Why I Bought A BMW Z4 Coupe (E86 3.0si) | The Forgotten BMW?
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2021
- So here it is, this is the replacement for my MINI JCW! I have spent many months looking for the right car and recently stumbled across the one that fits the bill.
The E86 BMW Z4 Coupe for me is a car that is very much overlooked, including initially by myself. With a 3.0L naturally aspirated straight six up front, a 6spd manual gearbox, connected solely to the rear axle, it is a recipe for a great drivers car.
I couldn't be happier with the car so far and looking forward to bringing you on my ownership journey.
Thanks, as always, for watching!
#e86z4coupe #z4coupe #n52
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I’ve got a black manual here in Aus (only 25 manuals e86s here). Definitely a future classic.
Awesome, wow incredibly rare over there then. I agree for sure!
no wonder I’ve never found one on sale! I’m an owner of a manual 3.0i roadster in Sydney
Had mine for 1 year, still love driving it every day. Note on worldwide production numbers: Over the Z4's life cycle, 197,950 vehicles had been produced, with 180,856 roadsters and 17,094 coupés.
Glad to hear it! And thanks for sharing the information on production numbers, do you happen to have a link to the source out of interest?
@@FootToPedal Oh just from wikipedia, so hopefully came from a reliable source originally. but I've heard 10% mentioned else where so thats about right. I wonder how many are still on the road.
@@robmc777 Awesome, thanks! Yeah sounds about right to me, I've heard it's approx an 11:1 ratio of Roadsters : Coupes. I'd imagine there's still quite a few around but who knows how that number will change with time!
I bought a 2008 3.0si roadster last year, 6-speed manual. It's an absolutely brilliant car, couldn't be happier with it.
Great to hear 👍
great clip its nice to see someone go in-depth with it looks like you landed a good one i`ll looking forward to see more adventures with it
Thanks Martin, appreciate it! Got a few videos on this car now so feel free to check out the playlist 👍
Good choice - I have a 2007 Ruby Black Coupe myself, brilliant cars. Suggest you shortlist replacing the vanos solenoids, the oil housing gaskets, plugs and coil packs. Change the oil for top quality stuff every 6000 miles and buy yourself a motorwerks V1 gear shift knob - totally transforms the shift 👍
Thanks a lot! And thanks for the suggestions too, I've read plenty about the VANOS solenoids and they seem to be a nice cheap fix which is good. I'm lucky with mine being well maintained and had an oil service last month, but will probably change it again around the 5 or 6k mile mark as you say!
Looks great! Looking forward to the review 👍
Thanks very much, review should be out mid August!
Yup, I bought my '07 Z4 Coupe for all the same reasons, plus I haven't seen another one on the road in about a year. Feels very rare these days
Yeah think I've only ever seen 2 or 3 others myself!
I own one of these myself exact same colour and age. I actually learnt a thing or two about it after this video despite having owned her for the past 5 years. Nice video and I just subscribed to your channel.
Thanks very much!
The Z4 Coupé is an awesome choice. Looking forward to more content. Thanks
Thanks a lot for watching!
Great review, just bought my 07 coupe, love love it!
Thanks a lot, glad you're enjoying it!
great choice, welcome to the club!!!
Thanks very much!
I've had mine for 3 years now and can't think of anything I'd rather own. Happy motoring!
That's great to hear, thanks for watching!
Finally a car video with decent music 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks! A lot of thought goes into the backing music so glad you appreciate it 👍
Fantastic car 🎉
Thank you for this great video 👍👍 I will definitely look for a Z4 Coupé too :))
Good luck with the search!
I just bought one!!! I’m so excited, it gets delivered next week.
Hope you enjoy the car!
Excellent choice!!!
Thanks a lot!
Did the same swap myself. From a 2015 JCW with auto trans to 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe manual. Happy with the rare E86 looks, the lovely straight six and the more relaxing drive than the JCW.
Wow thats really interesting to hear, bet there's only a few of us who have! Glad to hear you enjoy your E86, loved my JCW and its really cool to try something like the Z4 coupe, very much enjoying it so far 👍
@@FootToPedal The JCW is a fun little car, and more practical with 4 seats. The engine in the JCW is good, but a little boring with it not being so happy to rev to the limit as the N52, and the sound is awful in comparison. The E86 feels more special, and more grown up. I`ve had E46 M-Sport 3-series in the past, and I think the Z4 feels like a more sporty 3-series.
