Z Series [Official] E89 BMW Z4

[mike.blueberry]

+1
BBMW's image will be damaged significantly IMO, which will hurt profitability of the BMW brand in the future!!! No one would buy a 150k BMW when the same badge is also shine on the hood of a small Z2...

BMW is still ok compared to Porsche.. producing diesel cayennes, and soon a "Roxster" which is a smaller Cayenne.
Seems like brand image isn't important to these constructors..

Mike

 

[klier]

+1

BMW in general is downscaling it's range, offering cheaper cars and more SUVS on the other hand.
This may be more profitable, but this way BMW's image will be damaged significantly IMO, which will hurt profitability of the BMW brand in the future!!! No one would buy a 150k BMW when the same badge is also shine on the hood of a small Z2...

If I'm not mistaken, BMW holds the rights for MG brand. Why shouldn't this baby roadster be an MG ?????

A joke, or very ignorant. Perfect example is Mercedes; they offer both the retarded A-class and insane things like the SLR/ SL BS.

People said it would hurt BMW if they would make the 1er...."too small and cheap"....lol

 

[Osnabrueck]

The 1er in Europe and the US are two different things. Yes, the A-Klasse doesn't harm Mercedes' domestic image, but if they rolled out the A or B in the US it would be a completely different story.

BMW has done well to not repeat the mistake of 318 in the US. By presenting the 1er as a six cylinder-only vehicle they've retained the image of "expensive for what you get."

I do fear, however, that the X1 may be a bridge too far in the "what we can stomach" category.

The X5 was a vital concession to an exploding market segment. The X3 was a poseur-mobile designed for jerks who couldn't afford an X5... so what does that make the X1? A watered-down X3?

At a point in automotive history where SUVs have become persona non grata, the X1 seems not only out of touch, but also seems like a wholly unnecessary play to squeeze equity out of the BMW franchise.

But I'm going way, way off topic here - Since the Z4 has become more "premium luxury" than "German sport" I see how a Z2 could comfortably slot its way into the BMW range with a straight face.

Thing is - with market conditions the way they are right now, it seems like BMW's product range is running out of oxygen - The bean counters in Munich must be glad that they have yet to go ahead with a supercar/Z8 successor.

 

[///K]

some chops from e46fanatic

 

[south]

The X3 was a poseur-mobile designed for jerks who couldn't afford an X5...

Not true for Europe, we seem to live in different dimensions here.


Best regards, south

 

[EnI]

I do fear, however, that the X1 may be a bridge too far in the "what we can stomach" category.

The X5 was a vital concession to an exploding market segment. The X3 was a poseur-mobile designed for jerks who couldn't afford an X5... so what does that make the X1? A watered-down X3?

Josh, already in a full-US mode.
U should visit Germany a bit often.

I'm sure you're aware of Euro market situation - regarding the X3, and also regarding X1.

And even Americans started to downsize. Although fat asses can be a huge problem - on both sides of Atlantic. Carmakers are not very happy with this trend.

 

[SCOTT27]

Blinged out photoshop nonsense. Not my cup of tea.

Anyway back on Topic . This is afterall the Z4 thread.

BMW TV

Stay tuned for more Z4 design and development material over the holidays on BMW TV.de and BMW WebTv. And more information regarding the Z4 on the eve of it's debut at the Detroit Auto Show in 2009.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

And "BMW eDrive" starting with the next generation of M5 a new function "M:e" which will not only close down cylinders but will also activate the technology that will make BMW M division the more forward thinking and revolutionary performance cars in it's segement.

Sounds like a great idea, but sadly that is a terrible choice of name.

"M.E." also stands for a condition called "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis". The symptoms are fatigue, exhaustion and lethargy. Not something you want associated with a performance car. If this "brand" is chosen it will be a VERY big mistake.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Sounds like a great idea, but sadly that is a terrible choice of name.

"M.E." also stands for a condition called "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis". The symptoms are fatigue, exhaustion and lethargy. Not something you want associated with a performance car. If this "brand" is chosen it will be a VERY big mistake.

