Z Series [Official] E89 BMW Z4

[SCOTT27]

Actually the Z4 is a Roadster in the purest form At least inherited by its Pre-fathers at BMW.
The Classic BMW Roadsters DNA is very much found in not only the new Z4 but our previous Z4 , Z8 and Z3. Long front overhang with long bonnet and shortened rear deck and the passenger compartment placed further back to the rear axle and the sitting low to the road seat position are just some features inherited from the classic BMW Roadsters.

Using the name Roadster is not about marketing at BMW. It is what it says it is . TT and SLK Roadster? Just marketing they dont emulate classic Roadster proportions at least in BMW's history.

 

[mike.blueberry]

Actually the Z4 is a Roadster in the purest form At least inherited by its Pre-fathers at BMW.
The Classic BMW Roadsters DNA is very much found in not only the new Z4 but our previous Z4 , Z8 and Z3. Long front overhang with long bonnet and shortened rear deck and the passenger compartment placed further back to the rear axle and the sitting low to the road seat position are just some features inherited from the classic BMW Roadsters.

Using the name Roadster is not about marketing at BMW. It is what it says it is . TT and SLK Roadster? Just marketing they dont emulate classic Roadster proportions at least in BMW's history.

The SLK is not a roadster and the TT is a pointless car.
Roadsters should be low, with a bulging long hood, and with a small rear. So the E89 is what it should be, definitely!

Bad points: The 6-series back increases the classiness of the car but reduces its "roadsterness". Am I right that the high trunk was commended by the folding roof? And number 2: why all the creases..


Mike

 

[EnI]

Ahh ....page 14!, I'm late to this party.

I think it is great.


It looks slightly larger than its predecessor ...I think it's just the photos.

It's about 14cm longer than E85, same WB, 1cm wider, and 1 cm lower. And ... heavier.

 

[Centurion]

Although I love the car there is a little truth in what Raoul has said. No one here can deny that the E89 is more of a boulevard cruiser compared with it's predecessor. Money talks so BMW have made the car more user friendly for people not horny on twisty mountain roads. The Z4 is no longer hard as the S2000 and Boxster. It's slightly more of an all-rounder now.

 

[EnI]

I am extremely curious about the why they put N52 in it instead of N53...

And, I want to know more about these different techniques they use for the direct injection, and why the N64 engine in the X6 is euro4 and the very same engine in the F01 is euro5....??????

Hopefully South drops by........

Edit; btw, this new Z4 really paves the road for a smaller Z2 roadster! They are still thinking about that one aren't they???

That was already answered a few pages ago ... find the answers.

Btw, Z2: still on agenda. No info on the cancellation of the project.

 

[EnI]

Yes. A smaller Z model twin sports car concept a seperate Roadster and Coupe - Four cylinders the limit for petrol and diesel but also Mild or full hybrid option - Think MINI-E and a full electric powered Roadster or Coupe
For some manufacturers the "Illusion" but for BMW , Very much planning for this to become a "Reality".

Is that's the same as the "Project Ying-Yang"? Or is this something different?

My sources mentioned me this project in connection to Z-series though.

 

[mike.blueberry]

Money talks so BMW have made the car more user friendly for people not horny on twisty mountain roads. The Z4 is no longer hard as the S2000 and Boxster. It's slightly more of an all-rounder now.

Well, the owners of Z3s have become older now too, and some have welcome this change
Some may want the Z4 but find that it lacks the standing of the 3 series cabrio, which is true. This was clearly fixed by the E89, since it presents a deliciously luxurious interior, an exterior that is full of standing although at the expense of "roadsterness", and in general just a car that is higher in standing. Of course it's 5000Euros more expensive which makes it dangerously close to the Boxster, and it's much heavier, but much lighter than the 3 series cabrio, which I spent some time in and must say is too heavy to be enjoyed as a sporty car. THe E89 has about the same weight as the E92 coupe, and that's still ok.


It's a very welcome change. I never understood the interior of the E85 and don't get me started on the S2000. Basic ok, but cornflakes toy basic no.


Mike

 

[Mr Robert]

The Z4 is no longer hard as the S2000 and Boxster. It's slightly more of an all-rounder now.

The Z4 was never as hard as the S2000 or the Boxster. I think tests will show that even if it has become a bit heavier it will also have become a better and more involving drive.

 

[Centurion]

The Z4 was never as hard as the S2000 or the Boxster. I think tests will show that even if it has become a bit heavier it will also have become a better and more involving drive.

The E85 did receive multiple complaints here and there about its rough suspension. In comparison tests it was pretty much as good as the Boxster and S2000, Fifth Gear loved it. This new one has much higher hair dresser appeal and will attract the same people who buy the SLK or the sexy TT. It has now distanced itself a bit from the Boxster and S2000.

Even the interior has been glitzed up to look more appealing and sexy.

Now where is my hair gel?

 

[tigera333]

The screen in extremely poorly integrated and ruins the whole upper-dash when opened.

I love the way it's integrated: when it's closed, you don't even notice there's a screen ! It's just perfect compared to the e85 and to all other cars !

The whole interior is very original, sporty and luxuous in the same time.

But since I don't like wood, I can't wait to see all other combinations...

And for the seats, I still don't know if the seats we see are indeed optional sport seats and how does regular seats look...

 

[mike.blueberry]

This new one has much higher hair dresser appeal and will attract the same people who buy the SLK or the sexy TT. It has now distanced itself a bit from the Boxster and S2000.

I know people who think the Boxster is the ultimate hair dresser car. The joke says it has two trunks to store the hair dryers...

