My Z4 M40i feels faster than my old M4

[Karnidge]

I have owned both. 2016 M4 convertible (w/ performance exhaust) and now a 2020 Z4 M40i. I think the M40i feels just as fast as the M4. I don't think the M4 was "meh" though, it was a great car.

Like a lot of BMW enthusiasts, I always thought these new Mxxx cars were not comparable to the full-fledged M cars. But the Z4 m40i really impresses me. Maybe it's not quite an M car, but it's pretty damn close.

[zillymc]

Originally Posted by Aaaaaaaaa

I mean my X3 feels faster than my M3 mostly due to the automatic trans. I can barely keep up with a Prius off the line if I’m accelerating and shifting casually.

Lol so true - day to day, my X3 M40i is faster than my 18' M3 Comp lol. Doesn't have the same soul of course as my M3, but i bet if I could race myself 10 times 1/4 mile in the two the X3 would win out a lot lol.

[DavesZupra4]

Originally Posted by zillymc

Lol so true - day to day, my X3 M40i is faster than my 18' M3 Comp lol. Doesn't have the same soul of course as my M3, but i bet if I could race myself 10 times 1/4 mile in the two the X3 would win out a lot lol.

Well I've tuned my z4 m40i to 450wheel and 500wtrq. Let's just say, the acceleration is ungodly compared to my m2 comp I had, and it easily defeats the m2 comp on the track I go too easily, and I take corners at higher speeds than the m2 comp could and it does it effortlessly.

It's a car as wide as a new g80 but has the shortest height, length, wheelbase of any bmw in decades and weighs the least in their entire lineup as well. These things matter A LOT as well as seating position. The 330hp supra beat a 405hp m2 comp in the nurburgring for example, and I've driven the supra and can confirm acceleration and corner speeds are the same. I can easily tune the z4 to 500wheel and I'd really like to see a lap time against a stock g80. I'm willing to bet a smaller less heavier car that turns better and has higher lateral acceleration will easily win. The m3/4 are big boats. Now throw in the M suspension the m3/4 get and the z4 would be AHEAD BY MILES on a track.

I'd say the 7:30 time at nurburgring for the g80 mostly comes from the extra 80hp and like 50-60 torque anyway and not necessarily better corner speeds.

SO op is right, the m2 comp felt sluggish compared to the z4 but when tuned it just reaches 100mph (162kph) before I even realize it.

Of course there is going to be denial because the m3/4 are supposed to be kings. But most people get it because it's large and practical. If that didn't matter people would be buying convertibles and the z4m would exist and be the best m track weapon

[pikkagtr]

I've owned 2 F80s
One in JB4 and the second one BM3
The stock Zupra I drive now feels every bit as fast as the F80s were up to 100
The M3 would beat it on the top end as that's where the S55 shines
I would venture to say an extra 50-75 whp in a rune would make the J29 Zupra much faster than a comparable tune only F80 on stock hardware both

[FrozenGT]

What you are feeling is true.. just ignore the negativity. The B58 tune to deliver more low end torque for daily driving. This is why you feel more push off the gate. However the B58 will start to drop off at higher revs. 4000rpm and up. The S58 that’s in current M4 is designed to rev much higher and not drop off at the top end. This has always been the case for M engines.. Our 2022 X3 M40i B58 feels much faster off the line then my 2020 M4 Comp.

[spidy512]

Originally Posted by jdgamble

Yeah regarding feel... which is all OP said... I had an M240i before my M, and the first time I drove the M, it didn’t feel too different than the M240i. BMW tunes the non-real-M engines for more low end torque. I assume the Z4 is no different. It takes getting through a few gears and some seat time to really appreciate the M3/4 speed. But the Z4 is pretty close in terms of power, and the size/seating position probably has an impact. Either way, there are a lot of cars that feel or are faster than ours. Who cares? Our cars are fast.

Re troll though... This is a pretty silly first post on an M3/4 board.

I relate to this and it reminded of the toil I went through before I traded my F22 for the F80.

When I first traded the M240i for the M3, I was a bit taken back by how much better the F22 was as a DD. Super quick, and one of the best stoplight drag cars around. Especially with xDrive. But after more seat time in the F80 it became very clear the differences and the greater potential of the M3. But I wil say out loud, the M240i would absolutely beat me off the line eveytime (heck, prius or the like do as well, need more traction...).

