Z Series Premiere: The all new BMW Z4 sDrive35is

[rollo]

Got it Klier, agree with that. Too bad the Boxster gets that knock, because its one hell of a car!

 

[Human]

SEX!

Finally, bye bye Porsche Boxter S. The best driving small Roadster has arrived. And one of the fastest too. I love everything. The agressive bumper treatment, engine specs, interior.....just....

Why is it that Klier finds all the words to say?...well then no need for me to say any more!
DITTO!!!

 

[FC123]

Yes. M pack with power boost and tech upgrades from M. Regular sDrive35i is available for people who want a little less....



A Z4 with high revving NA 4.0 V8 would be another beast altogether, so it's still possible.

BTW, this would be stage two of the tuning for the N54:

Start: 306 hp, 400 Nm. Stage one: 326 hp, 450 Nm. Stage two: 340 hp, 500 Nm. Stage three ??? hp, ??? Nm
The final edition 1er SuperSports/Tii/M1 will feature this exact same engine, I'm sure.

What about the N55 with a single turbo + valvetronic, from the Gran Turismo?

Wonder if they will move to the N55 entirely, and what specs we will see there over time. Does anyone know if the single turbo, has higher boost capability than the small twin turbo setup?

 

[NarutoRamen]

And it does so REALLY well. What are you complaining about? So the boxter triest to be a 911 by having great handling, great feel, and great engine that puts the power down correct. So what's the problem? Sometimes Klier, your BMW mind makes you say some weird and downright dubious stuff.

I can't tell whether you like BMWs because they are sporty, or just because there is a Roundel on the front.

 

[martinbo]

So this is the Z4 that I was un-hoping for. Impressive, muscular torque figures but where's the passion? DCT-only?

I find the blunt, squared off front end to be less elegant than on the standard car. In fact, I'll say that you're either in the market for a Z4 Sdrive35i with standard kit, properly elegant looks and that great balance of convenience, luxury and ample urge or you're actually after a driver's car like the 987 Boxster S. This Z4 with its even more contrived nomenclature is not the Z4M I was hoping for... and, with its 500 Nm overboost figures and M-body kit, I am almost certain that this car signals the death knell for the Z4M with its "paltry-on-paper" 400 Nm, S65 potential masterpiece.

What's interesting to me is that BMW, rightfully, choose not to mark out this car as an M-model and yet, two massive SAVs are deemed as being worthy.

What on Earth is going on at BMW these days?

 

[Mr Robert]

What's interesting to me is that BMW, rightfully, choose not to mark out this car as an M-model and yet, two massive SAVs are deemed as being worthy.

Easier to fool SUV buyers than those looking for a sportscar?

 

[Sayyaaf]

What on Earth is going on at BMW these days?

Massive re structuing I believe

 

[martinbo]

What about the N55 with a single turbo + valvetronic, from the Gran Turismo?

Wonder if they will move to the N55 entirely, and what specs we will see there over time. Does anyone know if the single turbo, has higher boost capability than the small twin turbo setup?

Good question.

I am of the opinion that the N54 will be the easier engine to get more power out of with its twin turbo setup than the single, twin scroll turbo in the N55.

Looking at the two engine's turbos:

N54:

N55:

The single twin-scroll unit doesn't appear to be significantly larger than those on the two turbo'd N54. Hence, I am almost sure that the volumetric flow-rate on the twin turbo'd N54 at high rpm will be superior to that on the N55 which appears to be engineered more with improved response in mind. The N54 will therefore be able to make better power at the top-end simply because the two turbos combined have a higher flow-rate (regardless of boost pressure) than the single turbo. This is how my logic has it in any event...

Of course there are other knowledgeable members who may be able to inform us more eruditely.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Got it Klier, agree with that. Too bad the Boxster gets that knock, because its one hell of a car!

It is. The only people who call it a hairdressers car are those who haven't got a clue what they are talking about.

 

[Centurion]

What's interesting to me is that BMW, rightfully, choose not to mark out this car as an M-model and yet, two massive SAVs are deemed as being worthy.

What on Earth is going on at BMW these days?

Money.

