Why is there no current Z4M ?
Discussion
Everything in the BMW range gets the M treatment, apart from their actual sports car, the top engine is is the 3 litre Turbo that is used in the 1 series, sorry but if I was after a 45 grand car I would want one with a higher power option than the 30 grand 135i hatch.
Seems weird they neglect the Z4 for the M treatment yet apply it to four wheel drives, hatchbacks and executive barges.
I suspect it is just where the market is, some kind of weird shift has happened when "Sports" utility vehicles are viewed as more sporty and dynamic than actual sports cars.
Seems weird they neglect the Z4 for the M treatment yet apply it to four wheel drives, hatchbacks and executive barges.
I suspect it is just where the market is, some kind of weird shift has happened when "Sports" utility vehicles are viewed as more sporty and dynamic than actual sports cars.
It's a bit "between engines", to be honest. The new-gen Z4 is a bit late to the part to get the S65 from the outgoing M3, but is too new to get the newer generation S55B30 from the new M3/M4. Though I agree entirely- the 4.4 version of the S65 as seen in the M3 GTS would go down a treat.
100% 
BMW are following the market very astutely, but that's very bad news for anyone like us who actually enjoys driving. I started a similar thread a while ago wondering why the M3 V8 never ended up in the Z4, and then the next day the X6M was launched! Crackers.
The only company making full production cars (outside SVA) that I know of who genuinely aim themselves squarely at enthusiasts are Lotus, who spend thousands just tuning the dampers and steering feel of their cars. Sadly this attention to detail is lost on most people and they're permanently in financial trouble
BMW are following the market very astutely, but that's very bad news for anyone like us who actually enjoys driving. I started a similar thread a while ago wondering why the M3 V8 never ended up in the Z4, and then the next day the X6M was launched! Crackers.The only company making full production cars (outside SVA) that I know of who genuinely aim themselves squarely at enthusiasts are Lotus, who spend thousands just tuning the dampers and steering feel of their cars. Sadly this attention to detail is lost on most people and they're permanently in financial trouble
RobM77 said:
100% BMW are following the market very astutely, but that's very bad news for anyone like us who actually enjoys driving. I started a similar thread a while ago wondering why the M3 V8 never ended up in the Z4, and then the next day the X6M was launched! Crackers.
The only company making full production cars (outside SVA) that I know of who genuinely aim themselves squarely at enthusiasts are Lotus, who spend thousands just tuning the dampers and steering feel of their cars. Sadly this attention to detail is lost on most people and they're permanently in financial trouble
I have had the same thoughts, the GT3 v8 spec z4 seemed like such a good way to market it as well, more aggressive arches, and the usual 'race car for the road' tags surely would have had the marketing men buzzing at BMW. BMW are following the market very astutely, but that's very bad news for anyone like us who actually enjoys driving. I started a similar thread a while ago wondering why the M3 V8 never ended up in the Z4, and then the next day the X6M was launched! Crackers.The only company making full production cars (outside SVA) that I know of who genuinely aim themselves squarely at enthusiasts are Lotus, who spend thousands just tuning the dampers and steering feel of their cars. Sadly this attention to detail is lost on most people and they're permanently in financial trouble
Such a shame.
I recall reading a review in EVO mag on the revised Z4 35iS & it said how its amazing that BMW have made a cracking 3 series for so many years & offer the highly regarded M3 & M5 but cannot produce a great sports car & even the Z4M was never rated as a total cracker of a M car in the press overall.
It does surprise me to be honest but it is sad to think that the X5M/X6M sold better than the Z4M but that's the way the market is & BMW are a very successful business & want to build cars that will sell well, I also think its a shame that the S65 from the M3 was only ever used in one car as its seems a waste to me.
It does surprise me to be honest but it is sad to think that the X5M/X6M sold better than the Z4M but that's the way the market is & BMW are a very successful business & want to build cars that will sell well, I also think its a shame that the S65 from the M3 was only ever used in one car as its seems a waste to me.
wish I had the funds to pay for one though...I am not buying one (yet), not in the 45 grand market but it pays to see what will be in the secondhand pipeline in a coupel of years. A mate is just looking at various options and I realised I hadnt a clue about the new shape Z4 so had a look and it occurred to me I hadnt seen a Z4M in that shape, a quick check on the BMW website showed that the 35 engine was the highest option and I could not let this travesty go unmentioned 
Both BMW and the car buying public need to hang their heads in shame and then immolate themselves whilst sat in their X something or other M diesel.
Remember when the sports car was the "flash" option, almost seems like a throwback now, I bet BMW want to kill the Z4.
Both BMW and the car buying public need to hang their heads in shame and then immolate themselves whilst sat in their X something or other M diesel.
Remember when the sports car was the "flash" option, almost seems like a throwback now, I bet BMW want to kill the Z4.
cerb4.5lee said:
I recall reading a review in EVO mag on the revised Z4 35iS & it said how its amazing that BMW have made a cracking 3 series for so many years & offer the highly regarded M3 & M5 but cannot produce a great sports car & even the Z4M was never rated as a total cracker of a M car in the press overall.