Yeah thats fair enough, agree that the N52 engine is miles more exciting than the B48 for sure. Interesting to hear your comparison to an E46, I strongly considered this platform too, but sounds like the E86 meets my needs better!
Great review Foot to Pedal. I have an e85 3.0si - my previous was a 325ti E46 and what a brilliant car that was too with its sublime M54 engine! In consideration of my Z4, I do miss the E46s hydraulic steering but this takes nothing away from my Z4 which in comparison is a more exciting, sportier and exacting drive. Never had a problem with the roadsters rigidity.
@@analysethis8202 Thanks a lot! A couple of great cars you've had/have there. M54 is a really good engine too from everything I've heard. Yeah I can imagine that, I would think the Z4 feels totally different to drive to an E46!
Well presented.
Thank you sir
Wonderful. What an engine.
It definitely is something special!
@@FootToPedal I'm looking for a good clean one now. It's like looking for Hens teeth. 😁
@@paullockwood7219 Yeah it's not easy is it, last time I checked there were only around 15 manual 3.0si Coupes for sale in the UK
Hey nice coupe! Do you have spacers on these wheels by any chance? If so what size spacers for front and rear
Thanks! I don't think so, but I've not had the wheels off personally to take a closer look. From what I can see with them on though there's no spacers
You won't regret it. I bought the same car a few months ago, spend maybe another $1000 fixing it up and it's been great. Gets so many fond looks from people and it drives amazing.
Awesome, glad to hear you're pleased with it! I've really enjoyed my time in mine so far, such a fantastic car to drive 👌
Nice choice! Other than the fact that the steering wheel is on the wrong side. ;)
Seriously, a beautiful car and I am sure it drives brilliantly. That does sound like a great power band and very suited to the street and back roads fun. Cheers!
p.s. not the same, but funny this is the notification right next to yours, haha. czcams.com/video/d1AwCMgGen0/video.html
Thanks very much, really pleased with it so far. Drives brilliantly and as you say is a lot of fun on a good back road! You can expect to see more on this very soon! Ahaha love it, what a coincidence that is - Hagerty is doing some great stuff at the minute with their channel, need to watch that video! 👍
@@FootToPedal Looking forward to it. I have been enjoying Jason Cammisa content (after missing his old Motortrend stuff). Take care!
Yeah Jason is great, really enjoying that stuff so far! Ah yeah back when Motortrend was free eh! Miss those days... 👍
@@FootToPedal Me too. :)
hello from france .my z4 coupe bought in 2016 great car!! i added many upgrade wich cost me around £4000 but don’t regret it as it transformed the car
light arc8 apex wheels wich reduce unsprung weight
bilstein b12 kit with eibach
non rft tires michelin pilot super spot
new front wishbone track rods and poly fcab rtab
hotchkins bigger anti roll bars
recaro pole postion (6kg each ! yes M sport electric seats are very heavy 60kg saved ) home made exhaust (10kg saved )
many trim panels and other parts removed ( carpet , aircon, navsat, radio door panels 80kg saved )
total 150kg saved , (around 1200kg now ) probably the lighter 3.0si e86 and car is much faster
Wow thats awesome! Sounds like you've been very busy and those are some impressive weight reduction figures there. I bet its very fast indeed now! Thanks very much for watching 👍
Foot to Pedal .. yes friend please also note that 1kg saved on unsprung weight (wheels hubs calipers or rotors ) is equivalent to 5kg saved on the chassis so with this theory as i saved 5kg/wheel or 20kg for the 4 wheels with apex (oem M or 108 wheels are 13,5kg each and apex 8,5kg each ), the car is equivalent to a 1100kg car
now
next plan is to upgrade with bc racing coilovers , glass fiber bonnet and wings , stoptech discs which are 2kg lighter than my oem 325mm disc (again 8kg saved on unsprung wheels = 40kg saved on the chassis )
maybe can reach a 1050kg car with 275hp which is ratio of 3.8kg/hp as my car has had ethanol reprog
i have currently 4,2kg/hp which is better ratio than M coupe (4.4kg/hp)
so now question is why don’t choose a M ?? because too expensive and s54 is too heavy on the front axle . my 3.0si si is very well balanced 50/50 front and rear as n52 is very light engine
Yeah thats very interesting and totally agree with what you're saying. You have a very good power to weight ratio there. As you say, the N52 is a very light engine which puts it ahead of the S54. If you are able to get 275hp and an 1100kg weight figure that car will absolutely fly, no doubt about it!
