Future Classic Or Not

[zimmer]

what are your thoughts of z4m being a future sought after classic.

I purchased mine based on design

[Vanne]

i think if your looking at these as an investment, your barking up the wrong tree, at least for now to 15 years or so

[Twixboy]

Wrong forum. We are drivers and owners, so probably a bit biased. For unbiased and more knowledgeable answers, try posting this in a collector car forum.

[Asianoak]

Haven't there been threads about this already, well maybe not specifically classic but regarding increasing values?

Seems to me that when I got my SI coupe three years ago an M could could be had for about 2-3 grand more... now they are considerably more than that. I seem to remember almost holding out for an M but the increased insurance and fact I'd never really be able to drive it to it's full potential legally on any road in Oregon made me reconsider. But I digress. The values do seem to be going up and the attention the media places on these vehicles has increased over the past few years.

It will be a long time before it's considered a "classic" if ever, so just enjoy the drive.

[Nate4641]

A lot of people still don't know about the Z4 Coupes, let alone the M roadsters. I've been accused of adding fake badges to my car until I popped the hood and showed them the engine.

I doubt these will be collectable anytime soon UNLESS if there is something that comes out and shines a big bright spotlight on the car to get people's attention. Some cars have done well with just time, some get a boost from car media talking about them.

[The HACK]

The problem with THIS car is that it's not well known outside of the enthusiast circle. Where as I knew and listed for an E30 M3 long before I got my driver's license, I'll bet the vast majority of BMW owners don't even know an 'M' version of the Z4 exist.

I've been driving my MZ4C to work once a week, in a parking lot full of German vehicles and BMWs. No one asked about the car yet.

To be a future classic, it has to be A) low production volume and B) wide recognition. IMO the MZ4 is right on the border of low production, and it's not widely recognized at all.

[Reborn_]

Originally Posted by The HACK

The problem with THIS car is that it's not well known outside of the enthusiast circle. Where as I knew and listed for an E30 M3 long before I got my driver's license, I'll bet the vast majority of BMW owners don't even know an 'M' version of the Z4 exist.

I've been driving my MZ4C to work once a week, in a parking lot full of German vehicles and BMWs. No one asked about the car yet.

To be a future classic, it has to be A) low production volume and B) wide recognition. IMO the MZ4 is right on the border of low production, and it's not widely recognized at all.

Agreed, but sometimes the esoteric nature of a car will catapult it into higher prices/collectible status. Only time will tell.

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by Reborn_

Agreed, but sometimes the esoteric nature of a car will catapult it into higher prices/collectible status. Only time will tell.

Come on now, don't you think you're a bit biased about the Z4MC I'm sure CTS-V owners feel the same way about their go-fast wagons.

[Reborn_]

Of course I am biased but considerations of residual value did factor into my decision to buy this car over, say, an e9x m3. I've only been an owner since February.

[dreamingat30fps]

By the time its a classic mine will have a million miles so don't really care.

[GuidoK]

I think the biggest question is: what is a classic?
Everyone holds it's own definition to that.

[an3ony]

I think they'll definitely end up being considered a modern classic. I remember the last 2002 I bought was in '06, it was a 71, Ceylon Gold, sunroof and 5-speed conversion. Very basic, nothing outstanding but a decent rust free example, average miles. I paid just under 5k for it. That same basic "driver's" car now, they're fast approaching 10K.

I find that I get the same compliments on both cars but from different folks.

My prediction from a financial standpoint is that the M's will probably bottom out in a few years and then stop losing value.

[MZHammer]

I think the Z4 will likely remain in the Z8's shadow, when it comes to future classics.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

By the time its a classic mine will have a million miles so don't really care.

^WHS
I buy cars to drive them. Not much left when I'm done.
But in my mind it will be classic, as was my MK-I MR2 S/C.

[XMetal]

^WHS

Same here. I don't quite understand why people would "save" their cars and worries about every mile they put on it. It's a car. Just drive it and enjoy driving it! I would rather drive it to the ground and enjoy every moment of it than just staring at it while it sits in the garage...that's just me.

[Nate4641]

I get the whole drive your car mentality, however everyone loves finding a low mileage 50 year old car. Someone's gotta save these for later. Unfortunately most people don't have the money to buy 2 in order to save one for when the first dies, but that would be ideal.

Just imagine in 40 years finding a pristine M coupe with 20k original miles on it and being able to enjoy your old car all over again.

[KevinM]

I don't buy cars as investments as a rule (and won't until I can afford vintage Ferraris!). That said I think the Z4M coupe will be a classic. Prices are actually increasing for pristine cars (check out EAG's inventory). Last analogue M car, hydraulic steering, manual only, naturally aspirated, the S54 is the pinnacle of the great BMW inline sixes, low production numbers....it all adds up.

If you put some mothballs in it, I bet you will be rewarded in time...I certainly don't plan on doing that! Drive it and enjoy it.

[wdb]

I vote yes. If the M goes up it will pull the rest of them up with it. Target audience might be smallish but I kind of doubt it. I think classic BMWs will have wide enough appeal to make for a lively market. Look for the coupes to go first. The sheer number of roadsters might keep their prices depressed for quite some time.

[Nate4641]

Here is a sad point, BMW didn't even have a Z4 model displayed with all the other Z cars at their museum in Munich when I was there. Mind you this was a little more than 2 years ago, but still. There was an E89 at the Welt, but that's more of a show room for the current line up. It felt to me like BMW wasn't even that big on the car when I was there.

However things can change, and I hope they do. I would love to be an old gear head seeing an M coupe on the lawn at Pebble Beach.

[MeisterS]

Originally Posted by Nate4641

A lot of people still don't know about the Z4 Coupes, let alone the M roadsters. I've been accused of adding fake badges to my car until I popped the hood and showed them the engine.

I doubt these will be collectable anytime soon UNLESS if there is something that comes out and shines a big bright spotlight on the car to get people's attention. Some cars have done well with just time, some get a boost from car media talking about them.

^ I have been there too. Limited production run = less awareness, I guess.

[Boulder z4m]

My coupe is on mothballs here of sorts (just shy of 12K miles) as I rotate it though other cars in the stable. While some on the forum may tell me to go drive it like I stole it, I prefer to drive it sparingly not for future value but rather to keep the experience new time and time again. As for collectability, I feel certain they will appreciate well given the future of car emissions, Automatic transmissions, self-driving cars, electrics, and turbocharging replacing NA. These cars are a unique breed

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by ///MeisterSS

^ I have been there too. Limited production run = less awareness, I guess.

I think that is a mark of collectability. The general public doesn't know, but the intended audience does.

Originally Posted by Boulder z4m

My coupe is on mothballs here of sorts (just shy of 12K miles) as I rotate it though other cars in the stable. While some on the forum may tell me to go drive it like I stole it, I prefer to drive it sparingly not for future value but rather to keep the experience new time and time again. As for collectability, I feel certain they will appreciate well given the future of car emissions, Automatic transmissions, self-driving cars, electrics, and turbocharging replacing NA. These cars are a unique breed

Agree. My wife loves it - she drive it more than I do. Still, at 25K miles since 2007 not too bad. I like to think we are using it enough to enjoy it, and will be able to enjoy it for a long time!