The new BMW Z4

[lux]

During the last E89 sales drive, let BMW know that unless there was a version like an Alpina or ///M version, I'm out.


Tapatalking...

I bet they were worried about that!

I'm sure I speak for others that have the 2.0 by saying that what I wanted was a new, 2 seater, great looking car that has enough grunt for most occasions, without breaking the bank.
Theres no way I could have got a new Boxster for the money I spent, and there's running costs to add onto that......i'm happy with what i've got even if it's not an ///M :wink:

 

[micz4]

Bring on the Z2M

Yes will be interesting which direction BMW go with the Z2, my take on it is though, BMW would want to keep Z2 costs down to appeal to a wider audience and to capture MX5 sales with a starting price of 16K. Its whether they would bother pitching it at the higher performance end. My only reservation is going back to ragtop after the E89 :| Much prefer all the benefits of a hardtop.

Tim.

Look at the engines in the 1 series it should be the same if it's built on the same floorpan . Having just gone from the E89 to a soft top i am impressed by how good they are now. Join us on the Z2 forum Tim,it's the way forward :wink:

 

[original guvnor]

The simple facts about the E89 are, it was a deliberate move into a "more grown up" segment to increase sales. That strategy failed miserably. It's sold less, a whole, mahoosive lot less. What can we deduce from that? Well as I said above BMW have misjudged the market and the positioning of the Z4 and the consumer has let them know about it. No doubt the economic situation has played a part but this car didn't come out until 2009 and by then the credit crunch and economic meltdown was in full swing. I don't know what they were thinking.

Whether there is an M or not is a secondary argument. I certainly think an M model is essential for the Z4 for it to have the right "kudos". The Boxster has it's 'S', the SLK it's AMG and the TT it's RS and now RS+. All of these models have their own engine and are developed as individual models along the lines that BMW do with their M cars.

I like the E89, it's a nice design - not perfect, but really quite attractive and striking from most angles. But, wrong car for the target market I'm afraid, which the M situation has exacerbated.

 

[TitanTim]

Bring on the Z2M

Yes will be interesting which direction BMW go with the Z2, my take on it is though, BMW would want to keep Z2 costs down to appeal to a wider audience and to capture MX5 sales with a starting price of 16K. Its whether they would bother pitching it at the higher performance end. My only reservation is going back to ragtop after the E89 :| Much prefer all the benefits of a hardtop.

Tim.

Look at the engines in the 1 series it should be the same if it's built on the same floorpan . Having just gone from the E89 to a soft top i am impressed by how good they are now. Join us on the Z2 forum Tim,it's the way forward :wink:

I'm using the Z3 as the daily winter driver and its fine, mohair double layered hood etc, but for me it always plays on the mind that one day it will get slashed etc and the hardtop is just that bit more refined for me. Also find a fabric hood a pain to keep looking good maintenance wise. I'm currently looking for a hardtop for the Z3

Tim.

 

[markeg]

During the last E89 sales drive, let BMW know that unless there was a version like an Alpina or ///M version, I'm out..

I bet they were worried about that!

I'm sure I speak for others that have the 2.0 by saying that what I wanted was a new, 2 seater, great looking car that has enough grunt for most occasions, without breaking the bank.
Theres no way I could have got a new Boxster for the money I spent, and there's running costs to add onto that......i'm happy with what i've got even if it's not an ///M :wink:

I'm sure I wasn't the first, or last to say it. Not all of us are the shy, retiring types

 

[Breaker]

Some new photos also on the BMW website (a bit HDR style!)

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en/new-vehicles/z4/roadster/2012/images-videos.html#

 

[Quadracer]

I don't think the M is any big deal these days. Years ago the M badge was for prestige models. During recent years with the addition of M badges on pretty much every car BMW sell I think it has lost it's way. My new car has M badges on the wheels, steering wheel, door sills etc but it is not an M so why are they there?

 

[pvr]

M is not about the badges (yes, I have a X5 M Sport littered with the stuff), but about the engine, the drive train, the brakes, the LSD, the steering and everything else that makes an M special.

That is what is missing from the lineup, because even the 35is is just a fast cruiser - not an M in any way shape or form.

 

[Bing]

It is a real shame - from what maniac says above, not a lot of change would have been required to make an ///M from the 35is. However, given BMW have no doubt realised the fact they've gotten it wrong, they'd be doubly stupid to spend more development money on beefing up the range with an ///M version. Perhaps the next generation will be gifted with the badge.

 

[Quadracer]

M is not about the badges (yes, I have a X5 M Sport littered with the stuff), but about the engine, the drive train, the brakes, the LSD, the steering and everything else that makes an M special.

