Can anyone tell me the "rumors" of what the engine is supposed to be?? Will the interior be modified for a more sportier look?

Is it going to be the same S54 engine, or, is it going to be different?

Any estimated guesses on the pricing? To me, it's gotta be over $50K if the 3.0's are selling for $42-44K here locally.

Will they be adding any different colors?

Is it definite that it will be here one year from now, or does it look like it will arrive in 2004 (be a 2005 model rather than a 2004 model).

Is bmw listening to customer criticisms of the Z4 now and will fix those problems, e.g., the gap when the cover is down, the tilt control is plastic and feels flimsy, etc.

Thanks

My sources tell me that no such car has been planned. Also that the market for such a car may be too small to justify the building of it.

Well, the whole market is changing.

Assuming we have peace and oil to continue enjoying such badass cars, the market has gone even more upscale.

The Audi S4 is a V8. The next M3 is supposed to be a V8, and the M5 is supposed to be a V10.

Also, I think with the S54 exploding engines, BMW realizes they can't just pop these killer engines into every model. The production of M engines will go to select models.

I think they think they stretched production a little thin trying to mass produce everything M and it costs BMW a lot of money in increased warranty repairs.

M will revert back to its status of elevating the entire BMW line as a rare and special enitity.

Most models come with a decent enough engine option for most people anyhow. The 3.0 is no slouch.

I read it in a magazine where they were talking about 3.6 M engine going into X3 in 2005 or early 2006. Maybe I 3.6 M will be used for M3s and MZ4? Who knows...?

Up until then, S54 M Roadsters and M Coupes will enjoy destroying Z4s on the road. he he he:D

I have an S52 that enjoys the same privelege... hehehe:evil2

Guys if you are thinking of a new car in the roadster market check my post on the OT board. MB has an SLR which I would love but seeing it is replacing the Maclaren f1 I am going to most likely settle for the AMG SLK which is a mini version of it. Of course handling isnt the greatest in MB but if it is a Mini SLR than you can BET your left ass cheek that thing will hand the boxster S and any BMW M version its ass. I would prolly even give the z8 a run. Hell Phil had a stock MB slk 320 run in the 12;s

http://www.easymachines.com/slr/

link to the SLR


http://www.fantasycars.com/1/2001/SLK2004/slk2004.html

link to the SLK, Which I love the F1 look in the front and the side view is TOTALLY cool

It's a little weird for me, first impression; but, the possibility of a 400 hp engine AMG, that's pretty damn impressive. The amg that was at the track ran a 12.63 as his best time, STILL slower trap speeds than Phil by a good couple of mph if I remember... hehehe ... so he should be running at least 12.6...;)

Regardless, I SWORE, maybe I am growing senile, in a recent magazine (R&T, C&D, not sure???)...bmw said YES, there IS a MZ4 coming out, from what I remember, no details were disclosed other than it would have the mcoupe's engine (315hp) and that it should be arriving late next year sometime.

I also read that the new 3 series has been spied, it has a wider fender flare to it, and the hood is different shaped. I forgot where I saw it now. The M3 is not due for an overhaul until 2006, and the six series, well, to me, if the spy photos are right, looks like a pontiac...

I was just curious on the MZ4 b/c not sure how they could make it more aggressive looking, it's pretty wide and aggressive as it is now....only things I can think of is possibly more interior differences than exterior differences....

Holy goodness.
400hp SLK? That will kill E46M3s and S54 M Roadsters and M Coupes. That should be enough to kill Stage I SCed S52s, I think. Even Stage II will have a hard time with it. This horse power war is getting rediculous.

I know Dave will come and say "it's not the power that matters", but I wouldn't try to run against this automatic SLK unless I am packing at least 350+ rwhp.

http://mbspy.com/r171.htm

more info and Sean like phil said there are current SLk running 12's STOCK. Also there is a six speed coming out that should shave a tenth of the time.

someone said that all the S54s will be killing the 3.0i Z4s.... not to mention that ass-pounding a low $20's S52 will do!!!! heehee!

Originally posted by 00MRoadster
Holy goodness.
400hp SLK? That will kill E46M3s and S54 M Roadsters and M Coupes. That should be enough to kill Stage I SCed S52s, I think. Even Stage II will have a hard time with it. This horse power war is getting rediculous.

I know Dave will come and say "it's not the power that matters", but I wouldn't try to run against this automatic SLK unless I am packing at least 350+ rwhp.

the HP war really is getting crazy...

on the lower end of the scale...that new dodge srt...215hp, 245lb-ft...0-60 in 5.4 seconds for $19,995..yeah its a dodge..but still...pretty impressive performance for that kind of money...

i think i should get a suzuki hayabusa and turbo charge it...that way i can kill anything on the road :)

I think Bmw is missing the target again by only marketing cars that look like crap and will get stomped on by the Z3 they are replacing. I am sorry but ALL I hear is how different the Z4 handling is, but like I said before that is scary because the z3 is fine the only thing they could change is the high speed bumpy roads , you feel every bump thing and the rear end seems a bit twitchy if you make sudden movements.
THere is nothing wrong with the z3 up till this point and it is only really an issue on the M's so when people say " INSTANCE HANDLING difference" that scares the CRAP outa me. Cuz it brings back images of the SCREAMING letters about the e46 which people also said " INSTANCE HANDLING DIFFERENCE" then the enthusiasts and real drivers got the car and went nuts with anger on the LOUSY handling BMW had saddled them with.

the interesting thing about the Z3 is that in the right hands, it is one of the fastest BMWs out there... because of its packaging and effieciency, the car is just DAMN fast if you know what you are doing. Dave is a good example... EVERY S54 M3 that got killed by an S52 M coupe is an example, the p-cars that get terrorized by the S52 AND S54 /8s as well... if I can lay the smack on a 315hp Z28 in my 170hp 2.3 roadster, sorry man. the Z3 is an amazing machine in the right hands (those hand, apparently, did not belong to Jon's driving instructor!).