These cars expensive now! Did you keep it? I had an e85 and two e89 and going to get a e86 next. I feel guilty pushing the e89 and it doesn't feel as sporty as the e85/6
Yeah fair enough! Yes still got mine, definitely an enjoyable car to drive down a good road!
How much of a gap in rigidity between this gorgeous coupe and the hardtop retractable z4 ? Very difficult to find coupe here in Florida.. thanks, great review ..enjoy
The E85 Roadster had a torsional rigidity of 10,700 lb-ft per degree of body twist compared with 24,000 lb-ft per degree of body twist in the Coupe - so it's over 2x the torsional rigidity. If you mean the E89 hardtop roadster, I'm not 100% sure on the torsional rigidity of that but ultimately as soon as you remove the roof it will compromise rigidity significantly. I can say that the E86 chassis feels incredibly rigid from all the miles I've done in mine. I think the Coupe is worth going for if you can find one, for the rarity factor if nothing else and then of course the timeless design. Thanks for watching!
@@FootToPedal agree wholeheartedly on your reasons to hold out for the Coupe .. thanks for the response.. long time BMW owner ( '76 2002 the late 1970s , etc to present)
Proper enthusiast then! Good luck with your search man
You must try the M now! Another 75BHP, M3 CSL steering rack and brakes. Love it!
I would absolutely love to! Need to experience the S54
@@FootToPedal yes the M is nice BUT it’s only half a second faster than the 3.0si to 60 and the si turns in better because of the reduced engine weight. It’s much less expensive to maintain and to purchase. Driven both and my money’s on the si. 🇨🇦
@@anthonygillesse7242 That's very interesting to hear - the Si to me has always seemed like the more usable daily and does everything I'd need it to. That S54 is a heck of a motor but do I lust after it's maintenance costs, I think not! Might sound odd but I think you could almost own an Si alongside an M as they seem to offer very different experiences. But yeah the Si feels fantastic to me, I don't get in mine and think I wish I had the M.
i got mine in 2018,put 60000km on it, some issue with it but still love to drive it on the montain roads every WEEKEND, WILL Keep it UNTILL I CAN FIND A cayman s
Wow thats awesome, had plenty of use then! Glad you're enjoying it too! Yeah Cayman S's are great cars, I want one at some point, probably a 981.
I chanced coming along one of these parked in a small street one day and I realised I had hardly ever seen one. And also that I'd forgotten all about them. But I immediately thought it was stunning - almost (but not quite), in the way I find a classic Jag E-Type stunning. I remember a workmate buying the convertible Z4 in 2004 and I was slightly non plussed. The coupe, however, looks like something from the Art Deco age. I've spent the last week looking at them online. The cheapest they come at now is in the £6500/130000m range. But I can't them getting any lower. They are seriously beautiful and quite rare cars. I'm very tempted, but looking for the best one I can find in my budget. Do you still have yours?
Yes I definitely know what you mean on the looks! I was drawn to it when I first saw one, really is a stunning piece of design and I've had endless compliments from the public too. Around the £10k mark there are some really nice examples with lower mileage. Still have mine and have really enjoyed driving it over the last 2+ years, such a great driver's car!
@@FootToPedal The only problem is I don't have a garage and they're getting to the age where rust is an issue. I'd be kind of loath to keep it on the street!
Rust probably isn't too much of an issue on most of these, but I've seen front wings start to bubble on the really high mileage stuff. But yeah if you're not planning on driving it daily it's probably best to garage it!
The only change I'd make is add a limited slip differential.
Amazing cars though, absolutely love mine.
Yeah I may look at a diff at some point, would probably improve the rear end behaviour. Glad to hear you enjoy yours too!
@@FootToPedal I've added Z4M control arms to my Z4 and poly mounts in selected areas. This with non runflats will dramatically improve steering feel.
LSD also made a huge improvement and made the car much more enjoyable (and tail happy) to drive
@@shahinchegini9953 that sounds like good upgrades then!
Nice car as the mini was, you'll learn that you lost 3 yrs not enjoying the z4 coupe 👍
Had mine 9 years, loved every minute I owned it ♥️
That's good to hear! I really enjoyed my time in the MINI and its totally different to the Z4 so very cool to compare and contrast them a little 👍
@@FootToPedal
Yes, the Mini is a fab car but the Z4 is much more rarer and attracts a lot of admiring looks.
