EVO's AC Schnitzer ACS4 Turbo S Review - New 2009 2010 BMW Z4

Geoffjr@isringhausen · 01-11-2011, 06:41 PM

Saw this EVO article about EVO's AC Schnitzer ACS4 Turbo S review... Really good write up.

Source: http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc..._s_review.html

Quote:

AC Schnitzer ACS4 Turbo S review

Rating:

Tuner creates best-handling BMW Z4 yet, power up to 375bhp, styling tweaks bring attitude to match

Have you ever seen a better-looking Z4? Me neither. The combination of lowered suspension and dark alloys transforms the demeanour of BMW's roadster. It would look even cooler without the stickers, but this is AC Schnitzer's demonstrator, and besides, there's a suitably serious uplift in power to back up the appearance. Mind, as this is based on the new 335bhp Z4 sDrive 35is, it wasn't exactly short of grunt in the first place.

As a demo car, this Z4 is fitted with just about everything in the catalogue. Body-wise, there's a curvy carbonfibre splitter and, above that, an Aston-style set of aluminium spars; on the flanks there are new wing panels with SLR-like chrome strakes, and at the rear a pair of neat boot-lip winglets and a reworked valance.

Mechanically, the suspension is lowered by an inch and fitted with stiffer, rising-rate coil springs, a fatter rear anti-roll bar and re-tuned dampers. Those new, airy 19in forged rims help, too, minimising unsprung weight. The tyres are Conti Force Contacts - Continental's first trackday tyre - and then there's Schnitzer's brake kit, with bigger discs front and rear and six- and four-pot calipers respectively.

The power of the twin-turbo straight-six is lifted to a mind-focusing 375bhp thanks solely to reworked engine electronics, while replacement exhaust back-boxes give the motor a louder, more appealing voice. And it doesn't take long to appreciate that every last one of the claimed horses is there; the swell of torque in the mid-range is now mighty.

Better still, there's a much more connected feel about the chassis, both in the sense that the car's front and rear now work as a whole and that you can feel what's going on at each corner. This is the first Z4 we've driven that feels fully exploitable. Yes, it's a firm set-up, but the ride has hardly deteriorated compared with the stock car on its run-flat tyres.

There's a more consistent weight and more realistic feel through the steering, and there's no shortage of grip, either. In fact, there's almost too much - those Contis hang on and on, so the engine is straining on full boost when the torque does overcome the traction. As soon as that happens with stability off, the boost is released and the rear tyres spin up even faster, snapping the car sideways. There's great pleasure to be had in simply working within the ACS4's considerable limits, though. There's a clarity and focus to its dynamics, and you can feel the rear digging in and getting the torque onto the road. It's an engaging, rewarding drive.

The total conversion as seen here adds a substantial £24,767 to the cost of a £44,220 Z4 35iS, making it a near-£70K car, though everything is available individually. A "driver" pack, with the engine, suspension, brakes and wheels, would be £16,306. Still not cheap, but it turns the Z4 from a wannabe into a proper sports car, and a handsome one, too.

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ttuner · 01-12-2011, 12:11 AM

that looks terrible...

Land_Shark · 01-12-2011, 01:14 AM

I like ACS on the E93s... But sorry this look horrible indeed on the Z4....

HerrK · 01-12-2011, 08:52 AM

Not a fan of the AC frt fenders, especially since they merely integrated the ugly stock side signal light. I've always liked their front spoiler add on. Interesting that the Frt calipers are AC - I wonder if they also produce their own rears - their web site doesn't have much info? The wheels are nice looking too bad their 19". Prices outragous - but then it is a small market.

shashi27 · 01-12-2011, 09:13 PM

I like lowered springs, but that is about it.

tpipta · 01-13-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttuner

that looks terrible...

EuroCarsOnline · 01-13-2011, 02:04 PM

very cool. I like the wheels. The bodywork is not overdone either.

KEYON · 01-13-2011, 02:09 PM

the power is all i like lol

bavarian19 · 01-13-2011, 02:22 PM

ACS has looked terrible for quite some time

Crisp · 01-13-2011, 02:34 PM

Who the hell does the exterior design work for ACS?!

Maybe it's just me but I think 99.9% of their products look like toy cars you would buy from ToysRUS for your 3yr old son.

vladberca · 01-13-2011, 03:11 PM

The most impressive part from this tune is the price

InTheNightKitchen · 01-13-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffjr@isringhausen

and then there’s Schnitzer’s brake kit, with bigger discs front and rear and six- and four-pot calipers respectively.

How is this possible? I thought it couldn't be done with the electronic brake!

hwelvaar · 01-13-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbkg79

How is this possible? I thought it couldn't be done with the electronic brake!

Electronic brake ?
Are you confusing with electronic differential ?

Silver-Bolt · 01-13-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

Electronic brake ?
Are you confusing with electronic differential ?

Electronic E-Brake.

That car is way too busy looking. Pass.

AtoB · 01-13-2011, 07:38 PM

uhg... how does AC Schnitzer stay in business?
their designs are total crap.
they should be working on chevy cobalts and caviliers, not bmw's

BenTrovato · 01-14-2011, 12:57 PM

Wow... not stunning and really expensive. Is anyone really going to spring for this package?

esqu1re · 01-14-2011, 01:46 PM

LOL at the lip spoiler.

AKFROMTHEUK · 01-14-2011, 02:13 PM

£25k! How many do they think/hope/plan/need to sell?!

