Why isn't the Z4MC not as well known as other M cars?

db85 · 07-23-2012, 12:26 PM

I'm a prospective buyer currently looking to purchase a second vehicle. The three cars on top of my list are the Lotus Exige, BMW 1M and Z4MC.

I really quite like the Z4MC but I can't help but notice that not even avid car enthusiasts are well aware of it as they tend to be with every other BMW M. For instance, I tell my friends and coworkers that I test drove an Exige or a 1M and they go crazy. I tell them I'm looking for a Z4MC as well and they go

.

I can't quite pinpoint why. All the written reviews from '07 appear to be quite favorable although without any video reviews from any of the well known test drivers. The design seems to polarize opinions. People either love it or resolutely look away. I'm on the favorable side and I think it looks so elegant.

Any ideas?

[edit] Don't think that this lack of public recognition is making me hesitate on the Z4MC. It doesn't. I just want something to run the nurburgring and road trip in europe.

baege · 07-23-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db85

I'm a prospective buyer currently looking to purchase a second vehicle. The three cars on top of my list are the Lotus Exige, BMW 1M and Z4MC.

I really quite like the Z4MC but I can't help but notice that not even avid car enthusiasts are well aware of it as they tend to be with every other BMW M. For instance, I tell my friends and coworkers that I test drove an Exige or a 1M and they go crazy. I tell them I'm looking for a Z4MC as well and they go

.

I can't quite pinpoint why. All the written reviews from '07 appear to be quite favorable although without any video reviews from any of the well known test drivers. The design seems to polarize opinions. People either love it or resolutely look away. I'm on the favorable side and I think it looks so elegant.

Any ideas?

[edit] Don't think that this lack of public recognition is making me hesitate on the Z4MC. It doesn't. I just want something to run the nurburgring and road trip in europe.

The other models are more current, if you brought up the Z4MC in 2006 or 2007, you might have got a different response?

db85 · 07-23-2012, 12:38 PM

I used to be in New York during that time period. Even then the response was more like "it's still a Z4, you can get a E46 M3 instead". Was I simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Maybe it was better received in Europe?

I regard the Z4MC to be the second purest M car since the M1 and the recipe is all rather spectacular compared dropping M engines and suspension components in a mundane pedestrian chassis.

v3.2mc · 07-23-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db85

... although without any video reviews from any of the well known test drivers...

Richard Hammond and Jason Plato have both done video reviews of the z4m (albeit roadsters); both should be on YouTube.

db85 · 07-23-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v3.2mc

Richard Hammond and Jason Plato have both done video reviews of the z4m (albeit roadsters); both should be on YouTube.

Hmm, maybe I'm making myself unnecessarily picky. The Z4MC I test drove felt pretty different from the roadster version. I felt significantly more "track potential" with the coupe.

mgwatson48 · 07-23-2012, 02:08 PM

not as well known because there was a fraction as many made when compared to m3s...

SCHMOUPE · 07-23-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db85

Hmm, maybe I'm making myself unnecessarily picky. The Z4MC I test drove felt pretty different from the roadster version. I felt significantly more "track potential" with the coupe.

I say you care way too much what others say/think. It is obvious to me that you have made up your mind on z4mc. Buy it and drive it how it is meant to! Good luck

chickdr · 07-23-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db85

I just want something to run the nurburgring and road trip in europe.

It sounds like there is a possibility this will be shut down from what I read today...

http://blog.caranddriver.com/nurburg...-nordschleife/

txz4 · 07-23-2012, 02:16 PM

the z4mc is a real car mans car. It just doesnt make any sense for most, but for the select few that love cars in a specific way it just works.

dont get me wrong, the exige and the m1 are car people cars, but the z4m is much more obscure.

Loogey Clapp · 07-23-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakib

I say you care way too much what others say/think. ...

I agree here. You care too much about what others think. What matters is what you think. Test drive all 3 and get the one you like, er strike that, the one you love most.

Walkurie · 07-23-2012, 02:49 PM

It is a personal thing. Always wanted an M car, and this is as pure M as any other. No significant difference in overall performance compared to any of the other M models, and better than most. Have had mine for 6 years and no plans to consider anything else. Suspect that at some point, it will receive the recognition it deserves, once people reflect on some of the models receiving M badges today.

GammaZeta · 07-23-2012, 02:53 PM

There are several factors.

The first being the rarity and limited production.

I remember going to my first car show with my Z4M and people kept saying "they made an M version of the Z4???"

Hell, I'm a BMW fan and I didn't know they made Z3M or Z4M until 3 years ago!

For 75% of the population, "M" doesn't have any special meaning at all. I went to a cars and coffee with some friends and I had to explain to the husband (who is a mechanic and well versed) what "M" means and stands for.