Why is the Z4 labelled hair dresser more than the Boxster? First time I hear it. What a shame.. these days it's not even allowed to mix with the elements when driving.

Mike

 

[coolraoul]

Not that you are exaggerating, but i'd rather come to a level to say that your bull$h!tting 'cause it sounds like you're describing some really f'd up car, design wise!

But, it's your opinion and luckily, there aren't many that will agree with you.

I'm not bullshiting. I don't see the point of bashing a car just because it doesn't wear the good brand logo. I just say what I think: nice car, but not a roadster any more, and that is too bad 'cause I love roadsters.

I don't say it's ugly. It looks really nice, but I'm sowehow disappointed. I expected more.
Well in fact, to be perfectly right, I expected less: less metal, less weight, less plastic inside, but more Roadster. More spirit.

I loved the Z3. Truly loved it, despite its crappy drivetrain. The look, the feeling, the smallish interior, the spartan spirit, now that was awesome. The Z4 lost it... This one is even worse, from this particular PoV.
Notice that i don't like the SLK more, The Z4 looks better than the current SLK (which I never managed to like, while I love the first gen).
I also preferred the TT first gen, the new one is also too bulky.

It's a very nice, car, but it doesn't appeal to me. It's a Roadster wannabe, but will end up as a poser car.

To each his own!!

 

[PanterroR]

I'm not bullshiting. I don't see the point of bashing a car just because it doesn't wear the good brand logo.

You didn't bash it because it's a BMW and i didn't say that, i've just said (and still saying) that the comments were like you were describing some fat, ill-proportioned, heavy pig, which is also bloated and embarassing.

That part i strongly disagree with. It might not be a typical "how-Amaury-prefers" roadster, but it also ain't that what you've said.

Again, i think you're the only one saying that, it must be your high criteria...

 

[coolraoul]

Again, i think you're the only one saying that, it must be your high criteria...

Whenever people agree with me, I always feel I must be wrong.
(Oscar Wilde)



To each his own, it sure is a very nice car! Just not my type of cars.

 

[martinbo]

E85 Z4's suspension wasn't a problem - the 1st generation run-flats were primarily responsible for harsh secondary ride quality.

The Z4 is the epitome of the roadster experience, its styling and proportions are vital components to this experience and it's one of motoring's great pleasures. The Z4 is far from being a limp-wristed effort; the E85 is as involving and precise as anyone could ask for. Driven with gusto, top-down, straight-six induction woofle and exhaust bass - the outgoing Z4 delivers a thrilling, macho driving experience that is completely at odds with its hairdresser connotations.

Driving a 3.0 litre Z4 gives a big, fat, Big Bertha of a woody.

 

[SCOTT27]

The Z2 is very much on the schedule and BMW are aiming this car to be in it's most simplist form , Power from only four cylinder engines including a range topping four cylinder twin turbo as mentioned before on the cards but never divulged further.
The Z4 will eventually be offered with this engine later in it's lifetime but for now the only four cylinder being placed in the Z4 is the diesel as found in the BMW 123d , this is expected to be available after launch at the IAA next September . The petrol powered turbo charged engine currently undergoing evaluations in the 1er Coupe is expected to replace the mid level non-turbo charged six cylinder engines as BMW work forward to further increase efficiency without compromise.

As for the Z2 if you think back to the introduction of the Z3 you get the idea and the proportions expected fro the smaller BMW Roadster . Officially considered as the Roadster for the Premium compact class.
Again a Roadster in the classic sense and not seen as a baby Z4 , Z2 will use different ideas but still recognisable as a Z car.
To keep weight down BMW will stick with a simple soft top originally intended for the new Z4 , magnesium engine blocks with welded aluminium front frame will provide chassis engineers with a significant base to begin working on tuning the car to it's optimum requirements.

A Hybrid sportscar for everybody?
Having learned some ideas from the MINI-E Concept there is always a "What If" if it was applied to a BMW ? Although never seen before but BMW have developed electric cars on it's models for some time now and engineers have built for evaluation full hybrid models of the latest cars such as the 7er , 1er Coupe , X1 and X6 .
When Tom Purves suggested an Electric Rolls-Royce he was not just speculating , it has been trialled in both full or mild hybrid.

With the Z2 BMW want to be the first amongst Premium manufacturers with a full hybrid sports car either in Coupe or Roadster form but not as a super expensive concept turned reality but the first identified as a sports car for everybody. When you look at how Toyota caught everyone napping with the Prius and look how such cars from the US domestic manufacturers are still effectively showing Concepts and Pre-production models where Toyota are about to launch the 3rd generation of Prius.

BMW aim to offer something without reverting to the traditional hybrid concept of a sleeker shape to help with aerodynamics and increase efficiency . Such aids used for this purpose will include
BMW's active aeroDYNAMIC technology which also includes special aerodynamic wheel designs.

Of course this project falls under "Efficient Dynamics" as do other ideas such as "Active Hybrid" 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.

 

[Deleted member 25]

There's a place for Z2 but not CS ?

 

[coolraoul]

A diesel Roadster? Mmhh, typical Roadster it is, yes... In a 3- Series cabrio okay, but a Roadster...

This small Z2 however really sounds good. I think I'm gonna like it a lot, if it indeed shares the spirit of the Z3! Exciting news this is, thanks Scott!!

 

[m-power]

There's a place for Z2 but not CS ?

+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 ?????

 

[Mr Robert]

Having learned some ideas from the MINI-E Concept there is always a "What If" if it was applied to a BMW?

That must have been the whole idea from the beginning.