I'm looking at picking up a Z4 3.0si Coupe in the near future. Can anyone tell me the mechanical differences between cars with/without the sport suspension? I like the ride of the sport suspension cars, but may have a chance to pick up a good deal on a non-sport car. Is the difference in the shocks and sway bars or is there more involved? Thanks in advance for the info.

You need to go test drive cars with and without sports suspension. It is a very subjective and personal choice. I can tell you that I can not live with out sports suspension on any of the non-M BMWs. But what I can and can not live with has nothing to do with what should be your own personal preference.

As far as differences are concerned, on the Z4 it's mainly springs (stiffer springs and lower ride-height) and shocks (sports tuned damping), in addition with larger wheels and wider, staggered tires (on the Si). Sports package equipped models also has a "sports" button that re-maps the throttle response and steering boost.

Hack, I also have a preference for the handling and ride of the sport suspension. My interest was maybe upgrading a nonsport car to a sport suspension car. Between shocks, springs, and wheels it might not be cost effective. Thanks

then go with the deal regardless of the Sport option. I got it on both my new Z4s and am very glad I did. Better looking wheels, wider at the rear, lower profile tires, stiffer suspension, plus the Sport Drive button that accelerates acceleration, cuts down the electric power steering assist, and makes working the auto gearshift an attention getting endeavor.

If you have a choice, go for the Sport.

Good luck.

It is indeed subjective. If the car will be a daily driver, then make sure you do extensice test drives in both versions. The wife and I are in our 50's and we test drove both. We decided on the non-sport model for comfort and we are pleased with our decision. Upon reflecting on the type of driving we would be doing, the sport model made no sense. The standard suspension handles wonderfully and the comfort factor is fantastic. This summer, we took 3 trips of 7 hour duration each and I felt like I could have driven another 7 hours without discomfort. Now if this was 10 or 20 years ago, then there would have been no question and sport would have been the way to go.

T

I think the suspensions aren't a big deal since you can always easily change them. But you really should test-drive a Z4 with the sport button and see what you think of it. For me, the sport button was a must-have on a non-M Z4. If you buy a Z4 without the sport button, you might as well not buy the Z4 and not buy a sports car. The difference is that huge. And most importantly, since the Z4 came out at the end of '02, no one has ever been able to retrofit the sport button.

To all, thanks for the info. To Clarify my original inquiry: I wanted to know what the mechanical differences are between the sport and nonsport suspensions. This was not a question about which one is better, I have driven both and prefer the sport package hands down. As I stated in a previous response, I was trying to evaluate if it would be cost effective to buy a nonsport car and upgrade it.

Sport Button: I have driven both the manual and auto transmissions with the sport package. From my perspective, the sport button makes very little difference in the way a manual car feels or handles. The automatic transmission car undergoes a more noticeable change in feel and handling, primarily in the power curve.

Once again thanks.

Ungrading will be more expensive unless you can save on labor and do it yourself. Sport car can have only manual transmission, so not reason to upgrade it to automatic.

I don't feel a big difference in the sport mode, maybe I didn't drive aggressive enough!

sport mode def makes a difference on the road

like at 60mph in 5th gear, with/without sport button pressed, i can feel a difference in the car surging and less steering assist which makes the car more stable at high speed andddd it's so awesome!

After checking out prices on components and labor, it appears that the best approach is to be patient, find what I want, and then buy it. Although I still enjoy turning a wrench, I no longer have the time that I used to. (Why is it that when you have the time you don't have the money and when you have the money, you don't have the time?)

I hope to soon become a "full" member of the forum with the anticipated purchase of a Z4 coupe. Thanks again.

...I was trying to evaluate if it would be cost effective to buy a nonsport car and upgrade it....

Yes.

I definitely notice a difference when the Sport button is engaged on my '06 3.0si.

In terms of engine/transmission, it offers a sharper throttle response and is willing to run much more freely towards the redline - feels akin to having a lightened flywheel. When driving lazily around town, engaging the Sport button makes the shift more clumsy for me as one needs to engage the throttle more quickly to smooth out the shift.

And from the point of the ride/handling, there is a noticeably stiffer ride, though the improvement on handling remains quetionable IMHO because of the blasted RFTs. Again, when driven sedately around town, the stiffened suspension setting makes the car feels more nervous when there are surface imperfections.

But having the choice with the Sport button is definitely preferred by yours truly.

From my perspective, the sport button makes very little difference in the way a manual car feels or handles.

I notice a big difference in throttle response with the sport button, with a manual tranny.

I definitely notice a difference when the Sport button is engaged on my '06 3.0si.

In terms of engine/transmission, it offers a sharper throttle response and is willing to run much more freely towards the redline - feels akin to having a lightened flywheel. When driving lazily around town, engaging the Sport button makes the shift more clumsy for me as one needs to engage the throttle more quickly to smooth out the shift.

And from the point of the ride/handling, there is a noticeably stiffer ride, though the improvement on handling remains quetionable IMHO because of the blasted RFTs. Again, when driven sedately around town, the stiffened suspension setting makes the car feels more nervous when there are surface imperfections.

But having the choice with the Sport button is definitely preferred by yours truly.

Royk, I think you nailed it for the differences in handling. My freeway/higher speed time has been very limited being test drives and other then knowing I prefered the sport package, I couldn't articulate why very well.

Thanks

I don't know the difference in handling between the two but the spirited performance you get from the engine when you press the sport button is a must for me. I drive in sport mode almost all the time because of the seat of the pants difference in performance. For me, I would not buy a car without the sport option.