Who's got the fastest/most modded E89?

[snk]

Not too many parts available to make Z4 a mod friendly car
Or not enough mod friendly owners to make manufacturer sell parts

Either way, there's limited option for this platform compared to 1 or 3 series

[snk]

Not too many parts available to make Z4 a mod friendly car
Or not enough mod friendly owners to make manufacturer sell parts

Either way, there's limited option for this platform compared to 1 or 3 series

[CedarZ4]

Good, good. I like where this thread is heading...

FOACOD: It's just a matter of segment. The E89 being offered only as a hardtop convertible really puts it into the luxury cruiser category more than anything, think Mercedes SL. I don't think many SL owners will be modifying their car, compared to say the E-class sports sedan, even if they share the same engine. Not really a fair comparison as they're completely different platforms... Same with the 335i and the Z4 35i.

I think if you are big into mods, as Nick mentioned most engine tunes and ECUs that work for any BMW car with the 35i engine (N54) will work on the Z... but if you're looking for a speed-demon and go-all-out mod, I think you will be very disappointed with your car choice.

[CedarZ4]

Originally Posted by FOACAD

...
All that said, the X3 forum is wayyyy worse than this one

I'm not sure if you meant in terms of the attitude of the X3 community, or the amount of users on there who mod their cars/availability of information. If it is the latter, what did you expect? The X3 is an SUV (sorry BMW, SAV) and an entry-level one at that. It's not meant to be tuned or raced, and that's why you'll be hard-pressed to find the availability in parts, and even if it were there, you would pay a large premium due to volume. The tune-ability of the car is low, just due to the nature of it. Again, referring to top, if you are looking for a "modder" community and more important car, this is not your car.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by FOACAD

I guess my two deployments to Afghanistan and my wife working a full time job while raising our daughter means my 135i and X3 35i were just handed to me.

That was directed at keepitrill. He has a perspective that is not shared by me. Your service (and your wife's) is highly appreciated - you've definitely earned our respect.

[Asbjorn]

Originally Posted by FOACAD

Its also interesting to see ESS and Evolve getting so much love when they are twice the price or more of a more than capable JB4. These are the same engines in the 1's and 3's so why so a drastic difference in mod preferences.

Does the JB4 improve the engine/throttle responsiveness? And how about software parameters related to the DCT transmission? Are they adjusted with the JB4? If no, then those might be two reasons to start with...
Perhaps the Z4s higher price also puts the price of tuning into a different perspective?

[MickOpalak]

I'm well over 30 and I plan to mod my Z4 once it goes out of warranty. Oh, and by the way: http://www.n54tech.com

[VailM3]

Outside of an memory flash (pick your maker) and good set of PSS tires there are very very few that have modified their cars to be faster.

I am still waiting 0-60 / 0-100 / 30-70 times for 35i or 35is cars. Those that have modded dropped money on a flash and tires have (for what ever reason) never showed the numbers of the results outside the dino sheets that are floating around from ECU manufactures.

[Hujan]

Welcome OP!

Things holding me back from extensive mods:

One, it's my finances DD, so I give her final say on every mod. She nixed downpipes (too loud) and coilovers (too low), but green lit a new exhaust (probably Milltek), an FMIC, and a tune (probably ESS). We also did new wheels (Alufelgen) and tires (PSS). I also through a drop-in filter in there.

Second, we have about a year of warranty left and I figure I can hold on before doing extensive, warranty-voiding mods.

I am working on an E90 M3 for me and that car will be mod city. In the near future, when we have kids, she'll probably end up with an X5 or the E90 and I'll daily drive the Z4. If so, you can bet I will turn it into my project car.

I like the list of mods you've chosen. You might also consider a good LSD (Quaife) and a good set of coilovers (KW v3). Maybe even sway bars (H&R). One area where my Mini definitely smokes this car is in the handling department. With my KWs and sway bars in my Countryman, it's not even fair, even though the Countryman is much, much taller. Improving the handling on the Z4 would be on my list of must-dos if I had free reign to mod my Z.

Good luck and God bless you for your service!

[keepittrill]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

That was directed at keepitrill. He has a perspective that is not shared by me. Your service (and your wife's) is highly appreciated - you've definitely earned our respect.

Care to share what the perspective is?

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by keepittrill

Care to share what the perspective is?

