hi everyone, i'm new here. recently, my dad bought a 2006 silver gray Z4. i suggested doing some things to the engine to make it more powerful, such as a turbo, and he said that he would consider it. so, my question is, what could you do to upgrade it's horsepower and maybe handling? what would go into something like this? how much would something like this cost? sorry that i can't be much more specific, but i'm not very familiar with car's engines and such. thanks, robert.

Trade it in for a 2007 MZ4.

Trade it in for a 2007 MZ4.Exactly right. I spent way too much money trying to turn my '97 2.8 into a '98 M Roadster (a car that I was told by BMW would never be sold in the US :shifty ).

The result? It would have been cheaper and easier to have immediately traded in the 2.8 in on an M Roadster. Then, if I still wanted to go mod-crazy I would have been starting from a better platform with the M Roadster.

That's why I waited for the Z4 M Roadster - a car that I was told by BMW would never be built. :rolleyes

well, i don't think that he would be interested in trading it in. i don't think that a total conversion is needed or particularly wanted. would it be possible to put on a turbocharger? if it is possible, what else would it effect? thanks, robert

well, i don't think that he would be interested in trading it in. i don't think that a total conversion is needed or particularly wanted. would it be possible to put on a turbocharger? if it is possible, what else would it effect? thanks, robert

It's still cheaper to just trade it in for an MZ4.

well, i don't think that he would be interested in trading it in. i don't think that a total conversion is needed or particularly wanted. would it be possible to put on a turbocharger? if it is possible, what else would it effect? thanks, robert

The only turbocharger system I've heard of seems to be vaporware. You could go with a supercharger, but adding 100 horses means upgrades to the brakes and suspension if you want the car to be able to handle the power - say $8-10k, if you're lucky. However, you said upgrading was your idea, not your dad's, and you concede you don't know much about upgrades. So what's the point of this project? Money and inexperience typically lead to Trouble.

it depends on what ur dad really wants..

IMO u might be able to convince him of getting an exhaust & an intake, maybe a set of aftermarket rims & lowering springs.. but a turbo kit :S hmmm that's a lot

ok, thanks everyone. i guess that it isn't as easy as i thought it may have been.

I have a 2003 Z4 3.0 and it is supercharged. It's pushing 8psi and 355hp from an ESS Tuning Supercharger. It has an awesome torque band which is nice for around town and it pulls HARD up to redline.

It cost about $6.5k once it was all said and done and now its faster then a stock M Coupe or M Roadster. Also, the chassis is very capable of handling the extra power. I've had it for more then 20,000 miles and have never had any problems or thought it had to much power for the chassis to handle. You can get any car out of control but the thing handles it just fine.

The old adage about needing more brakes and "better" suspension just isn't true in my opinion. In fact I am considering the boost upgrade kit which would push it north of 400hp (crank hp). The stock Z4 with the sport option is very capable.

It's a very nice bang for the buck as far as BMW's go. I don't know the price difference between a M and non-M but a used 3.0 is about $35k, add $8k for wheels and the supercharger and now you've got something that stands out. It just depends on your situation really and what you want.

Later

I have a 2003 Z4 3.0 and it is supercharged. It's pushing 8psi and 355hp from an ESS Tuning Supercharger. It has an awesome torque band which is nice for around town and it pulls HARD up to redline.

It cost about $6.5k once it was all said and done and now its faster then a stock M Coupe or M Roadster. Also, the chassis is very capable of handling the extra power. I've had it for more then 20,000 miles and have never had any problems or thought it had to much power for the chassis to handle. You can get any car out of control but the thing handles it just fine.

The old adage about needing more brakes and "better" suspension just isn't true in my opinion. In fact I am considering the boost upgrade kit which would push it north of 400hp (crank hp). The stock Z4 with the sport option is very capable.

It's a very nice bang for the buck as far as BMW's go. I don't know the price difference between a M and non-M but a used 3.0 is about $35k, add $8k for wheels and the supercharger and now you've got something that stands out. It just depends on your situation really and what you want.

Later

Okay, I'm going to need to see some pictures.....

I have a 2003 Z4 3.0 and it is supercharged. It's pushing 8psi and 355hp from an ESS Tuning Supercharger. It has an awesome torque band which is nice for around town and it pulls HARD up to redline.

It cost about $6.5k once it was all said and done and now its faster then a stock M Coupe or M Roadster. Also, the chassis is very capable of handling the extra power. I've had it for more then 20,000 miles and have never had any problems or thought it had to much power for the chassis to handle. You can get any car out of control but the thing handles it just fine.

The old adage about needing more brakes and "better" suspension just isn't true in my opinion. In fact I am considering the boost upgrade kit which would push it north of 400hp (crank hp). The stock Z4 with the sport option is very capable.

It's a very nice bang for the buck as far as BMW's go. I don't know the price difference between a M and non-M but a used 3.0 is about $35k, add $8k for wheels and the supercharger and now you've got something that stands out. It just depends on your situation really and what you want.

Later

Thanks for your post and input. You bring up some facinating points. Now that the Z4 has been out for a few years, I'm seriously considering a 2004 3.0 Z4. Your feedback has been really helpful. Keep it coming.

Tell your dad, to go get a ESS TS2+ kit. Its complete bolt on and it would eat a Mz4. The car will make about 330who and 300wtq. Now that is more than a z4 to the motor, also to mod the z4 it would be 10k on FI alone.

This kit works perfect, many people have it. Read up on it at E46fanatics.com

Good luck.