View Full Version : Z4 M Coupe press
I have read a lot of reviews and road tests on the Z4 M Coupe over the last week and it looks set to be an awesome car in the same vain as the Z3 M Coupe, I really can see myself owning one at some point.
I cant help thinking that unlike normal new models of a marque, the Z4MC will not have any detrimental affect on the stature of the Z3MC.
I really think that the Z3MC is a unique timeless design and the new model will only add to its cult classic status.
what does everyone think??
could'nt agree more!
the original will always be the best, no matter who trys to emulate it, even BMW!
although the number of 200 a year i think is only to try and drum up some panic buys and to try and take some sales from the Cayman!
The great thing about the Z4M is that it is an awesome machine straight out of the box, where as the Z3M needs a little (or a lot in some cases) to get it right!
But is that half the fun of ///MC ownership? Me thinks yes!
In a few years for £25k would you take a Z4MC or an M5? i know which one i would have!
But then again a Z3M would look very good sat next to a Z4M (with some proper wheels)!!!!
R1 GOOD
25-05-2006, 10:59 AM
If my local dealer gets enough customer interest they will borrow a car from BMW for a few days for us to try. My missus's Z3MC is totally standard so it'll be interesting to compare them back to back over the same roads.
I think the local Audi dealer has a used 2006 RS4 in just now so I think I'll wander off round there during the Bank Holiday...
Manic
25-05-2006, 01:13 PM
Yes, I have to agree that the Z3MC design appears to be timeless. It appears to have held up far better than the Z3 itself.
Does anyone else think that the Z3MC looks better than the Z4MC, and that the Z4 looks better than the Z3? There is clearly some strange bias there on my part!
maahny
25-05-2006, 01:40 PM
I agree that the z4 looks better than the z3 and z3mc looks than the z4mc in standard guise. I think the wheels let it down. Needs wider, dished rears.
Manic
25-05-2006, 01:54 PM
Yes, definitely needs dished rears! That's sadly missing from the current generation of M cars. :(
I agree too, the Z4 Roadster has more prescence and looks much chunkier on the road than the Z3, but hte Z3M Coupe seems to look better than the Z4M Coupe. The rear width of the Z4 Coupe seems to be less pronounced like it is on the Z3Coupe.
exdos
25-05-2006, 02:42 PM
It seems as though BMW have been eavesdropping on this forum and seeing what it is that all of us looking to improve on our Z3 MC are doing. The Z4 MC sounds as though its being made as a highly focused driving machine rather than a compromised performance car.
I should imagine that I'll buy one in a few years time to keep alongside my Z3 MC 8)
flyingsaucer
25-05-2006, 03:48 PM
Got my deposit on the Z4MC back today for a number of reasons: Inspection II plus front discs and pads! but mainly because it just make sense as a brand new buy. A few years down the line it'll be a perfomarmance bargain :twisted: The stealership should be leaving a brochure on the passenger seat when it's dropped back this evening.
Totally agree with the comments above about the looks not that I'm bias in any way! Driving a standard estoril MC whilst also insured on the good lady's black 2.5 Z4. Looks a bit twee on the driveway but both are a hoot to drive and own for different reasons.
ZZZEMMCO
25-05-2006, 06:08 PM
Reading the road report in Autocar, after a good road run in Portugal and some laps on the Estoril circuit, it seems that same things dont change.Rough surfaces lead to hopping over the bumps , it seems that endless laps on the Nordschleife are not the answer to prepare for driving on our crap UK roads.No Excuse,s for £41K.
exdos
25-05-2006, 06:57 PM
It really should come with fully adjustable suspension and a V8 engine. Perhaps they'll make a later revised model ?
blackzM
26-05-2006, 01:17 AM
I have seen the autocar article. Does anyone else think that BMW have missed the point with the Z4M and are not really putting their heart and soul into this car. For a start the engine is the same one I have and that is in a 4 year old S54! Great innovation no? Maybe releasing the Z4M 2-3years ago would have been a different prospect. And along with the new V8 M3 coming along what are they doing? BMW - The ultimate driving machine - is it? Ask yourself have they made the ultimate driving machine with the new Z4M? Come on BMW, we know and WANT you to do better than this.....
Manic
26-05-2006, 10:03 AM
I have to agree. BMW have missed the plot and are cobbling together an M car from existing parts to help flagging sales. This thing should be a showcase for M superiority (ala M5 and M6).
I don't know if the new V8 can be used. I've read that the engine bay won't accomodate it. Strange because I always thought that a V8 would be more compact that a straight six.
If they do put the V8 in, I think I would be very tempted by the car.
[quote="Manic"]I have to agree. BMW have missed the plot and are cobbling together an M car from existing parts to help flagging sales. [quote]
this is exactly what they did with the Z3 M coupe though!
I like the Z4 M Coupe and I love the S54 engine, I think its was a great idea and I think it will be an aweaome car, esp once Schnitzer wave a wand over it!
Lee
Manic
26-05-2006, 10:31 AM
this is exactly what they did with the Z3 M coupe though!