I don't see the Z4 to be nearly as rewarding.

correct me if I'm wrong, the reason the Z3 got a facelift is people were b*tchin' and moanin' about how small it was, how it should be more aggressive-looking, etc, etc.

I think people said the same thing about the E36 as well when it came out, like it resembled the buick, taurus, etc...that it was becoming americanized. People wanted a more aggressive, wider body, style, and hence, the E46, which some feel that it is bloated, overweight, and caters not to an enthusiast, but more to a luxury type cruiser with power.

plus w/that dodge, you have a turbo and room to play and make it stronger. Soon, every neon will want to race a mroadster, etc...and will be writing, we smoked them rich bastards by a good 3-4 CL's... kind of like when people write that they smoked a Ferrari....;)

It will be interesting to see people's reactions w/the 5 series...

I always thought the E36 was perfect sized in and out... always thought the E46 was a beautiful car that needed a diet.

the Z3 is big enough for what it is meant for... top-down fun (golf sucks). the problem is that my opinons are not those of the non-enthusiast public. instead they are that of a very particular and very stoic traditionalist... so it makes sense that they would ignore me. also, with the M54 engines, the Z3 was just not a proper dynamic fit.

I agree Das, it is the badge buyers that cannot appreciate the updated rear from a race car nor could they find the love for the throw back 328 styling. They are the same people who probably dont like the z8. I dont understand the fuss about the new T-bird. When people turn and bitch about the z3, Ford is lauded for their throwback look but BMW is bashed??????? that is Bullshit.
If you call the z4 aggressive I really have to call into question your sense of aggressiveness. Making a car look bigger, but slower and then slapping body panels on at whim, then ending with a COMPLETELY UN BMW set of tail lights is the farthest thing from aggressive since cinderella.

To add to the size issue I love idiots who buy a roadster then complain about its lack of pracitcality. A ROADSTER IS FOR TOP DOWN <b>DRIVING</B> FUN. It is a weekend cruise car. BTW I will fit ANYONE's two golf bags in the z3.

I fit a FULL bag of ice hockey GOALIE equiptment in the car.

I also fit 1 meduim suitcase, 1 latop, 1 regular hockey bag, 1 backpack. In the z3. people just dont know how to improvise.

You hit the nail on the head, J10B. My M roadster has one mission in life: Puttin it's top down, turning it's traction control off and scaring the piss out of me. I take my truck to the golf course so I don't care if can't carry two bags in the trunk (nor do I want it to); and I take the MB if someone's with me since everyone is afraid to ride in the Mster.
I read about that "instant handling difference" too, which doesn't necessarily mean better. How could it? The M won the slalom and braking overall in Motor Trend's "AMG vs. M Shootout". Even if the Z4 does handle better, who cares? And what's better? The M is powerful and quick and requires fast hands and feet...a real challenge; and that's what makes it a blast. Back when I was club racing, we had a saying: If you didn't wet your driver's suit, you simply weren't scaring yourself.

Hehe, some of us like a hatchback! We can put plenty of luggage in it and enjoy a week away.

I just got this load into my Coupe:

1 dual Athlon
1 dual PIII850
1 dual G4/800
1 21" Monitor
3 keyboards
1 luggage for clothing
boxes with cables, software, mice, etc.
2 PIII850 laptops
1 PowerBook G3/500

And I did not "stuff" the car and could easily see out of all windows and I still found time to hit 130mph on the return trip with a frisky Trans Am in North Georgia...

If Hugo is "Captain DIY", I'm the "Master Packer."

um, wait, I did not mean it like that... dirty minds REPENT!

Have you seen this yet?

Last I had heard the MZ4 was due out in 2004 and would get the full blown S54 with 333 hp just like the M3. Then recently, I read no M version of the Z4 was planned, so who knows... :dunno

Also, with Mercedes, I'll believe the manual transmission in an AMG powered car when I see it... (and truly, I hope I do see it...)

Dave the 6 speed is do later this year for the AMG.

Back to the M z4 Honestly if they think Im gonna pay an extra 15k for that pathetic front bumper and the same rear as the other z4 but dual pipes they are sadly mistaken.
The point of the M is to set it apart from the other cars. The AMG is instantly different. Yeah it may be a SLK SL whatever but it stands apart. THAT POS sure as hell doesnt stand apart. It looks like a ricer got ahold of it. DAIM

Later this year = NOW, it's November... :D

Again, the fact that AMG only puts autos in their cars is the ONLY thing that has kept me from ever driving one... I hope you're right, but I'm not holding my breath...

dave, the SLK is a squish-mobile... same with the C32, they have no where near the ride control and steering feel that he BMWs have. I drove that freaking c-class two weeks ago and I got seasick!

That's what I figured, plus they are not cheap (not that Z3's and Z4's are bargain basement prices, either) but the Mercedes cars tend to almost always cost more than their comprable BMW counterpart... and reliability has been an issue for every Mercedes owner I personally know, and I know about 12...

whats with all the talk of golf courses? :rolleyes:
=]