Z4M Is Inevitable

[SCOTT26]

A Z4M is inevitable - The 1M dies by 2012 as does the M3 by mid 2012.
The M5 will be available as it joins the X5M and X6M with the M6 Coupe coming later in 2012. This leaves nothing for the compact-medium segment for M Division. The same problem when the previous car was introduced , the M3 was just about dead and nothing to support the larger M5 and M6 models.

That is why the talking about a Z4M is getting louder again.
It wont be a V8 though - That engine dies with the M3.
Discussion lies with the idea of recooperating short-term development investment with the powerplant devised for the 1M Coupe.
This will help BMW recover development costs of the short-term units of the 1M Coupe.

[Bimmer Nerd]

I got a feeling it will look DOPPPE

[Silver-Bolt]

I can't see many people lining up to drop $80k + on a Z4M. The 1M is rumored to be 350hp meaning it would only be 15hp more than an "is". Doesn't seem logical to me.

[SlammedM6]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

A Z4M is inevitable - The 1M dies by 2012 as does the M3 by mid 2012.
The M5 will be available as it joins the X5M and X6M with the M6 Coupe coming later in 2012. This leaves nothing for the compact-medium segment for M Division. The same problem when the previous car was introduced , the M3 was just about dead and nothing to support the larger M5 and M6 models.

That is why the talking about a Z4M is getting louder again.
It wont be a V8 though - That engine dies with the M3.
Discussion lies with the idea of recooperating short-term development investment with the powerplant devised for the 1M Coupe.
This will help BMW recover development costs of the short-term units of the 1M Coupe.

Wheres Alpine325ci ?

Get to work my man....

[Vintage]

if no NA V8 then not interested - just keep making that awesome V8 please and cram it in the Z baby

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

A Z4M is inevitable - The 1M dies by 2012 as does the M3 by mid 2012.
The M5 will be available as it joins the X5M and X6M with the M6 Coupe coming later in 2012. This leaves nothing for the compact-medium segment for M Division. The same problem when the previous car was introduced , the M3 was just about dead and nothing to support the larger M5 and M6 models.

That is why the talking about a Z4M is getting louder again.
It wont be a V8 though - That engine dies with the M3.
Discussion lies with the idea of recooperating short-term development investment with the powerplant devised for the 1M Coupe.
This will help BMW recover development costs of the short-term units of the 1M Coupe.

How dare you speaking about "the M3 dies" the M3 will never die my friend

[T89]

I knew it! I'm sure it'll have extra power to distinguish itself form the iS otherwise there won't be much point.


T

[esqu1re]

Put the V8 in there!!!! N54 with only 350 hp is unacceptably low for a car of the predicted price. Thus, we need at least 400 hp---and why bother with developing the N54 with 400 hp when you can almost just as easily put the m3's v8 in there?! Waaaah.

[flat_out]

NAATW - N/A all the way, that's what a real M should be, so if its not a v8 then i'm not interested.

[cdeslandes]

Won't happen, for three reasons:

- The Z4 is the lowest-selling BMW with the exception of the outgoing 6-series.
- Why spend all that money developing the 35is then make an //M version that'd make it redundant?
- The Z4 has gone upmarket and is targeted at a much older audience.

[the infamous...]

GREAT news!!!

[T89]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Won't happen, for three reasons:

- The Z4 is the lowest-selling BMW with the exception of the outgoing 6-series.
- Why spend all that money developing the 35is then make an //M version that'd make it redundant?
- The Z4 has gone upmarket and is targeted at a much older audience.

I do agree with your points. However Scott26 works for Bmw. Information he gives out is pretty much spot on. I guess we'll have to wait and see.


T

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Won't happen, for three reasons:

- The Z4 is the lowest-selling BMW with the exception of the outgoing 6-series.
- Why spend all that money developing the 35is then make an //M version that'd make it redundant?
- The Z4 has gone upmarket and is targeted at a much older audience.

Completely agree. They'll have to charge more for a Z4M than the 35is and who is the target market for that car? I don't see a business case by BMW for a Z4M.

[esqu1re]

Originally Posted by gblansten

Completely agree. They'll have to charge more for a Z4M than the 35is and who is the target market for that car? I don't see a business case by BMW for a Z4M.

I agree that the z4m will be prohibitively expensive, but they did find room for a 335is, which came after the M3. Perhaps they are thinking that an M version is worthwhile as well. $70k for a 400+ hp hardtop convertible to take on the likes of the SL550 / 63AMG?

[stevehifi]

I had the last gen Z4M Coupe and it was a great car but never sold well and in great quantity. But what a nice combo (NA I-6+lightweight body) it was.

I personally feel that after the last high rev NA M car goes away (current M3) the raw engine magic will forever be lost with all these new lame turbo I6, V8 models.

All we'll have left is bloated, heavy M luxury cars. M is now for marketing.

[lasovan]

look at the mpg and CO2 g/km numbers of the current M3's hi-revving v8 and that's why it's not gonna be used in any future BMWs. turbo+direct injection is the trend now...

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

How dare you speaking about "the M3 dies" the M3 will never die my friend

The E9x M3 will, the M3 in general of course won't.

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Won't happen, for three reasons:

- The Z4 is the lowest-selling BMW with the exception of the outgoing 6-series.
- Why spend all that money developing the 35is then make an //M version that'd make it redundant?
- The Z4 has gone upmarket and is targeted at a much older audience.

If I understand SCOTT's input correctly, it's all about having a 'small' M car on offer. It was pretty much the same with the last Z4 M which came out when the E46 M3 was discontinued. Yet I believe this when I see it.


Best regards,
south

[esqu1re]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

I had the last gen Z4M Coupe and it was a great car but never sold well and in great quantity. But what a nice combo (NA I-6+lightweight body) it was.

I personally feel that after the last high rev NA M car goes away (current M3) the raw engine magic will forever be lost with all these new lame turbo I6, V8 models.

All we'll have left is bloated, heavy M luxury cars. M is now for marketing.

I feel the same way, sortof. But, one day, we'll long for these turbo gasoline engines when BMW, including M has gone to hybrid, or an alternative source of energy.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by lasovan

look at the mpg and CO2 g/km numbers of the current M3's hi-revving v8 and that's why it's not gonna be used in any future BMWs. turbo+direct injection is the trend now...

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?

[Lastcombo]

Believe me the guys in Munchen wouldn't change something with out a reason,off the topic BMW announced today,in Germany that the Vision Efficient Dynamics is going in to production in 2012 only without a electric engine,a hybrid version is also available then,but i see nothing on the bimmerpost on that presss release today, here in Holland it is big news

[Silver-Bolt]

Originally Posted by esqu1re

I agree that the z4m will be prohibitively expensive, but they did find room for a 335is, which came after the M3. Perhaps they are thinking that an M version is worthwhile as well. $70k for a 400+ hp hardtop convertible to take on the likes of the SL550 / 63AMG?

The 335is is also at least $10k less than the Z4 35is. Easier to slot it below the M and above the 335i. No real room with the Z as it's already priced in the M3 range. Love to see it happen but I have many doubts.

[Alext]

Fanastic. I knew one was on the cards. If nothing better is out by 2012 and the Z4M is as good as I hope it will be they will have my interest! I haven't even got my 35is yet and I am excited!

BTW I don't think BMW didn't spend much developing the Z4 35is relatively speaking.

I agree with the V8 comments - it hope it has the NA V8.