Lee
Oops! :shock:
Mmmmmmm..... Schnitzer.......
flyingsaucer
26-05-2006, 10:43 AM
Schnitzer or not, it just hasn't got the wow factor that the original MC has got. At risk of going all Kentucky Fried Chicken, it aint got soul! I think a major part of this is those poxy wheels and will have to see a Z4MC that has had some attention before I even consider it. BMW said they were a one and v expensive but why could they have stuck with those gorgeous concept rims?
Manic
26-05-2006, 12:19 PM
BMW said they were a one and v expensive but why could they have stuck with those gorgeous concept rims?
I've only seen pictures of the Z4MC, and not the Z4 Coupe. Aren't the concept rims going to be on the 3.0l coupe?
flyingsaucer
26-05-2006, 01:03 PM
If that was the case then customers would opt for them on the 'M', but having been given the brochure yeserday I'm pretty sure BMW are not putting them into production which is a real shame.
exdos
26-05-2006, 01:27 PM
I don't know if the new V8 can be used. I've read that the engine bay won't accomodate it. Strange because I always thought that a V8 would be more compact that a straight six.
If they do put the V8 in, I think I would be very tempted by the car.
If the V8 won't fit due to lack of vertical height under the bonnet, then BMW should modify the bonnet to incorporate an appropriate bulge to make the V8 fit.
The spiritual, if not the DNA, ancestry of the Z3 MC lies in the Triumph GT6 (I had a MkII version in 1977) and that had a bulge in the bonnet and the GT6 was the muscular sibling of the much weaker Triumph Spitfire. Therefore the spirit if not the DNA of a Z4 MC should allow the modification of the bonnet at least to show those "muscles" beneath the "skin". Already, the Z4 Coupe is probably the closest looking model to the GT6 MkII that's ever been produced, so if the basic design is already plagarised from some 40 years ago, then why stop short? Stick a bulge on the bonnet and lets get a V8 in there :!:
http://www.atspeedimages.com/hmsa_2005/1967_triumph_gt6_dave_turvey_2.jpg
http://autoblog.it/uploads/bmw_z4m_coupe_uff_06.jpg
http://www.philseed.com/images/tr-gt6a.jpg
dick dastardly
26-05-2006, 04:01 PM
I'm in love with it. It's No 1 on my list to replace the Z3MC in a couple of years.
wfarrell
26-05-2006, 04:47 PM
/soapbox on
The Z4MC is a wonderful car, full of BMW DNA; witness the bionic straight-six engine, manual gear box, and classic driver orientated cockpit...
...witness too the hooligan handling, love-it/hate-it styling, and evidence of character...
Be in no doubt -- the Z4M is a future classic, vielen dank Munich !!!
/soapbox off
/soapbox on
The Z4MC is a wonderful car, full of BMW DNA; witness the bionic straight-six engine, manual gear box, and classic driver orientated cockpit...
...witness too the hooligan handling, love-it/hate-it styling, and evidence of character...
Be in no doubt -- the Z4M is a future classic, vielen dank Munich !!!
/soapbox off
agree with this :D
Shunt
26-05-2006, 08:00 PM
Just read Autocars review, I think I will be buying one of these. "From the start this is a car you want to wear"
"BMW wants to shift only 200 of these each year in the UK, so it's not as if the car need pay the slightest heed to mainstream interest."
Soft tops are for Hairdressers bye bye Alpina!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Just read Autocars review, I think I will be buying one of these. "From the start this is a car you want to wear"
"BMW wants to shift only 200 of these each year in the UK, so it's not as if the car need pay the slightest heed to mainstream interest."
Soft tops are for Hairdressers bye bye Alpina!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
I had a sneaking that you might be the 1st on here Steve!
Good one :D
only prob is I am not sure if the are going to do it in estoril even though they have sent me a picture of one :(
you can order it as a special colour! estoril all the way!
i asked my dealer when i test drove the MR!
you can order it as a special colour! estoril all the way!
i asked my dealer when i test drove the MR!
I'm not sure that would be a good choice, that dark blue looks so nice and seems to suit the "flame" surfaces of the Z4. Estoril blue is iconic for being THE late 90s M car colour IMO and I don't think it would look right on the Z4M.
Go for black :lol: :P
you cant see the lines on the Z4 when its black!
pheonix!!!!!
go for white!
you can order it as a special colour! estoril all the way!
i asked my dealer when i test drove the MR!
I'm not sure that would be a good choice, that dark blue looks so nice and seems to suit the "flame" surfaces of the Z4. Estoril blue is iconic for being THE late 90s M car colour IMO and I don't think it would look right on the Z4M.
Go for black :lol: :P
I will scan the pic I have of it in estoril, I have a feeling your opinion may change :wink:
Shunt
27-05-2006, 12:26 PM
The example Autocar had was bronze, didn't look great. I think it'll be interlagos for me:
http://i.pbase.com/v3/04/53804/1/51911838.Z4.jpg
unless Lee's Estoril one changes my mind, although agreed, maybe that is a bit late 90's classic :wink:
just found this for those who don't subscribe:
http://www.autocarmagazine.co.uk/FirstDrive_Summary.asp?RT_ID=220047
or maybe red:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2006/bmw/mcoupe/06mcoupe_9.jpg
http://www.canadiandriver.com/roadtest/06mcoupe.htm
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/67885/bmw_z4_m_coup.html
BMWboy
27-05-2006, 01:21 PM
Black all the way (see this months evo)
Also estoril may not be (or may no longer be) an option as BMW have deleted the colour !! even from the individual range!
estoril is special request only now!
you can have any colour BMW have ever made, they have to ask permission before though!
imola has always been a great colour!!!!!
