Friday 28th August 2009

Heart Transplant: BMW Z4 Gets M5 V10

Manhart Racing drops 10-cylinder M Power motor into previous-generation Z4

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The forthcoming Wiesmann MF5 Roadster won't be the only German roadster with a BMW M5 V10 wedged into its engine bay, because German tuning firm Manhart Racing has dropped one into the previous-generation BMW Z4.

Thus BMW engine rebuilder Gunther Manhart has created the BMW Z4 M V10 and, with no new BMW Z4 M on the horizon at the moment, we can only applaud him for doing so.

It's not just a simple transplant, either. Manhart has also fitted high-flow HJS catalytic converters, an AC Schnitzer exhaust, and has fitted a modified ECU to liberate an extra 50bhp and bringing the total power output to 550bhp.

Handling that power is a differential also pulled from the current E60 M5 and, joy of joys, the proper six-speed manual gearbox that until now has only been available on US-market M5s.

Meanwhile, Bilstein coilovers and 235/35 ZR19 (front) and 285/30 ZR19 (back) tyres do their best to help the Z4 M V10 attempt corners at the insane speeds the car can doubtless arrive at.

Manhart says the 1450kg Z4 M V10 can stroll up to 62mph in 3.9 seconds. It has also removed the factory-set 155mph speed limiter from the engine. Gulp. The company doesn't quote a top speed, but could this be a 200mph Z4? We wouldn't take a bet against it.

 

 

[CypherP]

That. Is. Awesome.

[LHD]

Thud.

[da_murphster]

Now we are talking!

Z4 has grown on me with age (cars age not mine....I think)

How much?

Will look at a Z4M when I'm after a more 'sensible' car

What is the competition for this? Can you supercharge Z4M?

[Pixel-Snapper]

We Germanz we Crwazy...

Ive got images of foot wide black circles?

[UncappedTag]

Wonder how this matches against that SLK with the SLR engine in it

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/08/02/mid-eastern-ral...

[Lunja]

Wibble.

What a weapon - that thing would absolutely fly!

[Bizzle]

This news story is FULL OF WIN.

[FLD_WILLIS]

YUM!!!

[thehardman07]

Oof, that's nice! Nice to see subtle (if any?) body mods from a tuner for a change. And what is it about bbs wheels, that they ALWAYS make a car look at least eleventy times better.

[jontysafe]

Want one!! Bet its absolutely terrifying, Z4 ive been in felt a bit lively but this is something else.

[louismchuge]

ive made a mess in my pants

[willcrookz]

lush

[louiebaby]

Has he put some lower seats in it so I could actually fit???

Love the Z4, but I'm too big.

[carl_w]

da_murphster said:

Will look at a Z4M when I'm after a more 'sensible' car

What is the competition for this? Can you supercharge Z4M?

Yes, ESS can supercharge the Z4M. There's also another German company (Rinspeed?) with a 750 bhp supercharged version.

[Bosshogg76]

Oh i would love one, and knowing me it would result in hedge ditch interface and high speed and backwards!!

[Remagel2507]

It says in the article that it has been fitted with the US-Only six speed manual. I read a magazine article where they test drove the manual M5 and they said it was worse that the SMG version because the box used was, or was similar to the box used for the V8 E39 M5 and therefore wasnt as good as they thought it would be. So is it such a good thing that the manual box has been fitted?

[northandy]

Having heard a V10 M5 just the other day I bet this is some machine, that noise and no roof... Mmmmm

[JumpinJack]

louiebaby said:

Has he put some lower seats in it so I could actually fit???

Love the Z4, but I'm too big.

+1

a 550bhp Z4 would be a very nice xmas present... now to try and convince the mrs!

[steve--m]

No doubt epic in a straight line but would be interesting to see what having the weight of that V10 in the nose does to the characteristics when you get to a corner!

[j_m_trimble]

Could there be a faster way of going backwards into a hedge?