Z4M Is Inevitable

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by angryBitz

I hear a lot of comparison between M cars and non-M cars, such as the Z4M vs 335is where the only consideration is power. There is a lot more than power that goes into an M car. Any Honda Civic on the street can add an extra 100hp with some bolt-ons. What makes an M car so expensive is the amount of refinement and balance that goes into the combination of engine-power to weight ratio to break-caliper-size to suspension to weight 50/50 distribution, plus wider wheel base and styling, etc.

If I only cared about horsepower, I'd go buy some POS American car that can't corner its way out of a parking lot.

I agree with you in principle, but having the advantage of being somewhat mechanically inclined, may I suggest that apart from the obvious (engine) there is very little difference between an ///M Z4 (e85/86) and its plain vanilla counterpart.

There's a few wrecking yards around that specialize in BMWs. Study and compare the various suspension components and you'll be amazed how little difference there is. Only one or two suspension components are significantly differ and don't account for a huge markup.

The first of course are the brakes which are cross drilled and have slightly better calipers - regardless they're not that fancy. The rack, which from a performance perspective is a improvement. The irony is the simple hydraulic ///M rack production cost is less expensive than the far more complicated "Electric Power Steering with Servotronic power assist". Another is the LSD. The rear suspension members have a few pieces that are more robust to take the play out. That's about it, which is a strong statement about how well balanced the Z4 is.

IMO the main difference in price are the lower production numbers and marketing hype.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Now there is a great idea carbon/removable hard top as an option BMW can offer a "Garage Ceiling Storage Device for the Roof"

Now there is something someone working for BMW can talk to his Boss about

PS. A friend of mine in Germany has increased his Z8 to nearly 490 PS ... just saying

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

You are correct. "Regular" cars are so powerful and handle so well these days that M cars are pushed into supercar territory with all the social stigma and mileage/emission issues that ensues. We didn't use to care about such things in the U.S. (a big market for M cars) but that is changing.

BMW is investing heavily in fuel efficient and alternative fuel/electric cars. It'll be interesting to find out what the M division will do. Focus on handling/body kits instead of engines perhaps?

Just stick the 35d unit in it; with all that torque, they could ditch the gearbox and make way for handy storage space!

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Won't happen, for three reasons:

- - The Z4 has gone upmarket and is targeted at a much older audience.

On the Bimmerfest Forum there was a thread about age. The age for e89 owners ranged from 25-70, with the average being about 45. That was based on about 20 people who responded.

That has to be about the same average age as a non M 3, 5 or X6 owner. If it is older, then it can't be by much.

If M owners are younger than non M owners, then why would the average age of a non M e89 owner scare BMW away from offering an e89 M?

An e89 M would be targeted at the lower age group e89 buyers, 25-45 years old.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

On the Bimmerfest Forum there was a thread about age. The age for e89 owners ranged from 25-70, with the average being about 45. That was based on about 20 people who responded.

That has to be about the same average age as a non M 3, 5 or X6 owner. If it is older, then it can't be by much.

If M owners are younger than non M owners, then why would the average age of a non M e89 owner scare BMW away from offering an e89 M?

An e89 M would be targeted at the lower age group e89 buyers, 25-45 years old.

Interesting - just what is BMWs age demographic? 18 - 25 yrs?

[djinferno]

if you make it, people will buy it, same way they scooped up the z8! After all, people buy Aston martins...


I just hope it has the v8

[shambolic]

Im 37 and have an E89 bought it when I was 36 in February (not too old am I)

[mcbeee]

Originally Posted by shambolic

Im 37 and have an E89 bought it when I was 36 in February (not too old am I)

I'm surprised they let you buy one at such an early age.......I got mine at 54

Then tuned it to go quicker....

BMW knows that the mass of people out there don't make enough to buy lots of M cars, in the current world economy, if I was BMW I would change focus for a couple of years then bring back some awesome M's as the economy turns back up.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

An e89 M would be targeted at the lower age group e89 buyers, 25-45 years old.