An M badged SUV will sell in volumes 10-20 times more than a Z4-M. It's purely and simply a business decision made at the top. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Porsche sell more of the Cayenne Turbo than the Cayman S. Moreover I do not think that Mercedes generate too much sales from the SLK55 but nontheless has it available because of low marginal costs are it uses the same engines as other Mercs, but like we've seen they have scraped the CLK AMG because the CLS AMG is much more popular.

What ultimately makes cars like the Z4-M and SLK55 a hard sell is higher value performance cars like the M3 and C63 which are frankly more superior in many areas.

 

[klier]

It is. The only people who call it a hairdressers car are those who haven't got a clue what they are talking about.

LOL, and you're going to decide that for me because you happen to own one?
Please! I personally think the Boxter is just that. Ugly looking, ugly interior, great driving dynamics, very old, too slow/weak engine and a wannabe 911 lookalike. And I know exactly what I am talking about.
This 'hairdresser talk' isn't about performance or track capabilities or mid engine layout (making the car look goofy) or anything like that. It's about the feeling I get when I see a Boxter and the person driving it.

It has nothing to do with not having a clue. It's just my personal opinion about that car But I understand you feel offended...

 

[martinbo]

^ Thanks Luw, I guess the subtleties of my rhetorical question wasn't met with universal recognition.

Jokes aside, I certainly recognise the financial motivation behind the strategy - it's just that the message out of Munich is so garbled, inconsistent and niche-obsessed that I don't know what to make of the erstwhile purveyor of Germany's finest sport-oriented mass-production cars.

I mean really, (as an example) metallic finish mirrors? Isn't that an Audi signature feature? Pfff...

 

[martinbo]

klier, I couldn't disagree more.

Betty don't even bother to respond to klier. He's baiting you whilst clearly not having a cooking clue as to how good the Boxster (check spelling please klier) really is.

As this is a thread about the new Z4 sDrive35is - the argy-bargy ends here. Any subsequent, antagonistic posts will be deleted.

 

[john5]

Since I have not driven the sDrive35is I won't venture to compare it to the Boxster. But I will say this, the car does look great and sounds great, I would love to buy one in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the high cost.

Good job by bmw

 

[Centurion]

I mean really, (as an example) metallic finish mirrors? Isn't that an Audi signature feature? Pfff...

Trust me Martin, I'm as suprised as you. BMW have always been resistant in joining new trends such as side indicators on wing mirrors and LED strips on the front bumper. So for them to ape what's widely recognised as Audi's unregistered trademark is baffling. BMW has a rather confusing product strategy these day.

 

[klier]

klier, I couldn't disagree more.

Betty don't even bother to respond to klier. He's baiting you whilst clearly not having a cooking clue as to how good the Boxster (check spelling please klier) really is.

Why is everybody saying that all the time? I know exactly what a Boxter is. I have driven plenty of them, and I agree that it is a great driving roadster. And I admit I was baiting him there, so good antenna there Martin I'll stop now.
As for the spelling....I don't see what I spelled wrong Martin, sorry. I'm still not English.

Trust me Martin, I'm as suprised as you. BMW have always been resistant in joining new trends such as side indicators on wing mirrors and LED strips on the front bumper. So for them to ape what's widely recognised as Audi's unregistered trademark is baffling. BMW has a rather confusing product strategy these day.

BMW moves in mysterious ways
And they don't ape Audi. Audi doesn't have the exclusive use to matt chrome mirrors. It's not like they 'invented' them by any means.
I do agree it's weird and not typical BMW at all.

 

[martinbo]

Thanks klier...

We've known each other for years now - heck you've probably been a member of the pre-GCF community for longer than I have - and I know your modus operandi is in the name of good fun and harmless banter. I just wanted to nip the convo in the bud without having to pull the mod card which I don't like doing with founding members.

The - now take careful note - B o x S t e r is great roadster, as is the new Z4 sDrive35i. They're just following different paths. Clearly, the Boxster is focussed on retaining the tactile delicacy and pinpoint accuracy that it has become known for whilst the E89 Z4 clearly makes a move away from the hardcore nature of the E85 toward broader, more mainstream appeal to wealthier folks.

