RE: BMW Z4 M40i: Driven
Discussion
Luke. said:
mikey k said:
Love my M140i, wouldn't mind one of these as a weekend car
I see your car sits in some esteemed company, so that's good to hear. Keen to jump on the M140i bandwagon once our Abarth 124 goes back.You prompted me to check it, well out of date!
All sorted now
I've always had a secret fetish for Z4s. I loved Bangle's original - the E85 - there was nothing else like it on the road. It was small, lithe, low and nimble to drive too.
Then the follow-up model arrived in 2009 - the E89 - and I thought it was a massive leap forward in design terms (though perhaps not in driving dynamics terms). I absolutely loved the way it looked, from every angle.
... and when news came of a new model being developed - the G29 - I was very keen to see what was to be revealed. I was sorely, sorely disappointed when it did. It looks fat and lardy from the front. It looks over-designed and ill-proportioned in profile. And it looks far too fussy from the rear. I've not seen one in the flesh yet, but I really, genuinely hope it's not as bad as it looks in the pictures.
Then the follow-up model arrived in 2009 - the E89 - and I thought it was a massive leap forward in design terms (though perhaps not in driving dynamics terms). I absolutely loved the way it looked, from every angle.
... and when news came of a new model being developed - the G29 - I was very keen to see what was to be revealed. I was sorely, sorely disappointed when it did. It looks fat and lardy from the front. It looks over-designed and ill-proportioned in profile. And it looks far too fussy from the rear. I've not seen one in the flesh yet, but I really, genuinely hope it's not as bad as it looks in the pictures.
ellingtj said:
'the older engine in the m140i' what? It's exactly the same, technical knowledge, not a required attribute for journalists clearly.
No it is not.Whilst they are both B58, they are different in technical terms and I think the cars now have proper hardware changes as opposed to just software.
In addition there are actually differences in engine specification between EU and US and Z4 M40i and Supra to the extent that engine codes are completely different after the B58 part.
Frustratingly here in the UK we will not see the US spec Z4 M40i which apparently is a little more powerful. I suspect the GPF might have something to do with it in a decent percentage but unlikely to be all of it.
Edited by Ninja59 on Friday 22 March 08:30
J4CKO said:
Its not though is it, I saw it used to justify why someone owns an older car, they have similar models granted, from a market segment and have them in all the same colour, in basic trim and have replaced the wheels with white disks, they arent exciting but as accurate as a UKIP poster.
Motoring is white goods to a lot of people, they have other interests of than cars which I wish I wasnt interested in, guess what folks a lot of people arent bothered and think we are as boring as s
t going on about cars, I sometimes start and feel like the really boring priest from Father Ted with the annoying voice.
A lot of older cars looked the same, three box saloons and a lot of modern ones dont look like a medium crossover, which people buy as its a pretty useful, cover all bases kind of configuration.
I know that's a manipulated poster, I was using it in response to another of those comments on "it looks like a (insert model here)". My point being that all cars have lots of similarities so every car released will have enough similarities that someone will think it looks like something elseMotoring is white goods to a lot of people, they have other interests of than cars which I wish I wasnt interested in, guess what folks a lot of people arent bothered and think we are as boring as s
t going on about cars, I sometimes start and feel like the really boring priest from Father Ted with the annoying voice.A lot of older cars looked the same, three box saloons and a lot of modern ones dont look like a medium crossover, which people buy as its a pretty useful, cover all bases kind of configuration.
All the ingredients are there for a great drivers car apart from a couple of things.
As I pointed out on Facebook it's named after the M40 London to Birmingham commuter route.
I does not have a proper gearbox.
Okay I get it some super/hyper/hype cars need an automatic or flappy paddle autotragic because they make too much power for a conventional clutch or there isn't room for a third pedal etc (Alfa 4C) and okay the Z4 has never been a B road barnstormer and BMW haven't made a fun car since the Z3 but why compare it the Porsche Boxster when it's much more of a mile munching cruiser?
Yes the Z4 or Zee4 is aimed at the US market where an eight speed ZF auto' is sadly the norm but how about a manual option for those of us who enjoy driving?
No the 'mericanized Zee4 only has the ZF box on the options list and BMW have stated there will be no manual option.
No wonder they named it after a boring, soulless, tedious, monotonous, life absorbing, stretch of 60's council spec' motorway.
As I pointed out on Facebook it's named after the M40 London to Birmingham commuter route.
I does not have a proper gearbox.
Okay I get it some super/hyper/hype cars need an automatic or flappy paddle autotragic because they make too much power for a conventional clutch or there isn't room for a third pedal etc (Alfa 4C) and okay the Z4 has never been a B road barnstormer and BMW haven't made a fun car since the Z3 but why compare it the Porsche Boxster when it's much more of a mile munching cruiser?
Yes the Z4 or Zee4 is aimed at the US market where an eight speed ZF auto' is sadly the norm but how about a manual option for those of us who enjoy driving?
