RE: New BMW Z4 spyshots

[The Surveyor]

Ares said:

Wow, such vitriolic comments based on a heavily disguised testing mule.

Irrational BMW hatred still strong.

Nothing to do with it being a BMW, or part Supra. For me the disappointment is that the initial excitement about a new car launch is nearly always dashed when you see the way the promising concept has been dumbed-down for production.

[PGNSagaris]

CaptainRAVE said:

Looks bland even by camo standards. What I want is an updated SLC with the V8 back in and more aggressive AMG styling. What we are more likely to see is it discontinued though.

lol
The discussion is about a BMW, not Mercedes.

[PGNSagaris]

Just this morning I was thinking about the Z4’s and how BMW seemed to totally lose interest in the second generation. No M models, no Coupe (I know, it’s currently a hard top but you know what I mean) ...it’s as though they just couldn’t be bothered.

Let’s hope this new one looks much closer to the concept than the cammo suggests and gets some exciting engines.

[MrGeoff]

PGNSagaris said:

CaptainRAVE said:

Looks bland even by camo standards. What I want is an updated SLC with the V8 back in and more aggressive AMG styling. What we are more likely to see is it discontinued though.

lol
The discussion is about a BMW, not Mercedes.

I'm equally confused by this but not sure if it's trolling...

[Toltec]

"it seems rather ungainly for what should be a lithe sports car"

To be fair they never really have been lithe.

[cerb4.5lee]

J4CKO said:

A fabric roof seems like a good move, metal foldy ones always seem to make a car a bit less like an authentic roadster, the last Z4 was a nice car but lacked that key element, i think I perceive it makes them a bit heavy and compromised, a bit more Eos than Z4.

I hear what you're saying but I wasn't a fan of the fabric roof on my Z4M, and I thought it looked cheap and nasty when the roof was up. Whereas I really like the look of the current Z4 with the roof up or down.

The Z4M was hardly a lightweight(over 1400kg) even with its nasty fabric roof. Maybe it's because I just love a Coupe shape and a folding metal roof offers a similar look.

[Ares]

The Surveyor said:

Ares said:

Wow, such vitriolic comments based on a heavily disguised testing mule.

Irrational BMW hatred still strong.

Nothing to do with it being a BMW, or part Supra. For me the disappointment is that the initial excitement about a new car launch is nearly always dashed when you see the way the promising concept has been dumbed-down for production.

So..... Once you see the production model, make comment. A heavily discussed testing mule gives even less insight into the likely production model than the concept....and BMW have a good track record of recent concepts being heavily indicative of the production model.

[Murphy16]

This article has:
No interior shots
No confirmed engine or gearbox line up
The lines and details are camouflaged
No real details on the chassis or how it handles
No sound clip
The lights are masked
It's on small pre-production test wheels and tyres

'Bland', 'already looks dated', 'it doesn't look very lithe'

I don't understand the disdain towards BMW on this forum, such a cynical bunch.

[thesmurfs]

The original Z4 is still my favorite - light weight & simple interior. Just had a terrible ride due to the run flats. Had the roadster and nearly got the Z4M Coupe but couldn't get a good deal so walked but the Coupe was gorgeous in my eyes.

[va1o]

I’m still really excited by it. I’m very sure I’ll be wanting one to replace my TT when it comes out. Should be epic in M40i form with the ZF8 ‘box

[V10Ace]

MitchT said:

Looks like a bar of soap encrusted with pubes.

[physprof]

Doing a very rough side shot comparison looks like here your not as close to rear axle as original Z4. I liked sensation of sitting nearly on rear axle in my Z4M.

My internets guesstimate suggests, picking same ref point eg door handle... on old Z4 it was 70% towards rear in this maybe 64% towards back ie under 2/3 way back relative to length.

But I’d defer to more accurate measurements... would be interesting.

[mallsop001]

It may look a bit dumpy and bland in the camo and who knows what the final convertible version will look like.

The most important thing is that in returning to a rag top BMW have opened the door to a proper M Coupe variant.

[*Al*]

Hmmm judging from that test mule the original concept and probably lack of 6 pots, I think i'll rush out and buy a later E89 35is before everyone else does!

[Julian Thompson]

We’ve got one of the last z4 metal roof jobbies. It was my Mrs choice and I wasn’t really very excited about it. But - although it’s just a detuned 2 litre turbo one and it lacks noise and a limited slip diff (and some decent brakes) - it has a manual box and it’s tiny. A little tiny sports car. And at any angle it looks striking - the body creases are really serious - it’s a styled car in a love it or hate it way rather than a bet hedging exercise and I’ve also started to find some affection for it as long as you don’t try to drive it like a boxster or something. Later in the year I think I’ll make it noisier and faster and I’m sure it will be fab! This new one looks bigger and more practical. As usual - cars are just getting bigger...

[Mr Tidy]

cerb4.5lee said:

I hear what you're saying but I wasn't a fan of the fabric roof on my Z4M, and I thought it looked cheap and nasty when the roof was up. Whereas I really like the look of the current Z4 with the roof up or down.

The Z4M was hardly a lightweight(over 1400kg) even with its nasty fabric roof. Maybe it's because I just love a Coupe shape and a folding metal roof offers a similar look.

Actually from what I can make out on a forum dedicated to Z4s the Z4M Roadster was only 10kg or so lighter than the Z4M Coupe - I'm guessing the weight saved on the roof mostly went back for stiffening!

I have a Z4 Coupe (which is the only version I've ever wanted) so am looking forward to seeing the new Toyota Supra, if that makes sense!

The "joint deal" seems to have been BMW got to do the Roadsters and Toyota got the Coupes.

[The Surveyor]

Ares said:

The Surveyor said:

Ares said:

Wow, such vitriolic comments based on a heavily disguised testing mule.

Irrational BMW hatred still strong.

Nothing to do with it being a BMW, or part Supra. For me the disappointment is that the initial excitement about a new car launch is nearly always dashed when you see the way the promising concept has been dumbed-down for production.

So..... Once you see the production model, make comment. A heavily discussed testing mule gives even less insight into the likely production model than the concept....and BMW have a good track record of recent concepts being heavily indicative of the production model.

The point of spy shots being published is generate comment, so...... Comment I shall

[cerb4.5lee]

Mr Tidy said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I hear what you're saying but I wasn't a fan of the fabric roof on my Z4M, and I thought it looked cheap and nasty when the roof was up. Whereas I really like the look of the current Z4 with the roof up or down.

The Z4M was hardly a lightweight(over 1400kg) even with its nasty fabric roof. Maybe it's because I just love a Coupe shape and a folding metal roof offers a similar look.

Actually from what I can make out on a forum dedicated to Z4s the Z4M Roadster was only 10kg or so lighter than the Z4M Coupe - I'm guessing the weight saved on the roof mostly went back for stiffening!

I have a Z4 Coupe (which is the only version I've ever wanted) so am looking forward to seeing the new Toyota Supra, if that makes sense!

The "joint deal" seems to have been BMW got to do the Roadsters and Toyota got the Coupes.

Stick my name down for the Supra then!

[Mr Tidy]

cerb4.5lee said:

Stick my name down for the Supra then!

Are you sure - I don't think they are thinking of doing a diesel auto!

[swisstoni]

I recon it could easily be close to the concept under all that Camo, which would be a very good thing.
Needs to be - these cars have all looked a bit off somehow, up to now IMHO.