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      05-11-2016, 01:40 PM   #1
CaryTheLabelGuy
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2016 M4 ZCP vs. 2015 M4 non-ZCP (from a guy who's owned both)

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As some of my fellow forum members already know, I sold my 2015 BSM 6MT M4 and was recently delivered a 2016 SSII M4 ZCP DCT.

Backstory: I was getting ready to go out of town and dropped off my wife's 2015 X3 Xdrive28d for an oil change and maintenance service at my dealership. As I'm waiting to be seen, I noticed a crowd of people checking out a Silverstone M4 in the showroom, which I quickly realized was an M4 ZCP. To make a long story short, the car was the only ZCP in Florida had just come in recently. I sold my 2015 BSM M4 the next day to a different dealer and finalized the deal on the M4 ZCP before I left town. Everything worked out great and I was delivered the M4 ZCP the day I returned in town (yesterday).

2015 M4 non-ZCP: I spent 1.3 years in the 2015 and pushed it pretty hard during that time, so I'm very familiar with the car at all levels. The 2015 M4 was a spectacular sports car, but there were some things that bothered me about the car. Things like interior rattles, speakers that sound like they're blown at medium to high volumes, some fit and finish issues, stock exhaust note and ASD, to name a few. I won't go into all of my "issues" with the 2015 M4, but overall it was an awesome car that stood out from the competition, despite my gripes (a lot of which were mitigated by aftermarket solutions).

2016 M4 ZCP: So, when I first saw my car in the showroom (before I bought it), I realized instantly that this car was special as compared to my 2015 M4. I wasn't too crazy about the 666M wheels until I saw them in person as they have to be seen in the flesh to appreciate. The ZCP just looks really "put together".

From a performance standpoint, these two cars a VERY different. The 2015 was a great performer, but the 2016 ZCP is next level. Factor in the amazing DCT and I feel like I'm driving a completely different car.

Handling: The car is more planted (especially stock) and traction isn't an issue at stock power levels in both straight line and lateral metrics. I can still easily make the car oversteer, but the ZCP is much more predictable, controllable and COMPLIANT. There is a lot less body roll in the ZCP and I can certainly feel the refined dampers in all modes. I do wish the ZCP's new springs were a little lower as the car looks like a 4x4, especially since the suspension hasn't completely settled. The stock ZCP handles better than my 2015 on Swift Spec R springs, which says a lot as those springs are excellent on the non-ZCP setup. I haven't taken this one to the track obviously, but turn-in is crisp and predictable and I can get on the power earlier on exit than I could with my 2015 M4, even on stock boost. I expect these characteristics to really shine on the track as compared to the non-ZCP.

The 20 inch wheels are awesome and will look good once dropped and spaced. They need to be seen before you pass judgment on them. However, they might not be for everybody, I get that.

Power: I can feel a difference in stock power for sure. Being an ex-dyno tuner, I have a VERY specific way of seating the rings that requires a lot of patience, but as I approach the end of my ring break-in (around 150 miles), I'm starting to push the car harder and harder and I can certainly feel the difference, especially on the top end of the rev-range. I will update this post with further info on power once I fully unleash the car. Unfortunately, rings aren't the only thing that needs to break-in as bearing surfaces on the rotating assembly and cam shafts/valve train need to bed-in as does the transmission components and rear end. So I won't fully beat on the car for awhile yet.

Exhaust: I'm not exactly sure what has changed, but the exhaust is different on the ZCP. It could simply be in the resonator design or it could be in the actual muffler, but it DOES sound different and MUCH MUCH MUCH improved over the 2015 M4 non-ZCP. My stock ZCP is almost as loud as the 2015 non-ZCP with VRSF downpipes paired with a completely stock exhaust. I'm serious. It is deeper, hardly any rasp and no rattles. The exhaust note is drastically different with valves open and closed. When in Sport and Sport +, the exhaust comes alive and the ZCP programming keeps the valves open much more, despite the gear you're in which is what I hated about the 2015 with stock valve control (the valves closed in Sport + regardless once you hit 3rd gear or higher). When in Sport + the overrun burbles really make the M4 sound mean as hell and there really is no need for an aftermarket exhaust beyond adding downpipes. I imagine this stock setup will sound perfect with downpipes (VRSF downpipes will go on shortly). Those pops and burbles on the overrun are actually pretty aggressive in Sport + and they turn heads everywhere. The base M4 should have this setup from the start, IMHO.*

The startup sequence is different as well and sounds identical to the GTS "roar" startup. At first startup, the valves are open for about 1 second and the engine is quickly revved to 2k RPM with dramtic crackles on the run-down to idle. Once the sequence is complete, the valves lock closed unless you select Sport/Sport+ throttle mapping. This startup sequence is a small touch, but really adds to the immersion. On cold start, I noticed that idle sits around 1200 rpm until the warmup sequence is complete as opposed to the non-ZCP that holds at a much higher RPM. Because of this, cold start is MUCH quieter after the initial "roar", but more "dramtic".

Interior: Now, a common myth circulating is that the ZCP seats are really no different than the non-ZCP seats (beyond being lighter and having holes), but this is INCORRECT. The ZCP seats are better bolstered and wrap around me totally different than the non-ZCP seats, especially in the shoulder area. It's easily visible to my eye and they really show their differences as soon as you crawl into them. They are not the same. The are comfortable, at least to me and I'm 5'11" 200 lbs. The lack of lumbar adjustment doesn't bother me one iota, in case you're wondering.

The interior of the 2016 has better fit and finish and the 2016 changes, while not drastically different, are nice as compared to the 2015 interior. This car has ZERO rattles or creaks, which is the opposite of my 2015, which had all kinds of rattles, especially in the rear deck. The car feels much more solid in that respect.

