RLL Future..

Coopz21 x · 3 Aug 2012, 21:03 (Ref:3115778)

Firstly sorry if there is a thread feel free to link and delete this if there is.

Anyway seeing as the BMW didnt really get any upgrades this year, what are people thoughts will happen at the end if this year? will BMW stop? or do you think there will be a Z4? Personally i hope the M3 stays but any BMW will be nice!

arakis · 4 Aug 2012, 00:32 (Ref:3115813)

Dreams:
The factory in Munich (motorsports division Explodes)

Hopes: We never see a BMW race in GTE again (unless they make a real sports car, ala Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette...

Reality: Wheather or not the Z4 will race depends only on BMW, and how much they want to exert themselves with ACO/IMSA...right now it seems they are just playing the feild, and checking the temperature before they commit.

Articus · 4 Aug 2012, 00:47 (Ref:3115821)

Quote:

Originally Posted by arakis

Dreams:
The factory in Munich (motorsports division Explodes)
Hopes: We never see a BMW race in GTE again (unless they make a real sports car, ala Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette...

I'm sure this is in jest but wow.

To answer I would be glad to see BMW continue. They have basically told us that it will be the Z4 or bust(leave the class). Another premium manufacturer is always good for the class.

pach233 · 4 Aug 2012, 02:17 (Ref:3115842)

Quote:

Originally Posted by arakis

Dreams:
The factory in Munich (motorsports division Explodes)

Hopes: We never see a BMW race in GTE again (unless they make a real sports car, ala Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette...

Reality: Wheather or not the Z4 will race depends only on BMW, and how much they want to exert themselves with ACO/IMSA...right now it seems they are just playing the feild, and checking the temperature before they commit.

Wow, you dream the factory explodes and hope a premium brand doesn't race in the premium GT class ever again? I get that your joking (I think) but like it or not BMW having a presence in GTE adds to the class and right now GT racing needs all the entries it can get. Personally, I'm hoping for an E89 GTE Z4 racing in the ALMS next year. Hopefully the politics get worked out and we can continue to enjoy seeing BMW racing with Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche and now Viper.

Coopz21 x · 4 Aug 2012, 10:25 (Ref:3115915)

Quote:

Originally Posted by arakis

Dreams:
The factory in Munich (motorsports division Explodes)

Hopes: We never see a BMW race in GTE again (unless they make a real sports car, ala Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette...

Reality: Wheather or not the Z4 will race depends only on BMW, and how much they want to exert themselves with ACO/IMSA...right now it seems they are just playing the feild, and checking the temperature before they commit.

No to the first part. just no

Acid09 · 4 Aug 2012, 20:20 (Ref:3116111)

Quote:

Originally Posted by arakis

Dreams:
The factory in Munich (motorsports division Explodes)

Hopes: We never see a BMW race in GTE again (unless they make a real sports car, ala Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette...

Wow, must be hard on you that BMW builds better sports cars than your overpriced Fiats

On topic: Wasn't there an article by John Dagys a few weeks ago in which Jens Marquardt talked about a GTE version of the Z4 being a possibility?

I don't think BMW will leave the ALMS as long as the GT class offers healthy competition.

rich07 · 4 Aug 2012, 00:36 (Ref:3115816)

I'm hoping to see the z4 next year. As much of a Ferrari fan I am, I love BMW Motorsport too so seeing them continuing in GT would make me very happy.

I really see IMSA buckling and allowing them to run an upgraded Z4 GT3 next year.

Pandamasque · 4 Aug 2012, 10:47 (Ref:3115921)

I'm afraid the chances of seeing a Z4 GTE car w/o significant (or should I say blatant?) waivers is pretty much zero. I like the looks of a current Z4, and I like the looks and sounds of a GT3 version. But its arrival to GTE can do a lot of damage...

MitchZ06 · 4 Aug 2012, 11:00 (Ref:3115925)

Like BMW hasn't had significant waivers in the past?

GT3.14 · 4 Aug 2012, 11:36 (Ref:3115929)

The ACO would let BMW get away with murder. The E46 GTR never saw production, the E92 was a silhouette car, and a GTE Z4 would be even more ridiculous. I love BMW, but their GT cars are pushing it too far.

Koenigsegg · 4 Aug 2012, 15:43 (Ref:3115995)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT3.14

The ACO would let BMW get away with murder. The E46 GTR never saw production, the E92 was a silhouette car, and a GTE Z4 would be even more ridiculous. I love BMW, but their GT cars are pushing it too far.

Eventually BMW did make a M3 GTR road car.

Jonerz · 4 Aug 2012, 17:13 (Ref:3116023)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT3.14

The ACO would let BMW get away with murder. The E46 GTR never saw production, the E92 was a silhouette car, and a GTE Z4 would be even more ridiculous. I love BMW, but their GT cars are pushing it too far.