It does surprise me to be honest but it is sad to think that the X5M/X6M sold better than the Z4M but that's the way the market is & BMW are a very successful business & want to build cars that will sell well, I also think its a shame that the S65 from the M3 was only ever used in one car as its seems a waste to me.
You touch on an interesting point there actually. I recently went from a Z4 Coupé to an E90 320d, both on '07 plates. One was obviously a big seller, the other an obscure offering. To me it's plainly obvious that BMW spent more time and money on the 320d, the handling's just so much more resolved, the ride/handling compromise much better, steering superior etc. A friend of mine works for another large German manufacturer, driving their cars on track for a living, and he reckons their best car is their biggest seller in totally standard form, despite the fact that he drives £100k+ cars every day and loves fast cars. I'm not sure I agree with him on that one, but I can really see where he's coming from.It does surprise me to be honest but it is sad to think that the X5M/X6M sold better than the Z4M but that's the way the market is & BMW are a very successful business & want to build cars that will sell well, I also think its a shame that the S65 from the M3 was only ever used in one car as its seems a waste to me.
BMW obviously focus on profits. I think Fantuzzi sums it up well:
Fantuzzi said:
I have had the same thoughts, the GT3 v8 spec z4 seemed like such a good way to market it as well, more aggressive arches, and the usual 'race car for the road' tags surely would have had the marketing men buzzing at BMW. Such a shame.
Basically that's the wrong image to be putting out in today's world. The days of the E30 M3, 190 Cosworth and SWB Quattro are long gone.It is like the car is becoming the "Grey Goo", the nondescript 1970s style medium brown mongrel dog, and they will all end up on one chassis and be a 4wd soft roader in varying sizes and a few hatchbacks, the traditional saloon is all but gone, looks like Sports Cars are on the way out, the non premium barge dissapeared in the nineties, Porsche is largely now a volumne maker of diesel VW soft roaders, the Sports Coupe is dead as well.
The other worrying trend is shown by the Z4, that of cars constantly getting larger and heavier. The Golf got big with the mkII, so VW brought in the Polo to fill the gap, but that grew so they introduced the Lupo, but then that grew so they brought in the Fox! 
My worry is that my ideal size of daily driver is a 3 series E36/E46. For my next car I may trade in my E90 3 series for a 1 series to try and keep the size that I need, but what worries me then is whether the 1 series is going FWD, and what do I do when that gets bigger? Will there be a 0 series?
My worry is that my ideal size of daily driver is a 3 series E36/E46. For my next car I may trade in my E90 3 series for a 1 series to try and keep the size that I need, but what worries me then is whether the 1 series is going FWD, and what do I do when that gets bigger? Will there be a 0 series?
RobM77 said:
The other worrying trend is shown by the Z4, that of cars constantly getting larger and heavier.
This is a good point & I know that it is the way of the modern world to have heavy cars nowadays with mod cons & safety kit etc but one of the things I thought about my Z4M was that it carried a little too much weight & I was discussing cars over the weekend with a friend & we both agreed that around the 1200kg weight seems to be about right provided you have some decent power under the bonnet. Maybe I should just buy a Caterham R300 to satisfy my lighter weight preference!
100% behind this.
Alot of the reasoning behind the no M treatment (IMHO) is that the E89 is a very different beast to the E85. And I think its mental considering that BMW wanted to stop losing sales to the SLK (SLK in every gen has had an AMG variant) hence the hard top.
It has been described as a bit of a cruiser compared to the previous gen and after test driving the Z4 Sdrive35is (really?)I'd have to agree. Completely different driving experience which would appeal to a broader range of buyers.
Exciting it wasn't, however if they shoe horned the V8 in there it would have given the SLK AMG a bloody nose and given the Zed a halo product. rather than an engine also ran.
Grrr! Rant!
Alot of the reasoning behind the no M treatment (IMHO) is that the E89 is a very different beast to the E85. And I think its mental considering that BMW wanted to stop losing sales to the SLK (SLK in every gen has had an AMG variant) hence the hard top.
It has been described as a bit of a cruiser compared to the previous gen and after test driving the Z4 Sdrive35is (really?)I'd have to agree. Completely different driving experience which would appeal to a broader range of buyers.
Exciting it wasn't, however if they shoe horned the V8 in there it would have given the SLK AMG a bloody nose and given the Zed a halo product. rather than an engine also ran.
Grrr! Rant!
Strange enough iv been thinking similar myself (as a Z4MR owner). I keep looking at where I'd like to be next in terms of a car purchase although I'm perfectly happy with the M.
My "options" are as follows:
1) Keep the M and enjoy it as it's already fast enough, I like the looks and won't cost much as it's paid.