It's the same thing with Audi..s4, RS4, TTrs, etc., and Porsche Boxster S, Carerra S, etc.

And who the hell knows what an AMG is?

The general population knows nothing about "M".

The general car enthusiast population knows about "M3, M5, etc."

The purist european car population knows about "M roadsters and coupes".

Jumbosock · 07-23-2012, 03:00 PM

I think it's simply because not too many were purchased. People know about cars when they see them on the road and ask about them. In the case of the Z4MC people just didn't purchase many of them and so few were made... and so they are not commonly recognized. I LOOOOOOOVE that people have no clue what it is. It's amazing how many people ask about it at gas stations or parking lots.

db85 · 07-23-2012, 03:59 PM

Thanks for the response guys. I knew I'd be accused of being image-centric, but I was just curious. I didn't have that many sources to research and went to test drive without as much knowledge as I did with the other two.

4,275 Z4MCs were produced as opposed to the 1M's 2,700+. My friend suggests BMW simply didn't invest in marketing to make way for the current Z4 which was announced barely 2 years after the Z4MC's initial announcement. Adding that the 1M may not have had the same pressure since the new 1er is an economy car.

Regardless, I love the Z4MC.

==

At the moment, I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to use my cars during my stay here for the next few years.
Option 1: Exige + i30 = Track weapon + all weather economy car
Option 2: Z4MC + i30 = Road trip capable mini GT + all weather economy car
Option 3: 1M = Track capable, road trip capable, all weather, factory warranty

The Nordschleife is a public road section 90% owned by the local government, so that part of the track is expected to stay open regardless of the fate of Nurburgring Automotive GMBH. The Nordschleife, for me, is one of the biggest reasons of being excited about moving here. It would be a lot less fun without it.

flyzipper · 07-23-2012, 04:49 PM

Primarily I'm agreeing with the rarity opinions expressed above, but it also wasn't BMW's best product branding exercise.

These are pretty typical exchanges for me when asked what I drive:

Me: "I drive a BMW M Coupe" (trying its real product marketing name).
Other: "you mean an M3?".

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW e86" (taking the gearhead approach).
Other "e-WTF?"

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW Z4 M Coupe" (trying to be more verbose).
Other: "Oh yeah, my mom drives one of those" (they only hear the 'Z4')

... followed by ...

Me: "It's a Z4 with a fixed hard top, sportier engine, suspension, brakes and limited slip differential".
Other: "Ohhhh ..." (pretending like that makes sense, and they now understand what I drive).

johanness · 07-23-2012, 04:50 PM

1815 Z4MC's (NA). Not going to read a plethora of reviews on such a small production run.

inTgr8r · 07-23-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyzipper

Primarily I'm agreeing with the rarity opinions expressed above, but it also wasn't BMW's best product branding exercise.

These are pretty typical exchanges for me when asked what I drive:

Me: "I drive a BMW M Coupe" (trying its real product marketing name).
Other: "you mean an M3?".

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW e86" (taking the gearhead approach).
Other "e-WTF?"

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW Z4 M Coupe" (trying to be more verbose).
Other: "Oh yeah, my mom drives one of those" (they only hear the 'Z4')

... followed by ...

Me: "It's a Z4 with a fixed hard top, sportier engine, suspension, brakes and limited slip differential".
Other: "Ohhhh ..." (pretending like that makes sense, and they now understand what I drive).

.... trudat!

z-nigma · 07-24-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyzipper

Primarily I'm agreeing with the rarity opinions expressed above, but it also wasn't BMW's best product branding exercise.

These are pretty typical exchanges for me when asked what I drive:

Me: "I drive a BMW M Coupe" (trying its real product marketing name).
Other: "you mean an M3?".

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW e86" (taking the gearhead approach).
Other "e-WTF?"

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW Z4 M Coupe" (trying to be more verbose).
Other: "Oh yeah, my mom drives one of those" (they only hear the 'Z4')

... followed by ...

Me: "It's a Z4 with a fixed hard top, sportier engine, suspension, brakes and limited slip differential".
Other: "Ohhhh ..." (pretending like that makes sense, and they now understand what I drive).

Hahahah I can so relate to that. I get the blank stare so many times when I say "M Coupe." The funny thing, is that even with some people I've spoken to, they're aware of the Z3MC, but not so much on the Z4MC. So when I mention M Coupe, I've gotten the "Oh, the shoe thing?" and then I have to explain that it's a Z4.

