One of the best looking roadsters ever I reckon, I loved seeing the press pics come through in 2009.
End of the Z4. E89 production finishing in August.
- Thread starter original guvnor
- Start date
North West Surrey
A shame, but in BMW model cycles it is due a replacement - just hope it gets one! Maybe the Toyota collaboration will provide that. I hope so!
For me there was only ever one Z4 I wanted and that was an E86! I'm old and ugly with thinning hair and an aversion to the sun (if it ever shines in the UK)! Plus the E86 shell has much more torsional stiffness than the E85 for similar weight and in a car like that I want it to drive properly. (I laugh every time I see a convertible M3 - one of the most focussed driver's cars ever, but you want one with the front attached to the back by just the floor do you? Of course sir, and good luck)! A 330Ci or 335i convertible would probably have suited the buyer better). :lol: And for the 3 hot days a year in the UK the E86 has climate control!
I think the E89 is definitely a looker but to me it isn't one thing or the other, plus it is pretty heavy! And it is definitely a compromise after the E85 and E86. In a 3 Series you could have a Coupe, a convertible or a metal folding roof, so why not with a Z4?
Ready to get flamed at his point.........but it gets better!
Heresy that it may be I think a dieseasel may have helped sales - BMW diesels are pretty good, and I see more diesel SLK's and TT's than petrols so that is possibly an opportunity missed. (Plus if you buy a 4 cylinder Z4 does it really matter if it is petrol or diesel anyway)?
Just hope there is a replacement and really really hope it isn't a FWD 4 cylinder turbo POS, but not holding my breath! :lol: Although that is probably what the "not going to happen" Z2 might have been!
Still if there is a replacement that isn't too great that may help values for those of us with original Z4s, so not all bad!
For me there was only ever one Z4 I wanted and that was an E86! I'm old and ugly with thinning hair and an aversion to the sun (if it ever shines in the UK)! Plus the E86 shell has much more torsional stiffness than the E85 for similar weight and in a car like that I want it to drive properly. (I laugh every time I see a convertible M3 - one of the most focussed driver's cars ever, but you want one with the front attached to the back by just the floor do you? Of course sir, and good luck)! A 330Ci or 335i convertible would probably have suited the buyer better). :lol: And for the 3 hot days a year in the UK the E86 has climate control!
I think the E89 is definitely a looker but to me it isn't one thing or the other, plus it is pretty heavy! And it is definitely a compromise after the E85 and E86. In a 3 Series you could have a Coupe, a convertible or a metal folding roof, so why not with a Z4?
Ready to get flamed at his point.........but it gets better!
Heresy that it may be I think a dieseasel may have helped sales - BMW diesels are pretty good, and I see more diesel SLK's and TT's than petrols so that is possibly an opportunity missed. (Plus if you buy a 4 cylinder Z4 does it really matter if it is petrol or diesel anyway)?
Just hope there is a replacement and really really hope it isn't a FWD 4 cylinder turbo POS, but not holding my breath! :lol: Although that is probably what the "not going to happen" Z2 might have been!
Still if there is a replacement that isn't too great that may help values for those of us with original Z4s, so not all bad!
Mr Tidy said:
For me the compromise is part of the appeal.
I commute 140 miles a day in absolute coupe luxury surrounded by tactile materials with a surround sound music system and great driving position in one of the best looking cars on the road.
Or if the sun is out I'll take the scenic route home with the roof down and enjoy the wind through my receding hair :roll: Or if the mood takes me I'll burn up the Shropshire countryside at the weekend in a 3ltr twin-turbo sports car that thrill and scares me in equal measure :evil:
I guess if you want a thoroughbred track day car, or a commuter mule then buy something else.
Well mine produced 238kW at the wheels on, a known pessimistic, rolling road. Within a few hours of my car coming of the rolling road a 335i had produced 201kW. That could just be an isolated car, however I know of 4 companies which said that you can expect around 235-240kW/315-320hp at the wheels from the 35iS. Also given that I’ve got acceleration traces from other 35iS' one in Germany & the other from the US. The only way the acceleration makes sense given the CdA is that the car is producing over 230kW at the wheels. I'm fairly convinced that 35iS' from the factory are knocking on the door of 370bhp.Maniac said:
Wondermike said:
Yes agreed, remember walking into the showroom in York and lusting after at a DSB, thing yep I'll have one of these, it was a thing of beauty. The 3.0 was perfect for me just regret not being able to choose the Msport which wasn't available then
techathy said:
I think that's also down to the colour as much as the shape, yes I got lot's of waves, flashes and nods in the DSB E89, but nothing like the attention of the PY E85 attracted.
