Wednesday 25th January 2006

Z4 Confirmed

No surprise as production starts in April in the USA

---

Z4 M Coupe

BMW never did a very good job of convincing us that the Z4 coupe was just a design study so it should come as a surprise to no one that full production in Spartanburg, South Carolina will commence this April.

BMW aren't going to hang around before delivering the M version either. The Z4M Coupe will feature a 340bhp 3.2 litre straight six and six speed close ration 'box. Suspension will be largely the same as the recently announced Z4 M Roadster.

The standard model Z4 will feature a 3.0 litre straight six pumping out a healthy 265bhp. This is also matched to a six speed 'box. A semi-automatic gearbox will also be available.

Externally, the silhouette of the new BMW Z4 3.0si coupe is identical to the M variant, with the 3.0si differentiated from the M car by styling details such as different style 18-inch alloy wheels (on the Sport model, 17-inch alloy wheels on SE models) and a revised front and rear valance, the rear featuring ‘only’ two exhausts.

UK prices haven't yet been announced.

 

[cathalm]

Oh yes now that is tremdously handsome, if it wasn't for the extreme aesthetic beauty of the entire BMW range I'd say that is the best looking car in the universe. The back is a particularly resolved and coherent design and I just love the way the front hangs down in that wonderfully droopy fashion! I shall be purchasing one of these based on looks alone, I truly am enamoured.

[Stub]

Thanks for sharing, but isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder? I didn't 'get' the Z4's looks at all to start with, but it's really grown on me. Personally, I'm more interested in the vehicles dynamics than it's appearance anyway.

I'd expect it to be a real blast to hoon in as the older breadvan was acknowledged as one of the most entertaining M car's.

It's also lost the electronic steering and has none Run Flat Tyres.

There's been one of these based at Thorne since late last year. Not managed to see it on the roads yet though.

>> Edited by Stub on Wednesday 25th January 09:57

[doctorD]

>> Edited by DoctorD on Wednesday 25th January 18:48

[bertie]

I'm no BMW fan but this is seriously nice!

[GTRene]

I like it too, at least the front looks a bit better then as it did before, and even when you don't like the front anough, I've seen a aftermarket one that looks a bit more agressive I like a testdrive soon...(not b

GTRene

[mmm-five]

Now, should I buy one of these, or wait for the M-breadvan prices to plummet and buy one of them instead?

[AndyWoodall]

Love it.

[trackdemon]

Mrs TD has had a 3.0 on order since last year - apparently 1st on the list at the Canary Wharf dealer. Rather appealling in the concept matt silver finish, and should be great to drive.

[DoctorD]

Mmmm?



>> Edited by DoctorD on Wednesday 25th January 18:49

[Stub]

mmm-five said:

Now, should I buy one of these, or wait for the M-breadvan prices to plummet and buy one of them instead?

That wont happen IMHO, not enough of them on the market and can't think of any used as daily drivers!

Get one of each and tell us which is best

[ahonen]

DoctorD said:

Mmmm?

Hmm, well if you put it like that I'll take the Porsche, ta.

[doctorD]

Note: The price of the Z4M Coupe is £1510 cheaper than the Z4M Roadster. List Price is £41,240 compared to £42,750 for the Z4 M Roadster.

Bye, bye Cayman residuals...

[Merefield]

doctorD said:

Note: The price of the Z4M Coupe is £1510 cheaper than the Z4M Roadster. List Price is £41,240 compared to £42,750 for the Z4 M Roadster. Bye, bye Cayman residuals...

And a Cayman doesn't even have a LSD, LOL!

>> Edited by Merefield on Wednesday 25th January 11:39

[4WD]

It's corporate snout is exceptionally ugly.

The new boxter is on another level aesthetically. Chaulk and dog poo.

[Merefield]

4WD said:

The new boxter is on another level aesthetically.

Yes, you can't tell which direction the thing drives!

[dick dastardly]

mmm-five said:

Now, should I buy one of these, or wait for the M-breadvan prices to plummet and buy one of them instead?

That might be wishful thinking mate. Recently they've started appreciating so at worst they'll slip a little. Plummet? I think (and hope) not.

[Chris944]

The Z4 M coupe gets to 100kph in 5.0 secs with the Cayman taking 5.1. Then the Cayman goes on to 170mph with the Z4M losing it at the electronically-limited 155mph. (Is BMW barmy?) Does anyone have any ideas/information on how the Z4 M coupe drives and handles compared to the Cayman? Cayman is about £2,000 more than the Z4 M Coupe which doesn't strike me as a lot of money in the £40K area. MY intuition says that unless the Z4M handles like a demon Cayman will win out.

[DoctorD]

4WD said:

It's corporate snout is exceptionally ugly. The new boxter is on another level aesthetically. Chaulk and dog poo.

This is one of these "my girlfriend's prettier than your girlfriend" discussions isn't it?

I'm a fan of the Cayman (have an LOI down for a Cayman RS if they make one), and I agree that the Cayman looks good from the the nose to the A-pillar, but thereafter it just looks 'wrong'. No matter how many times I've driven them or stood looking at one, I just cannot reconcile the weak and deformed rear-end. The Z4M Roadster looks so much better resolved and aggressive from the rear IMO than the Cayman. Perhaps both cars are 'marmite' cars (you either love 'em or hate 'em) but you'd be a fool to deny that it will be an interesting battle to see both cars tested back-to-back.

[DoctorD]

Chris944 said:

The Z4 M coupe gets to 100kph in 5.0 secs with the Cayman taking 5.1. Then the Cayman goes on to 170mph with the Z4M losing it at the electronically-limited 155mph. (Is BMW barmy?) Does anyone have any ideas/information on how the Z4 M coupe drives and handles compared to the Cayman? Cayman is about £2,000 more than the Z4 M Coupe which doesn't strike me as a lot of money in the £40K area. MY intuition says that unless the Z4M handles like a demon Cayman will win out.

Z4 M Coupe uses all the same suspension components and drivetrain as the M3, but is over 100kg lighter than an M3 and with a lower CofG. So it's got to handle better than the M3, perhaps closer to the CSL and therefore the Cayman will be properly challenged. One BIG, BIG advantage for many enthusiasts will be the fact that only 'one' of them can be truly power-slid..

www.smallbimmers.com/goodies/z4mcoupe1.wmv

www.smallbimmers.com/goodies/z4mcoupe2.wmv

www.smallbimmers.com/goodies/z4mcoupe3.wmv

[dick dastardly]

Nice videos DoctorD, cheers.