The forgotten M

86Zed · 12-18-2018, 03:11 PM

Little piece from Jalopnik today. Whispers of "future collectible" and an increasing number of Bring a Trailer auctions seem to show a large portion changing hands to the next owner.

https://jalopnik.com/im-going-to-be-...m_campaign=top

Photo cred BMW

Rain was lashing down as we get out of the ramen spot, angry rain, the kind that make Manhattan an archipelago of hiding places. Doorways, awnings, anything to get out from under it. But I was darting into the street to grab a picture. It was a BMW Z4 M Coupe idling down East 10th Street, and I couldn’t stop myself.

I will be honest with you, I completely forgot that this thing existed. The clownshoe Z3s are unforgettable, by contrast. They’re weird breadvan kinds of cars, skunkworks projects done after hours, too weird to find their way out of my brain.

But the Z4 that succeeded it, much as I liked it at the time, started to feel a little try hard after not too long. It played the formula a little too well.

That and car reviews of the time always put it down in comparison to the Boxster in terms of raw driving ability. If it wasn’t measurably better than a Porsche, and not more of a roadster than a Miata, what was the point, really?

But these things look almost unreal on the road today. They’re like concept cars. The proportions are wild, and the creases seem like they couldn’t be approved for production.

And the drivetrain is faultless. Behind the big headlights snarls BMW’s already legendary S54 straight six, with individual throttle bodies making a wailing 330 horsepower at 7,900 RPM. Hydraulic steering, too.

So I don’t know why exactly I forgot about it. Maybe I’m just trying to block out of my mind all of my Bush Years memories. Wouldn’t be my worst plan.

NickyC · 12-18-2018, 03:40 PM

Wonderful car obviously, but of course he has to throw the political bullshit in at the end.

3798j · 12-18-2018, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyC

... but of course he has to throw the political bullshit in at the end.

Agree. Jalopnik writers find it impossible to simply write about cars and motorsports without showing their political tilt. Disgusting.

Andyh1 · 12-18-2018, 07:13 PM

👍😎

garz747 · 12-18-2018, 07:33 PM

Ive got that poster on the wall by my M.

12-18-2018, 03:11 PM	#1
86Zed Get off my lawn 932 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2023 GR Corolla [0.00] 2022 BMW X3 M40i [10.00] 2007 BMW Z4M Coupe [0.00] 2002 BMW 325xiT [0.00] 1991 BMW 318is [0.00]	The forgotten M - Jalopnik Little piece from Jalopnik today. Whispers of "future collectible" and an increasing number of Bring a Trailer auctions seem to show a large portion changing hands to the next owner. https://jalopnik.com/im-going-to-be-...m_campaign=top Photo cred BMW Rain was lashing down as we get out of the ramen spot, angry rain, the kind that make Manhattan an archipelago of hiding places. Doorways, awnings, anything to get out from under it. But I was darting into the street to grab a picture. It was a BMW Z4 M Coupe idling down East 10th Street, and I couldn’t stop myself. I will be honest with you, I completely forgot that this thing existed. The clownshoe Z3s are unforgettable, by contrast. They’re weird breadvan kinds of cars, skunkworks projects done after hours, too weird to find their way out of my brain. But the Z4 that succeeded it, much as I liked it at the time, started to feel a little try hard after not too long. It played the formula a little too well. That and car reviews of the time always put it down in comparison to the Boxster in terms of raw driving ability. If it wasn’t measurably better than a Porsche, and not more of a roadster than a Miata, what was the point, really? But these things look almost unreal on the road today. They’re like concept cars. The proportions are wild, and the creases seem like they couldn’t be approved for production. And the drivetrain is faultless. Behind the big headlights snarls BMW’s already legendary S54 straight six, with individual throttle bodies making a wailing 330 horsepower at 7,900 RPM. Hydraulic steering, too. So I don’t know why exactly I forgot about it. Maybe I’m just trying to block out of my mind all of my Bush Years memories. Wouldn’t be my worst plan.
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12-18-2018, 03:40 PM	#2
NickyC Lieutenant General 17485 Rep 10,663 Posts Drives: M4 CS. Former G82, x2 F82, F80 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Jacked out of my mind iTrader: (23)	Wonderful car obviously, but of course he has to throw the political bullshit in at the end.
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12-18-2018, 07:13 PM	#4
Andyh1 Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 232 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M black saphire / imola Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Houston Tx iTrader: (2)	👍😎
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12-18-2018, 07:33 PM	#5
garz747 Captain 286 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC 01 330i 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Ive got that poster on the wall by my M.
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