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#11
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As for sales the Z4 could never match the momentum the Z3 had. People forget many things when comparing the two cars: the difference in price (Z3 had a 4 banger since inception, the Z4 got it much much later), number of competitors (the TT & SLK weren't there when the Z3 started, all the Germans were playing the premium roadster game when the Z4 arrived) and the fact that the economic factors came into play during the Z4's lifetime (causing the roadster market to shrink enormously - none of the German's second round of roadsters from the 2000's sold nearly as-well as the sheer quantity they sold in the late 90's). In my opinion, most of the stories about the Z4 "not selling well", was really a picture painted by auto press' as a way to justify their Bangle hatred. We can see the same pattern emerge when auto press' claimed that BMW was rushing a redesigned 7 to market early, every year after that the E65 debuted, and that BMW was extremely disappointed with the sales figures of that car - both which were untrue, the E65 refresh came mid-cycle as planned, and the E65 went on to be the most popular selling 7 series ever. Same thing with the Z4. It's Bangle, it's new, we don't like the design, it's not selling well. Therefore I think the Z4 suffered the most in the public's eye from it's perception. All in all the Z4 had a pretty impressive run, and last time I checked (about a year ago) was still the leader in the roadster class by a large margin. Or maybe I'm just biased because I own one, you decide. |
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#12
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I happen to like the Z4, but from what I have heard sales were not up to par for what BMW projected. I could be wrong. I don't know the sales figures or what mark BMW was hoping to hit, but even BMW's car club magazine "Roundel" spoke on numerous occasions of the slow Z4 sales. I guess I have heard it so much (even from pro-BMW publications) that I just started beleiving it.
I agree that it makes sense to move the Z4 out and have all the SAV's produced under one roof. Especially as most SAV's have historically been purchased here in the US anyway. |
#13
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Volume is critical right now.The Spartanburg BMW plant is the largest automotive exporter in the US. Due to the exchange rate. The original plan was to build cars here for the US market, but that was when the exchange rate was 180 degrees! The other reason (and secondary) has something to do with the design, and the 'other' plant having a lot of lessons learned with this particular design feature.
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#14
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No dog in this fight as I don't own one and never really wanted one,
though the few I've driven have been "pleasant"... Sales of the Z4, in the US, were just 10,000 in '07, and ~28,000 worldwide. The car never reached sales projections, imo, for whatever reason.
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#15
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The Z4 design was a bit ahead of its time, but it's aged well and looks very good at the end of its 7-year run. Even Clarkson admits he's grown to like the styling of the roadster.
It's a swell roadster, for sure. But I'd never consider getting one. It's too sporty. |
#16
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#17
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My biggest gripe with the Z4:
They're all fookin' slushboxes! |
#18
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You don't like the manual transmission models?
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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White Retired: 2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey 2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver 2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey 2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue |
#19
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#20
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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White Retired: 2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey 2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver 2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey 2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue |
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