You definitely can't pick your nose in one that's a cert! 😄
Keep up the good work!
Liked and subscribed btw 👌
I’m torn between this and a auto 2009 e89 35i. They are 60 pounds apart. I like the look of the e86 it I’m not so keep on the interior. The e89 has more power and can get up to 400bhp with a handful of mods and the one I’m looking at has a very nice interior not to mention it’s convertible. Iv been looking at pictures and videos but can’t decide. What advice can you give ?
Yeah sounds like a difficult decision, what I've found with my E86 is power doesn't really matter. The car handles brilliantly and it certainly doesn't feel slow, so I guess power may be less important than you think. E86s are generally stronger value wise at the moment too which could be a factor. But yeah if you want a newer interior and more tunability with the engine, go with the E89. Hope that helps!
@@FootToPedal thanks!! I really like the sleek look of the 86 and think if I had the money I’d get both because it seems like such a cool car. I’m like you in that modern cars don’t have that same feeling as the older cars have but I love certain things that a modern car offers. I’ll have to give it some though before I pull the trigger. Thanks for sharing your insight through your videos they are truly marvellous to watch I learn so much every time.
Yeah absolutely, there are certainly pros and cons. No problem at all man, hope your search goes well. Thanks very much for watching, appreciate your kind words!
Got mine yesterday, put 267 miles on it so far.
Awesome, hope you're enjoying it!
bro, its good you shoot in a flat colour profile, but colour grade in post
Tbf this is actually corrected in post, if you saw the actual flat profile (slog2 - so not graded as such) you'd see it's much much flatter than how this looks. It's partly the style we go for and partly the fact I'm still relatively new to any form of grading so still getting the hang of it. Appreciate there is probably still room for improvement which you'll see as we make more videos.
Got over 40mpg in ours on the motorway fairly easily.
Very impressive!
How much did you pay?
Nice car mate, all you need is a LSD and you're golden! Also, FYI your wheels (//M) are not the correct spec for your car. They should be 225/40/18 😉
Yeah I may well consider an LSD at some point, but so far facing no issues with the open diff! Interesting on the wheels, my front tyres are 225/45/18 so slightly higher profile tyre than what you mention there - are you referring to the wheels or the tyres?
You have the M sized tires which are a softer ride without compromising handling. I have the si coupe and have 225/45/18 front and 255/40/18 rear. 29 psi front and 33psi rear big difference. Have both M coupe and SI coupe and think the SI is the better deal. No as much understeer with SI and much more economical to run but love the s54 rev.
@@anthonygillesse7242 Got it, thanks! Interesting to hear your comparison. S54 is a beautiful piece of engineering, perhaps the N52 is better to live with and still a unit that likes to rev. Thanks for watching!
@@anthonygillesse7242 you run an si with the M wheels and you use these tire specs? Im curious also about these m wheel offset on the si. Are spacers needed to get more a flush appearance?
Nice shoes. Coincidence?
Ok I now own one…
Downsides are hard ride (knew that)
Eats fuel when you use the performance (obvious too)
Can’t park it anywhere - supermarkets especially doors get thrown open in tight spaces.
Not an easy car to drive quickly.
Verdicts still out for me but atm my £4K roadster was the better car.
Yeah thats fair, these aren't things I've experienced myself particularly and I've not owned an E85 either, but fully appreciate the coupe isn't for everyone! The roadsters are such good value too given they're usually a fair bit cheaper than an equivalent coupe.
@@FootToPedal Yes unfair of me.
I’m just baulking at the cost of the coupe
I will get over it.
The e85 even the 2.5i offers great value.
how tall are you?
Like 5ft 10 I think
Man that engine doesn't care about miles. Half a million looked after
I have seen a fair few over 100,000 miles with minimal issues!
@@FootToPedal
Valvetronic system can go but thats the most pricey component
It's a better engine with miles on than one with less need to be driven especially what u own for it to work its magic
Yeah there's a few things that go on them but if looked after they seem to be reliable
Dirty doesn't show pride of ownership.
Ahahahahahahaha
😂😂😂😂😂😂 absolutely phenomenal comment - did it occur to you that maybe it's actually used?
Weird shorts
Weird comment
Talking, talking, talking, talking, talking ☹️
Why don't you write a book about the car instead of making that kind of a boring video?
I'm sorry but are you mentally deficient? Did you click on an 11 minute video expecting 11 minutes of silence?