2)Swap for a coupe (later model, low mileage as mine increases) as cost to change will be minimal and values might hold better. Possibly even supercharge it if I get bored...
3) Aston V8V - realistically about £20k cost to change, higher running costs, etc
4) 996 Turbo - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
5) TVR T350 - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
6) Z3M Coupe S54 - straight swap but higher running costs due to lack of warranty possibly.
Nothing new really floats my boat although a Cayman R, Boxster Spyder, 1M might appeal they are currently to expensive.
A E89 Z4M with the V8 and a fixed roof would do perfectly if not maybe I'll go the Z4M Coupe > Supercharge route
My "options" are as follows:
1) Keep the M and enjoy it as it's already fast enough, I like the looks and won't cost much as it's paid.
2)Swap for a coupe (later model, low mileage as mine increases) as cost to change will be minimal and values might hold better. Possibly even supercharge it if I get bored...
3) Aston V8V - realistically about £20k cost to change, higher running costs, etc
4) 996 Turbo - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
5) TVR T350 - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
6) Z3M Coupe S54 - straight swap but higher running costs due to lack of warranty possibly.
Nothing new really floats my boat although a Cayman R, Boxster Spyder, 1M might appeal they are currently to expensive.
A E89 Z4M with the V8 and a fixed roof would do perfectly if not maybe I'll go the Z4M Coupe > Supercharge route
They do seem to have abandoned it a bit as a sort of SLK rival and to perhaps mop up those that dont like the fact you cant get a new Lexus SC430 any more (Short sighted, wealthy, Golfing Pensioners).
They actually look pretty good really but definitely seem to be the neglected stepchild of the BMW range.
BMW now concentrate on making Coupe, Estate, hatch, Off roader, Off Road Coupe, pointless high rise hatchback version etc in three different sizes
They actually look pretty good really but definitely seem to be the neglected stepchild of the BMW range.
BMW now concentrate on making Coupe, Estate, hatch, Off roader, Off Road Coupe, pointless high rise hatchback version etc in three different sizes
RobM77 said:
The other worrying trend is shown by the Z4, that of cars constantly getting larger and heavier. The Golf got big with the mkII, so VW brought in the Polo to fill the gap, but that grew so they introduced the Lupo, but then that grew so they brought in the Fox!
My worry is that my ideal size of daily driver is a 3 series E36/E46. For my next car I may trade in my E90 3 series for a 1 series to try and keep the size that I need, but what worries me then is whether the 1 series is going FWD, and what do I do when that gets bigger? Will there be a 0 series?
The Polo appeared about the same time as the Golf iirc, in fact before, but badged as an Audi (history has repeated itself but the other way round with the A1, a VW supermini badged as an Audi this time)My worry is that my ideal size of daily driver is a 3 series E36/E46. For my next car I may trade in my E90 3 series for a 1 series to try and keep the size that I need, but what worries me then is whether the 1 series is going FWD, and what do I do when that gets bigger? Will there be a 0 series?
But your point is spot on.
Froomee said:
Strange enough iv been thinking similar myself (as a Z4MR owner). I keep looking at where I'd like to be next in terms of a car purchase although I'm perfectly happy with the M.
My "options" are as follows:
1) Keep the M and enjoy it as it's already fast enough, I like the looks and won't cost much as it's paid.
2)Swap for a coupe (later model, low mileage as mine increases) as cost to change will be minimal and values might hold better. Possibly even supercharge it if I get bored...
3) Aston V8V - realistically about £20k cost to change, higher running costs, etc
4) 996 Turbo - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
5) TVR T350 - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
6) Z3M Coupe S54 - straight swap but higher running costs due to lack of warranty possibly.
Nothing new really floats my boat although a Cayman R, Boxster Spyder, 1M might appeal they are currently to expensive.
A E89 Z4M with the V8 and a fixed roof would do perfectly if not maybe I'll go the Z4M Coupe > Supercharge route
Very interesting,My "options" are as follows:
1) Keep the M and enjoy it as it's already fast enough, I like the looks and won't cost much as it's paid.
2)Swap for a coupe (later model, low mileage as mine increases) as cost to change will be minimal and values might hold better. Possibly even supercharge it if I get bored...
3) Aston V8V - realistically about £20k cost to change, higher running costs, etc
4) 996 Turbo - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
5) TVR T350 - £10-12k cost to change and running costs will be higher.
6) Z3M Coupe S54 - straight swap but higher running costs due to lack of warranty possibly.
Nothing new really floats my boat although a Cayman R, Boxster Spyder, 1M might appeal they are currently to expensive.
A E89 Z4M with the V8 and a fixed roof would do perfectly if not maybe I'll go the Z4M Coupe > Supercharge route
I'm in a similar boat,
The new Cayman (once prices soften) is looking like my ideal replacement as I'm not quite there at the "4.8 to 60? what manner of horse and cart is this!?" plus in a world of forced induction, I'll stick with N\A engines (Unless its a diesel - maybe in the daily).
T1b
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