E89 Z4M announced (sort of)

[Wondermike]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464177

The current issue of course is with the M3 which will end production in mid-late 2012 leaving BMW without a competitor in the Premium Entry sports car class , which will feature the Audi RS5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Coupe AMG. Discussion has resorted to considering a fixed roof Z4M or a X3M using the engine featured from the 1M Coupe in an upgraded capacity , to fill in for the M3 , until the next generation car arrives in early 2014. but not the M3's V8 - The V8 will die with the M3.

We haven't had a thread for at least a month. Interesting, bet they're still considering the V8 though.

 

[Z4 Beemer]

Saw another similar post about this:

M3 production ends in mid-late 2012 meaning no M3's until 2014
* Possible Z4M or X3M to fill the temporary gap, using upgraded engine from 1M coupe

I also reckon they might stick the V8 in it, since they put the M3 E46 engine in the E85/6 Z4M

 

[pvr]

Where do I sign up?

Edit - only for the V8, not interested in a 3.0 double turbo.

 

[glastoveteran]

Not sure whether you can ever trust Auto Express but they ran a piece last week about the new M3 arriving in 2012 featuring a 3.0 turbo straight six.

 

[AlanJ]

Not sure whether you can ever trust Auto Express but they ran a piece last week about the new M3 arriving in 2012 featuring a 3.0 turbo straight six.

And here it is.....

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/260473/bmw_m3_to_get_turbo_power.html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters&uid=aed1643d06aad63b54eacbbaa392c489

 

[aquazi]

isnt the engine in the 1m virtually identical to the 35is?

So in order to differentiate the z4m from the 35is would either need the V8 or up the power to the same levels as the V8.

 

[Z4 Beemer]

What do we think the price tag of the Z4M might be? Upwards of £50K ? Is it really going to be worth this sort of money, given that the 35i and 35iS are already range-topping high performers? :?

I'm not convinced having the letter M is really worth it. :?

 

[mmm-five]

isnt the engine in the 1m virtually identical to the 35is?

So in order to differentiate the z4m from the 35is would either need the V8 or up the power to the same levels as the V8.

Not quite.

Don't forget that the 1M is not the same as the 135is M-Sport, as it has a different gearbox, diff, brakes, chassis, bodywork, etc.

The engine is not what makes this M an 'M' (which is wrong in my opinion, but we'll work with what we've got). So if the Z4 sDrive 35is (already at £43k) gets a wider track, different exhaust system, better brakes, M-diff, etc. then it could easily be a Z4 sDrive M, but it would then cost £50k against the 1M's £40k.

I don't understand why the claimed fuel economy on the 1M is 4mpg less than the Z4 sDrive 35is though, considering it's the same engine spec & weight.

 

[flatout]

....... So if the Z4 sDrive 35is (already at £43k) gets a wider track, different exhaust system, better brakes, M-diff, etc. then it could easily be a Z4 sDrive M, but it would then cost £50k against the 1M's £40k.

Agree with this, the new Z4M can only go ahead with a V8 lump. As quoted above, the current model already costs more than the incumbent 1M so abit of an own goal if they went ahead with the 6 cylinder engine option IMO.

Think back to the e46 M3, production ceased in 2006, only for them to find a hole load of S54 engines shacked in their warehouse and hey presto along came the Z4M. My view is that the V8 will go exactly the same way - the €200k job competition Z4M GTS V8 is doing really well, why would they do this without a retail option, so watch the space....

 

[iwatchlive]

So if the (already at £43k) gets a wider track, different exhaust system, better brakes, M-diff, etc. then it could easily be a Z4 sDrive M, but it would then cost £50k against the 1M's £40k.

Z4 sDrive 35is is base cost £44,220 WITH NO extras added an sDrive Z4M would be more likely £60K

Not having a dig at you mmm-five, but people are unrealistic about the true cost of these models. The point I am making is that how many people would want a top of the range Z4, say a 35i, or 35is or sDrive Z4M without at least some of the packages and optional extras?

