Motortrend is either ahead of everybody, or full of BS
-
Dave_in_VA
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Baltimore, MD
They claim that in 06 the M version of the Z4 will come out with the 333 hp motor that the current M3 has.
I read every BMW mag out there including 3 British mags and I havent even heard a whiff of this. I think MT has their head up their posterier.
On a different topic, the new Mustang Cobra will be called a Shelby Mustang Cobra, supercharged 5.4L 550 hp, and a SOILD REAR AXLE!!!! WTF They say it saved $70M in development costs. Way to stay in the 70's Ford.
I love a solid rear axle...................in a truck, a car deserves a IRS.
But then again, this info is from MT so it could be more BS.
[Edit by Dave_in_VA on [TIME]1107139111[/TIME]]
I read every BMW mag out there including 3 British mags and I havent even heard a whiff of this. I think MT has their head up their posterier.
On a different topic, the new Mustang Cobra will be called a Shelby Mustang Cobra, supercharged 5.4L 550 hp, and a SOILD REAR AXLE!!!! WTF They say it saved $70M in development costs. Way to stay in the 70's Ford.
I love a solid rear axle...................in a truck, a car deserves a IRS.
But then again, this info is from MT so it could be more BS.
[Edit by Dave_in_VA on [TIME]1107139111[/TIME]]
-
stuartinmn
- Posts: 9752
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Minneapolis
I know a guy through another board who's an engineer at Ford SVT, I believe he did much of the development work on the supercharger on the Cobra. This subject came up in a discussion a while back, if I recall correctly they decided the Mustang IRS didn't have the strength to handle the big hp engine so they went with the solid axle.
I thought I read in the Roundel that BMW wasn't going to offer an M version of the Z4.
I thought I read in the Roundel that BMW wasn't going to offer an M version of the Z4.
-
Dave_in_VA
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Baltimore, MD
Maybe Ford should talk to one of the many other manufactures that make high horse power and send it to a IRS.
But then these are the same people that didnt put a manual behind the V8 in the Lincoln LS because they didnt have one that could handle the horsepower. Never mind the fact the Mustwang made more HP and had a manual.
But then these are the same people that didnt put a manual behind the V8 in the Lincoln LS because they didnt have one that could handle the horsepower. Never mind the fact the Mustwang made more HP and had a manual.
[QUOTE="stuart in mn"]I know a guy through another board who's an engineer at Ford SVT, I believe he did much of the development work on the supercharger on the Cobra. This subject came up in a discussion a while back, if I recall correctly they decided the Mustang IRS didn't have the strength to handle the big hp engine so they went with the solid axle.
I thought I read in the Roundel that BMW wasn't going to offer an M version of the Z4.[/QUOTE]
The e90 version of the M3 is slated to get a new, and as yet unseen, small 4.0 liter V8 which won't fit in the e46 based Z4, again according to what I've read. We've all seen the V8 conversions of e46's, so this may be subterfuge from BMW.
I thought I read in the Roundel that BMW wasn't going to offer an M version of the Z4.[/QUOTE]
The e90 version of the M3 is slated to get a new, and as yet unseen, small 4.0 liter V8 which won't fit in the e46 based Z4, again according to what I've read. We've all seen the V8 conversions of e46's, so this may be subterfuge from BMW.
-
Dave_in_VA
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Baltimore, MD
Why not ?
BMW always releases a new series with the wimpiest engine initially to get the first-buyers who dont care what motor it has. Then they roll out a bit of an engine bump shortly thereafter to have a higher-powered version that magically makes them performance competitive with what was already around at the time.
After that, the entire model range may get an engine refresh so as to be kept competitive with current standards.
An M model finally shows up to keep interest and performance high.
This is how BMW consistently squeezes _years_ out of a model design. The Z3 showed up with the 1.9 all the way back in 1996 and they were putting the S54 in them in ~2002. Pick any BMW in recent memory and look at the engine choices over the lifespan of the model.
An MZ4 just makes sense as the S54 engine is well developed, the E85 is well developed, and the S54 at least is winding down its usefullife in the E46 M3, but the Z4 is still at mid-life. Making an S54 Z4 available will put a year or two into the Z4 and better yet huge profits into BMWs coffers as they charge a premium for production, process, and technology that has been amortized over 3-5 years (depending on if you're talking about chassis or engine)
I expect you'll see an S54 Z4 at some point.
BMW always releases a new series with the wimpiest engine initially to get the first-buyers who dont care what motor it has. Then they roll out a bit of an engine bump shortly thereafter to have a higher-powered version that magically makes them performance competitive with what was already around at the time.
After that, the entire model range may get an engine refresh so as to be kept competitive with current standards.
