Why change the model name?

J3 L U N T · 01-11-2009, 08:50 PM

Simple question:

Why did BMW change the name of the Z3 to the Z4?

Mikewarlover · 01-11-2009, 09:53 PM

i think its because the z3 was not a great success as bmw wanted it to be. The car was quiet flawed in many areas and bmw wanted to start somthing new. Z3 is a very sissy kinda of car and bmw wanted to get rid of that image i guess.

MMMazing07 · 01-11-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikewarlover

i think its because the z3 was not a great success as bmw wanted it to be. The car was quiet flawed in many areas and bmw wanted to start somthing new. Z3 is a very sissy kinda of car and bmw wanted to get rid of that image i guess.

alindsay · 01-12-2009, 08:30 AM

I would think because the Z4 was a complete change in body style from the Z3.

caseysc · 01-12-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alindsay

I would think because the Z4 was a complete change in body style from the Z3.

+1

Mikewarlover · 01-12-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMazing07

lol So u think that the z3 was wonderful ?

Well maybe its just me that don't like the z3 but i do seriously think bmw wanted to start something new to get rid of the image.

caseysc · 01-12-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikewarlover

lol So u think that the z3 was wonderful ?

Well maybe its just me that don't like the z3 but i do seriously think bmw wanted to start something new to get rid of the image.

That's interesting... Until BMW launched the Z3, the only successful roadster was the Miata. Look at the Z3 sales figures. The Z3 was VERY popular and you can tell a little by how many you still see on the road. I believe the success of the Z3 is what prompted the Z4. Granted, the Z3 was not really designed from the ground up and had/has some pretty significant engineering shortcomings, but BMW clearly thought that a market for a new improved Z was there. All IMHO, of course.

I love my Z4 and I'm glad the Z3 paved the way for it. I still love the way the Z3 looks, but that's pure personal preference.

BMWI6 · 01-12-2009, 11:22 AM

the z3 was whack as hell. the z4 is sick as hell.

Mikewarlover · 01-12-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseysc

That's interesting... Until BMW launched the Z3, the only successful roadster was the Miata. Look at the Z3 sales figures. The Z3 was VERY popular and you can tell a little by how many you still see on the road. I believe the success of the Z3 is what prompted the Z4. Granted, the Z3 was not really designed from the ground up and had/has some pretty significant engineering shortcomings, but BMW clearly thought that a market for a new improved Z was there. All IMHO, of course.

I love my Z4 and I'm glad the Z3 paved the way for it. I still love the way the Z3 looks, but that's pure personal preference.

Its probably just me then well didn't mean to offend any pre z3 owners haha

koala · 01-14-2009, 04:12 PM

The Z3 was a great car. My uncle still owns an original model year Z3 in that blue colour from the James Bond movie.

When I was 16 years old that was the first "sports car" I ever drove and I thought it was amazing. Even to this day I think its a great little car, plenty quick and a blast to drive.

He barely even drives it... my M Coupe has more mileage than his Z3 does.

jgorman13 · 01-14-2009, 10:57 PM

Z4 sounds sexier. its got a nice ring to it

BZZZE · 01-15-2009, 10:17 AM

I had an '01 Z3 3.0i roadster. Great little car but the Z4 is a much better car for ride and handling. I loved the Z3 roady lines but the Z3 coupe left a lot to be desired. In the Z4, the coupe came alive visually.

mPlasticDesign · 01-15-2009, 10:30 AM

Burt Reynolds · 01-15-2009, 12:54 PM

I like the z3 roadster and love the Z3 Coupe. Still one of my favorite cars and would love to have one in addition to the Z4M coupe.

SDTopless · 01-15-2009, 01:15 PM

they said they wanted to start anew. its somewhere in 1 of those Bangle design vids for BMW

BimmerZ408 · 01-15-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3 L U N T

Simple question:

Why did BMW change the name of the Z3 to the Z4?

Quote:

Originally Posted by alindsay

I would think because the Z4 was a complete change in body style from the Z3.

I think if alindsay is right; then the question should be - why DIDN'T BMW change the name for the new Z!? IMO I think that the new Z should have been called a Z5.

My guess is, that they had a bunch of Z4 badges left over, and BMW didn't want to shell out the cost to create Z5 production badges? Yeah right - cheap bastards! LOL J/K!

Seriously though, I do wish that the new Z4 would have been named a Z5. If for any other reason, to hold better value on our 03-08 models, and to make them more rare. Just my 2¢ worth.

Crimson92 · 01-15-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikewarlover

i think its because the z3 was not a great success as bmw wanted it to be. The car was quiet flawed in many areas and bmw wanted to start somthing new. Z3 is a very sissy kinda of car and bmw wanted to get rid of that image i guess.

Youre kinda right

the z3 was a flop in bmw's eyes...so they redesigned it and renamed it

does bmw changed the name of the 3 5 7 series everytime they redesign it? No?

the z3 did manage to screw up...so bmw axed it

koala · 01-15-2009, 05:55 PM

The Z3 was not a flop in BMW's eyes. It sold tremendously well. The Z3 is the reason there even was a Z4. To say otherwise is absolutely ridiculous.