No the 'mericanized Zee4 only has the ZF box on the options list and BMW have stated there will be no manual option.
No wonder they named it after a boring, soulless, tedious, monotonous, life absorbing, stretch of 60's council spec' motorway.
Tim bo said:
I've always had a secret fetish for Z4s. I loved Bangle's original - the E85 - there was nothing else like it on the road. It was small, lithe, low and nimble to drive too.
Then the follow-up model arrived in 2009 - the E89 - and I thought it was a massive leap forward in design terms (though perhaps not in driving dynamics terms). I absolutely loved the way it looked, from every angle.
... and when news came of a new model being developed - the G29 - I was very keen to see what was to be revealed. I was sorely, sorely disappointed when it did. It looks fat and lardy from the front. It looks over-designed and ill-proportioned in profile. And it looks far too fussy from the rear. I've not seen one in the flesh yet, but I really, genuinely hope it's not as bad as it looks in the pictures.
Absolutely this, except I'd add the interior is disappointing too. It looks to me like slotted in components from a parts bin with no real style or cohesion. Why the big screen when there's already a digital display? And the iDrive wheel would be better behind the drive select rather than on the wrong side of it. Then the follow-up model arrived in 2009 - the E89 - and I thought it was a massive leap forward in design terms (though perhaps not in driving dynamics terms). I absolutely loved the way it looked, from every angle.
... and when news came of a new model being developed - the G29 - I was very keen to see what was to be revealed. I was sorely, sorely disappointed when it did. It looks fat and lardy from the front. It looks over-designed and ill-proportioned in profile. And it looks far too fussy from the rear. I've not seen one in the flesh yet, but I really, genuinely hope it's not as bad as it looks in the pictures.
Re price, My Z4 was £39k before discounts in 2004, so it's probably relatively well priced.
Sticks. said:
Tim bo said:
I've always had a secret fetish for Z4s. I loved Bangle's original - the E85 - there was nothing else like it on the road. It was small, lithe, low and nimble to drive too.
Then the follow-up model arrived in 2009 - the E89 - and I thought it was a massive leap forward in design terms (though perhaps not in driving dynamics terms). I absolutely loved the way it looked, from every angle.
... and when news came of a new model being developed - the G29 - I was very keen to see what was to be revealed. I was sorely, sorely disappointed when it did. It looks fat and lardy from the front. It looks over-designed and ill-proportioned in profile. And it looks far too fussy from the rear. I've not seen one in the flesh yet, but I really, genuinely hope it's not as bad as it looks in the pictures.
Absolutely this, except I'd add the interior is disappointing too. It looks to me like slotted in components from a parts bin with no real style or cohesion. Why the big screen when there's already a digital display? And the iDrive wheel would be better behind the drive select rather than on the wrong side of it. Then the follow-up model arrived in 2009 - the E89 - and I thought it was a massive leap forward in design terms (though perhaps not in driving dynamics terms). I absolutely loved the way it looked, from every angle.
... and when news came of a new model being developed - the G29 - I was very keen to see what was to be revealed. I was sorely, sorely disappointed when it did. It looks fat and lardy from the front. It looks over-designed and ill-proportioned in profile. And it looks far too fussy from the rear. I've not seen one in the flesh yet, but I really, genuinely hope it's not as bad as it looks in the pictures.
Re price, My Z4 was £39k before discounts in 2004, so it's probably relatively well priced.
It looks like a committee has got a bunch of other cars in the market sector (SLK, Fiat 124, BRZ, DBS, Mustang, Alfa 4C etc) ripped bits off each of them and made a montage like a crazy person sticking bits of magazine models together to try and make the perfect woman but ending up with something that looks like generic jigsaw puzzle. They have swapped the HB Viva bonnet vee for a very 'merican and purely cosmetic bulge this time around so that's uuuuummm progress I suppose. Kudos at a push for it not looking anything like the Supra it shares the platform with.
With Toyota getting hate mail from people demanding the Supra needs a manual gearbox one can only hope BMW follow suit and drop a proper gearbox in the Z4
Liquid Knight said:
I hadn't looked at the styling to be honest. I got as far as ZF eight speed auto and switched off.
It looks like a committee has got a bunch of other cars in the market sector (SLK, Fiat 124, BRZ, DBS, Mustang, Alfa 4C etc) ripped bits off each of them and made a montage like a crazy person sticking bits of magazine models together to try and make the perfect woman but ending up with something that looks like generic jigsaw puzzle. They have swapped the HB Viva bonnet vee for a very 'merican and purely cosmetic bulge this time around so that's uuuuummm progress I suppose. Kudos at a push for it not looking anything like the Supra it shares the platform with.
