This is my favorite video to watch. An M6board member posted it a few years back. 332kph (206 mph) in a slightly modded US spec M6 on the Autobahn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O89UWHnFUl0

206mph looks sooo easy like it was a Sunday drive. Wait, it was....

[teagueAMX]

And that thing was rock steady. Very impressive. His exhaust had a nice throaty note.

[T89]

After maxing out my car on the autobahns at 250kmh, 140kmh on the highway back here in Switzerland feels so slow. I feel sorry for you guys in the states. 55mph-65mph is way too slow.


T

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by T89

After maxing out my car on the autobahns at 250kmh, 140kmh on the highway back here in Switzerland feels so slow. I feel sorry for you guys in the states. 55mph-65mph is way too slow.


T

Pity us. There are two kinds of drivers in the U.S. Those who drive 10 mph below the 65 mph speed limit (and are usually permanently stuck in the left lane!) and those who drive 10 mph faster (and have to deal with the first kind.) My Z4 and I belong to the second category.

And then there's the state of Connecticut where, in addition to the soccer mom in a minivan or the retiree in a Buick, we have the "rich blonde trophy wife taking two lanes with her Land Rover while talking on the phone" and the "hedge fund manager in a 911 Turbo driving 20 mph below the speed limit". Those make owning a fine sports car like the Z4 very challenging at times...

[marcw]

Very true. Frankly, I wouldn't want unlimited speed on american highways the way some people drive over here. At least on the Autobahn there are some rules that are strictly followed by everyone. Not that going 165mph on a two lane road with tons of trucks isn't challenging mind you.

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

And then there's the state of Connecticut where, in addition to the soccer mom in a minivan or the retiree in a Buick, we have the "rich blonde trophy wife taking two lanes with her Land Rover while talking on the phone" and the "hedge fund manager in a 911 Turbo driving 20 mph below the speed limit". Those make owning a fine sports car like the Z4 very challenging at times...

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by marcw

Very true. Frankly, I wouldn't want unlimited speed on american highways the way some people drive over here. At least on the Autobahn there are some rules that are strictly followed by everyone. Not that going 165mph on a two lane road with tons of trucks isn't challenging mind you.

I comes down to driver education. Which is mostly inexistent here in the U.S.

And don't get me started on the subject of security inspections. Many cars would disintegrate above 100 mph...

[T89]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

I comes down to driver education. Which is mostly inexistent here in the U.S.

Agreed. Standards in Europe are much higher. Here in Switzerland. It's compulsory to do advance driving courses. Hard braking, hard cornering etc in dry and wet conditions to test the limits of your car. Quite a lot of fun actually. In addition, we need to take first aid training and defensive driving courses.


T

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Pity us. There are two kinds of drivers in the U.S. Those who drive 10 mph below the 65 mph speed limit (and are usually permanently stuck in the left lane!) and those who drive 10 mph faster (and have to deal with the first kind.) My Z4 and I belong to the second category.

And then there's the state of Connecticut where, in addition to the soccer mom in a minivan or the retiree in a Buick, we have the "rich blonde trophy wife taking two lanes with her Land Rover while talking on the phone" and the "hedge fund manager in a 911 Turbo driving 20 mph below the speed limit". Those make owning a fine sports car like the Z4 very challenging at times...

+1

I overtake trucks very fast on account that I like to reduce the danger of there tires blowing up in my face

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by T89

Agreed. Standards in Europe are much higher. Here in Switzerland. It's compulsory to do advance driving courses. Hard braking, hard cornering etc in dry and wet conditions to test the limits of your car. Quite a lot of fun actually. In addition, we need to take first aid training and defensive driving courses.


T

Being European and having learned to drive there, I just shake my head at what drivers do here...

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

+1

I overtake trucks very fast on account that I like to reduce the danger of there tires blowing up in my face

Happened to me once on I-95 in NC. Very scary. The whole side of my rental car was ruined. Gotta love the Loss Damage Waiver!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Being European and having learned to drive there, I just shake my head at what drivers do here...

Happened to me once on I-95 in NC. Very scary. The whole side of my rental car was ruined. Gotta love the Loss Damage Waiver!

I saw it happen in front of me (was waiting for the fellow to get out of the way) then the truck tire exploded. The fellow was not as lucky as you, he is now 6 feet under.

My average speed overtaking a truck is around 120 MPH this is where the power comes into play

[stehamm]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

Sorry marcw, not entirely true.

The speed limit of 155mph or 250kph, is the limit at which other components can withstand being pushed for an extended period of time. think about it in terms of the bugatti, the gasoline runs out in 12 mins at top speed because the tires will give out at 15mins. so it's a way of making sure your car lasts a good length of time because they know the consumer will be at risk and or doesn't have the budget like an F1 team to use an engine per race or three sets of tires per day.

This is absolutely and completely wrong 🤣

[Jakeinaka]

Originally Posted by stehamm

This is absolutely and completely wrong 🤣

14 years later......