• Home
• News
• Features
• Classifieds
• Forums
• Members
• Calendar
• Shop
• Sell your car

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.