Nothing wrong with owning a super rare car though... You'll always notice the few people who do actually know what it is because they're usually rubbernecking pretty extensively towards it. I know before I owned one, I *always* stopped and stared on the rare occasion I'd see one in person.

ga41 · 07-25-2012, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyzipper

Primarily I'm agreeing with the rarity opinions expressed above, but it also wasn't BMW's best product branding exercise.

These are pretty typical exchanges for me when asked what I drive:

Me: "I drive a BMW M Coupe" (trying its real product marketing name).
Other: "you mean an M3?".

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW e86" (taking the gearhead approach).
Other "e-WTF?"

OR

Me: "I drive a BMW Z4 M Coupe" (trying to be more verbose).
Other: "Oh yeah, my mom drives one of those" (they only hear the 'Z4')

... followed by ...

Me: "It's a Z4 with a fixed hard top, sportier engine, suspension, brakes and limited slip differential".
Other: "Ohhhh ..." (pretending like that makes sense, and they now understand what I drive).

A couple of acquaintances wouldn't believe that my car was a real M car so i popped the hood to show that big S54 engine. They said: "That's not proof. Anyone can put in an engine cover with an M badge on it..."

I gave up.

zubydafa · 07-25-2012, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga41

A couple of acquaintances wouldn't believe that my car was a real M car so i popped the hood to show that big S54 engine. They said: "That's not proof. Anyone can put in an engine cover with an M badge on it..."

I gave up.

lol somebody at a meet i went to (a bmw meet no less) insisted my car was a z4 with M emblems and an S54 swap.

recent dyno experience. one of the workers at the shop goes...sick M3Z.

others just can't believe it's an '07.

i love when i see other Z owners...it's like they understand

chickdr · 07-25-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga41

A couple of acquaintances wouldn't believe that my car was a real M car so i popped the hood to show that big S54 engine. They said: "That's not proof. Anyone can put in an engine cover with an M badge on it..."

I gave up.

That is hilarious. Did you show them some of the online reviews, videos? Sounds like some obtuse folks...

The HACK · 07-25-2012, 10:14 AM

It's far simpler than we all think.

BMW never marketed the MZ4. There were very little print ads. Almost no TV ADS. Practically zero presence on the major car show circuit.

The MZ4 was stuck between a rock and a hard place. It was nearly 10 seconds faster around the Ring compared to the M3 and was just as fast around it as the halo car, the M5. BMW had to balance on the fine edge of a sword, and can't afford to have anything take the shine off of the kings of their bread and butter. So the priced it $10,000 more than they really should and made it more expensive than the M3 and gave it no marketing support whatsoever.