I'd rather not rehash what has all ready been discussed, but if you really want to...

[keepittrill]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I'd rather not rehash what has all ready been discussed, but if you really want to...

I'm sure it's nothing you good folks haven't said before. And don't you have a job to be at?

[FOACAD]

Originally Posted by CedarZ4

I'm not sure if you meant in terms of the attitude of the X3 community, or the amount of users on there who mod their cars/availability of information. If it is the latter, what did you expect? The X3 is an SUV (sorry BMW, SAV) and an entry-level one at that. It's not meant to be tuned or raced, and that's why you'll be hard-pressed to find the availability in parts, and even if it were there, you would pay a large premium due to volume. The tune-ability of the car is low, just due to the nature of it. Again, referring to top, if you are looking for a "modder" community and more important car, this is not your car.

Was meaning the attitude towards mods. They seems to be more in the "why would anyone do anything but put BMW dealership bought parts on their SAV????" Very little DIY'ers in that camp.

Yes, I completely understand why that is.

Also, not sure id call an X3 35i "entry level"?


BMS does offer their N55 JB4 stage 1 for it which is pretty nice. It adds boost, changes the throttle response and gives it a decent little pick me up for being an SAV.

Originally Posted by jparnes1

That was directed at keepitrill. He has a perspective that is not shared by me. Your service (and your wife's) is highly appreciated - you've definitely earned our respect.

Thank you. Sorry I snapped a little. Jumped to judgment a little too quickly and thought you were talking about me.

Im not really a big hater on those that didnt buy their cars though. The only car I didnt buy was a 1993 Saturn SC2 that was my first car. All the rest I have bought myself. I know people that are mid 20s and never bought a car yet drive nice one. Doesnt bother me too much as I know if im able to do that for my kids I will as long as they gained the "respect for money" bits along the way.

Originally Posted by Asbjorn

Does the JB4 improve the engine/throttle responsiveness? And how about software parameters related to the DCT transmission? Are they adjusted with the JB4? If no, then those might be two reasons to start with...
Perhaps the Z4s higher price also puts the price of tuning into a different perspective?

Yes, and yes.

When I get one ill probably get with Terry @ BMS to get more details on why I see so few, if any JB4'd Z4s.

Currently have my dealer in the states combing the country for a 6MT Msport fully loaded. We'll see how that goes.

[keepittrill]

Are you looking for a 35i or 35is?

[Moo]

If it's 6MT it has to be a 35i.

35is = DCT only.

[FOACAD]

Either...

Guess I should have put that color combo I want is either DSB with Ivory or Alpine White with Coral Red or SGM with Coral Red or Ivory.


Edit: then yes 35i

[Asbjorn]

Originally Posted by FOACAD

Yes, and yes.

Please point me to where it says that the JB4 adjusts the torque safety/slip limits (or similar) for the DCT gearbox? Also I cannot find if JB4 really offers vanos programming to improve responsiveness.

This chart for instance says nothing about controlling this (as far as I can see)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=374508

[FOACAD]

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13090

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11135


Not exactly a straight forward answer for you, but those threads as well as the site in general can answer anything you want to know. Terry is SUPER helpful.

[Alpha_Zulu]

Originally Posted by Asbjorn

Does the JB4 improve the engine/throttle responsiveness? And how about software parameters related to the DCT transmission? Are they adjusted with the JB4? If no, then those might be two reasons to start with...
Perhaps the Z4s higher price also puts the price of tuning into a different perspective?

I've got the JB4 on my 35is and it definitely improves engine/throttle responsiveness. Once I threw an aFe DCI on it, it improved responsiveness quite a bit.

[FOACAD]

Put DPs on it with some good fuel and put it in map2 or 5. Should be a mean bitch that way, lol.

[nsyt]

i have jb4 but it stutters or say hesitates to to accelerate when i floor from say 6 or 7 th gear eg it down shifts to 4th and stutters or lag


i have ar down pipes , dci fmic,
does any one have this problem,
terry cant solve it

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by keepittrill

Oh, are we going to do this right now?

And @Nicknaz you're right, didn't think of it that way :P

I think J is just giving you a hard time.. you totally set up him for that lay up

An 07 335 can be had in the mid $20k range right now but a z435 is still mid $30k for an 09 so I could see a lot people just taking the 335 and using the $10k for mods.