Z Series BMW Z4M Still Under Consideration

[EMpower]

BMW Z4M Still Under Consideration

BMW Z4M Still Under Consideration

By Alistair Weaver, European Correspondent | Published Oct 24, 2011

Just the Facts:
•BMW M is still trying to make the business case for a Z4M.
•M remains committed to the X5 M and X6 M.

MUNICH, Germany — BMW M is working on a proposal to develop a Z4M. "There are days when it hurts not to have one, but there was no compelling business case at the time when the decision was taken," Albert Biermann, head of product development told Inside Line. "We are trying to make a case but there are so many factors to consider."

The absence of a Z4M is made more surprising by BMW's decision to develop a customer racecar based on the roadster. BMW's head of motorsport, Jens Marquardt, recently declared his desire to introduce the Z4 GTS racer in the US. The presence of the GTS on the racetrack would only serve to highlight the absence of a road-going equivalent.

While the Z4M is still "possible," M remains committed to the X5 M and X6 M.

"There is no strong competition and they've made good money, even during the economic crisis," said Biermann. "The torsional rigidity of today's X5 is 28,000Nm/degree, while the old E30 M3 measured 23,000, so it's a good base for an M car."

Inside Line says: An M version is surely what the Z4 needs to boost its image.

 

[chonkoa]

I guess Z4 is not sporty enough to wear the "M" badge hence the long deliberation, but the SUV make absolute sense: what a croc of nonsense.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

I think the reason why the Z4 currently doesn't qualify as a candidate for the M upgrade is because it isn't a 4-seater.
Amazing that for a brand as focused on performance and chassis dynamics, all their vehicles can seat 4 adults (with the except of the uber limited-edition M3 GTS).

For what value it has, Eni has hinted that a new Z4M is coming, and will arrive towards the end of the Z4's life cycle just as the previous Z4M did. We know the X3M will feature the same donor-engine as the upcoming M3/4, and he also hinted it'll find its way into the upcoming Z4M. Believe what you will.

Simple question I have is, IF it is true, why the long wait? What's the reasoning for holding back on an M variant until the model's final years?.. is it marketing or engineering related? I can't think of any strong reason to wait so long.

 

[EnI]

I've read since the E89 features tin roof there are some engineering issues - Z4M needs an extra cross-bar for better rigidity, and with the tin roof there's not enough space there for the conventional solution. The modifications for special solution would be quite costly, and the only "cheap" solution is to put a fixed roof on Z4M - make it a coupe. But then with such move they shrink the customer pool too much.

They can modify the Z4 roadster, but I assume the costs are to high to make it a business case. And BMW have made it very clear: no cars that make no money!

Mind roadster market is still extremely weak, therefore it's not a surprise BMW are hesitating to develop Z4M. Especially on this "old" platform.

And then there's the engine. It has to be developed first for other M models (M3 etc), so the potential Z4M can use it ... I can't imagine Z4M using the engine from 1M.

IMO 1er M Convertible is much more feasible option than Z4M roadster.
The chassis is developed, so is the engine (for the 1M coupe), etc ... The production of 1M Coupe stops shortly, and don't be surprised if 1M Cabrio is offered instead.

 

[Levi68]

I'd much rather see a Z4 GTS with the NA 4.4l V8.

 

[Zafiro]

Z4 Roadster is too heavy. They should make Z4 Coupé with fixed roof instead. Stiffer and lighter body.

 

[Mr Robert]

Fixed roof should fix everything. A car like this should not be convertible, anyway.

Regarding the torisional rigidity, I wonder if the fact that the X5 is twice as heavy has anything to do with it needing to be some 20 percent more rigid than the E30 M3?

 

[klier]

IMO 1er M Convertible is much more feasible option than Z4M roadster.
The chassis is developed, so is the engine (for the 1M coupe), etc ... The production of 1M Coupe stops shortly, and don't be surprised if 1M Cabrio is offered instead.

Yes but you are not an engineer. You don't know how much modifications are needed for an 1M cabrio. Might as well be as extensive as Z4 coupe/M,.
And that engine already is in the Z4. Before it was in the 1er.

And I will be extremely surprised if they offer an 1M cabrio this generation. So surprised I don't see that happen at all. After the end of the coupe production you say? Which was already limited to begin with??
No way.

Z4 Roadster is too heavy. They should make Z4 Coupé with fixed roof instead. Stiffer and lighter body.

Just look at that 99d Z4 coupe E89 by AC Schnitzer. It has a fixed roof, and the car instantly looses 230 kg. 230 (!!!).....but you roughly pay €1000 per kilo lost

 

[Beemer B773ER]

I've read since the E89 features tin roof there are some engineering issues - Z4M needs an extra cross-bar for better rigidity, and with the tin roof there's not enough space there for the conventional solution. The modifications for special solution would be quite costly, and the only "cheap" solution is to put a fixed roof on Z4M - make it a coupe. But then with such move they shrink the customer pool too much.

All that pretty much tells me the Z4 wasn't originally designed/engineered with an M-version in mind, which is not only strange (since the previous Z4 had the same mistake of an after-though M version), ..but it's also quite disappointing that they never really planned to create a sporty M version of the one car in BMW's line-up that could best match M's goal of developing a thrilling driver's car. The fact that the Z4 is a roadster makes it a driver's car by definition.

 

[Levi68]

Z4 M Coupe: 4.275 Units

Unfortunately there is no business case for the any Z4 M Coupé if to see that it sold less than 5.000 units. However I do see a business case.
At the the coming of the Z4 E89 LCI, M should introduce a Z4 M E89. It only come with a fixed CF roof, just as the M3 Coupé and M6 Coupé. The M3 Coupé will be yet be in production and will race in DTM and GT, so they can just use the S65 off the shelf and as for the 1M use parts from the M3 bin. When the M3 E92/93 stops production, the Z4 M should continue selling just because of the engine (last NA M engine) and still best BMW performance.

 

[Cashmere]

just.build.it

[video=youtube;arFgcfYb66M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=arFgcfYb66M[/media]

 

[Levi68]

Awesome vid. It hadn't seen it before.

 

[Guibo]

I wonder how much harder it would be for BMW to build a fixed-roof Z4M than it was for Mercedes to create SLK55 AMG Black Series (also fixed-roof conversion from a folding hardtop). Surely BMW can find more than the ~100 customers that MB sought (probably for exclusivity purposes) so price won't be as much an issue as it was for the BS.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I'll believe it when I see it. BMW seems to be all talk as of late.

 

[Cashmere]

 

[Levi68]

I'd like a street version keeping the same transaxle gearbox layout with the NA V8.

 

[vedjo01]

Z4 with 4.0 N/A V8 under the hood..hmm,it gives me a goosebumps just thinking about it

 

[klier]

....and with a fixed CF roof....oh yeah....