LOL. If you're right...then BMW didn't do their homework correctly.

 

[Deutsch]

Not true for Europe, we seem to live in different dimensions here.


Best regards, south

Well said.

Josh, already in a full-US mode.
U should visit Germany a bit often.

I'm sure you're aware of Euro market situation - regarding the X3, and also regarding X1.

And even Americans started to downsize. Although fat asses can be a huge problem - on both sides of Atlantic. Carmakers are not very happy with this trend.

Either you're very sarcastic or very anti-American. I can't tell.

 

[EnI]

Either you're very sarcastic or very anti-American. I can't tell.

Neither.

Josh & US-mode: Josh lived in Germany a while ago - so I expected he is more acquainted with the German & Euro market preference regarding mid & small SAVs / crossovers. Yet I guess he'd already forgotten that.

American buyers are indeed starting to downsize ... starting to buy smaller vehicles as well.

Regarding huge bottoms: they are indeed a problem for all carmakers - since the trends are contradictory: more small cars in demand, while on the other hand there is more & more obese people - who don't fit in the small cars. This is a serious problem. As said - on both sides of Atlantic, and also around the world.

 

[Sunny]

Sounds like a great idea, but sadly that is a terrible choice of name.

Haha, the irony of someone with the handle 'Betty Swollocks' complain about terrible choice of name.

ps. If that is indeed your real name, my sincere apology, I have a twisted mind .

 

[Osnabrueck]

Neither.

Josh & US-mode: Josh lived in Germany a while ago - so I expected he is more acquainted with the German & Euro market preference regarding mid & small SAVs / crossovers. Yet I guess he'd already forgotten that.

American buyers are indeed starting to downsize ... starting to buy smaller vehicles as well.

I think I'm starting to lose it - I've been living in LA for the past 3 years and haven't been back to Germany since.

It's really funny how the exact same product can be viewed as entirely different things to different markets. For instance - the A-Klasse is a completely logical and excellent franchise in Europe, but in the US would be a total disaster.

Dang EnI - you just made me realize... I gotta get outta this place! Turnin' my brains to mush.

 

[rollo]

I think I'm starting to lose it - I've been living in LA for the past 3 years and haven't been back to Germany since.

It's really funny how the exact same product can be viewed as entirely different things to different markets. For instance - the A-Klasse is a completely logical and excellent franchise in Europe, but in the US would be a total disaster.

Dang EnI - you just made me realize... I gotta get outta this place! Turnin' my brains to mush.

Now that better be a joke, no bars on the window you know

 

[Osnabrueck]

Now that better be a joke, no bars on the window you know

^ HA! Mind as well be with this 9 to 5!

 

[Skorzenius]

Re: Official: BMW Z4 MKII

well, it doesn't look awful anymore. i hope it isn't still being made in america..

 

[rollo]

^ HA! Mind as well be with this 9 to 5!

Too funny, I spent a month in Frankfurt one weekend. I suppose it's all about your perspective

 

[Osnabrueck]

Re: Official: BMW Z4 MKII

well, it doesn't look awful anymore. i hope it isn't still being made in america..

If you're talking about the X3, they're still selling in America. Really, the X3 facelift is one of the all-time best facelifts in recent German-car history.

 

[Deutsch]

BMW definitely needs a Z2 roadster/coupe because this E89 Z4 is going to cost a pretty penny with the level of craftsmanship and detail it has. Not to mention technical sophistication.

 

[Zafiro]

BMW definitely needs a Z2 roadster/coupe because this E89 Z4 is going to cost a pretty penny with the level of craftsmanship and detail it has. Not to mention technical sophistication.

Price in Germany compare to SLK:


BMW Z4 sDrive 23i (204 HP) = €35,900
BMW Z4 sDrive 30i (258 HP) = €42,900
BMW Z4 sDrive 35i (306 HP) = €47,450

MB SLK:
350 (305HP) = €46,975
280 (231HP) = €41,860
200K (184HP) = €36,500