Who would want a E89 Z4///M with a “basic” interior?- rather than the luxurious interior that’s currently available in the sDrive range? For example, the 1addicts post states “Many feel that the M Division has become too focused with luxury and these additional 1M and M3's will set the bar for more focused compact and premium entry sports cars as well as their standard luxury siblings.“

The E89 has taken the Z4 forward leaps and bounds as far as luxury is concerned, it had to stay in the market and take on the competition. Are you going to spend 50 to 60K on a Z4M that has a worse interior than the 35i/35is?

In reality, who is not going to specify at least several thousands of pounds of add-ons to any one of the above models? At the least you would be spending an additional 5K on a few basics surely? For example, if you spec up a 35i or 35is now, would you have to have additional equipment? Would you be able to sell it in the future as easily as you’d like without say NavPro at the least?

Would you really go for one of these models without selecting the extended leather option? What about the Design Pack? +£1585; NavPro? +£2180; Connectivity Package? +£610 Comfort Pack? +£1185. Fancy the luxurious DCT? +£1850; got an ipod? USB +£235; Bluetooth & phone? +£600 Wheels @19”? +£1115; Who is going to want standard audio? In a £45,000 Car at base price it isn’t good enough so there is an additional +£835 for pro sound; Etc. Etc

The real point I am making is that it’s EASY to add £10,000 on to the price of these cars, so a decent spec 35i with at the least all the decent extras is going to set you back 50K TBH and the 35is even more.

So in reality when you look at the extras / changes mentioned above in relation to an "///M" model, (wider track, different exhaust system, better brakes, M-diff, etc. ) you are probably talking £60,000+ really, not 50+

And what if it still has the "Twin Turbo" PVR? (Note its twin turbo-not double ) , what'll you do then me ol hearty?? Aspirated huh ? BMW are not developing a new V8 “The V8 will die with the M3.”

I reckon you will have to get your head around the idea of a "twin Turbo" Z4M :exitright:

 

[pvr]

In that case I will move to the 911 instead ...

 

[flatout]

..... BMW are not developing a new V8 “The V8 will die with the M3.”..

Don't say things like that

In that case I will move to the 911 instead ...

This may probably be the only route for those seeking the high revving NA rush!!!

 

[pilchardthecat]

I'm not at all impressed by the latest turbo engines from BMW. They have the type of power delivery which results in

First half an hour = wow, this midrange grunt is amazing
Second half an hour = oh, the midrange is all there is. I'm bored.

 

[mmm-five]

If the engine in the 335D/535D is so brilliant, why don't they make a Z4MD instead - 580Nm/428lbft and 286bhp/210kW and delivering 40mpg?

 

[ZermattV]

why no Alpina E89 Z4........... for me the Alpina vision of performance would suit the GT nature of the E89 really well...

 

[iwatchlive]

..... BMW are not developing a new V8 “The V8 will die with the M3.”..

Don't say things like that

I didn't say it though! “The V8 will die with the M3.” is from the post at 1addicts.com mentioned in the 1st post above by Wondermike LOOK :w00t:

In that case I will move to the 911 instead ...

Wouldn't go for a porsche myself PVR, great cars, just not to my taste. (I occasionally like to relax and cruise you know old chap ldman: ) FYI -I was seconds away from taking a Z4///M when I took out the sDrive35i DCT to test and fell in love with it, really appreciated the finer finish interior and the added extras available; so I'm very happy with what I have got; I tried the 35is and found it too firm for my taste, but as you all know its a personal preference thing and horses 4 courses ain't it Must add though with the ability of the DCT, it really is like an AA12, bang-bang-bang go the gears, far slicker than any manual I have ever driven and add the paddles to the equation there was just no other option 4 me

pilchardthecat- have you tried the 35i then? not to your liking? I'm really happy with it and there's plenty enough grunt 4 me, from the bottom end all the way up to the (nearly) top. The twin turbo- one takes over from the other so I don't understand why you think it's just midrange, I haven't found that, I certainly haven't got bored with it and don't expect that ever being the case either.

Then again - If I get bored I just jump out a plane and go head down, much faster than a Z4M or a 35i / 35is at roughly 200MPH+

 

[alexman]

At £60k you could get a used (almost) 3 year old Audi R8 with a much shallower depreciation curve or at £45k a used 996 Turbo etc.. why people go for brand new cars seems insane to me, but maybe I'm just a penny pincher!