An M model finally shows up to keep interest and performance high.
This is how BMW consistently squeezes _years_ out of a model design. The Z3 showed up with the 1.9 all the way back in 1996 and they were putting the S54 in them in ~2002. Pick any BMW in recent memory and look at the engine choices over the lifespan of the model.
An MZ4 just makes sense as the S54 engine is well developed, the E85 is well developed, and the S54 at least is winding down its usefullife in the E46 M3, but the Z4 is still at mid-life. Making an S54 Z4 available will put a year or two into the Z4 and better yet huge profits into BMWs coffers as they charge a premium for production, process, and technology that has been amortized over 3-5 years (depending on if you're talking about chassis or engine)
I expect you'll see an S54 Z4 at some point.
[QUOTE="Dave_in_VA"]According to MT the Z4M will get the current straight 6. I still dont belive it.[/QUOTE]
Could be, BMW have had different engines for the M's and Mz's in the past, could be in the future. A Z4 based M-roadster with the current M3 engine would be a very quick and exciting drive, I'd guess.
Could be, BMW have had different engines for the M's and Mz's in the past, could be in the future. A Z4 based M-roadster with the current M3 engine would be a very quick and exciting drive, I'd guess.
-
Dave_in_VA
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Baltimore, MD
I'm not saying it will never happen, I'm saying that I think that Motortrend is incorrect at this time.
I doubt that they have the scoup over all the BMW specific magazines. If I'm wrong and they are right, it would be cool to have another M roadster. But I'll wait for confimation, they are like a friend I used to have, they hear a rumor they swear it is the truth.
I doubt that they have the scoup over all the BMW specific magazines. If I'm wrong and they are right, it would be cool to have another M roadster. But I'll wait for confimation, they are like a friend I used to have, they hear a rumor they swear it is the truth.
[QUOTE="Dave_in_VA"]I'm not saying it will never happen, I'm saying that I think that Motortrend is incorrect at this time.
I doubt that they have the scoup over all the BMW specific magazines. If I'm wrong and they are right, it would be cool to have another M roadster. But I'll wait for confimation, they are like a friend I used to have, they hear a rumor they swear it is the truth.[/QUOTE]
Yes
, MotorTrend isn't where I go for BMW information, that's for sure. I subscribe to BMW Car, the definitive British Bimmer mag. It is about two weeks to a month ahead of Roundel on new model info. I used to subscribe to another one about hot rodded BMW's, but I couldn't stand the ricey mods they had each month :@, so I stopped that one. What's the third one you read? 
I doubt that they have the scoup over all the BMW specific magazines. If I'm wrong and they are right, it would be cool to have another M roadster. But I'll wait for confimation, they are like a friend I used to have, they hear a rumor they swear it is the truth.[/QUOTE]
Yes
-
Dave_in_VA
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Baltimore, MD
Ok, I guess I lied its only BMW Car and Total BMW. Plus the US mags, Bimmer and Roundel.
I also have access to the BMW press website.
If you need extreamly high res pics of newer models, just ask.
http://dave.maisenhelder.com/bmw/Pictures/LargeBMWpics/
I also have access to the BMW press website.
If you need extreamly high res pics of newer models, just ask.
http://dave.maisenhelder.com/bmw/Pictures/LargeBMWpics/
[QUOTE="Dave_in_VA"]Ok, I guess I lied its only BMW Car and Total BMW. Plus the US mags, Bimmer and Roundel.
I also have access to the BMW press website.
If you need extreamly high res pics of newer models, just ask.
http://dave.maisenhelder.com/bmw/Pictures/LargeBMWpics/ [/QUOTE]
Thanks for the pic offer, I may need a coupel later.
I'm trying to remember what that hot rod Bimmer mag was called, I don't think it was "Total BMW", something else. I'll look it up tonight when I'm home. I'm due back in the Vascular OR in five minutes,. we're placing an Abdominal Aortic Stent, with about 1 hour left to go on it.
I also have access to the BMW press website.
If you need extreamly high res pics of newer models, just ask.
http://dave.maisenhelder.com/bmw/Pictures/LargeBMWpics/ [/QUOTE]
Thanks for the pic offer, I may need a coupel later.
I'm trying to remember what that hot rod Bimmer mag was called, I don't think it was "Total BMW", something else. I'll look it up tonight when I'm home. I'm due back in the Vascular OR in five minutes,. we're placing an Abdominal Aortic Stent, with about 1 hour left to go on it.
-
Dave_in_VA
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Baltimore, MD
-
C.R. Krieger
- Posts: 14507
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006
- Location: Halfway up the left side of Lake Michigan
- Contact:

