Z Series [Official] BMW Z4 (G29)

[dalab]

The choice between a Porsche Boxster and BMW Z4 used to be pretty straightforward – if you wanted a proper sports car you bought the Porsche. Now it’s not so simple because Porsche put a really poor flat-four turbo engine into the car in place of the lovely six-cylinder engine that used to live there.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

Would be interesting to see a test between the Z4 M40 and a M2.

 

[Centurion]

The choice between a Porsche Boxster and BMW Z4 used to be pretty straightforward – if you wanted a proper sports car you bought the Porsche. Now it’s not so simple because Porsche put a really poor flat-four turbo engine into the car in place of the lovely six-cylinder engine that used to live there.

I think Porsche downsized the Boxster is nine with the expectation that BMW will limit the Z4 to 4 cylinder engine. This hasn’t been the outcome and thu the Z4 will embarrass the expensive-to-option Boxster for the next 7 years.

Would be interesting to see a test between the Z4 M40 and a M2.

BMW have done the sensible thing of giving the new M340i and Z4 M40i limited slip differentials. It makes them capable but comfortable M alternatives without wheel spinning and struggling for traction like the M140i that should have had an LSD as standard.

On the other hand, there is no substitute for a proper M car if you want a fully visceral experience.

 

[SCOTT27]

I borrowed a new Z4 not too long ago in San Francisco Red(or should that be Blue? Or if current reports are accurate Brown?

Maybe it's because I am old but I really miss that pushed back to the axle feel and the sitting close to the road. The new one does not have these sadly.
It was the 3.0i four cylinder Z4 M Sport (Still yet to see the non M Sport version) but yeah it was okay, car drove good feels a bit underpowered but I am told the M40i would quench that thirst.

No complaints about the interior although I did prefer the flatter dash boards of the E85 and E89.
I was determined to like it but I didn't really. Maybe it's personal preference getting in the way about these cars but then I did see an E85 in its long bonnet, seats on the rear axle and close to the road goodness.
I felt that looked better and modern than the G29.

 

[martinbo]

I think Porsche downsized the Boxster is nine with the expectation that BMW will limit the Z4 to 4 cylinder engine. This hasn’t been the outcome and thu the Z4 will embarrass the expensive-to-option Boxster for the next 7 years.

It's not the case that Porsche was engineering in anticipation of BMW limiting to 4 cylinders. Porsche had to downsize and turbocharge their mainstream sports car engines in 982 and 991.2 due to emissions regulation compliance.
The mid-engined packaging in 981 is tight to the point that the only feasible location for the turbo setup was in the place of the first pair of cylinders of the NA flat six.

 

[klier]

I think Porsche downsized the Boxster is nine with the expectation that BMW will limit the Z4 to 4 cylinder engine.

It doesn't work that way at all. When company X does something, most of the time company Y has nothing to do with it.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

It doesn't work that way at all. When company X does something, most of the time company Y has nothing to do with it.

Are you claiming Porsche dont care what BMW is doing....?!

 

[hovabongZA]

Are you claiming Porsche dont care what BMW is doing....?!

He’s claiming BMW doesn’t care what Porsche are doing or visa versa.

 

[dalab]

Everyone cares what their direct competition does or does not do, an example of this is that the Z3, the SLK, the TT and the first generation boxer came out at the same time, they are very attentive to these things and decide if to give them importance or not.

As indicated by most, lack of a 6 cylinder is a point in favor of the Z4, it can be a stroke of luck but good business is also based on research, management and projection of the available information.

Without becoming industrial espionage, rumors fly

 

[Sank_ch]

To be fair, I have an app where you can put licence plates on to see specs, and it says 88k. So 100k is a little off. Still crazy for a little two seater, I agree.

Hi Klier, I m not sure to have fully understood your app. It works like the VIN app? you give the licence plate and you have full detail of the car that's correct? does it works with German plates too? I m currious to know the spec of the car M IA 6380! this Z4 was spotted unintentionally last week along the M340I touring near the Nürburgring. And it is strange that a Z4 model, which has been already unveiled, still wears some camo !?

New engine testing:
Z4 Hybrid ?
Z4 M40i power upgrade?
Z4M ?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Are you claiming Porsche dont care what BMW is doing....?!

If there's one manufacturer that doesn't care what anybody else is doing, it's Porsche.

I took my mum's 981cPorsche Boxster out at the weekend and it reminded me just what a proper driver's car feels like. I pity anybody who will go through life not knowing what it feels like to be so connected to a vehicle.

 

[SCOTT27]

Porsche may not care what BMW are doing...But VAG sure as hell does.

 

[klier]

Hi Klier, I m not sure to have fully understood your app. It works like the VIN app? you give the licence plate and you have full detail of the car that's correct? does it works with German plates too?