With Toyota getting hate mail from people demanding the Supra needs a manual gearbox one can only hope BMW follow suit and drop a proper gearbox in the Z4
The reality is they build to meet the demand. And there isn't enough demand for manual gearboxes anymore. It looks like a committee has got a bunch of other cars in the market sector (SLK, Fiat 124, BRZ, DBS, Mustang, Alfa 4C etc) ripped bits off each of them and made a montage like a crazy person sticking bits of magazine models together to try and make the perfect woman but ending up with something that looks like generic jigsaw puzzle. They have swapped the HB Viva bonnet vee for a very 'merican and purely cosmetic bulge this time around so that's uuuuummm progress I suppose. Kudos at a push for it not looking anything like the Supra it shares the platform with.
With Toyota getting hate mail from people demanding the Supra needs a manual gearbox one can only hope BMW follow suit and drop a proper gearbox in the Z4
Pretty much all automotive manufacturers are struggling massively for profitability in the face of ever stricter environmental criteria and market conditions, and the need to invest massively in things like electrification, all in one solutions, fleet mobility, tech integration etc etc. they have to focus not just on the profitable opportunities, but on the opportunities that maximise profit generation.
TIV in the UK has gone backwards for the last 2 years, and after the lack of success of the last E89 Z4, and the generally dwindling popularity of this kind of vehicle I'm just happy they actually decided to make another one rather than just bin it entirely.
Epiphany said:
The reality is they build to meet the demand. And there isn't enough demand for manual gearboxes anymore.
Pretty much all automotive manufacturers are struggling massively for profitability in the face of ever stricter environmental criteria and market conditions, and the need to invest massively in things like electrification, all in one solutions, fleet mobility, tech integration etc etc. they have to focus not just on the profitable opportunities, but on the opportunities that maximise profit generation.
TIV in the UK has gone backwards for the last 2 years, and after the lack of success of the last E89 Z4, and the generally dwindling popularity of this kind of vehicle I'm just happy they actually decided to make another one rather than just bin it entirely.
It's hard to say there's a lack of demand for a manual when they aren't even offered. I agree that the demise of the manual in most German saloons is driven by lack of demand, but on something like the Supra which has a massive cult following of stereotypical car anoraks I'm not so sure.Pretty much all automotive manufacturers are struggling massively for profitability in the face of ever stricter environmental criteria and market conditions, and the need to invest massively in things like electrification, all in one solutions, fleet mobility, tech integration etc etc. they have to focus not just on the profitable opportunities, but on the opportunities that maximise profit generation.
TIV in the UK has gone backwards for the last 2 years, and after the lack of success of the last E89 Z4, and the generally dwindling popularity of this kind of vehicle I'm just happy they actually decided to make another one rather than just bin it entirely.
Biggest complaint about the previous gen car was that it's sharp looks were not backed up by a sharp drive - they seem to have reversed the problems with this one - a sharp drive but the looks............to me its clumsy and heavy looking (much like it's Supra sister-car) - Missed opportunity.
CarAbuser said:
It's hard to say there's a lack of demand for a manual when they aren't even offered. I agree that the demise of the manual in most German saloons is driven by lack of demand, but on something like the Supra which has a massive cult following of stereotypical car anoraks I'm not so sure.
I fear that the truth is that the cult followers can't afford to spec a new one, so if the market doesn't want to buy manuals they're not going to get them anyway.otolith said:
CarAbuser said:
It's hard to say there's a lack of demand for a manual when they aren't even offered. I agree that the demise of the manual in most German saloons is driven by lack of demand, but on something like the Supra which has a massive cult following of stereotypical car anoraks I'm not so sure.
I fear that the truth is that the cult followers can't afford to spec a new one, so if the market doesn't want to buy manuals they're not going to get them anyway.The CO2 emissions drive a lot of ownership decisions now and an auto is lower than a manual as it whizzes up the box to get to the lowest revs possible as soon as possible, reducing CO2 output.
mikey k said:
otolith said:
CarAbuser said:
It's hard to say there's a lack of demand for a manual when they aren't even offered. I agree that the demise of the manual in most German saloons is driven by lack of demand, but on something like the Supra which has a massive cult following of stereotypical car anoraks I'm not so sure.
I fear that the truth is that the cult followers can't afford to spec a new one, so if the market doesn't want to buy manuals they're not going to get them anyway.The CO2 emissions drive a lot of ownership decisions now and an auto is lower than a manual as it whizzes up the box to get to the lowest revs possible as soon as possible, reducing CO2 output.
The real kicker is you can short shift a manual so while an auto could be stuck in third gear at 4,000pm doing 30mph the manual can be in fifth 1,200-1,500rpm. Either way the higher gear is found a lot quicker even with a semi-manual auto or paddle flapper.
The big fuel and CO2 saver is cruise control (on a run). The computer can hold the speed of the car better than the squishy thing behind the wheel. When I drove my Lexus LS400 to Huddersfield I managed to do it with £28 petrol. I let the cruise control do all the A1(M) stuff coming back and only used £24 petrol.
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