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  • GruppeM induction kit

    Following a question from Spooks, a few details about this kit, which I recently fitted myself to my Z4MC.

    Basically, I felt mildly underwhelmed by the engine note in stock trim. This was perhaps to be expected as the MC had just replaced an F355 Ferrari. I should perhaps point out that before that I had a Z3MC for five years and had been very happy with its engine note, especially in the first few months or so before it became "normal"!

    I had waited a while to see if time would change how I felt, but was never 100% happy with the Z4 noise. So I started looking at exhaust options, but found that most systems either seemed too subtle in their effects, or else just resulted in extra VOLUME without nececssarily improving the character of the noise emitted.

    It was then that someone on the Z4 forum mentioned his GruppeM kit and some sound clips suggested it could provide exactly what I was after - more character without a booming exhaust. Aside from the noise itself, I think the best part is that it makes itself heard exactly when you want it and not when you don't - ie under load, not when cruising on the motorway or taking it steady.

    The change is to add a lovely depth to the low and mid-range, both in terms of the engine revs where it gives it's best and also that part of the frequency range it enhances. It reminds me a little of the bass/weight you get with a big American v8 like a 'vette (but a bit more subtle!) and comparisons have also been made with the CSL, with I believe uses a similar system (although I may have made that up!). Once you get into the higher rev range (5500-6000+), it becomes much less noticeable as the exhaust noise takes over the induction noise.

    I have the sound clip which convinced me to go for it - if anyone is interested pm me.

    I am not the most spanner-handy so I was pretty chuffed to have done the fitting myself, but it was reasonably straightforward once the Japanese instructions had been deciphered!

    Other side effects include an additional urgency on throttle application, which feels like a few extra horses but could simply be better throttle response.

    It's only been on a month or so so still lots of exploring to do, suffice to say I am extemely happy with the results!

    This is not a cheap mod at around £900 without fitting (marginally cheaper for S50 and S54 Z3Ms). Cheaper alterantives are available such as Simota, but having heard the Gruppe I found exactly the sound I was after.

    I got mine here .... I am in no way affiliated with the manufacturer or seller - just a very happy customer!!

    In situ:

    Cheers

    Ben


  • #2
    Wow CSL airbox scaled :P It looks awesome and original also, not like other Ram air fakes ;) FTW
    I'm not a clown but the shoe is ///Mine
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    Estoril/Estoril/black, B&M SSK, 6Spd S6S-420G, Strong Strut, R.Forbes sub-frame kit & RE dual ear diff cover, Supersprint Race Headers & Resonators & DTM Cat-backs, Bilstein B6 Sport, BBS RC 301 & 303 8.5/10x18" wheels, Alcon Mono6 355mm Front & Mono4 332mm Rear Full Floating BBK, Pro Ramp Variable Lock %75 LSD

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    • #3
      Thanks for the right up Ben, would like to hear it if you can send the clips?
      2002 '52 S54 - Titanium Silver with 18" BBS LMs, AP Racing BBK, KW V3, H&R anti roll bars & ACS flippers (previously 2000 'X' S50 - Arctic Silver)

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      • #4
        As nice as the gruppe M is i have avoided messing with the OEM airbox. On the s54 short of upgrading to a full CSL plenum I've heard any alternatives including the gruppe M are likely to decrease performance (although marginally). Still I bet it sounds good :)

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        • #5
          Benjamin! (Remember the League of Gentlemen? )

          Bring it over sometime and we'll stick my DashDyno onto your OBDII socket and we can find out what it does. I very much doubt that this mod will improve performance because you've now lost the enclosed air-intake: a major feature of the s54 ///M cars.
          Last edited by exdos; 06-08-2011, 10:57 AM.
          /// Exdos ///
          "Men who try the impossible and fail spectacularly are infinitely superior to those who reach for nothing and succeed" --Napoleon Bonapart

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          • #6
            Ha ha, yes sir!

            Recognise where I was this morning?....:

            Posting on the forum yesterday got the old memories going so I followed the original route to you know where - a good morning all in all!


            Now for some rugby!

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            • #7
              Originally posted by BenH View Post
              Ha ha, yes sir!

              Recognise where I was this morning?....:

              Posting on the forum yesterday got the old memories going so I followed the original route to you know where - a good morning all in all!


              Now for some rugby!
              Yep, that looks like the cafe at Devil's Bridge to me. A great route isn't it!
              /// Exdos ///
              "Men who try the impossible and fail spectacularly are infinitely superior to those who reach for nothing and succeed" --Napoleon Bonapart

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              • #8
                Ben,
                Any particular reason for moving on from the 355.
                That car park looked good when it was full of coupes.
                2002 phoenix yellow. "V3RY M" lives on, but on another beast.

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                • #9
                  Hey Steve

                  Bit of a mixture, but top of the list was not using it all the time, which meant not getting the enjoyment of driving all the time (the only other car I had access to was the wife's 1.6 Focus). Apart from not using it during the week / to go to meetings / during the winter, I think the day I decided not to drive it down to my brother's in Devon because I was worried that once I got there I would stuggle driving down his narrow street and then after parking there was a real danger it could be dinged by someone less bothered about their P&J was the day I decided it was time to switch.

                  Having said that, when I did use it, I used it! I put over 10,000 miles on it (having bought it with 20k on!) in less than 18 months, including two Le Mans 24 hours and a touring holiday in Tuscany.

                  Wonderful, wonderful car and a great experience.

                  I would do it again but the circumstances would have to be different! (have a decent 2nd car for everyday thrills, a house with a garage).

                  ... and the repair/maintenance bills were pretty hefty, more even than I had budgeted for. The big mileages I did (for a 355) didn't help here.

                  Cheers

                  Ben

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