Hi friend, yes, that basically how it works. You type in the licence plate and it gives you most of the info about the car. Like when built, how much tax, what engine, etc. I do not think it works with plates from other countries, because this one is for the Dutch market only.
Maybe a German forum member could try an app for the German plated test cars.

And it is strange that a Z4 model, which has been already unveiled, still wears some camo !?

Yes, but not unheard of. I've seen this happen with more cars where nothing came out of it, so don't dold your breath...

 

[bmwz4coupe]

If there's one manufacturer that doesn't care what anybody else is doing, it's Porsche.

I took my mum's 981cPorsche Boxster out at the weekend and it reminded me just what a proper driver's car feels like. I pity anybody who will go through life not knowing what it feels like to be so connected to a vehicle.

Of course Porsche also cares what their competitors are doing, this is business!

 

[Sank_ch]

Hi friend, yes, that basically how it works. You type in the licence plate and it gives you most of the info about the car. Like when built, how much tax, what engine, etc. I do not think it works with plates from other countries, because this one is for the Dutch market only.
Maybe a German forum member could try an app for the German plated test cars....

Klier it is a Crazy app! On one side it is a great tool for us to get info on upcoming models. But on the other side what remain of privacy to people? I mean when a friend/family member/customer/supplier visit you, you can check the tax value of his car by typing his plate number!!! that's crazy, how you can easily access to private data in Europe.

Ok I will try to not dold my breath. But hope is alive. I m not mistaken, the european M40i engine which is found in the X3/X4 and Z4 with only 354hp was supposed to get a power bump this august to reach the same power as the engine provided for American market, no?

 

[klier]

Klier it is a Crazy app! On one side it is a great tool for us to get info on upcoming models. But on the other side what remain of privacy to people? I mean when a friend/family member/customer/supplier visit you, you can check the tax value of his car by typing his plate number!!! that's crazy, how you can easily access to private data in Europe.

Ok...

It basically says what engine the car has, and the rest all is public info. You can look up every tax for every car in the public domain.

 

[Matski]

Everyone cares what their direct competition does or does not do, an example of this is that the Z3, the SLK, the TT and the first generation boxer came out at the same time, they are very attentive to these things and decide if to give them importance or not.

As indicated by most, lack of a 6 cylinder is a point in favor of the Z4, it can be a stroke of...

The fact that they were all released around the same time, means they all went into development at about the same time. I suspect the fact these cars hit the road in the mid/late 90s is a reflection of the timescale required to notice and monitor the success of the MX-5, develop a similar model in the premium segment, and get it to market.

 

[klier]

The fact that they were all released around the same time, means they all went into development at about the same time. I suspect the fact these cars hit the road in the mid/late 90s is a reflection of the timescale required to notice and monitor the success of the MX-5, develop a similar model in the premium segment, and get it to market.

The MX5 is a copy of what the Germans (and Brits/Italians) had been doing for decades, and there only is a small hiatus between the Z1 and Z3; something like 3 years only without a Roadster in BMW's portfolio since 1990.
And going by Wikipedia the Z1 and Miata came out in the same year. So BMW didn't really follow anyone but themselves.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Of course Porsche also cares what their competitors are doing, this is business!

You're taking everything too literally. Of course Porsche take an interest in their competitors, but I don't think they change their plans one iota. They lead and the others follow.

Even with the 4-cylinder turbo engines, once you've driven the Boxster, you don't want to drive anything else.

 

[SCOTT27]

The MX5 is a copy of what the Germans (and Brits/Italians) had been doing for decades, and there only is a small hiatus between the Z1 and Z3; something like 3 years only without a Roadster in BMW's portfolio since 1990.
And going by Wikipedia the Z1 and Miata came out in the same year. So BMW didn't really follow anyone but themselves.

It certainly is a sign of the times. I remember the launch of the MX-5 in the USA was absolutely crazy. It tapped into that market and sun conscious California that it became a mega hit.
A Roadster revival was on leading to Porsche, Audi and Mercedes-Benz revealing the Boxster, TT and SLK as Concept Cars to test the market.

Mercedes released two variants one at conceptual phase and another close to production phase. We were in a Roadster revival. Spartanburg was the home for the new BMW Z3 which even in its 1.9 format commanded waiting lists around the globe for over a year, some approaching two. In fact the premium manufacturers did enjoy that luxury by being products that were in serious global demand.

A sign of progress and then the bottom fell out the market.
Had the market continue to grow then certainly we would see more of these cars surviving and growing in other segments.
If you remember the reports and conceptual evidence of the Mercedes SLA,BMW Z2 , a baby Boxster and VWs Sport Roadster which would have sired models for Audi and SEAT when it was the "Spanish" Alfa Romeo.

One of my key issues about the G29 is that it's more generic and forgoes the Typical BMW Roadster ethos. To me the Z4 looks more Z2.