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      03-16-2012, 08:08 AM   #1
cdeslandes
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Z4 versus other BMWs

I was at a corporate event at the BMW Performance Center yesterday. First time on a track, better late than never!

After driving an X3 on the offroad course (pretty impressive off road considering it doesn’t have a low range gearbox) we got to drive a few cars on the track.

They were, by decreasing order of fun:
  • 1 – Z4 35is. The extra torque is definitely noticeable versus my 35i. The DCT shifts in Sport+ mode are flawless – I let it shift on its own as I was too busy learning the track. Definitely the most sporty of the bunch, only an M3 or 135i would be more fun on that track.
  • 2 – 650i convertible. Very impressive for a luxo-barge. Power delivery is flawless and addictive but you definitely feel the stability control system fighting you in the corners. Feels like driving a video game. A very expensive video game.
  • 3 – 335i (E90 with slushbox automatic) Not the best at anything but the most harmonious mix of balance, handling, steering, acceleration and braking of the bunch. Very consistent and predictable.
  • 4 – 550i. Same balance as the 335i but heavier. Impressive for a family sedan.
  • 5 – 750Li. A limo at the track(!) Remarkably good handling for such a heavy, long car, good brakes but a lethargic automatic transmission hampers acceleration out of the corners.
  • 6 – X6M. 555 horses in a stiffly sprung SUV with no storage space Surprisingly agile in the corners, corners flat but Newton always wins - mass is mass. Add a football field to the other car’s braking distance if you want to stay on track. Remarkable execution on a totally pointless concept.

Then we had time trials with an M3 on an autocross course. Feels slower than the Z4 off the line (no low-end torque), but after 20 yards it turns into a rocket sled. At high revs the engine is incredibly responsive, revs (and sounds) like a chain saw. My lap times kept improving, but I had a hard time getting my half-a-century-old brain to cope with the limits of that car. It's just awesome. I definitely need to come back for a full day of //M training.

We ended the day as passengers in an M5 being drifted by one of the instructors. 3 grown men turned into drooling, hysterical 14-year olds.

All in all, if I needed a track car I'd get an M3, but for every day spirited driving I still prefer my Z4

Last edited by cdeslandes; 03-16-2012 at 08:19 AM..
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      03-16-2012, 08:24 AM   #2
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Cool report. I've been on that track too and drove the Z4 35i, 550i, M5 and M3. My impressions were mostly how different the suspension was between the M and non-M cars. I was able to take corners SO much tighter with the M's. Great experience!
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      03-16-2012, 08:45 AM   #3
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cool write up
i gota get out and do this one of these summer days
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      03-16-2012, 12:39 PM   #4
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excellent report. Thanks buddy.
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      03-16-2012, 02:44 PM   #5
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Re:

Wish I could do something like that here in Ireland.

Sounds great fun.....

Having said that I have access to both the 35iS and a 1M in the household fleet.

1M is just nuts on the handling front. It's poise and balance are second to none, but the Z4 is the ultimate IL6 droptop cruiser.

I think I might only be happier in a 458 Spider.
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      03-16-2012, 03:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdeslandes View Post
I was at a corporate event at the BMW Performance Center yesterday. First time on a track, better late than never!
Nice comparison and report
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      03-16-2012, 05:38 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Z4Andy View Post

I think I might only be happier in a 458 Spider.
That would make me quite happy as well!
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      03-16-2012, 06:23 PM   #8
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The Z4 blows away every other BMW!! You can tell everyone you heard that right here in the Z4 Forum.

If it talks like BlueZ4AZ and acts like BlueZ4AZ, then..........................
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      03-16-2012, 06:55 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by 35iDriver View Post
The Z4 blows away every other BMW!! You can tell everyone you heard that right here in the Z4 Forum.

If it talks like BlueZ4AZ and acts like BlueZ4AZ, then..........................
HAHA!
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      03-16-2012, 06:55 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 35iDriver View Post
The Z4 blows away every other BMW!! You can tell everyone you heard that right here in the Z4 Forum.

If it talks like BlueZ4AZ and acts like BlueZ4AZ, then..........................
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      03-16-2012, 08:33 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by 35iDriver View Post
The Z4 blows away every other BMW!! You can tell everyone you heard that right here in the Z4 Forum.