But the one car that I've owned that stood out the most, was my silver Puma, ordered the day of launch it was so new and had that wow factor that you normally associate with a Ferrari not a Ford. I once came out of a customers office and noticed a crowd gathered around the car in their carpark.
ronk said:
I have had a similar experience. I did own a Lotus Exige for a time and NOBODY knew what that car was, so I got a lot of questions, but the Z is a close second place. The experiance I see most often is folks who recognize the the Marque, (and the grills), as BMW, but claim to not know the model. This is often followed by a discussion of the roadster concept, and what BMW's iteration is like.....
This thread illuminates how many different reasons there are to like this car. I am a roadster purist. I have driven every one I can find, owned most of the affordable examples, and I can assure all that the Z4 is a FINE example of the venerated design. First, and foremost, it has 2 seats, the engine is up front, the driven wheels are in the back, the driver's rear end is very close to its axles, (horizontally and vertically) and the car can be driven with the roof up - or down. It is, therefore, a roadster. Sure it is very 'techy', and yeah, it is far more powerful than most... The steering is not perfect, the exhaust tone could be tuned, the engine can easily handle re-mapping, it needs fog lamps, (IMO), the 3 liter engine, twin turbos, DSB and 7 speed tranny is a bit of delightful overkill for a purist, but we all find enough to like that we parted with serious money to own one. The plusses easily outweigh the negatives for us.
Oddly, I think the unique combination of features that lure us to be owners, is the exact reason they never set any sales records. While the design appeals to us 'sportier' driving types, the average commuter, mall shopper, errand running father of 4 would never look twice at a 2-seater irrespective of its charms. It remains the best car I have ever owned, and frankly, I wish it had been on my radar in 2009 when I was too busy paying tuition bills, tweaking my retirement strategy and trying to re-coup what the market crash in 2007 had taken from me.
I get a kick from you all discussing the comparisons of various models and powerplants. You Brits, discussing the nuances of all things "Z", sound like a bunch of American Corvette owners. Some of those guys know every spec for every model to come out of Flint, St. Louis AND Bowling Green - and can identify a Corvette by engine sound alone!
ronk said:sars said:ronk said:
If think I remember you telling me this, wasn't it someone saying nice car, midlife crises?
I do hope so !
I was 62 when I bought the first z4 - I hope to see a lot of people at my party when I'm 124
The first drinks are on me !
That reminds me of a joke about obtaining credit at a bar
Production volumes of E89:
2009 22,761
2010 24,575
2011 18,809
2012 15,249
2013 12,866
2014 10,802
2015 7,950
Total 113,012
2016 4,000?
For comparison: Production volume of 3-series in 2015 is 444,338. So BMW sold as many 3-series in 3 months then zeds 7 years
Would be nice to know how many 35is/i etc.
2009 22,761
2010 24,575
2011 18,809
2012 15,249
2013 12,866
2014 10,802
2015 7,950
Total 113,012
2016 4,000?
For comparison: Production volume of 3-series in 2015 is 444,338. So BMW sold as many 3-series in 3 months then zeds 7 years
Would be nice to know how many 35is/i etc.
Never had the slightest interest in a BMW until I saw the Zed on a local car park, so much so, the only car I went into debt to buy.
The folding hard top and shape sold it to me, although at the time I bought my 23i I was a bit ignorant as to the range.
I went for the launch colour Orion silver and only ever seen one other on the roads..
And I will keep until the axles drop off!
Good it's coming to an end, will help keep it a bit more exclusive.
The folding hard top and shape sold it to me, although at the time I bought my 23i I was a bit ignorant as to the range.
I went for the launch colour Orion silver and only ever seen one other on the roads..
And I will keep until the axles drop off!
Good it's coming to an end, will help keep it a bit more exclusive.
Really glad I got my 3.5iS then