That is what is missing from the lineup, because even the 35is is just a fast cruiser - not an M in any way shape or form.

I know that, you know that but joe public doesn't. I didn't know my car was going to have the badges until it arrived. The 35is is not listed as an M Sport model. Only had it a few days and have already been asked a handful of times "is that an M".
What I'm saying is to Joe Public, BMW have cheapened the M brand with the introduction of the M Sport across the board. They should be an E89 Z4M and it should be the only one wearing any M badges anyware. Only a True M should wear any M badges and I would have bought it.

 

[ranski]

If E89 sales have been poor then why are BMW going to throw development money at a M version for the >2% of would be buyers if its not going to sell enough to turn a profit

 

[sars]

Well they can only have been doing less than 5 mph as her hair isn't being plastered all over her face, especially with the windows down

as for the argument about the non M variant, I think it was a mistake as they would have opened up a pure drivers car and not a GT. The other problem is no diesel, something Mercedes were quick to adopt once they saw how popular the TT was with company car buyers.

 

[pvr]

But isn't that the same with racing though? No profit in there for BMW, but it is about the prestige and the fact that you have something special in the line up.

I agree that it won't make a profit as such, the same that the Veyron does not make a profit - but it is a nice model to have in the range.

If it was all about profit only, I would guess that the cheapest way would be to only sell 1, 3 and 5 series as that is the biggest selling volume for the investment.

 

[ranski]

But that's the trick PVR

With rising prices buyers more concerned with MPG than outride speed and with that the 2% are dwindling. In turn BMW are only producing genuine M's in the more popular models

 

[ranski]

**** the bonus being Z4M owners really do have a rare car

 

[pvr]

What about the X5 / X6M models though? Surely they can't sell any quantity of those at all.

I think a Z4M would be more "appropriate" in the line up than a X5 / 6 M.

 

[tomscott]

You always could get an m sport version of a BMW, its an aesthetic upgrade, bodykit, steering wheel, suspension, wheel upgrade usually charge about 1k for the upgrade? Made the cars stand out a bit more before it was mainstream.

Remember my dads first cars were E36 with M kits and they looked great at the time now they're all M sport.

There is a reason there has been barely any mods on the E89 there is nothing to aspire to as the cars are the same except the engines. Unlike the ownership of the E85/6 where everyone wants their car to look like an M. The pedigree just isn't there in the E89.

There is nothing to compare it too in the line up, the decision is purely engines.

And I'm sorry to buy a 2.0 Z4 at what BMW are asking for new you must need a head check there are a few here that have bought new one in the 34+ range yet in a recent thread I found a guy a car that was 10k cheaper same spec and and 6 months old with run in miles, the shock of trading it in would be insane. 10k in 6 months must be joking!

 

[Bing]

What about the X5 / X6M models though? Surely they can't sell any quantity of those at all.

I think a Z4M would be more "appropriate" in the line up than a X5 / 6 M.

The X5/X6 ///Ms have only had one generation though, no ? I bet they don't launch new versions.

The Motorsport thing is about prestige, yes, and heritage, and staying at the front of the game, but it is also about advertising - they reach a much larger audience through that than they would through (what would be) a rare e89 M.

The Veyron is not really appropriate to compare - it is one of those ultra supercars that kids and men alike have on their walls. Not sure BMW will ever have a car with that status. And anyway, how many people do you think actually know Bugatti is owned by VAG ? I am sure the average Joe on the street doesn't know, so it is not really a great advertising mechanism, certainly not for the other brands of the group.

An M is not just an indulgence for 'us', it is an indulgence for BMW too, and making an M in a range that is not selling doesn't make sense.

 

[TitanTim]

And I'm sorry to buy a 2.0 Z4 at what BMW are asking for new you must need a head check there are a few here that have bought new one in the 34+ range yet in a recent thread I found a guy a car that was 10k cheaper same spec and and 6 months old with run in miles, the shock of trading it in would be insane. 10k in 6 months must be joking!

Which is why if you were shrewd at the time you would have taken up the generous PCP deal and low APR :wink: Mine had an OTR cost of 33k, with nearly 8K dealer contribution it was around 25K, plus 2.5K deposit off my trade in and 12K in my back pocket I was more than happy and worked out not much more than a mundane family hatch. I would still go this way if BMW do cracking dealer offers in the future than buying second hand at 6 months old. You lose money whatever you do, but I still get the new car buzz

Tim.

 

[ranski]

What about the X5 / X6M models though? Surely they can't sell any quantity of those at all.

I think a Z4M would be more "appropriate" in the line up than a X5 / 6 M.

At a guess more practical due to more seats