No, it wouldn't. These are toy cars - expensive cars primarily used for sunny-day/weekend drives, and that target demographic is mid-40s-60s with an annual household income of +$100k (I've seen the marketing materials). You simply won't find a large audience of young buyers (under 40) in that income bracket.

[Wraith.]

Originally Posted by epbrown

No, it wouldn't. These are toy cars - expensive cars primarily used for sunny-day/weekend drives, and that target demographic is mid-40s-60s with an annual household income of +$100k (I've seen the marketing materials). You simply won't find a large audience of young buyers (under 40) in that income bracket.

I feel like a statistic...

[mcbeee]

Originally Posted by Wraith.

I feel like a statistic...

I'm no. 146510 with my M3 and no. 577896 with the Z4


very few young people buy new ones, they leave the expensive ones to the old farts with dreams of immortality and too much spare cash...

[Alext]

I was reading a 1M review and it mentions that the 1M will have larger turbochargers fitted to the N54 engine. Some like me believed that it will have the same tune as the Z4 35is at around 340hp, but knowing this new information it could be even more. I wonder if BMW propose to fit a further enhance version, similar to this, of the N54 to the Z4M?

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Wraith.

I feel like a statistic...

If you were really a statistic, then your life would have been a lie...

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by epbrown

No, it wouldn't. These are toy cars - expensive cars primarily used for sunny-day/weekend drives, and that target demographic is mid-40s-60s with an annual household income of +$100k (I've seen the marketing materials). You simply won't find a large audience of young buyers (under 40) in that income bracket.

Damn, If I'd only seen the marketing material first, maybe I would have realized this is just a weekend toy, and I would have purchased a Chevy Malibu for the everyday stuff. Now what do I do?

Is there anyone else using the e89 during the week, or is it just me?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Damn, If I'd only seen the marketing material first, maybe I woild have realized this is just a weekend toy, and I would have purchased a Chevy Malibu for the everyday stuff. Now what do I do?

Is there anyone else using the e89 during the week, or is it just me?

One of my favorite things about America is we all want to be individuals, while hating to be seen as different.

TeagueAMX asked a question about the target demographic and I answered. Doesn't mean this forum's The Village and you're The Prisoner. But don't kid yourself - no matter what, how you use your car, your age, your income, etc. you're still just a statistic - just on a different wedge of the pie chart. Moving to Saskatchewan and daily driving a neon pink Ariel Atom wouldn't change that.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Damn, If I'd only seen the marketing material first, maybe I woild have realized this is just a weekend toy, and I would have purchased a Chevy Malibu for the everyday stuff. Now what do I do?

Is there anyone else using the e89 during the week, or is it just me?

When something makes you feel this good - why wouldn't you drive it every day.
(Damn this rain though)
Have to have the top up again tomorrow...

[T89]

Mine is a daily driven. During the winter as well. I'm probably one of the youngest member on here with an e89.


T

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by epbrown

One of my favorite things about America is we all want to be individuals, while hating to be seen as different.

TeagueAMX asked a question about the target demographic and I answered. Doesn't mean this forum's The Village and you're The Prisoner. But don't kid yourself - no matter what, how you use your car, your age, your income, etc. you're still just a statistic - just on a different wedge of the pie chart. Moving to Saskatchewan and daily driving a neon pink Ariel Atom wouldn't change that.

I thought everyone would have identified my last post as sarcastic, but is seems not.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Interesting - just what is BMWs age demographic? 18 - 25 yrs?

Here is a thread from BMW owners ... age, income, education etc.

Click here

[teagueAMX]

Thanks

[mcbeee]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Damn, If I'd only seen the marketing material first, maybe I woild have realized this is just a weekend toy, and I would have purchased a Chevy Malibu for the everyday stuff. Now what do I do?

I'm getting an old Buick from my dad to drive......my toy will go in the toybox for a while I guess.

[SlammedR8]

Scott....any update on a Z4 ///M ?

I think this would be awesome...