Ride difference - any ? between G29 M20i and M40i

[Brian James]

Just had the pleasure of experiencing a ride in the latest Z4 - M40i with 19 inch alloy wheels. The ride was firm and I just wondered if the M20i on 18 inch wheels gave a softer ride or just similar ride?
Getting on a bit and me bones not as flexible as they were so would like to know of anybody else's experience?

 

[Nodzed]

What did you think of the G29?

 

[Brian James]

Very nice ...lovely colours and choices but was a tad disappointed with the firm ride BUT each to his own and I think being the M40i 3 litre on 19" wheels may have contributed. Honestly, needed more time to explore and enjoy.
Trying to get a test drive (not easy !) to test further but we wait and see.....Moves like hot s**t off a shovel! ...only real downside was restrictive speed limits !
A lot of money so one has to be careful in getting it "right first time"

Would like to test the M20i on 18"wheels to compare .....as well as the acceleration...

 

[Pond]

Would like to test the M20i on 18"wheels to compare .....as well as the acceleration...

With half the power of the B58 in the 40i, the B48 in the 20i is very different.
The 30i should be a good compromise, even though it is exactly the same engine as the 20i (different map).

To be honest your question will be answered much better on the Z4 forum, as many have G29s.

 

[Argyll Andy]

With half the power of the B58 in the 40i, the B48 in the 20i is very different.
The 30i should be a good compromise, even though it is exactly the same engine as the 20i (different map).

To be honest your question will be answered much better on the Z4 forum, as many have G29s.

Very different cars, think OP is looking to order new so 30i out of equation

 

[Toby]

Just had the pleasure of experiencing a ride in the latest Z4 - M40i with 19 inch alloy wheels. The ride was firm and I just wondered if the M20i on 18 inch wheels gave a softer ride or just similar ride?

Need to check the tyre profile really. Also probably on RFT, if so swop em out and the ride will be softer

 

[Argyll Andy]

Brendan, as you’ve said each to their own but I can’t say we’ve found the M40i firm tbh. Almost every time we get in it I put it into sports or sports+ which firms the ride up.

I’ve done nearly 40k in the two M40i’s and the road surface and tyre tread make a bit of a difference. On a completely personal note I don’t think I would like a G29 with the smaller engine, that imho is where the size of the car would definitely show. Not so important in a Z3 or E85 but G29 I wouldn’t fancy sub 200 BHP (I think) especially now you’ve driven an M40i HTH

 

[B21]

So was the ride in comfort mode or sports mode?..comfort mode if I recall was pretty ‘comfortable’..

The M40i has adaptive damping

 

[Argyll Andy]

Need to check the tyre profile really. Also probably on RFT, if so swop em out and the ride will be softer

No RFT’s on G29’s as standard, don’t think OEM wheels can take RFT’s iirc

 

[Grumps]

Need to check the tyre profile really. Also probably on RFT, if so swop em out and the ride will be softer

I have RFT's on my GT with 20" wheels, the ride is hideous but the previous owner had just put a full new set of Goodyear on before I purchased it so I'm going to have to ride them out, a little erratic driving required me thinks!

 

[t-tony]

My E89 came to me on 19" run flats, 3 still have about 6mm on them sitting in the shed. Hideous things.

Tony.

 

[Nodzed]

Agree Tony, took ours to Italy and swapped them out when we got back even though they were near new.

 

[Grumps]

I have 20" run flats on the GT, they are almost new Goodyear so I can't justify binning them but by God they are god damn awful!

 

[Pond]

I have 20" run flats on the GT, they are almost new Goodyear so I can't justify binning them but by God they are god damn awful!

Just watch them wheels for cracks. It's not just BMs, all modern big cast wheels can suffer, apparently, but RFTs really do not help.
Big wheels + cheap casting + cheap alloys + lots of weight + hard springs + British roads full of potholes = problems
Add concrete tyres to the mix = more problems

I had a B3 Alpina a couple of years ago with 19" extortionately expensive 'classic' multi-spokes on it. It didn't have RFTs (Michelin supersports) but two of the wheels were buckled after 40k miles.