If it talks like BlueZ4AZ and acts like BlueZ4AZ, then..........................
you guys are too much.

The M3 felt VASTLY superior to the Z4 as a driver's car, but in real life (bad, congested roads and clueless Connecticut drivers) the Z4 is the better car for me.
If I ever move to a state where I can do some real driving (preferably with some mountain roads) I'll definitely get an M3 or a 911...
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      03-17-2012, 12:56 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z4Andy View Post
Wish I could do something like that here in Ireland.

Sounds great fun.....

Having said that I have access to both the 35iS and a 1M in the household fleet.

1M is just nuts on the handling front. It's poise and balance are second to none, but the Z4 is the ultimate IL6 droptop cruiser.

I think I might only be happier in a 458 Spider.
Happy St Pat's day to you Andy.

Have to agree on the 458 Spyder. Its on my wish list for when I make a killing on some of my investments.
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      03-17-2012, 01:20 AM   #13
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We did the 1-day M school after purchasing out M3 (purchase incentive). M3, M5, & M6. Holy smokes. They told us to drive them like we stole them. So we did. At the end of the day, we is a few laps with an instructor in a M5. 4 of us in the car. Based on his driving, we immediately learned that every M we drove was literally laughing at us for how we obviously babied the cars (in comparison). The second thing I learned was that I would NEVER EVER EVER EVER but a used M training car. What fun it was though. I think average mpg was 6!!!!
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      03-17-2012, 01:21 AM   #14
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Dang iPhone and autocorrect.
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      03-17-2012, 01:36 AM   #15
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Great report. I've done several corporate events at the Performance Center.
I enjoyed them so much, I just did the full 2 day M School. I agree with your Z4 and M3 comments. I would love an M3, just not sure its better than the Z4 for "normal" driving. But it is better on track.

See my M3 laps here: http://vimeo.com/37438079

I wish I had a recording of the instructor hot laps at the M School. Longer, faster, and MIND BLOWING compared to what they do at the corporate events. I rode with Mike Renner. They do the same course as the M3 laps above, without the chicanes down the long curved straight. Mike did that section 100+ mph, with the tail out ALL the way down that long curve and then snapped the car 180 degrees into the big right hand curve and kept the tail out the opposite direction all the way around it!
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      03-17-2012, 02:00 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 35iDriver View Post
The Z4 blows away every other BMW!! You can tell everyone you heard that right here in the Z4 Forum.

If it talks like BlueZ4AZ and acts like BlueZ4AZ, then..........................
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      03-17-2012, 02:04 AM   #17
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they are all very different cars... my stable of BMWs right now include 3 of the ones you mention (Z4 35is (JB4 and DCI), E93 M3 (Eisenmann with challenge X-pipe and soon to be supercharged) and a Dinan stg2 550i. My F10 M5 should be here this summer. Wish they did a M Z4 that is more tightly sprung and has all the M bushings. The Z4 lacks handling in tight corners and a proper LSD The m3 seriously lacks torque but the supercharge will fix that and then some. The 550i modified is a complete beast of the line and above 100mph in a straight line but you can't hide the weight. All great cars though even compared to my exotics.
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      03-18-2012, 03:04 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdeslandes View Post
you guys are too much.

The M3 felt VASTLY superior to the Z4 as a driver's car, but in real life (bad, congested roads and clueless Connecticut drivers) the Z4 is the better car for me.
If I ever move to a state where I can do some real driving (preferably with some mountain roads) I'll definitely get an M3 or a 911...
After you slap on a good set of non runflats the gap between an M3 and z4 narrows.
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      03-18-2012, 06:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard in NC View Post

I wish I had a recording of the instructor hot laps at the M School. Longer, faster, and MIND BLOWING compared to what they do at the corporate events. I rode with Mike Renner. They do the same course as the M3 laps above, without the chicanes down the long curved straight. Mike did that section 100+ mph, with the tail out ALL the way down that long curve and then snapped the car 180 degrees into the big right hand curve and kept the tail out the opposite direction all the way around it!
Was he flashing the high beams on and off much of the time too??
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