*Overall, I HIGHLY recommend ticking that ZCP box if you can swing it. I'd forgo other options to have the ZCP, without a second thought. For sports cars that I buy, I usually spec them close to stripper-level as I prefer them to be as light as possible, so the ZCP is a no-brainier and worth every penny.*

I may have missed a few things, so if you think of something, ask and I will happily reply. I will post better pics of the car once I get around to taking them this week.





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Last edited by CaryTheLabelGuy; 05-14-2016 at 10:06 PM..
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      05-11-2016, 01:52 PM   #2
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Ooooffff! Stunning looking. Thanks for the detailed break down and CONGRATS!!!
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      05-11-2016, 01:54 PM   #3
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Is that a new X4?

Looks great - congrats!!
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      05-11-2016, 01:57 PM   #4
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thanks for the write up!
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      05-11-2016, 01:57 PM   #5
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Very nice!

If you don't mind, what is your process for breaking in the rings? I'll have my chance to do that in about a week and a half.
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      05-11-2016, 02:05 PM   #6
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Great post, any chance you have pictures of your seats? I don't believe I've seen ZCP seats with cloth yet.
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      05-11-2016, 02:12 PM   #7
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Thanks for the writeup. Now I hate being an "early adopter" as I feel I've missed out on a great option

Oh well, I still love my car and don't think I'll take the ~$15-20k hit to "upgrade" (assuming resale value loss and increased cost of car)
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      05-11-2016, 02:12 PM   #8
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Oh man you downgraded to DCT... otherwise congrats
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      05-11-2016, 02:14 PM   #9
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Great color, thanks for the write up. Congrats.
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      05-11-2016, 02:17 PM   #10
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Congrats! Best color for the 666.

I have not had any issue with build quality. Just got my car in December so it might have been a 2015 vs 2016 issue. Nothing rattles or looks cheap to me...at least not yet...
I solved the crappy exhaust sound issue with MPE.

Enjoy your new toy!
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      05-11-2016, 02:21 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M P View Post
Very nice!

If you don't mind, what is your process for breaking in the rings? I'll have my chance to do that in about a week and a half.
I'd like to know as well.

That was a great review OP, thanks. Please make sure you get some videos of your when you install DP's!
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      05-11-2016, 02:24 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpdchicago View Post
Congrats! Best color for the 666.

I have not had any issue with build quality. Just got my car in December so it might have been a 2015 vs 2016 issue. Nothing rattles or looks cheap to me...at least not yet...
I solved the crappy exhaust sound issue with MPE.

Enjoy your new toy!
I've had my 2015 M4 since August of 2014. Nothing rattles or looks cheap to me...at least not yet...
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      05-11-2016, 02:30 PM   #13
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I wonder which thread that will get most negative comments, this one or the one with the 100k Ferrari Red F80 ZCP

But I totally agree, ZCP totally transforms the car. Can't wait for my MY17
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      05-11-2016, 02:39 PM   #14
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Well done, awesome car and a nice detailed comparison. I want the ZCP so bad but just cant spend the money at the moment. Cant wait to see one in person.

Thanks for posting.
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      05-11-2016, 02:45 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vocans View Post
Great post, any chance you have pictures of your seats? I don't believe I've seen ZCP seats with cloth yet.
Sure. I'll grab some.

They are awesome, though. I had a Silverstone interior on my 2015, just to give you idea of where I'm coming from.
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      05-11-2016, 02:47 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
Oh man you downgraded to DCT... otherwise congrats
While I am usually a manual guy, the DCT is too good to pass up on this iteration. I love the 6MT with all my heart and always will, but the DCT is so much faster. The way it bangs through the cogs full-tilt is hard to deny.
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      05-11-2016, 02:49 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaryTheLabelGuy View Post
While I am usually a manual guy, the DCT is too good to pass up on this iteration. I love the 6MT with all my heart and always will, but the DCT is so much faster. The way it bangs through the cogs full-tilt is hard to deny.
Yeah thats what everyone said on the E92 too. Had one for 4 months and was bored as shit. Hope you enjoy it tho!
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      05-11-2016, 02:51 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
I've had my 2015 M4 since August of 2014. Nothing rattles or looks cheap to me...at least not yet...

My 2015 didn't look cheap and to be honest the materials are the same, minus the leather/cloth seats/door cards. The 2015 had a lot of gaps between interior pieces and just looked a little less tight than the 2016. Where I really notice the difference are the rattles and creaks as the 2016 has zero and the 2015 sounded like a 2005 Kia Rio on the interior, especially toward the rear deck.
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      05-11-2016, 02:52 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
Yeah thats what everyone said on the E92 too. Had one for 4 months and was bored as shit. Hope you enjoy it tho!
Yeah, I get it. Trust me, I do. I lived with a 6MT M4 for 1.3 years and loved every second of driving it.
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      05-11-2016, 02:53 PM   #20
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Thank you so much for this write up!!! Very well done and explained all of the questions I have had. With the new seats, just want to confirm that there is absolutely not lumbar support at all (ie the stock seats with the lumbar completely zeroed out?) Looks beautiful!!!!
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      05-11-2016, 02:56 PM   #21
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Great write up OP! It's going to make the next 33 days of waiting for delivery seem that much longer.... So glad I checked the ZCP box!
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      05-11-2016, 02:57 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Apollo_1092
Thank you so much for this write up!!! Very well done and explained all of the questions I have had. With the new seats, just want to confirm that there is absolutely not lumbar support at all (ie the stock seats with the lumbar completely zeroed out?) Looks beautiful!!!!
You do have lumbar support, but not active. The seat is not totally flat.
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