Gresch -

You're not late to the party, in fact you are on right on time. In their website, BMWUSA just moved the BMW Z4/M from their "Future" vehicles into the "M" vehicle section alongside the current M3 and M5.

No Z4/M's at the dealers yet, though... I'm thinking it will probably take another week or two.

I'm guessing that the first one I see will be Imola Red. Can't wait to see the M coupe.

Regards, Mike

It is however very dissappointing how BMW decided to use the old 3.2L I6 from the E46 M3.

They should have opted for something newer, and better sounding.

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2008 ML320 CDI | Iridium Silver | Black ARTICO Leather | Premium Package (H/K Logic7, Parktronic, Rear Heated Seats, Rear Power Hatch, DVD Nav, 10-way Front Seats w/ Memory) | Backup Camera | Aluminum Running Boards | 4500K MTEC Low-beam HID | 30% Metallic Tint | Boomerang2 Recovery System | Weathertech Front Floorliners | Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 Winter Tires

The Z4M in the commercial is red, it looks pretty damn good....

*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M
*I will not go to the dealer to talk about a Z4M

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

Why don't they call it the M4?

JV

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JV

What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know...it's what we know for sure that just ain't so

I saw the ad on comedy central 2 days ago. I like it very much, however I felt while it started off very well the end was a little anti-climaxic.

Sure it might be nice, but it doesn't make any sense to BMW...

1. Z4's receive their engines from the bottom. The only way the new V8 engine could fit in a Z4 would be to install it from the top. BMW isn't going to waste money retooling the spartanburg plant (especially when X5's also get their guts from the bottom).

2. The E46 M3 production is just about ended, therefore all the parts needed to build it's engine, etc... can be shipped over to spartanburg. (again significant $$ savings).

3. It wouldn't make sense for BMW to drop a V8 into the M-roadster before the new M3 comes out. And if they waited that long, the Z4 would be looooonnnng in the tooth.

What I think is going to happen is that as soon as we get the V8 M3, BMW will upgrade the engines for the M-roaster & M-coupe. Just like they upgraded the engines for the previous M-roadster during its midcycle refresh.

Well, gee, I guess this "old" S54 motor doesn't float your boat, I still enjoy it everyday driving our E46 M3.

First of all, it sounds awesome! Nothing like the raw, explosive, yet smooth & free-revving NATURARLLY ASPRIATED I-6 up to 8K RPMs!!! I agree, the earlier M3 2001-2003 has alot of raspiness in the exhaust, but the 2004+ M3 has less rasp and wonderful engine noise. Only a true sports car/racing car fanatic would enjoy it.

Anyhow, the S54 engine has been on Ward's Top Ten Engine list for last 4-5 years. It still won best engine in the world in the 3-4 liter category for 2005!

So, why not use a wonderful engine to power the Z4M? There are few naturally aspirated engines that break the 100 hp/liter barrier.

I have found it disappointing that Mercedes has done some cost-cutting with regards to their engines....Dumbest thing they did was get rid of their I-6 and made V-6s. Then AMG started to supercharge all their engines?! I mean, when the new W211 E320 came out, Mercedes still used the same engine from the W210 E320. Finally, Mercedes have come to their sense and making naturally aspirated AMG engines again.

I am sure when the new V8 engine for the next gen M3 comes out, BMW will be able to use the engine in the Z4.

The S54 engine is great on gas mileage. On the highway, I can go a steady 80mph and get about 27-28 mpg. No V8 engine could ever do that! Yet, I still can go 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds!

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I personally think it's great that the Z4/M will use many of the E46 M3 parts because the aftermaket is already in place. The Bimmerphile who buys one of these can drive his/her car off the lot and immediately start modding it with parts from UUC, TC Kline, Evosport, and wherever else E46 M3 parts are sold.

I was just checking the specs 3200lbs for a roadster of that size is heavy. the miata is 700lbs lighter in comparison.

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

I hated the rasp on my E46 M3. Always sounded like an exhaust bolt was loose

However, the S54 was a beast and it has been seasoned over 6 years, I would opt for that long before a first run V8.

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