Is there Z life after a ///M ?

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 8:00 pm

Many see the ///M as the pinnacle but i can say most definitely YES is the answer

After this weekends Normandy roadtrip a E89 will do it but needs to be the right one .
I have had a 23i & not wanting to upset any current owners but it isn't enough to fill the S54 shoes

& not even up to the feel & capabilities of the 3.0Si imo

( as a weekender not a everyday commuter )
E89 > 30i , 20i or 28i i can't comment on because i haven't tried them but after 3 days pummeling the Normandy tarmac with 6 x Z4///Ms + 1 Alpina i can safely say a twin turbo 6spd on H + Rs with PS2s is easily a match in all departments plus you get a better cabin experience , lighter clutch / gearbox & a step up in ride comfort .
They are a heavier bulk to throw around & attention needs paying to where you pitch into bends & where you leave but they are more than capable of matching the M car's performance that previously i would not have thought was ?
Not just a owners blinkered opinion , the other forum guys who have spent time this weekend in front or behind the "lardy" 89 were more than a little surprised

that said i had a drive in "Lynchy's" Imola red roady this afternoon & it certainly sparked off some good memories for me , , , , i can see another S54 in my garage at some point but for the forseeable future really can't see me parting with the 35i anytime soon

mcbeee · Post by **mcbeee** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 8:31 pm

In my previous life,my e89 had stage II Dinan software . The 385 HP put in the same category as my Carrera for raw power, the torque was massive and tires wore out rapidly. Handling was not as clean as an M or Carrera S but when hooning with the Z club in Arizona the only cars I had trouble with were tricked out Z3 M’s, but just in the twisty bits.
It wasn’t an autocross car but it was a good long course car and an exceptional highway cruiser.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 8:45 pm

Not seen my Zed for a few days.

Great to see photos of the 10 Amigos swash buckling there way around Normandy.

Stuartt · Post by **Stuartt** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:51 pm

Glad you like it and it held its own against the others Andy

Just don't get too attached to it though will you

Stuart

EssexZed · Post by **EssexZed** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:52 pm

mr wilks wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2017 8:00 pm
They are a heavier bulk to throw around & attention needs paying to where you pitch into bends & where you leave but they are more than capable of matching the M car's performance that previously i would not have thought was ?

Hallelujah

Rally · Post by **Rally** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 12:59 am

Glad your over the m means you won't want it back

One thing though you must miss the s54 and bcs exhaust right? The sound is intoxicating

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:10 am

Rally wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 12:59 am Glad your over the m means you won't want it back

One thing though you must miss the s54 and bcs exhaust right? The sound is intoxicating

Not over it

but any concerns that the 89 would struggle against the Ms through the bends when cracking on were put to bed early on

the looks of the car i'm happy with , the noise both front + back is never going to match but i will be having a play at freeing up noise at the rear

the cracks & pops are there & a lovely burble on tickover but i stood under a bridge yesterday whilst the S54s came through at full chat

what a noise

& for anyone looking to change their stock noise there is only 2 choices for me , , , , go GruppeM for the front or BCS at the rear

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:26 am

Stuartt wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:51 pm Glad you like it and it held its own against the others Andy

Just don't get too attached to it though will you

Stuart

Ed took a real shine to it

yesterday he said he needed to testdrive it on your behalf

had to wrestle the key back off him

Stuartt · Post by **Stuartt** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:10 am

mr wilks wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:26 am
Stuartt wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:51 pm Glad you like it and it held its own against the others Andy

Just don't get too attached to it though will you

Stuart
Ed took a real shine to it yesterday he said he needed to testdrive it on your behalf had to wrestle the key back off him

That’s that ruined then

Stuart

tomscott · Post by **tomscott** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:40 am

Glad your enjoying it!

Looked like a great trip

Enjoyed following along on Insta

Obs-Com · Post by **Obs-Com** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:50 pm

Nice to see the E89 is pushing your buttons Andy and enjoyed reading your views about the change. Just imagine how big your smile would have been if you’d managed to get your hands on an 35is!!

mr wilks · Post by **mr wilks** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:03 pm

Obs-Com wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:50 pm Just imagine how big your smile would have been if you’d managed to get your hands on an 35is!!

nice try Ian but after the last 8 days in France with the 35i i know i bought the right car

perhaps if i was wanting to nip into town at weekends to Sainsbury's or commute up the M4 daily then the 35is would have been more practical but for my needs , , , the 6 speed twin turbo does the trick

2dogs · Post by **2dogs** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:06 pm

mr wilks wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:10 am
Rally wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 12:59 am Glad your over the m means you won't want it back

One thing though you must miss the s54 and bcs exhaust right? The sound is intoxicating
Not over it but any concerns that the 89 would struggle against the Ms through the bends when cracking on were put to bed early on the looks of the car i'm happy with , the noise both front + back is never going to match but i will be having a play at freeing up noise at the rear the cracks & pops are there & a lovely burble on tickover but i stood under a bridge yesterday whilst the S54s came through at full chat what a noise & for anyone looking to change their stock noise there is only 2 choices for me , , , , go GruppeM for the front or BCS at the rear

I took Andy’s advice on the BCS rears, so I second the above

they make a great noise.

Obs-Com · Post by **Obs-Com** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:26 pm

mr wilks wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:03 pm
Obs-Com wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:50 pm Just imagine how big your smile would have been if you’d managed to get your hands on an 35is!!
nice try Ian but after the last 8 days in France with the 35i i know i bought the right car perhaps if i was wanting to nip into town at weekends to Sainsbury's or commute up the M4 daily then the 35is would have been more practical but for my needs , , , the 6 speed twin turbo does the trick

Stock response from 35i owners until the live with an 35is for a few weeks.

You know that deep down you want one!

Car looks great though Andy and photos got me yearning for the French roads n countryside. Enjoy!!

MACK · Post by **MACK** » Mon Oct 30, 2017 9:43 pm

Looks great, the "Lardy E89" point of view is an interesting one. Depending where you look there seems to be about about 80-90Kgs between an 35i manual and an E85M. However there's about 120kg's between an E85M and a E85 3.0i but no one calls the M lardy!

I don't think the gulf in handling between the E89 and the M is that great either. BMW seem to miss the mark from the factory on both for different reasons and a quick search on here shows you how much better they both can be with some choice aftermarket suspension and decent tyres (E89).

Its a real shame the M Division didn't get let loose on the E89. The 35i manual as a base would have been great. Right engine and box, well it was good enough for the BMW 1M and we all know how well thought of that car is. If they coupled that to a LSD, Remap, Nice Exhaust, Non Runflats and some well thought out springs/shocks it could have been right up there. Certainly would have enhanced the models perception.

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