Z4MC to E92 M3

So I took the plunge and sold my Z4MC and bought a E92 M3. My first impression is that the interior is a lot nicer than the Z4MC and its so comfortable with the EDC. However I am not really satisfied with the basic car look. The E92 M3 looks average at best in OEM trim. Needs some work.

The updated navigation is very sweet. Everything seems plush and comfy. I like that. It sounds awesome.

I can say its not that much faster than the Z4M. If only the Z4M came with the E92 front with headlamps. That would be the best of both worlds.

The same day I took ownership I bought/added the following:

H&R Springs (may go with KW V3s next month if I don't like the drop)
Alcantara shiftknob
Magnesium Blue Volk CE28s
H&R Wheel Spacers
Blacked out front grills

Still needs to be tinted and blacked out front reflectors.

Overall I miss the Z4MC I had and the look was awesome but the E92 M3 is growing on me. I was kinda upset the day after I bought the M3. I didn't like the stock look. Now its off to Horsepower Freaks for some work. Can't wait till I get back.

I will get pics up as soon as I get back.

congrats!

Roffle Waffle wrote

congrats!

Thanks... Its not much of a upgrade at all. A few M3 owners claim it is but honestly the Z4MC slammed with the right setup looks far better than any M3 can achieve. I would have kept it but the comfort was just not there.

Damn cant wait to see what HPF is gonna do with it

VinnieAces wrote

Damn cant wait to see what HPF is gonna do with it

Well not much. lol no turbo kit out for it currently. They are going to install suspension setups and upgrade some other items. Nothing crazy. lol

I hear its much more stable at high speeds ; )

Looking forward to some pictures Hope you stick around our forum.

Mirko wrote

Looking forward to some pictures Hope you stick around our forum.

+1

I will for sure. Both here and the M3 forums. I still frequent E46fanatics..

Traitor.... jk...maybe...

Grats on your purchase Endless. It was a toss-up between the E92 M3 and our car for me too. Enjoy the mod process all over again!

The E92 was out of my range (as was the new 1-Series M Coupe I like)... but I was on the fence between a low-milage 2005-2007 E46 M3 and an equally low milage E86 Z4MC.

The M3 was the more sensible all-around choice, was closer to the 2-door sedan layout of the 1-Series M Coupe I like (and what the wife was pushing for)... but the Z4M Coupes have made my heart go bump since I first saw one, and you certainly don't see them around here often, so... M Coupe it had to be!

Except for the seatts and the wheel, the M Coupe (when compared to my dad's M5 Touring, or step mom's 330) is definately basic inside. But I love the spartan basics of it (at least for now - maybe somday I'll crave a *working* cup holder. But not yet).

LOVE the sound of the V8. Gota be fun to play with, for sure!

Congrats man! Your Z4M was sweet so I can only imagine how well the E92 will turn out, and considering your list of day 1 mods it's starting out great, can't wait to see pictures.

Thanks guys. I honestly almost traded the M3 back in the next day. The raw looks of a modified Z4MC or Z4MR surpasses just about every E92 M3 out there with the exception of a few. lol

I miss the Z4M already and have been driving my X5 everywhere. Just can't get passed the stock look of the M3. lol Kinda boxy.

I did put on the all blacked out front grills today. That was easy. Springs and wheels/spacers next week.

Before you change out the stock springs, take a look at this thread. I spent a lot of time considering suspension options with my E92: generally speaking going with any kind of "drop" with springs results in unpredictable handling, loss of EDC functionality and very poor ride quality. Dinan "\gets away with it by modifying the stock bump stop, which on the M3 acts as a helper spring and is actually an active part of the suspension.

There are ways to make lowering springs work, but there are things to modify and consider before changing out the springs. Here's another thread that might be helpful too. Folks who want a sport suspension like the KWv3s, but again EDC is lost and the ride suffers IIRC. The stock suspension, while looking a bit SUVish, is damn good and hard to improve upon.

Before you change out the stock springs, take a look at this thread. I spent a lot of time considering these options with my E92, and generally speaking going with any kind of "drop" with springs results in unpredictable handling, loss of EDC functionality, and other issues. Dinan gets away with it by modifying the stock bump stop, which on the M3 acts as a helper spring and is actually an active part of the suspension.

There are ways to make lowering springs work, but there are things to modify and consider before changing out the springs. Here's another thread that might be helpful too. Folks who want a sport suspension like the KWv3s, but again EDC is lost and the ride suffers IIRC. The stock suspension, while looking a bit SUVish, is damn good and hard to improve upon. There may be more out there for the E92 now, and my knowledge is based on research from a year and half ago. But FWIW I thought I would share what I know.

Finnegan wrote

Before you change out the stock springs, take a look at this thread. I spent a lot of time considering these options with my E92, and generally speaking going with any kind of "drop" with springs results in unpredictable handling, loss of EDC functionality, and other issues. Dinan gets away with it by modifying the stock bump stop, which on the M3 acts as a helper spring and is actually an active part of the suspension.

There are ways to make lowering springs work, but there are things to modify and consider before changing out the springs. Here's another thread that might be helpful too. Folks who want a sport suspension like the KWv3s, but again EDC is lost and the ride suffers IIRC. The stock suspension, while looking a bit SUVish, is damn good and hard to improve upon. There may be more out there for the E92 now, and my knowledge is based on research from a year and half ago. But FWIW I thought I would share what I know.

I saw that thread and with any new car there are some that take it to the extreme. I honestly know about 20+ owners with just lowering springs and have been running them for years in the E92 M3 and no issues. So at this point, for me it won't be an issue. Some are using the E36s bumpstops.

Thanks for looking out for me though.

Roffle Waffle wrote

I hear its much more stable at high speeds ; )

Thanks to an extra 400 pounds.

So my front grills, spacers, performance shift knob, lowering springs, pads, and aluminum trim came in. Next week all is going on the car. Cant wait to drive this car.

Sneak quick shot...This is all stock, aside from the wheels.

hard to judge from that angle

EndlessZ4M wrote

I saw that thread and with any new car there are some that take it to the extreme. I honestly know about 20+ owners with just lowering springs and have been running them for years in the E92 M3 and no issues. So at this point, for me it won't be an issue. Some are using the E36s bumpstops.

Thanks for looking out for me though.

Yep, E36 bumpstops were one of the ways folks made it work. I'm sure there's more on the market now that work well. And like you said, if not taken to the extreme.... I also spaced a bit and forgot you've done these kinds of mods on a whole bunch of cars.

I do agree though that it's rather plain compared to the more extreme (which I like) styling of the Z4M. IIRC IND has done some really nice builds with the M3, you might get some other ideas from their threads.

Finnegan wrote

Yep, E36 bumpstops were one of the ways folks made it work. I'm sure there's more on the market now that work well. And like you said, if not taken to the extreme.... I also spaced a bit and forgot you've done these kinds of mods on a whole bunch of cars.

I do agree though that it's rather plain compared to the more extreme (which I like) styling of the Z4M. IIRC IND has done some really nice builds with the M3, you might get some other ideas from their threads.

I agree with you. Its really conservative but if done up right it can look awesome. In stock form its really lacking. Z4MC and Z4MR just looks more like its ready for business. I do love the luxury of the M3 which I was looking for and the Z4M cannot even come close...lol