In my view, this new Z4-with-an-overly-contrived-model-name is an excellent example of the mixed messages coming out of BMW. I'm sorry people (and BMW to a lesser extent) but I get the overwhelming impression of double standards here and a lack of consistency.

If BMW chose to call this a Z4M - I'd be less confused. After all, here's a big power (and even bigger torque) engine that fits in perfectly with the anticipated M direction of forced induction and automated gearboxes as is now apparently acceptable a la X6M. In fact, the Z4M holds truer to the M ethos with just its DCT gearbox and RWD underpinnings alone. Instead, we're shown a model name that I would never have dreamed possible on the X5/6 - let alone a sporty Z4; picture X6 xDrive50iS.

The perception created is that this car isn't worthy of true M-car status (which, traditionally speaking - it isn't) but a four-wheel drive, 2.2 ton, SUV, with a turbo'd V8 and a slushbox is.

It's quite apparent to me that there is no longer any tangible and logical standard that defines an M car from its less desirable stablemates.

BMW is saying: the X6M is worthy of being called an M car but the Z4 sDrive35is isn't. Bonkers.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

klier, I couldn't disagree more.

Betty don't even bother to respond to klier.

Don't worry Martin. I won't. I'm taking the comments in good spirit. I certainly don't worry what other people think of my cars.

What I find hard to understand is why Klier has this bizarre notion that somebody would choose to buy a car at random and then attempt to justify it. Surely somebody would only buy a car if they liked how it drove? Hence, I love my Boxster. Not because I accidently ended up owning one, but because I decided I loved it and then wanted to own it.

It's quite clear that in Klier's case, he automatically loves anything with a BMW badge on it, and then he spends the rest of the time trying to justify it. Unfortunately, with some of BMW's latest models, he's having a hard time justifying anything.

 

[rollo]

That was a great non-response.

 

[south]

Thanks klier...

We've known each other for years now - heck you've probably been a member of the pre-GCF community for longer than I have - and I know your modus operandi is in the name of good fun and harmless banter. I just wanted to nip the convo in the bud without having to pull the mod card which I don't like doing with founding members.

The - now take careful note - B o x S t e r is great roadster, as is the new Z4 sDrive35i. They're just following different paths. Clearly, the Boxster is focussed on retaining the tactile delicacy and pinpoint accuracy that it has become known for whilst the E89 Z4 clearly makes a move away from the hardcore nature of the E85 toward broader, more mainstream appeal to wealthier folks.

In my view, this new Z4-with-an-overly-contrived-model-name is an excellent example of the mixed messages coming out of BMW. I'm sorry people (and BMW to a lesser extent) but I get the overwhelming impression of double standards here and a lack of consistency.

If BMW chose to call this a Z4M - I'd be less confused. After all, here's a big power (and even bigger torque) engine that fits in perfectly with the anticipated M direction of forced induction and automated gearboxes as is now apparently acceptable a la X6M. In fact, the Z4M holds truer to the M ethos with just its DCT gearbox and RWD underpinnings alone. Instead, we're shown a model name that I would never have dreamed possible on the X5/6 - let alone a sporty Z4; picture X6 xDrive50iS.

The perception created is that this car isn't worthy of true M-car status (which, traditionally speaking - it isn't) but a four-wheel drive, 2.2 ton, SUV, with a turbo'd V8 and a slushbox is.

It's quite apparent to me that there is no longer any tangible and logical standard that defines an M car from its less desirable stablemates.

BMW is saying: the X6M is worthy of being called an M car but the Z4 sDrive35is isn't. Bonkers.

Martin,

maybe this is just marketing on BMW's side, but it makes sense to me nonetheless:
///M cars differentiate themselves from the lesser models by extensive work done to engine, chassis and other components. So the ///M formula contains of some basic ingredients which virtually never change: An unique bodykit, an unique engine, an unique suspension and/or brakes and an LSD. The X6M has all of this (see DPC as a better LSD), the Z4 35is none. I see your point of the Z4 being way more sporty and agile than the X models, but that doesn't make it an ///M, at least not in my opinion.


Best regards,
south