07-23-2012, 12:26 PM	#1
db85 New Member 16 Rep 12 Posts Drives: daily: i30, second:? Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: frankfurt iTrader: (0)	Why isn't the Z4MC not as well known as other M cars? I'm a prospective buyer currently looking to purchase a second vehicle. The three cars on top of my list are the Lotus Exige, BMW 1M and Z4MC. I really quite like the Z4MC but I can't help but notice that not even avid car enthusiasts are well aware of it as they tend to be with every other BMW M. For instance, I tell my friends and coworkers that I test drove an Exige or a 1M and they go crazy. I tell them I'm looking for a Z4MC as well and they go . I can't quite pinpoint why. All the written reviews from '07 appear to be quite favorable although without any video reviews from any of the well known test drivers. The design seems to polarize opinions. People either love it or resolutely look away. I'm on the favorable side and I think it looks so elegant. Any ideas? [edit] Don't think that this lack of public recognition is making me hesitate on the Z4MC. It doesn't. I just want something to run the nurburgring and road trip in europe.
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07-23-2012, 12:38 PM	#3
db85 New Member 16 Rep 12 Posts Drives: daily: i30, second:? Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: frankfurt iTrader: (0)	I used to be in New York during that time period. Even then the response was more like "it's still a Z4, you can get a E46 M3 instead". Was I simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Maybe it was better received in Europe? I regard the Z4MC to be the second purest M car since the M1 and the recipe is all rather spectacular compared dropping M engines and suspension components in a mundane pedestrian chassis. Last edited by db85; 07-23-2012 at 12:44 PM..
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07-23-2012, 02:08 PM	#6
mgwatson48 Lieutenant 21 Rep 507 Posts Drives: 2008 E86 M Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	not as well known because there was a fraction as many made when compared to m3s... __________________ SOLD: 2008 M Coupe
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07-23-2012, 02:16 PM	#9
txz4 Major 59 Rep 1,097 Posts Drives: 2006 M coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: san antonio, texas iTrader: (3)	the z4mc is a real car mans car. It just doesnt make any sense for most, but for the select few that love cars in a specific way it just works. dont get me wrong, the exige and the m1 are car people cars, but the z4m is much more obscure.
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07-23-2012, 02:49 PM	#11
Walkurie Lieutenant 9 Rep 452 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster / 99 Jaguar XK8 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Surf City, CA iTrader: (2)	It is a personal thing. Always wanted an M car, and this is as pure M as any other. No significant difference in overall performance compared to any of the other M models, and better than most. Have had mine for 6 years and no plans to consider anything else. Suspect that at some point, it will receive the recognition it deserves, once people reflect on some of the models receiving M badges today. __________________ Vibra Technics engine mounts / Rogue trans mounts / Stoptech brakes / original owner
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07-23-2012, 02:53 PM	#12
GammaZeta Captain 58 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	There are several factors. The first being the rarity and limited production. I remember going to my first car show with my Z4M and people kept saying "they made an M version of the Z4???" Hell, I'm a BMW fan and I didn't know they made Z3M or Z4M until 3 years ago! For 75% of the population, "M" doesn't have any special meaning at all. I went to a cars and coffee with some friends and I had to explain to the husband (who is a mechanic and well versed) what "M" means and stands for. It's the same thing with Audi..s4, RS4, TTrs, etc., and Porsche Boxster S, Carerra S, etc. And who the hell knows what an AMG is? The general population knows nothing about "M". The general car enthusiast population knows about "M3, M5, etc." The purist european car population knows about "M roadsters and coupes".
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07-23-2012, 03:00 PM	#13
Jumbosock Captain 76 Rep 987 Posts Drives: 2007 M coupe Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I think it's simply because not too many were purchased. People know about cars when they see them on the road and ask about them. In the case of the Z4MC people just didn't purchase many of them and so few were made... and so they are not commonly recognized. I LOOOOOOOVE that people have no clue what it is. It's amazing how many people ask about it at gas stations or parking lots.
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07-23-2012, 03:59 PM	#14
db85 New Member 16 Rep 12 Posts Drives: daily: i30, second:? Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: frankfurt iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the response guys. I knew I'd be accused of being image-centric, but I was just curious. I didn't have that many sources to research and went to test drive without as much knowledge as I did with the other two. 4,275 Z4MCs were produced as opposed to the 1M's 2,700+. My friend suggests BMW simply didn't invest in marketing to make way for the current Z4 which was announced barely 2 years after the Z4MC's initial announcement. Adding that the 1M may not have had the same pressure since the new 1er is an economy car. Regardless, I love the Z4MC. == At the moment, I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to use my cars during my stay here for the next few years. Option 1: Exige + i30 = Track weapon + all weather economy car Option 2: Z4MC + i30 = Road trip capable mini GT + all weather economy car Option 3: 1M = Track capable, road trip capable, all weather, factory warranty The Nordschleife is a public road section 90% owned by the local government, so that part of the track is expected to stay open regardless of the fate of Nurburgring Automotive GMBH. The Nordschleife, for me, is one of the biggest reasons of being excited about moving here. It would be a lot less fun without it. Last edited by db85; 07-23-2012 at 04:07 PM..
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07-23-2012, 04:49 PM	#15
flyzipper Private 11 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2008 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M Coupe [0.00]	Primarily I'm agreeing with the rarity opinions expressed above, but it also wasn't BMW's best product branding exercise. These are pretty typical exchanges for me when asked what I drive: Me: "I drive a BMW M Coupe" (trying its real product marketing name). Other: "you mean an M3?". OR Me: "I drive a BMW e86" (taking the gearhead approach). Other "e-WTF?" OR Me: "I drive a BMW Z4 M Coupe" (trying to be more verbose). Other: "Oh yeah, my mom drives one of those" (they only hear the 'Z4') ... followed by ... Me: "It's a Z4 with a fixed hard top, sportier engine, suspension, brakes and limited slip differential". Other: "Ohhhh ..." (pretending like that makes sense, and they now understand what I drive).
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07-23-2012, 04:50 PM	#16
johanness Banned 56 Rep 1,739 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle, Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M COUPE [7.00] 2012 BMW X1 xDrive 28i [9.00]	1815 Z4MC's (NA). Not going to read a plethora of reviews on such a small production run.
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07-25-2012, 10:14 AM	#22
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	It's far simpler than we all think. BMW never marketed the MZ4. There were very little print ads. Almost no TV ADS. Practically zero presence on the major car show circuit. The MZ4 was stuck between a rock and a hard place. It was nearly 10 seconds faster around the Ring compared to the M3 and was just as fast around it as the halo car, the M5. BMW had to balance on the fine edge of a sword, and can't afford to have anything take the shine off of the kings of their bread and butter. So the priced it $10,000 more than they really should and made it more expensive than the M3 and gave it no marketing support whatsoever. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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