Now we have seen what it looks like....

[rollingstone]

I was on the fence about a few things, as it was originally down to the Cayman and Z4 Coupe... There was much to "like" about the Cayman, but I fell in love with the Z4 Coupe. My only passing regret is not having looked around more for an M. But the practically perfect '07 3.0si that arrived at the local dealer was hard to resist.

Although I've already talked to my sales consultant about a drive in the new Z4 when they get one, it's really out of curiosity. From the photos, I'm not fond of the looks and agree with others that it seems more a Frankenstein's roadster of grafted BMW model lines. The original Z4's lines seem more pure... more provoking. It will age far better than the new one IMHO.

My feeling is that I will either:

a) hold onto my 3.0si until the perfect M is found, then trade up for keepers; or...
b) enjoy my Zed for some years before moving into the 6-Series, which I have also always loved (if business is good, perhaps the M6 coupe).

Cheers.

[Rick Hunter]

I'm keeping my M for years to come. I can't be bothered by the glut of electro nannies the E89 has. Not much of a sportscar as is. I hope they serve up Fred Flintstone's car again when the M division has their hands at it.

[2dogs]

No coupe No change But it is very nice

[Color]

somewhere i read that they can't fit the V8 in the E89....that doesn't make sense to me since they can fit it in the E85...anyone read that too?

I read the same in a short article somewhere. I have some observations on that

1) Not sure how much to trust that article
2) Seems on the Z series BMW always says something to discredit a future M version, but then change their mind. Sales technique?
3) If they can fit a straight six, they can fit a V8. There's plenty of space in the Z4 engine room. I also remember seeing a V8 installed on a Z4 by a third party, so that should be a living proof. Only problem I could see with the M3 V8 is that it seems a bit higher than the normal engines. . . could be resolved by adding a bulge to the bonnet (would be interesting to see how that would end up).

I have faith! I know that if I were an BMW M engineer I would love to get my hands on the new Z4, perfect material for an M version.

[Breaker]

But the question is, with the world economics/oil/echo as it is, will they bother with an M version now? I bet they are worrying how many of the new model they will sell next year at the moment!! A 2 seater sports car will be at the bottom of many peoples lists to be honest. They would sell more M3's than anything else because they are so practical.

If I wanted an M car next year, the M3 is where I would look myself because it's an all things to all men kind of car. I would sell my second car and just use that. I couldn't do that with a Z4.

[cj10jeeper]

But the question is, with the world economics/oil/echo as it is, will they bother with an M version now? I bet they are worrying how many of the new model they will sell next year at the moment!!

Since it does not launch until May, then dealers will pre register as many as they can get, then there will be the inevitable pent up demand for a new model I guess they will be just fine until the end of 2009. Thereafter the key economies should be improving. Longer term buying patterns of cars must also be a concern.

They'll wait to see sales before announcing any ///M anyway else they would damage launch demand and who knows even and Aplina type company could be asked to build one?

[Breaker]

But the question is, with the world economics/oil/echo as it is, will they bother with an M version now? I bet they are worrying how many of the new model they will sell next year at the moment!!

Since it does not launch until May, then dealers will pre register as many as they can get, then there will be the inevitable pent up demand for a new model I guess they will be just fine until the end of 2009. Thereafter the key economies should be improving. Longer term buying patterns of cars must also be a concern.

That's if there are any dealers left to pre-reg cars. I keep hearing rumours about my local BMW dealership looking shaky and that's a big dealer!!

BMW could delay the launch yet if they think the time isn't right!!

[gannet]

That's if there are any dealers left to pre-reg cars. I keep hearing rumours about my local BMW dealership looking shaky and that's a big dealer!!

not BMW, but a big dealer chain round here went bust just a few weeks ago - had been in business for 20 odd years

They had several sites covering most brands - Audi, VW, Alfa, SEAT, Peugeot, Nissan.....

Scary times

[Breaker]

There is a Chrysler/Suzuki dealership near me that has announced it will no longer be a franchised dealer for any make in 2009 as they are going back to when the business started 12 years ago just being a second hand car dealer!

[Aebous]

I'm thinking take a look at it and my financial situation in the late 09/2010 range then decide.

[Color]

Like some mention here, I think they won't announce an M until 2010++
The initial Z4 started production in 2002, and it wasn't until 2006 (?) that the M got into production. More or less when the facelift was made?
That's about four years after Z4 production start if I am not mistaken on my numbers.

My hunch is that in the meanwhile they will be secretly playing around with an M prototype, and make the decision about entering production or not once the financially tight market have loosened up.
There might be an M3 V8 engine upgrade or even a 2009 Z4 facelift as well before we see the M version.

The first generation Z4 saw 6 years of production. A lot can happen in such a long time.

[Gauss]

The Z4 M Coupe is pretty much the best kind of Z4 you can buy. On top of that, I don't like the look of the new models. So I'll be keeping mine. The value has dropped so low anyway that it's pointless to sell, I don't need the cash.

[Adam D]

You can get a 2007 3.4 boxster s for mid 20's now, would rather put my money there or into a Z4M roadster than buy the new car.