random tidbit about next Z4

[nicknaz]

dropped in at end of update about M4 CSL

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1167857

The forthcoming BMW Z sports car will be positioned like BMWi as a book between the BMWi and BMW M.

Not really sure what to make of that.

[VailM3]

I wouldn't read into it at all. Z4 is still at least 2, most likely 3 years out. There has yet to be a single test mule photo. I think the collaboration between BMW and Toyota is taking longer than the two partners anticipated.

[paris1]

So will they continue to sell the E89 till then? Even though sales are down to a trickle!

[Tangent]

Originally Posted by paris1

So will they continue to sell the E89 till then? Even though sales are down to a trickle!

Whaddaya mean? They sold 123 of them in the US in August, that's plenty! More than the 78 they sold in May anyway. I wish I was kidding... That doesn't even really qualify as a trickle considering there are 339 BMW dealerships in the US.

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

[paris1]

Hey, thanks for the useful link!

[Nkc]

So they're gonna slot the forthcoming Z to be a book between i and the ///M? What the hell does that even mean? That just sounds like a regular 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 lol.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Nkc

So they're gonna slot the forthcoming Z to be a book between i and the ///M? What the hell does that even mean? That just sounds like a regular 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 lol.

I guess they are trying to signal it won't be a return to the Z3M / Z4M days

If that's true, that's really too bad. So many other companies are piling into the 2 seater track star game, it would have been cool to see a next gen Z in the mix there.

[Tangent]

It really is a bizarrely ambiguous way to put it though isn't it?

...positioned like BMWi as a book between the BMWi and BMW M

So it's going to be like something that's between itself and M? And what precisely is between the i cars and the M cars? The M cars are fairly easy to define: Ultimate performance versions of the regular models. But how exactly do you define i beyond efficient? Having two wildly different cars - one that's a funky ultra-efficient model and one that's a supercar from the future - makes it a little hard to pinpoint what's between it and anything...

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I guess they are trying to signal it won't be a return to the Z3M / Z4M days

If that's true, that's really too bad. So many other companies are piling into the 2 seater track star game, it would have been cool to see a next gen Z in the mix there.

Its sad but I've given up on current and future BMW's. Just added a Z3 M coupe to the stable and can't be any happier. Alongside the z3 M Roadster and 1M, its the last of what I remember BMW to be. BMW is forcing me to move to Porsche for a modern 2 seater sports car then that is where I'll go. GT4 locked down. Hunting for a clean Z4M Coupe and E39 M5 now to complete my dream collection.

[Frank Costanza]

My interpretation of it is that the next Z will have carbon fiber in it and be sportier in the theme of M cars without any M specific model again.

[PopsnBurbles]

S55 + hybrid + carbon construction? Being a Z car, it should have two seats only with hard top convertible being standard? Of course, it should sound nice too...nothing like the weed whacker sounding M3/M4.

Well, that's what I am hoping for anyway.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Nkc

Its sad but I've given up on current and future BMW's. Just added a Z3 M coupe to the stable and can't be any happier. Alongside the z3 M Roadster and 1M, its the last of what I remember BMW to be. BMW is forcing me to move to Porsche for a modern 2 seater sports car then that is where I'll go. GT4 locked down. Hunting for a clean Z4M Coupe and E39 M5 now to complete my dream collection.

Nice! Love the "clownshoe" Z3M. congrats on securing a GT4 allocation as well. My brother's is coming in Oct. I took a pass since I just bought the F80 earlier this year

Somewhat surprised you didn't go for an aircooled 993 RS or one of the other classic air cooled lightweights, since the older cars seem to be more your thing

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Nice! Love the "clownshoe" Z3M. congrats on securing a GT4 allocation as well. My brother's is coming in Oct. I took a pass since I just bought the F80 earlier this year

Somewhat surprised you didn't go for an aircooled 993 RS or one of the other classic air cooled lightweights, since the older cars seem to be more your thing

First off, I can't afford an aircooled 993 lol. Secondly, I've been a very loyal BMW fan of that era. I honestly know nothing about other brands of that age. The GT4 will be my first Porsche and is my way of testing to waters. If it goes well, I'll move to the GT3 or RS but at those prices, I'd rather fork a bit more over and go a bit more exotic like a 458 which I totally loved driving.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Nkc

First off, I can't afford an aircooled 993 lol. Secondly, I've been a very loyal BMW fan of that era. I honestly know nothing about other brands of that age. The GT4 will be my first Porsche and is my way of testing to waters. If it goes well, I'll move to the GT3 or RS but at those prices, I'd rather fork a bit more over and go a bit more exotic like a 458 which I totally loved driving.

Wow, 993 is costlier than GT4 in HK? Craziness. I guess I haven't checked pricing in the aircooled cars in a while

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Wow, 993 is costlier than GT4 in HK? Craziness. I guess I haven't checked pricing in the aircooled cars in a while

I've actually moved back to Vancouver but any 993 RS would definitely be more expensive than a GT4 regardless of the location. Them aircooled prices are skyrocketing and I have no idea why lol.

[Nkc]

I've re-read the article and what gets me the most is the fact they they're making a x3m and x4m. This means that almost all damn suvs that bmw produces, the m division will touch it, along side the obese m5 and m6 but they don't mention a thing of the z getting any love from M. The smallest, possibly the lightest platform and not a mention of M. Money talks right?

[nicknaz]

SUV profits are huge.. so M SUV profits must have the finance and accounting guys at BMW so excited

[jts1981]

Originally Posted by Nkc

I've re-read the article and what gets me the most is the fact they they're making a x3m and x4m. This means that almost all damn suvs that bmw produces, the m division will touch it, along side the obese m5 and m6 but they don't mention a thing of the z getting any love from M. The smallest, possibly the lightest platform and not a mention of M. Money talks right?

There is an old article floating around about this sort of thing. Supposedly leaked info from the higher ups and/or marketing team suggesting a bump in hp, and M logos is all that you need to make an M.

It's not about driving passion, motorsport, balance and refinement any more. Today it's just another revenue stream.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jts1981

There is an old article floating around about this sort of thing. Supposedly leaked info from the higher ups and/or marketing team suggesting a bump in hp, and M logos is all that you need to make an M.

It's not about driving passion, motorsport, balance and refinement any more. Today it's just another revenue stream.

I couldn't find the article but there was a reference to "core" M models (m3, m5), expanded m line up (x5m x6m etc) and m performance models

So yea, it is totally about expanding to have more revenue and expanding the M sub brand to be able to charge more

I hope that the "core" models get to be even more hardcore and have more $ tech or manufacturing decisions such as unique fender flares for M3 financed by the expanded m line up and m performance models (similar to how porsche pays for niche cars like GT3 with Cayenne profits)

[jts1981]

Nick I think it was was f80 forum, not sure.

I agree with you. We'll just have to cross our fingers and wait and see.

[nicknaz]

found the article

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1120826