Shunt
27-05-2006, 02:19 PM
They now have angel eyes:
http://www.vahs.org/bmw/Z40609.jpg
BMWboy
27-05-2006, 06:30 PM
[quote="B3N"]estoril is special request only now!
you can have any colour BMW have ever made, they have to ask permission before though! quote]
apparently not, in Germany yes but BMW UK were having none of it when a friend tried
thats just what the dealer said, cos that was the colour i asked for, thats when he said you could have any colour!
BMWboy
28-05-2006, 01:20 AM
was that when you put your deposit for the z4mc down ben?
The colours might have changed since then.
I know a BMW dearler principle , he said that estoril isnt available, its being phased out (like dakar) by BMW
it was when i test drove the MR, cos he was trying to pin me down and put money on the MC, and i said i would only really be interested in estoril!
almost forgot about dakar! that would look awesome!!
i have seen an X5 06 reg in estoril!
BMWboy
28-05-2006, 12:15 PM
it was when i test drove the MR, cos he was trying to pin me down and put money on the MC, and i said i would only really be interested in estoril!
yeah iv seen 06 cars in estoril to, guess they were ordered before the change
Shunt
28-05-2006, 04:20 PM
Don't think I'll be adding this to the spec. What is wrong with Yanks?
http://jhowton.smugmug.com/photos/71500493-M.jpg
wood should not be in cars!!!
exdos
28-05-2006, 04:41 PM
What is wrong with Yanks?
[/img]
I'll start the list:
1. brash
2. tasteless
3...........
What is wrong with Yanks?
[/img]
I'll start the list:
1. brash
2. tasteless
3...........
FAT :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
BMWboy
28-05-2006, 09:29 PM
wood is for boats
Shunt
29-05-2006, 12:45 PM
That wooden dash is shocking, every time I look at it, it gets worse. That was specced on a Z4M Roadster, what a shame. Anyway back to the yanks:
1. Brash.
2. Tasteless.
3. Fat.
I think that really sums it up.
For more info on the subject, the international best seller:
http://www.iconbooks.co.uk/images/whydob.jpg
Manic
29-05-2006, 01:14 PM
People, people, people. Can we please get back on topic?
Lee, any progress with the scan of the estoril Z4MC?
Shunt
29-05-2006, 01:22 PM
Sorry Manic, I should have started a new thread in "Off Topic".
Come on where is the Estoril MC?
People, people, people. Can we please get back on topic?
Lee, any progress with the scan of the estoril Z4MC?
sorry guys will try and get to a scanner later today
have to go and wax the car as I have got a viewing this evening, not sure what to do now,
1. s54 M coupe
2. Z4 M Coupe
3. Keep her and buy some wheels, AP brakes and long term a big power upgrade
:?
Shunt
29-05-2006, 02:10 PM
Option 2 Lee.
exdos
29-05-2006, 03:01 PM
Lee,
Since the Z4 M Coupe has the same S54 engine as a Z3 MC (albeit producing a few less bhp) the fact remains that it's essentially the same engine. Why pay almost twice as much to have it packaged in a Z4 Coupe bodyshell when you can buy a S54 Z3 MC and which you can sort out with a few handling mods to perform probably at least as well :?: And, IMHO the Z3 MC is more "special"
If you wait a few years BMW might but a different engine in the Z4 MC or alternatively you'll be able to pick up a low-mileage used one for considerably less than new price.
I know the key to all this is patience and being satisfied with what you've got in the meantime. The money you'd save in the meantime would buy you a used Z4 MC in a few years time and then you'd be able to keep both Z3 and Z4 MCs 8) (Eat your heart out Alvin Hall)
People, people, people. Can we please get back on topic?
Lee, any progress with the scan of the estoril Z4MC?
sorry guys will try and get to a scanner later today
have to go and wax the car as I have got a viewing this evening, not sure what to do now,
1. s54 M coupe
2. Z4 M Coupe
3. Keep her and buy some wheels, AP brakes and long term a big power upgrade
:?
Either option 1 or 2 but not 3 :wink:
People, people, people. Can we please get back on topic?
Lee, any progress with the scan of the estoril Z4MC?
sorry guys will try and get to a scanner later today
have to go and wax the car as I have got a viewing this evening, not sure what to do now,
1. s54 M coupe
2. Z4 M Coupe
3. Keep her and buy some wheels, AP brakes and long term a big power upgrade
:?
Either option 1 or 2 but not 3 :wink:
Good to meet you yesterday Kev,
I can see you are hooked on MC's already :D
you reminded me of me when I was looking to buy!
Will give you a shout later
Lee
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