Brian H - Imola Z4M
- Thread starter Brian H
- Start date
Croft Circuit 17.7.17
Had a day out at Croft Circuit with the BMWCCGB, the day was an absolute scorcher weather wise with not a cloud in the sky all day, maybe a little too hot for a trackday.
The number of cars attending was in the region of 45 which is low for a day like this, plenty of tracktime if you need want it.
The Z4M was superb, I really got to know the car a whole lot better and was able to push on with my confidence building, the Performance Friction brake pads I put in before Cadwell Park have proved to be a good choice for me giving a good solid pedal all day long with little wear too, the balance of the car allows the car to move a little through the corners when pushing on. My tyres have taken a beating but that is to be expected at Croft as it is an abrasive track, after my first run temps had risen so much I had to take 8-10 PSI out of the tyres to get back to the start setting.
Here are a few laps from later on in the day. The Z4M I end up following had a mod list as long as your arm so I'm pleased I stayed with him.
Had a day out at Croft Circuit with the BMWCCGB, the day was an absolute scorcher weather wise with not a cloud in the sky all day, maybe a little too hot for a trackday.
The number of cars attending was in the region of 45 which is low for a day like this, plenty of tracktime if you need want it.
The Z4M was superb, I really got to know the car a whole lot better and was able to push on with my confidence building, the Performance Friction brake pads I put in before Cadwell Park have proved to be a good choice for me giving a good solid pedal all day long with little wear too, the balance of the car allows the car to move a little through the corners when pushing on. My tyres have taken a beating but that is to be expected at Croft as it is an abrasive track, after my first run temps had risen so much I had to take 8-10 PSI out of the tyres to get back to the start setting.
Here are a few laps from later on in the day. The Z4M I end up following had a mod list as long as your arm so I'm pleased I stayed with him.
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Snetterton 300 Circuit on Monday 25th September, Snetterton for me is a loooong way from home, 7hrs 45mins & 430 miles from home to the hotel at Thetford, as this is so far away this involves two overnight stops.
The car was prepared the weekend before, the rear discs were looking past their best so new discs and pads were ordered and fitted, funnily I found the best price for these through a 3rd party VW dealer!
Monday morning came, a dry day was predicted, there was even a little sunshine around!
Sign on as usual from 07:30 and driver briefing at 08:30 followed by 3 sighting laps, At approx 09:30 the pit lane was opened for the days fun to start.
I have been to Snetterton a few times in the Z3 but did not realise how fast this circuit is! It is the fastest circuit I have been to to date. The Z4 performed brilliantly all day, the car is stock apart from the brake pads, brake fluids and a used set of Toyo R888s, it really does go to show that even on 11 year old suspension the ///M boys and girls knew what they were doing, such a balanced car.
The first couple of sessions out I was being a little too pushy with the car, quick laps but too scruffy for me. A little brain adjustment to sort myself out and then the rhythm kicked in, lap after lap the car would pound around the circuit......Brilliant. 62 laps in total.
One of the great things about these days is the we can all jump in and out of the cars at the track, if you are not driving your own car you can ask to be a passenger in someone else's, very few people if any will say no. Jumping in other cars allows you to see other peoples lines braking points etc. I do love it when someone jumps in the car with me and then smile from ear to ear because they are surprised what the little roady can do on track.
A couple of laps of the video below.
Enjoy
The car was prepared the weekend before, the rear discs were looking past their best so new discs and pads were ordered and fitted, funnily I found the best price for these through a 3rd party VW dealer!
Monday morning came, a dry day was predicted, there was even a little sunshine around!
Sign on as usual from 07:30 and driver briefing at 08:30 followed by 3 sighting laps, At approx 09:30 the pit lane was opened for the days fun to start.
I have been to Snetterton a few times in the Z3 but did not realise how fast this circuit is! It is the fastest circuit I have been to to date. The Z4 performed brilliantly all day, the car is stock apart from the brake pads, brake fluids and a used set of Toyo R888s, it really does go to show that even on 11 year old suspension the ///M boys and girls knew what they were doing, such a balanced car.
The first couple of sessions out I was being a little too pushy with the car, quick laps but too scruffy for me. A little brain adjustment to sort myself out and then the rhythm kicked in, lap after lap the car would pound around the circuit......Brilliant. 62 laps in total.
