[supra93]

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M division chief says a hotter Z4 is unlikely.

While Toyota remains tight-lipped about its forthcoming Supra coupe, BMW has been far more forthright about its roadster, which will share mechanical underpinnings with the Toyota. We’ve driven a prototype version of the 2020 BMW Z4 roadster and reported positive early impressions of the turbocharged six-cylinder M40i version.

But while our natural instinct is always to hope for more performance and a sharper dynamic focus, it looks as if the M40i that we drove will be the top of the hierarchy. BMW M division boss Frank van Meel said the business case to produce a full-on M variant as a successor to the former Z4 M roadster and coupe is likely too marginal to justify the investment.

“Let me put it this way: I think the M40i is the perfect positioning regarding performance of that car,” he said at a media event in Spain. “It’s quite close to the M2, so we’re really happy with the overall concept of that car being an M40i. If you would go any higher, it would be very, very narrow in customer groups.”

His statement, although not a formal denial of a faster version, does seem pretty close to a negative. Of course, if Toyota were to choose to create a higher-performance version of the Supra coupe, which we know will use the same BMW 3.0-liter engine, then corporate honor might oblige BMW to try to keep up. So let’s hope that happens.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a-...ld-your-breath

[TK421BMW]

I guess we'll need to wait and see what Dinan and others can coax out of the m40. With the new Z4m40 at 386ish(?), if Dinan can get another 30-40hp out of it, that should move pretty well. With it being less $$ than a true M, that might make most folks content. Though considering the Boxter S is 350hp from a 4 banger, I don't see why they couldn't have done a little better.

[Nomana]

Originally Posted by TK421BMW

I guess we'll need to wait and see what Dinan and others can coax out of the m40. With the new Z4m40 at 386ish(?), if Dinan can get another 30-40hp out of it, that should move pretty well. With it being less $$ than a true M, that might make most folks content. Though considering the Boxter S is 350hp from a 4 banger, I don't see why they couldn't have done a little better.

I guess people want the true M badge on it. Lol

[Lt1camaro]

Originally Posted by Nomana

I guess people want the true M badge on it. Lol

These new M40 models are pretty darn good too though!

[Nomana]

Originally Posted by Lt1camaro

These new M40 models are pretty darn good too though!

That's true

[AmmarYasirA]

WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED.

We can throw an M badge on a gigantic X5 (I have no qualms with the X5M before you guys crucify me), BUT WE CANT HAVE A M Z4???

K.

I guess I'll just keep living in 2006.

Im also well aware that a Z4 M(whatever number) is gonna be great, but it'd be nice to have a proper M Z4 again.

[SoCali E36]

I'm sorry but this is bullsheet. They're ok with an imposter M performance model but no M car?

[Red Bread]

Meaningless news. They've said exactly this before the E36/7/8 the E85/E86 and the E89. So even if they really don't make a new one, they're still lying half of the time. And maybe 75% of the time.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Lt1camaro

These new M40 models are pretty darn good too though!

They're as good as the base models used to be...

Aka, they're now a marketing exercise. I know because I had one, and it was my least favorite BMW ever. Pushed me into a Porsche...so, if this is the strategy, I guess it's working.

[Red Bread]

I know the Supra is getting an LSD, did I miss the news that the Z4 is too? Or will it still be a one wheel drive mess?

[DrivenByE30]

That guy sounds like a cock blocker party poopers ..

Either that or he has no spine standing up to the loisy been counters....

An MZ4 Manual would sell by the dozen ....

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by TK421BMW

I guess we'll need to wait and see what Dinan and others can coax out of the m40. With the new Z4m40 at 386ish(?), if Dinan can get another 30-40hp out of it, that should move pretty well. With it being less $$ than a true M, that might make most folks content. Though considering the Boxter S is 350hp from a 4 banger, I don't see why they couldn't have done a little better.

Errr people here don't actually pretend that Dinan is still relevant right?

I mean.. you know people already tune these motors and yes they get 420-430rwhp out of them..

However, it's only going to be putting out all of 350crank, not 386..

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

That guy sounds like a cock blocker party poopers ..

Either that or he has no spine standing up to the loisy been counters....

An MZ4 Manual would sell by the dozen ....

Ya that's exactly why they won't make them, they'd only sell a few dozen

[duky]

How does Porsche make money from its arsenal of Boxster model variants then? Maybe BMW just thinks they can’t command the same premium, which is fair but I don’t see why a proper Z4M priced between M2 and M4 wouldn’t sell.

