Performance Package Poll

[luvnlfe]

The Performance Package has been around since Fall, Pothole season is upon us?so maybe it?s time to see where we stand with regard to installing it:

1) Installed and Confident
2) Installed with my fingers crossed
3) Plan to Install it but waiting for the dealer/BMW to get the parts
4) Still Pondering if I need it
5) Waiting for more actual data re the value of the fix
6) Don?t think my driving fits the profile
7) Not me Not now No way Never

[macfly]

I voted 1)-Installed and Confident as that is really what the PP has done for me. It has removed the fear that any drive could end up with an unfortunate shock tower or frame distortion. I have also swapped tires, wheels and suspension to try to lessen the impact of an unexpected pothole on our aluminum chassis.

Since BMW AG had the good grace to tackle this issue head on, and release the PP in response to it, I recommend that every owner should both get it, and also swap out the run-flat tires for Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (or similar) performance tires, because our cars weren't designed to be used with, or tested with run-flats. They were an eleventh hour and fifty-ninth minute decision by the Marketing Department in Munich. Everyone who has been involved in trying to solve the problem will tell you (unofficially) that these stiff and heavy tires were the cause of the frame issue.

[Norcal]

Install in progress

[ron's rocket]

hope the hood closes! See my "small problem" post for details.

[Ouray]

I plan to install as soon as the package is available from Alpina.

[365gtb4]

Just got the car back from Momentum BMW in Houston who installed the PP kit.
Thanks to Macfly, I was forearmed with all the correct information. This was the first one that they have done, but did a flawless job. The prices charged were the posted list prices of $595 and 8.5 hours. John Crespino, who runs their performance dept. was fantastic, knowledgeable, and called several times while the work was being done to keep me posted on the progress.
A big thumbs up to John Crespino and the tech who did the work.
I must thank this forum for alerting me to the potential problem and the correct fix.

[Z8Mania]

#1- installed and confident

[ron's rocket]

The hood fit is very,very tight. I have to apply a lot of force at the latch points to get it to catch. Hoping the foam on the insulation pad will relax some with the heat of the engine.

[macfly]

That doesn't sound good at all, mine just clicks shut. It sounds like they didn't do anything to alter the positioning of your bar, they just put in a new hood liner and left you with the issue that had them cut it. I'm sad to say that the service dept at Crevier seems to be the stuff of nightmares, I would seriously consider going to another dealership and have them look at it at.

[Dogsbreath]

Makes me nervous - I am having mine done here in Vegas next week. It will be their first.

Dave P

[365gtb4]

Ron's Rocket should be aware that as mine was being installed here at Momentum BMW, they repositioned the bar a bit lower to insure a proper fit. A call to John Crespino at the dealership would probably help you out a bit. I think he can talk to the tech who installed mine to give your guys a few tips on repositioning it on the bar that runs from the frame to the inner fender wells. It should not bind on the hood.
Good Luck

[melny]

hi, for those still waiting for the FIX, which tires should be on the Z8. Would the change of tires be just as good as the FIX from bmw. thanks.......

[Bend]

Hello Melny,

In answer to your question, many of us think highly of the Michelin PS2's. They would likely go a long way to protect the strut towers. Even for those of us who have 19" and 20" versions of that tire (with the narrower sidewall), we believe that we have additional protection over the standard run-flats. The compound of the Michelins is softer that the run-flats, as is evident in the superlative ride with those high performance tires. They also tend to be quiet tires.

Whether the Michelins alone are enough is still an unknown, though the Alpina's, which have always run the Michelin Pilot Sports, have proven to be nearly immmune to strut tower deformity. An additional factor in the Alpina formula is their somewhat more compliant suspension.

The Performance Package may prove to be the "belt" in the "belt and suspenders". I just know that I plan on keeping my car a long time and I do drive more confidently knowing that I have done what I can to prevent something that was occuring entirely too often to others.

Hope that helps.
Ted

[Ouray]

The last that I had heard a performance package specifically designed for Alpinas' was going to be released this spring. While admittedly we are only two weeks into spring, I am curious if anyone has any additional news on when the package should be available.

[macfly]

The PP for the Alpina will be exactly the same unit as the Z8, their solution was to make a new plastic air intake tube that places the sensor that fouled the crossbar out of the way. I guess as soon as the manufacture of that is done they'll release their kit with the new plastic intake tube.

[Ouray]

While I am not an engineer looking under my hood it appears that it would be a significantly more complicated install procedure as the plastic cover over the hood also appears to be in the way not to mention what ever else is under that cover. I tried to attach pictures but I could not manage to get them small enough. In any case thank you for the update.

[Gammaman]

Just had mine done. Was their first one (BMW Peabody), but looks factory installed. No problems with the hood closing. Macfly, do you (or anyone else) keep an M-Mobility or tire plugging kit in the trunk? Have you had a flat? I'm still on the run-craps, but will probably swap them out soon.

[macfly]

Yes, I have an M Mobilty kit, a plugging kit and two cans of that pump-up goo stuff as well as AAA Premiere, fingers crossed no flats yet. In ten years the only flat I've had was on my daily driver, which at that time was a Prius.

[Z8doc]

I voted installed and confident but... the tire cupping I have experience since installation I am nervous about. Still evaluating whether there is any relation or not or just coincidence. Now will have to wait and see with the new tires/wheels package having re-aligned the beast.

Also, yes on the M Mobility kit, yes on the tire plugs, yes on pump up tire goo, and yes on 2 flats on the Run craps (no pressure but not flat -- both nails stuck near the sidewall on the rear tires).. No flats since switching to the S03s at 23K miles and now on the new 20" non-run flat Michelin PS2s (great tire by the way!! I like much better than the S03s!).

[hayvenhurstkid]

I had mine installed at Century West BMW in Universal City, Ca. The mechanic, Clement, was quite knowledgable about installing the kit as he had done five cars before mine, including the owner of the dealerships Z8. They did a pre alignment check, installed the kit with no issues " hood shuts with no effort at all " and realigned the car to exact factory specs. They provided me with the pre and post alignment settings. I am confident that this kit, along with replacing my run flats with Michelin Pilot Sport 2's, solves the frame issue. The cars does ride smoother but I really cannot discerne any difference in handling. Since the car is a weekend driver for me, I am quite happy with the car as is. Thanks to McFly for all of your input.
2001 Silver with Red interior. 3,750 miles.

[Nonplussed]

What on earth is this, and why didn't I know about it? Feel free to answer just the first question.

[macfly]

Wow, you've been a member of the board since 2003, and you missed this whole thing? Just check out all the 'stuck' posts in the Frame Forum to learn all.

[Gammaman]

Seems like a lot of Z8 owners are unaware. When a Z8 comes up for sale on BAT, more often than not the PP is not installed.

[macfly]

Time heals and hides all wounds!

[Norcal]

All but deformed/torn shock towers!

[AlpinaOkie]

I didn't know about the PP until this valuable forum. I had it installed at BMW of Tulsa in 2009 or so. They told me Alpina's don't need it but they said it couldn't hurt. Gives me piece of mind.