Car Magazine (UK) - January 2009

[Z4 Beemer]

The January 2009 issue of Car magazine (a UK car magazine - http://www.carmagazine.co.uk) has an interesting article on the new Z4. Some key facts are:

• Base model will be £8000-£10,000 more than the current car (UK prices I guess)
• 14 seconds to open or close the roof
• Two 3.0 litre six-cylinder engines in the range (one normally aspirated 272bhp unit and the other being the 306bhp twin turbo)
• The redesigned engine bay is too small to accommodate the V8 from the M3
• The next generation M3 will switch back to a twin turbo straight six, but that will be around 2013
• Options include active steering, head-up display and an M performance kit

[Balthazar_B]

Disclaimer: an American perspective.

• Base model will be £8000-£10,000 more than the current car (UK prices I guess)

  Hard to say how this will translate to US pricing, which is a different market.

• 14 seconds to open or close the roof

  Nice; that's pretty fast. I assume it can't be done while the car is moving, except with an aftermarket modification.

• Two 3.0 litre six-cylinder engines in the range (one normally aspirated 272bhp unit and the other being the 306bhp twin turbo)

  Not really news. Would have been interesting if the article had reported overall vehicle weights.

• The redesigned engine bay is too small to accommodate the V8 from the M3

  Not surprising.

• The next generation M3 will switch back to a twin turbo straight six, but that will be around 2013

  Old news, except maybe the timetable.

• Options include active steering, head-up display and an M performance kit

  I have active steering on my 335i and like it, but probably wouldn't opt for it on a Z4. The heads-up display and M-perf options are very nice for this car.

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

The January 2009 issue of Car magazine (a UK car magazine - http://www.carmagazine.co.uk) has an interesting article on the new Z4. Some key facts are:

• Base model will be £8000-£10,000 more than the current car (UK prices I guess)
• 14 seconds to open or close the roof
• Two 3.0 litre six-cylinder engines in the range (one normally aspirated 272bhp unit and the other being the 306bhp twin turbo)
• The redesigned engine bay is too small to accommodate the V8 from the M3
• The next generation M3 will switch back to a twin turbo straight six, but that will be around 2013
• Options include active steering, head-up display and an M performance kit

[Rubber Ducky]

If the cost delta holds across the pond, a $15K kicker will be a deal-killer for a lot of prospective E89 buyers, especially when the costs-less consolation prize can be a new Corvette, Cayman, or Boxster.

BMW pricing like that should be labeled financial malpractice.

[Z4 Beemer]

Originally Posted by Balthazar_B

Disclaimer: an American perspective.

• Two 3.0 litre six-cylinder engines in the range (one normally aspirated 272bhp unit and the other being the 306bhp twin turbo)

  Not really news. Would have been interesting if the article had reported overall vehicle weights.

Sorry, I should have been clearer - the article also states there will be no 2.5 litre engines. The entry level (at launch) will be a 3.0 litre 272 bhp.

[sinnet112]

I'm going to have to consider other cars if that pricing holds true

[Z4 Beemer]

From the bmw.co.uk website, here are the prices...

[michal12]

Strangely I dont see any HUD or active steering options in German price list...

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

The January 2009 issue of Car magazine (a UK car magazine - http://www.carmagazine.co.uk) has an interesting article on the new Z4. Some key facts are:

• Base model will be £8000-£10,000 more than the current car (UK prices I guess)
• 14 seconds to open or close the roof
• Two 3.0 litre six-cylinder engines in the range (one normally aspirated 272bhp unit and the other being the 306bhp twin turbo)
• The redesigned engine bay is too small to accommodate the V8 from the M3
• The next generation M3 will switch back to a twin turbo straight six, but that will be around 2013
• Options include active steering, head-up display and an M performance kit