I don't think the current M3 is a silhouette car. Doesn't it use the factory unibody?

Chris

GT3.14 · 4 Aug 2012, 21:38 (Ref:3116135)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I don't think the current M3 is a silhouette car. Doesn't it use the factory unibody?

Chris

The M3 was given a waiver that allowed the engine to be moved into the bulkhead. Even if it uses the same chassis (not sure), the engine is mounted towards the middle and there is a transaxle in the back. Not even the same concept as the production M3.

Dead-Eye · 5 Aug 2012, 08:49 (Ref:3116242)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT3.14

The M3 was given a waiver that allowed the engine to be moved into the bulkhead. Even if it uses the same chassis (not sure), the engine is mounted towards the middle and there is a transaxle in the back. Not even the same concept as the production M3.

That doesn't make it a Silhouette in any way.

R4z3rw33n · 5 Aug 2012, 13:54 (Ref:3116314)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

Wow, must be hard on you that BMW builds better sports cars than your overpriced Fiats

On topic: Wasn't there an article by John Dagys a few weeks ago in which Jens Marquardt talked about a GTE version of the Z4 being a possibility?

I don't think BMW will leave the ALMS as long as the GT class offers healthy competition.

Hot sauce: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...to-z4-in-2013/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marquardt

I think this is really what we have to be honest with ourselves about. Looking at the potential the Z4 has, I think it's a logical evolution that could be the solution for us. We just have to make it work.
__
The basis has to be the GT3. We just have to see how much in what area has to be modified.
__
Between GT3, where people say [there are no real] regulations, and what ACO and IMSA have, which is a clear set of regulations, there are some differences. And we need to figure out how we can bring those together.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

they'd cannibalize the hell out of M3 sales.

Providing they're able to alter short-term production in accordance with demand, I can't see too many issues. The engine and (base) chassis already exist - it's not as if there's a great amount of further development required. It's just a matter of modifying production process to minimise loss.

As someone else has already mentioned, seems pretty unlikely they'd have too many issues selling a limited run of V8-engined Z4s.
Seems more likely that, if there's any impact, it'd be M3 coupe sales (rather than the range as a whole).

airbusA346 · 4 Aug 2012, 12:02 (Ref:3115941)

What waivers does everyone think the Z4 would need?

Tom.

Victor_RO · 4 Aug 2012, 12:08 (Ref:3115943)

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbusA346

What waivers does everyone think the Z4 would need?

Tom.

For starters, the Z4 GT3 uses a 4.4 V8 which is not available in the Z4 road car.

rich07 · 4 Aug 2012, 14:18 (Ref:3115975)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

For starters, the Z4 GT3 uses a 4.4 V8 which is not available in the Z4 road car.

It still mystifies me why BMW havent built a V8 powered Z4 yet. No doubt it would sell quite well, Im sure they could make a profit out of it somehow, even if it were a limited run.

Matt · 4 Aug 2012, 20:22 (Ref:3116114)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich07

It still mystifies me why BMW havent built a V8 powered Z4 yet. No doubt it would sell quite well, Im sure they could make a profit out of it somehow, even if it were a limited run.

they'd cannibalize the hell out of M3 sales.

rich07 · 5 Aug 2012, 00:49 (Ref:3116168)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

they'd cannibalize the hell out of M3 sales.

That's a good point.

Well they should do what they did with the M3 GTR and build 4 (?) and charge an arm and a leg for them, they'd still sell all 4 of them quite easily.

picchiofan · 5 Aug 2012, 14:01 (Ref:3116315)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

they'd cannibalize the hell out of M3 sales.

Not likely.

The E36/7 coupe never sold that well, the E86 based M coupe also really never enjoyed much more than a cult status either. The current top end E89 Z4, the 3.5is starts at about 70k, about 10k above the E92 M3, figure another 15+k on top of that for an M version, and I don't see it doing much to an M3. The 1M coupe was more of a threat, hence why it was limited production.

MitchZ06 · 4 Aug 2012, 14:24 (Ref:3115978)

Would be like a well built TVR imo if they stuck the V8 in a road going Z4.

Articus · 4 Aug 2012, 23:31 (Ref:3116151)

Wellif BMW M division finally built there case for the Z4 M they could put the old M3 engine in that.

TF110 · 5 Aug 2012, 02:33 (Ref:3116185)

Mercedes has a C-Class coupe in the C63AMG, and they have a two coupe in the SLK, which also has an AMG model. The Z4 and M3 are two totally different cars like the Mercedes vehicles are. I think it'd add sales, not cannibalize the M3.

Pandamasque · 5 Aug 2012, 17:43 (Ref:3116369)

The E92 doesn't have that much left it it anyways. The F30-based car will be a more grown up M4 I suppose, as there'll be no 3-series coupe.

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