E89 w/ M pkgs vs. Z4M

[[email protected]]

Hi all - I'm in California with a 2011 Z4 which I've had for around 5.5 years. For a US car, it is very unusual with all the other great options but also with all the performance M package options. Oh... it also has a manual transmission which was discontinued after 2011 for cars with the straight six. So, my Z has internal "Z" tags but none on the outside (it's stock). The lack of the "M" on the trunk: how much does that mean in the US market and techwise? Also, I read people who say they have only "X" out of "Y" cars produced. Where the heck does that info come from? I mean specifically, how do I find out about my dear unicorn? Remember: I am in a country without a large Z4 cohort.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well first off welcome to the forum.

I may be wrong, but I think it was only E85 and 86 M cars that had an M badge on the rear.

A forum member compiled this detailed database of 3.0Si and M models of E85/86 which is probably where those figures came from. http://perso.numericable.fr/tonyz4c/index30si.html

But I don't think anyone has done anything similar for E89s.

You say you live in a country without significant Z4 ownership, which seems a bit strange given that they were all built in North Carolina. :lol:

Anyway we'd love to see some photos of your car!

 

[[email protected]]

My Z4 was built in Germany... Thank you for the welcome. You are correct, no "M" badge on the rear but all over the interior. I'll see if I can attach something. Well, here are some shots...

 

[Marcoose]

Greetings from San Francisco. Welcome to the forum.

IIRC the E86 M Roadster was a proper M car. The E89, like mine, is not a M car, rather a M-badged car. The lack of a proper LSD and M suspension is noticeable. Amongst other things.

Tidy, the E89 wasn’t made in the US.

 

[Marcoose]

I’ve just noticed the aerial on your car. Mine has a stubby aerial.

 

[Smartbear]

Greetings from San Francisco. Welcome to the forum.

IIRC the E86 M Roadster was a proper M car. The E89, like mine, is not a M car, rather a M-badged car. The lack of a proper LSD and M suspension is noticeable. Amongst other things.

Tidy, the E89 wasn’t made in the US.

The roadster was the e85 model, the e86 was the coupe
Rob

 

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum. Great looking Z4. 8)

Also great to see Zedward made it out to America. (You may wish to search the forum on that one)

 

[Ole gits rule]

The e89 is not an "M" car per se but an M sport which is basically a trim option, mine is the same

Don't put an M badge on the. outside please its not a popular thing to do on here anyway

 

[Marcoose]

The e89 is an "M" car per se but an M sport which is basically a trim option, mine is the same

Is there a ‘not’ missing above?

 

[Anonymous]

The e89 is an "M" car per se but an M sport which is basically a trim option, mine is the same

Is there a ‘not’ missing above?

Correct..

Way to remember (generalisation)

M2 / M3 Z4M etc ... large amount of chassis /engine parts made for that version

M140 Z4 M40i etc ... modest amount of chassis parts borrowed typically from other models

MSport... mostly cosmetic only parts..

 

[Ole gits rule]

The e89 is an "M" car per se but an M sport which is basically a trim option, mine is the same

Is there a ‘not’ missing above?

Oops yes - edited

 

[Pondy]

Correct..

Way to remember (generalisation)

M2 / M3 Z4M etc ... large amount of chassis /engine parts made for that version

M140 Z4 M40i etc ... modest amount of chassis parts borrowed typically from other models

MSport... mostly cosmetic only parts..

That pretty much sums it up IMO. Merc do it with the AMG trim level and Audi have done it for years with the S line, VW have the R line now too..

 

[Ole gits rule]

Ford do it

Correct..

Way to remember (generalisation)

M2 / M3 Z4M etc ... large amount of chassis /engine parts made for that version

M140 Z4 M40i etc ... modest amount of chassis parts borrowed typically from other models

MSport... mostly cosmetic only parts..

That pretty much sums it up IMO. Merc do it with the AMG trim level and Audi have done it for years with the S line, VW have the R line now too..

Ford with ST line which is what you have really a 1.0 ecoboost wagon with a body kit

 

[enuff_zed]

I’ve just noticed the aerial on your car. Mine has a stubby aerial.

Whippy is as intended. Stubby is an aberration which luckily is easy for you to rectify.

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks folks! I would never put the "M" badge on the rear lid (boot?), that would be kinda tacky. I'd rather leave it stock. I'm trying to decide whether I should sell it - values have never been higher but then again perhaps it's a reasonable investment and a hassle to sell. And it's just perfect weather right now...

 

[Pondy]

And it's just perfect weather right now.

Don't you live in California? For the vast majority of us on here, your weather is perfect 350 days a year
And for the poor unfortunate Scottish and Welsh contingent among us 367 days a year

 

[Argyll Andy]

I'm trying to decide whether I should sell it - values have never been higher but then again perhaps it's a reasonable investment and a hassle to sell. And it's just perfect weather right now...

Yes the prices are high but do you know wat you’d replace it with? It probably only worth selling if you’re not buying anything else or you want to try something different

 

[[email protected]]

So true. Great point but I am getting older and have way too many toys to keep track properly. Thank you for helping to make my decision to keep "Blanca". For now anyway.

 

[Marcoose]

Speaking of good weather…

 

[[email protected]]

Is that good? We do Farenheight here, lol.