Others have said it before and I will say it again. The mini "M" cars tend to be much better daily drivers than the full M cars. M240i, M340i, M550i, Z4 M40i, etc., etc. They are all ludacrisly fast off the line and buttery smooth while retainling some level of engagement (subjective). But the M cars are just different. Not better, just different. And when pushed, scary fast and much more capable than the baby M's. I am stoked to have owned both.

Cheerios!
josh

[DavesZupra4]

Originally Posted by spidy512

I relate to this and it reminded of the toil I went through before I traded my F22 for the F80.

When I first traded the M240i for the M3, I was a bit taken back by how much better the F22 was as a DD. Super quick, and one of the best stoplight drag cars around. Especially with xDrive. But after more seat time in the F80 it became very clear the differences and the greater potential of the M3. But I wil say out loud, the M240i would absolutely beat me off the line eveytime (heck, prius or the like do as well, need more traction...).

Others have said it before and I will say it again. The mini "M" cars tend to be much better daily drivers than the full M cars. M240i, M340i, M550i, Z4 M40i, etc., etc. They are all ludacrisly fast off the line and buttery smooth while retainling some level of engagement (subjective). But the M cars are just different. Not better, just different. And when pushed, scary fast and much more capable than the baby M's. I am stoked to have owned both.

Cheerios!
josh

Well the f80 at least weighs ok. The g80 is too big and too heavy. It's like polishing a turd. There's zero excuse for it to weigh 4000lbs.

A simple tune in a b58 on the g29 that weighs 3450lbs can get it to 500hp. Weight matters so much for handling and even acceleration. But try saying this in the g80 forums and they get violent. They even look up your post history and start commenting on every thread you posted in regardless of which bimmerpost forum it was to insult you. And I only claim a lighter smaller car will handle better never said it's faster or even faster around a track

[Soul Coughing]

Originally Posted by DavesZupra4

Well the f80 at least weighs ok. The g80 is too big and too heavy. It's like polishing a turd. There's zero excuse for it to weigh 4000lbs.

A simple tune in a b58 on the g29 that weighs 3450lbs can get it to 500hp. Weight matters so much for handling and even acceleration. But try saying this in the g80 forums and they get violent. They even look up your post history and start commenting on every thread you posted in regardless of which bimmerpost forum it was to insult you. And I only claim a lighter smaller car will handle better never said it's faster or even faster around a track

You're lucky you weren't banned!

Personally, a 340 was never on the radar, even though it would have been a better daily. I just love the dual nature of the M3 and you'll know if you do too once you drive one! Having a manual is nice too, which you can't get with a G series 340.

[spidy512]

Originally Posted by DavesZupra4

Well the f80 at least weighs ok. The g80 is too big and too heavy. It's like polishing a turd. There's zero excuse for it to weigh 4000lbs.

A simple tune in a b58 on the g29 that weighs 3450lbs can get it to 500hp. Weight matters so much for handling and even acceleration. But try saying this in the g80 forums and they get violent. They even look up your post history and start commenting on every thread you posted in regardless of which bimmerpost forum it was to insult you. And I only claim a lighter smaller car will handle better never said it's faster or even faster around a track

Very much agree! I adore the B58. It was one of the best motors I have ever owned. And the potential is nutty. But weight is something you cannot ignore. My M240i felt 2 tiimes as heavy as the my F80...

And yeah, its too bad about the G80 crowd. Whats funny is seeing how many are for sale these days....

josh

[sna66]

I’d consider trading my m4 for a Z4 but the wife won’t let me, she thinks it’s a girl’s car and a downgrade, obviously she doesn’t understand B58, 50/50 weight distribution, roadster. For me it’s just a little too small though , the m4 is perfect, not as big as an 8series bigger than a z.

[jonf49]

Originally Posted by mjposner

Per BMW Z40i is 0-60 in 3.9, M4 is 4.1, also convertibles with top down give a greater sensation of speed.

I’ve seen some sources say the M4’s with DCT go about 3.8. Is this only the competitions?
I know this is getting ridiculous and it comes down to the driver, but just curious.

[T_Munny]

I own a Z4 M40i, 2022. It’s so fun. RWD, short wheelbase, roadster, etc. but it’s not an M car. I work bicoastal and rent cars on one end. Lately it’s been the M4 Compl convertible.. Incredible car. The things that get me most are, shift logic (really kicks at the shift points) and straight out raw power combined with AWD. Man. Just an incredibly thrilling and gratifying machine to drive.

Don’t get me wrong. I still own my Z4 M40i. Have considered trading it in more than once. But I really do love the roadster, short wheel base, tunable performance and straight up fun of this car.

At the end of the day, I’m personally not sure you can compare them.