If I had the cash I wouldn't do it. Exhaust and brakes maybe. Who thought it was a good idea to match the I Drive knob to the wheels?! Awful.

AtoB · 01-14-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKFROMTHEUK

£25k! How many do they think/hope/plan/need to sell?!

If I had the cash I wouldn't do it. Exhaust and brakes maybe. Who thought it was a good idea to match the I Drive knob to the wheels?! Awful.

OMG! i didn't see that!!

JoeyFiasco · 01-15-2011, 08:28 AM

that spoiler.. nausea inducing.. must look away..

taYab · 01-15-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKFROMTHEUK

£25k! How many do they think/hope/plan/need to sell?!

If I had the cash I wouldn't do it. Exhaust and brakes maybe. Who thought it was a good idea to match the I Drive knob to the wheels?! Awful.

Those looks so terrible. My eyes are infected

I really dont like ACS 's Aston-like grill.
Why do they keep making those?

Land_Shark · 01-15-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKFROMTHEUK

£25k! How many do they think/hope/plan/need to sell?!

If I had the cash I wouldn't do it. Exhaust and brakes maybe. Who thought it was a good idea to match the I Drive knob to the wheels?! Awful.

No, No and Thank you No...

01-12-2011, 12:11 AM	#2
ttuner Private First Class Drives: z4 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: anc Posts: 171 iTrader: (0)	that looks terrible... __________________ 2011 BMW Z4 Sdrive35i \| 19" Miro STP-2's \| OEM black grillz \| OEM carbon fiber splitters \| Remus Exhaust \| Eibach Springs \| M-Sport Rear Bumper \| AFE intake \|

01-12-2011, 08:52 AM	#4
HerrK Lieutenant Drives: 011 Z4 35i, 04 R1150RT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CA Posts: 494 iTrader: (0)	Not a fan of the AC frt fenders, especially since they merely integrated the ugly stock side signal light. I've always liked their front spoiler add on. Interesting that the Frt calipers are AC - I wonder if they also produce their own rears - their web site doesn't have much info? The wheels are nice looking too bad their 19". Prices outragous - but then it is a small market. __________________ HerrK - "It doesn't feel like a pair of turbo chargers. It feels like a pair of TESTIES!! BIG MEATY ONES!" - Jeremy Clarkson on the N54 powered Z4 May 2010 ED l 2011 35i l Crimson over Ext'd Coral Red w/brushed Alum l 6sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's l Comfort Access l Alarm l Power Heated Seats l Nav

01-13-2011, 02:04 PM	#7
EuroCarsOnline Drives: BMW Individual M3 Sedan Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Northwest BMW Posts: 253 iTrader: (0)	very cool. I like the wheels. The bodywork is not overdone either. __________________ Ultimate Buying Power BMWDavid@me.com www.bmweco.com 202-262-2900 Call Joy for Vehicle Status 443-883-6925

01-13-2011, 02:09 PM	#8
KEYON Colonel Drives: 2011 SG E92 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,659 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [4.83]	the power is all i like lol __________________ Flickr

01-13-2011, 02:34 PM	#10
Crisp Major Drives: E60 M5 6 Speed Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 1,441 iTrader: (1)	Who the hell does the exterior design work for ACS?! Maybe it's just me but I think 99.9% of their products look like toy cars you would buy from ToysRUS for your 3yr old son. __________________ 2009 A/W E93 335i-SOLD 2010 A/W E60 535i- SOLD 2008 E60 M5 MT - FLOODED 2013 M3 MT - AW/FR - Eisenmann Race 1991 Turbo Miata and 2013 Wrangler

01-12-2011, 01:14 AM	#3
Land_Shark In The Flesh Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 601 iTrader: (0)	I like ACS on the E93s... But sorry this look horrible indeed on the Z4....

01-12-2011, 09:13 PM	#5
shashi27 Private Drives: 11 Z4 35is Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 79 iTrader: (0)	I like lowered springs, but that is about it.

01-13-2011, 02:22 PM	#9
bavarian19 General Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA Posts: 18,657 iTrader: (22)	ACS has looked terrible for quite some time

01-13-2011, 03:11 PM	#11
vladberca Colonel Drives: '09 jetta tsi 6mt Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Craiova Posts: 2,806 iTrader: (0)	The most impressive part from this tune is the price

01-13-2011, 07:38 PM	#15
AtoB Major Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 1,258 iTrader: (3)	uhg... how does AC Schnitzer stay in business? their designs are total crap. they should be working on chevy cobalts and caviliers, not bmw's

01-14-2011, 12:57 PM	#16
BenTrovato Driver Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,444 iTrader: (4)	Wow... not stunning and really expensive. Is anyone really going to spring for this package? __________________ My Pics: Summer City Shoot \| 1st updates \| Fall Photo Shoot

01-14-2011, 01:46 PM	#17
esqu1re Lieutenant Colonel Drives: M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,858 iTrader: (0)	LOL at the lip spoiler. __________________ ///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust

01-14-2011, 02:13 PM	#18
AKFROMTHEUK New Member Drives: Z4 35iS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: UK Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	£25k! How many do they think/hope/plan/need to sell?! If I had the cash I wouldn't do it. Exhaust and brakes maybe. Who thought it was a good idea to match the I Drive knob to the wheels?! Awful. Attached Images

01-15-2011, 08:28 AM	#20
JoeyFiasco Major Drives: '09 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: P'boro, UK Posts: 1,214 iTrader: (0)	that spoiler.. nausea inducing.. must look away..

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