One of the great things about these days is the we can all jump in and out of the cars at the track, if you are not driving your own car you can ask to be a passenger in someone else's, very few people if any will say no. Jumping in other cars allows you to see other peoples lines braking points etc. I do love it when someone jumps in the car with me and then smile from ear to ear because they are surprised what the little roady can do on track.
A couple of laps of the video below.
Enjoy
Enjoyed that Brian, thank you.
Tony.
Tony.
Real adrenaline pumping stuff, love it! Sounds epic too. 
Some winter maintenance for the Z4, the car is currently in the garage having the con rod bearing shells replaced, there are plenty of horror stories out on the tinternet about these failing, I have been mindful that I push the car on track from time to time so I finally bitvthe bullet. So glad I did.
This is just one of them!
Edit: here are 5 of them.
This is just one of them!
Edit: here are 5 of them.
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Can't see the picture Brian. I assume it was not good?Some winter maintenance for the Z4, the car is currently in the garage having the con rod bearing shells replaced, there are plenty of horror stories out on the tinternet about these failing, I have been mindful that I push the car on track from time to time so I finally bitvthe bullet. So glad I did.
This is just one of them!
Tony.
Hi Brian, yes I can now. They certainly appear to have lost the "new" look mate. Not a cheap job I'll warrant, but a good investment all the same before things got a lot worse.Can you see it now @t-tony? they have certainly seen better days.
Tony.
Best to catch them now while you have the time to change them rather than having things let go during a race or while testing!! Good luck! JIM
I had ARP bolts installed when I had my engine rebuild as one of the bolts had stretched causing damage.
Thanks Athulas, I have ARP bolts going back in
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- Joined
- Dec 8, 2011
- Points
- 145
You got your money's worth out of them. Hopefully, there is no damage to the crank - I'd be surprised if there is. Not the end of the world if there is, as a smaller big-end diameter is a blueprint performance improvement.
The wear looks to be just about perfect - smack, bang in the middle of the shell.
I'd be happy if they were mine.
. Hopefully, there is no damage to the crank - I'd be surprised if there is. Not the end of the world if there is, as a smaller big-end diameter is a blueprint performance improvement.The wear looks to be just about perfect - smack, bang in the middle of the shell.
I'd be happy if they were mine.
I don't share your view...I'd be happy if they were mine.
I'd be feckin livid, a 50 grand (new) car about to spin its big end bearings and cause god knows how much damage if you hadn't had it done
I'm glad I no longer have mine if this is how fragile they are.
High performance should not automatically equal excessive maintenance and costs,
its the job of designers to make them fit for purpose and so justify that initial high purchase cost.
So much for bullet proof BMW engines
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2011
- Points
- 145
Have a look at yours and I'll bet there is some white metal missing, regardless of how many miles it has done, or how old it is. I wouldn't be surprised if this wear is many years old. As we should all know, most main-bearing and big-end bearing damage is done at start-up (in the first few seconds when the engine is turning at 1000rpm with minimal oil pressure). The chances of any of our cars having been started properly every time is negligible. They will have been started and driven off the ferry from Spartenburg by someone who didn't give a toss and just wanted to get the car moved as quickly as possible.
You would be surprised at how much wear is tolerable (deliberate choice of word) before a part is out of spec for damage. Ironically, Brian's car will be slower with the new shells that it was with the worn ones (until they are bedded-in).
Brian - you'll need to a nice run to bed them in - fancy a Brexit Tour?
I can see your point and do not disagree, I did however know about this issue along with the vanos before I bought the car, if I’m being honest I am pleased that I am now having the work done due to the state of the bearings. It does seem as if BMW have a knack of not quite getting it right be it engines, chassis etc. I still Think it is a great car though.
Z4 Hardtop
Bagged a bit of a bargain today I reckon, This was advertised quite local to me (70ish miles away), the guy selling was inundated with messages etc. due to the price of £450.00. It was basically first come first served. My car goes in for a bit of paintwork next week, I'm going to get the top done at the same time.
Bagged a bit of a bargain today I reckon, This was advertised quite local to me (70ish miles away), the guy selling was inundated with messages etc. due to the price of £450.00. It was basically first come first served. My car goes in for a bit of paintwork next week, I'm going to get the top done at the same time.
Great find and a supurb price congrats on the purchase Brian