Tracking the E89 Z4?

[Zyal8r]

Just wondering if any members are tracking or autocrossing an E89 z4. I am not aware of many being auto crossed or tracked even occasonally. They don't have a racy image even though a racing version has been very actively raced by BMW teams world wide.
Even with its robust roof mechanism the Z4 has 50/50 weight distribution, a shorter wheelbase than even the 2 series like the M235. and about the same or even less total weight and a lower center of gravity. The hood and roof are aluminum. The battery is in back. The N54 engine is the basis for several M cars.I believe the chassis and suspension is based on the E46. Finally I was told by a BMW performance center guy that their track times are right up there with the higher horsepower M cars on their short track in S.C.
If 4 door sedan based M cars are tracked, why not the Z4?

[Asbjorn]

Well, probably the same reason people do not track convertible M4s, convertible Porsches etc... because they are not usually driven by younger men nor rank as first choices by track enthusiasts.

A few members in here do track their E89s though. For example:

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=879624

Personally I do not track mine. I only do drifting here and there. It is a different skill set, and a different type of fun.

A friend of mine spotted a Z4 30i 6AT at a local track here last time he went. I think the lower powered Z4s do just fine on the track, but you must ditch the horrible run flats they are born with. As you get more serious, you probably want to upgrade brakes etc as well. As for the higher powered Z4s you quickly run into limp mode issues as you do not get the same engine cooling as with M cars. That is a long topic for another day.

Oh and btw, in fact you do not see E89s with 50/50 weight distribution. They are notoriously rear-weight biased and carry a few hundred kilos extra on their rear wheels compared to the 1/2-series cars. This is probably great for slalom performance, but not so great for drifting or safety. As for the lower center of gravity I wouldn't know. With the roof down it perhaps isn't too bad? It is heavier than a 1-series, and slightly lighter than the M4. But weight is relative, and you do not need a formula one car to have fun on the track anyway. I am sure you could have fun tracking an X5M if you wanted to.

As for the suspension it is more like a combination of the E90 and the E46, but that won't matter. You can modify it if you want to go faster, or just enjoy the car as it is. All cars grip until they do not grip anymore, and fortunately the Z4 has that front-engine rear-wheel drive design that doesn't understeer or oversteer absolutely everywhere. On the track you must learn how to place the car, brake, accelerate and deal with both understeer and oversteer in the right way to improve your skills. And again, you do not need a formula one car to enjoy learning this.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by Zyal8r

...If 4 door sedan based M cars are tracked, why not the Z4?

Some have found that some if not most sanctioned tracks wont let the Z4 come play. They claim that since it is a convertible that it isn't safe. I think they just don't like to get beat in their ricers if you ask me.

[Zyal8r]

Interesting replies
Yes the age group for the Z4 is certainly different. And I forgot about the track insurance problem as a convertible. And I didn't know about the limp mode which is discouraging. I personally would not track mine either. Well I might do it just to figure out the handling at the limit.
All that being said I think it would run fairly competitively against most other BMWs.

[SpikeMilligan]

After what I paid for this thing, I'm not going to risk it on a track. The e89 has only been around for about 6 years, as it gets older and more higher-mileage used versions are available you might see it on tracks more often.

[Tangent]

I've only autocrossed mine once so far but will be going again pretty soon. Even completely stock (except for Michelin PSS instead of stock runflats) it's definitely competitive. I got first in the Turbo Stock category over a couple of M235is and a 328i, and a better time than 2 out of 3 of the cars in Turbo Modified, and faster than all of the MPS (M Stock over 400hp) and MPM (M Modified over 400 stock HP) fields.

[jason86]

I also tracked my stock IS once with the Continental extremecontact dw instead of the stock runflat. Way better balance than my previous E93 335i MT
And the DCT works perfectly on the track which the faster shifting time remedy the power differences than my JB4 335i

First link which recorded by my Go-Pro

Second link which recorded by another car behind at the same track day. Fast forward the video to 9:15

[Zyal8r]

Great to hear that you have had some fun and success in competition. What about the limp mode and do they have any oil starvation problems from hard cornering?
I agree with Spike though. I started out looking for a new THP 2 series and ended up with a pristine E89 335i for less money, but it just seems too nice to use for competition.

[talhagursoy]

I have tracked my car several times without any problem such us limp mode even though I was driving as crazy as possible.

[Tangent]

Went autocrossing again this weekend.

[Zyal8r]

Thanks all for posting the videos. Very enjoyable, getting psyched.
That autocross course looked quite open and fast. Do you just leave it in 2nd gear?

[Tangent]

Yeah, the vast majority of the course layouts are 2nd gear pretty much all the way. The N54's huge torque plateau is perfect for autocross.

[Dr Stig 2]

I might have taken it on a track once or twice...

[Dr Stig 2]

[BIGBOYQ]

.

[Zyal8r]

Bigboy

Nice photos, what a beauty, and it really goes well. Do you have M sport suspension or?. Good driving, nice lines, and always so fun to pass a GT3 even though he will no doubt improve.
You have confirmed a lot of my thoughts about the E89, in good hands.

[BIGBOYQ]

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[BIGBOYQ]

Question to other track users - have you changed the springs to H&R or Elibich or kept them as stock jason86 & talhagursoy Tangent Dr Stig 2

[talhagursoy]

Originally Posted by BIGBOYQ

Question to other track users - have you changed the springs to H&R or Elibich or kept them as stock jason86 & talhagursoy Tangent Dr Stig 2

I changed to H&R and they were good. For better performance I got KW V3 coilovers.. And it is amazing. I can say that I doubled my speed in corners with KW.
I believe just upgrading the spring wont give you any better handling. At least I didn't feel anything

[Zyal8r]

BigboyQ
"WHAT I would say, and the car did suffer from was 1) understeer 2) did not feel great @ 90+MPH changing direction - but hoping replacing the tyres will resolve that."


When I was actively auto-crossing, (not the Z4) I was able to get neutral handling on a car with strong understeer, with tire pressures and by using a pyrometer.
Hope your new tires help. The strangeness at higher speeds could be from soft bushings. It is such an endless quest for perfection. Just have fun and be careful.

[Tangent]

Originally Posted by BIGBOYQ

Question to other track users - have you changed the springs to H&R or Elibich or kept them as stock jason86 & talhagursoy Tangent Dr Stig 2

Not yet, but at some point I'm probably going to go to H&R springs as well as upgrading the swaybars.

[Dr Stig 2]

I have the m adaptive suspension. Only change was to ditch the run flats...