Z4 sdrive20i M.... But!

A

Ally_Bimmerton777

New member
Hi everyone.

I am new here so sorry in advance if I am posting in the wrong way etc etc.

I just recently bought a z4 sdrive20i M 2012 model and it is my first BMW since I had a 5 series as a company car many many moons ago. I have always wanted a z4, and I'm really looking forward to enjoying it. However. I have been a bit confused regarding all things M related!

It has M branding in the sills, gear box and dash etc but nothing externally. I am not actually bothered about having this displayed but I am just trying to clarify what this means. All this talk of M branded vs 'actual' M cars. Can you please help me just understand what this car actually is 🤔😁

Thanks,

Ally - Glasgow.
 
Ally.

Your model is an e89, and there’s a separate forum for these. The Z4M was only made between 2006 and 2008 (although you may see some registered slightly later).

The ‘M’ on your car, and many others since about 1980, is for M-Sport, which is a trim level rather than a specific model.

A ‘proper’ M-car should have an engine code starting with an S (e.g. the S54 in a Z4M vs the N54 in a non-M).

BMW (and lots of other manufacturers such as Audi S-Line, Mercedes AMG-line, Ford ST-line) use their sporting/powerful sub-brand as a marketing tool (the halo effect) for all their cars, so that people can try (if they screw their eyes up a little and suspend disbelief for a while) to believe they’ve got the high-end model when they’ve simply bought a badged-up, lower-powered, worse-handling lesser model.
 
This is what is confusing me. It isn't badged externally. Just on the inside. It is I am told approximately a second faster than the non M branded ordinary 'sport' model, but I can't actually find any concrete information as to what the performance stats of this 2012 z4sdrive20i 'M' branded car are! Thanks though 👍🏼
 
Your owner’s manual should give you the tech specs of the different variants, but I don’t recall there being an sdrive 2.0is (the ‘s’ normally denoting the sportier version with a little more power).

However, that same N20 engine was used in the 18i, 20i and 28i with power figures of 154, 181 & 241bhp respectively.

Maybe the previous owner remapped it so it’s a second quicker?
 
Ally_Bimmerton777 said:
This is what is confusing me. It isn't badged externally. Just on the inside. It is I am told approximately a second faster than the non M branded ordinary 'sport' model, but I can't actually find any concrete information as to what the performance stats of this 2012 z4sdrive20i 'M' branded car are! Thanks though 👍🏼
Click to expand...

Hi, they never made a “sport” model, the S (in Sdrive) just designates rear wheel drive which every z4 has.
The M-sport model is no faster than the base model, they do have different front & rear bumpers so their is an external difference without a badge being displayed :thumbsup:
Rob
 
isn't the M in non M's cars trim level M-tec? or something like that? My z3 (non M) roady had that crap all over it.

at any rate, OP, congrats on your purchase. very nice car and I love how the roof works.. best of both worlds. :thumbsup:
 
Vanne said:
isn't the M in non M's cars trim level M-tec? or something like that? My z3 (non M) roady had that crap all over it.
Click to expand...

Hi, not heard of M-tech? The M designates M-sport https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z4_(E89) :thumbsup:
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
Vanne said:
isn't the M in non M's cars trim level M-tec? or something like that? My z3 (non M) roady had that crap all over it.
Click to expand...

Hi, not heard of M-tech? The M designates M-sport https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z4_(E89) :thumbsup:
Rob
Click to expand...

I think they used M-Tec or the something like that for the earlier cars like the E30
 
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