Mikewarlover · 01-15-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koala

The Z3 was not a flop in BMW's eyes. It sold tremendously well. The Z3 is the reason there even was a Z4. To say otherwise is absolutely ridiculous.

z3 isnt the reason for z4 the reason z4 exist is because now days the whole roadster market is availiable again.

koala · 01-15-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikewarlover

z3 isnt the reason for z4 the reason z4 exist is because now days the whole roadster market is availiable again.

If you want to go that route the Miata is the reason we have the Z3, Z4, S2000, Sky, Solstice, any of those models never would have happened without the Miata's success.

Mikewarlover · 01-15-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koala

If you want to go that route the Miata is the reason we have the Z3, Z4, S2000, Sky, Solstice, any of those models never would have happened without the Miata's success.

u noe wat that is very true. Miata is the car that revived the whole roadster idea. Miata is a great car too old or new.

koala · 01-15-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikewarlover

u noe wat that is very true. Miata is the car that revived the whole roadster idea. Miata is a great car too old or new.

Yeah, exactly. Just like how BMW would never have created the Z4 if the Z3 wasn't a success.

And what people here need to try and separate are the types of success a car can have.

Just because people here might think the Z3 wasn't the best performer, or it had quality issues, or whatever the case might be, doesn't mean it wasn't a complete success from BMW's standpoint (it sold really well).

The great thing is that BMW saw that the Z3 sold well, and knew they could bring out an even better roadster with better performance and better quality-- which is something they did in the Z4.

But there is no question in my mind that the only reason the Z4 is here is due to what the Z3 started for BMW.

01-11-2009, 08:50 PM	#1
J3 L U N T Philly that is... 36 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Why change the model name? Simple question: Why did BMW change the name of the Z3 to the Z4? __________________
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01-11-2009, 09:53 PM	#2
Mikewarlover Major 40 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: white Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Richmond BC iTrader: (0)	i think its because the z3 was not a great success as bmw wanted it to be. The car was quiet flawed in many areas and bmw wanted to start somthing new. Z3 is a very sissy kinda of car and bmw wanted to get rid of that image i guess.
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01-12-2009, 08:30 AM	#4
alindsay New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (0)	I would think because the Z4 was a complete change in body style from the Z3. __________________ Alex H Lindsay 2007 Z4 3.0si 2001 K1200LT Melbourne, FL
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01-12-2009, 11:22 AM	#8
BMWI6 Major 96 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (2)	the z3 was whack as hell. the z4 is sick as hell. __________________ If everything seems under control, then you aren't going fast enough"
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01-14-2009, 04:12 PM	#10
koala Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 06 BMW M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB CA iTrader: (0)	The Z3 was a great car. My uncle still owns an original model year Z3 in that blue colour from the James Bond movie. When I was 16 years old that was the first "sports car" I ever drove and I thought it was amazing. Even to this day I think its a great little car, plenty quick and a blast to drive. He barely even drives it... my M Coupe has more mileage than his Z3 does. __________________ 2006 M Coupe \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Interior.
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01-14-2009, 10:57 PM	#11
jgorman13 Lieutenant 25 Rep 528 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 3.0i, 2008 C300 Sport Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Z4 sounds sexier. its got a nice ring to it
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01-15-2009, 10:17 AM	#12
BZZZE Evil Clown 16 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2007 MZ4 Roadster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FloraBama iTrader: (0)	I had an '01 Z3 3.0i roadster. Great little car but the Z4 is a much better car for ride and handling. I loved the Z3 roady lines but the Z3 coupe left a lot to be desired. In the Z4, the coupe came alive visually. __________________ '07 Z4M Roadster, Saphire Black/Black/Carbon, CDV delete. "You can say what you want about the South, but you never hear of anyone retiring and moving North."
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01-15-2009, 10:30 AM	#13
mPlasticDesign Major General 684 Rep 5,069 Posts Drives: BMW 230i Msport w/LSD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' iTrader: (16) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 [10.00] 2019 Hyundai N (Sold) [10.00] 2013 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [8.78] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [8.60] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [9.50] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00]	Check out this sissy car.... __________________
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01-15-2009, 12:54 PM	#14
Burt Reynolds Captain 53 Rep 689 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Windy City iTrader: (0)	I like the z3 roadster and love the Z3 Coupe. Still one of my favorite cars and would love to have one in addition to the Z4M coupe. __________________ 2007 M Coupe w/NAV/Premium/Extended Leather, Clearbra, DICE, 4.10 BMW Motorsport Polished LSD, Active Autowerke Gen IV Headers, Supersprint Race Exhaust and X-Pipe, ESS Tuned DME, KWV3 Coilovers, Volk RE30, OEM Strut Tower Brace, Short Antenna, JL AMP, JL 10W7, Valentine V1.
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01-15-2009, 01:15 PM	#15
SDTopless I just wanna do my car 5 Rep 134 Posts Drives: 350z RevUp =) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SoCal Diego iTrader: (0)	they said they wanted to start anew. its somewhere in 1 of those Bangle design vids for BMW __________________ missing my z4...
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01-15-2009, 05:55 PM	#18
koala Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 06 BMW M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB CA iTrader: (0)	The Z3 was not a flop in BMW's eyes. It sold tremendously well. The Z3 is the reason there even was a Z4. To say otherwise is absolutely ridiculous. __________________ 2006 M Coupe \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Interior.
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