[cbertels]

Originally Posted by AmmarYasirA

WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED.

We can throw an M badge on a gigantic X5 (I have no qualms with the X5M before you guys crucify me), BUT WE CANT HAVE A M Z4???

K.

I guess I'll just keep living in 2006.

Im also well aware that a Z4 M(whatever number) is gonna be great, but it'd be nice to have a proper M Z4 again.

I'm with you. X6M? Sure. Proper M roadster? No can do. : :

[wdeerfield]

whoever thinks this optioned out will be less than an m4 is dreaming. BMW cant wait to have something to compete with the 718 and then option the heck out of it. Starting price on the z4 m40i will easily be in the 60-70 range and then add options you are talking 75-85. Then comes all the special editions with mperformance parts and its closer to 90 now. Add in individual paint and leathers and youve got a 100k roadster.

[hellrotm]

Toyota will build GRMN version of Supra, there is your M version.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Meaningless news. They've said exactly this before the E36/7/8 the E85/E86 and the E89. So even if they really don't make a new one, they're still lying half of the time. And maybe 75% of the time.

I don't ever recall them saying "M isn't likely" on the E36/7/8 and the E85/6. I think when the E36/7 came out it was implied that an M model with the S52 would likely follow. And the E36/8 models were introduced WITH a Z3 M Coupe in conjunction with the 3.0i Coupe.

On the E85 for SURE that an M model was implied as soon as the Z4 came out in 2003. The only question that remained was wether or not it would be like the Z3 M where the newer M3 engines would be slotted for the Z4 M once the E9x M3 production ramped up. BMW was vague and ambivalent about that, using terms like "unlikely" rather than "no way in hell." I held out hope that they would drop the V8 S65 in the Z4 M when I placed an order in 2006 for mine, assuming that the 2008 and later Z4 M would be the V8 (hence I signed a short term lease).

In fact, the Z3 and first gen Z4 followed the M script to a tee. Z3 was introduced in 1996 (remember Golden Eye?) as a 1997 model, and sure enough, 2 years later a Z3 M was introduced in 1999. Z4 was introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model, and 2.5 short years later, the Z4 M Roadster was available as a 2006 model year car. Same formula as the E46 M3 and E9x M3 (2-2.5 years after their respective 3 series chassis was introduced).

I had a '97 Z3 1.9L and still have my '06 MZ4 Coupe, and my recollection about BMW's M plans for their first 2 generation roadsters were very different from yours.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

whoever thinks this optioned out will be less than an m4 is dreaming.

THIS.

It's pretty simple fellas. BMW follows a pretty strict formula. Don't let your secondary offerings cannibalize the sales of your bread and butter.

This was apparent in their pricing strategy for the E85/6 Z4 M. The roadster at $62K was more than $7,000 higher than the E46 M3 convertible. The Z4 M Coupe was about $4,000 more than the base E46 M3 Coupe. When in reality the Z4 Ms should be priced BELOW the E46 M3, but at that point, you start eating into the sales of the M3. They (BMW) ultimately had to throw about $10,000 worth of trunk cash to move the Z4 Ms in 2007-2008.

The other strict formula is a little bit more complex, and this is the reason why BMW will likely NOT offer an "M" version of the new Z4, because they already consider the Z4 M40i fitting said criteria. BMW models are slotted into a specific power to weight ratio. Anything under 10 lbs / 1 hp can be considered the top tier "M" models. The E89 Z4sDrive3.5i BARELY falls outside of that threshold at 3,5xx lbs /335 hp. The new M40i on the other hand, is 3,384 lbs / 382 hp.

NO OTHER BMW model line-up has 2 vehicles with better than 10 lbs / 1 hp ratio. EVER. Look it up. BMW won't slot another car above the M40i, period.

[raysspl]

Good way to keep the hype down low. Very conservative prediction until board green lights it

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Missed opportunity, I think.

[adc]

Originally Posted by hellrotm

Toyota will build GRMN version of Supra, there is your M version.

I’ll keep my eyes on that one for sure. No badge snobbery.

What a missed opportunity by BMW... their only chance at a sports car.

[Louv]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

...
An MZ4 Manual would sell by the dozen ....

Yup. I'm ok with that... as long as the bean counters are.
I love owning BMWs that sell by the dozen... per year.

Z4 3.0si Coupe - 6MT
Z4M Coupe - 6MT
X6M
i8
G450X