• BMW Motorsport setting up to switch to the Z4 GT3 in ALMS for the 2013 Season - Believes ALMS M3 is maxed out

                    
      		   
      Published on 07-29-2012 09:02 PM
      2 Comments Comments
      BMW has done an absolutely spectacular job in ALMS the past two years with the M3 winning the GT class two years in a row. So why not continue? The problem lies in the M3 exiting production shortly as the F30 3 Series is already here. Not to mention new technical regulations curbing the M3's dominance. BMW is considering the possibility of homologating the Z4 GT3 for ALMS duty. This raises another problem as the Z4 does not currently have a variant with a V8. It also does not have an M variant.

      Speed reports       BMW is in talks to race a GT3 based Z4 on the Z4. BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt stated the M3 is pretty much maxed as it is:

      Jens Marquardt: "This year it has been very much down to the team and the drivers extracting 100, and sometimes [more than] 100 percent, out of what was there, Whatever resources we'd put into the M3, there is not that much left in that car. 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 Z4 GT3 uses a 4.4 liter version of the S65 V8 in the E9X M3. A potential hold up is using this motor without a Z4 model being sold that features it.

      Simple solution BMW. You want to switch to the Z4? Produce an M variant with a 4.4 liter S65 V8.

      This article was originally published in forum thread: BMW Motorsport setting up to switch to the Z4 GT3 in ALMS for the 2013 Season - Believes ALMS M3 is maxed out started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 22 Comments
      1. singletrack's Avatar
        singletrack - 07-29-2012, 10:24 PM
        Awesome looking race car. Release a Z M variant BMW! I won't buy one, but it would be cool. : )
      1. M3_WC's Avatar
        M3_WC - 07-30-2012, 04:34 AM
        I would be shocked if they let BMW circumvent the homologation rules that exist because of BMW and the E46 M3 GTR.

        If BMW wants to go to an all turbo line up in the show rooms. Then man the f*ck up and prepare to race the next gen M3.

        Quit begging to run a car that doesn't exist. I swear BMW are becoming the biggest b*tches, its embarrassing.
      1. M3_WC's Avatar
        M3_WC - 07-30-2012, 04:37 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Simple solutions BMW. You want to switch to the Z4? Produce an M variant with a 4.4 liter S65 V8.
        People have been asking for that car for years. But there is a problem, a bunch of punks are running this company now.
      1. Autobahn335i's Avatar
        Autobahn335i - 07-30-2012, 05:34 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3_WC Click here to enlarge
        [/LEFT]
        People have been asking for that car for years. But there is a problem, a bunch of punks are running this company now.
        +1 Current non-M Z4s are far from being sports cars. Too soft, too heavy, too SLK-oriented Click here to enlarge

        A properly done lightweight Z4M would be awesome and a good means of countering the latest M-boats (M5, M6...).
      1. bmwml's Avatar
        bmwml - 07-30-2012, 11:12 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Autobahn335i Click here to enlarge
        A properly done lightweight Z4M would be awesome...
        Absolutely! This is the car I've been dreaming about for years! I would hope there was a coupe version; I can't get enough of the last generation Z4M coupe...
      1. flipm3's Avatar
        flipm3 - 07-30-2012, 11:39 AM
        Make a Z4M Coupe with a serious suspension, brakes, S65B40/S65B44, 6MT/DCT...I will buy it.
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 07-30-2012, 02:24 PM
        With a Z4 GT3 inspired body.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-30-2012, 07:57 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by bmwml Click here to enlarge
        Absolutely! This is the car I've been dreaming about for years! I would hope there was a coupe version; I can't get enough of the last generation Z4M coupe...
        A proper Z4 coupe would be great. Not only would it be much lighter without the folding hardtop, it would be the best driving car in the BMW lineup.

        I don't get why BMW is holding back on this. Just give us 1 damn proper drivers car. Just 1.
      1. onurleft's Avatar
        onurleft - 07-30-2012, 11:55 PM
        For the love of god BMW give us one more naturally aspirated whoooraa. We desire this and we need this before natural aspiration is phased out
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-31-2012, 01:47 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by onurleft Click here to enlarge
        For the love of god BMW give us one more naturally aspirated whoooraa. We desire this and we need this before natural aspiration is phased out
        Would be a classy goodbye and transition. Therefore I wouldn't hold my breath.
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 07-31-2012, 02:02 AM
        I wouldn't mind something like this at all.
        Attachment 19267
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 07-31-2012, 02:28 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sorena Click here to enlarge
        I wouldn't mind something like this at all.
        Attachment 19267
        I'm thinking more like this:

        Click here to enlarge
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 07-31-2012, 02:38 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        I'm thinking more like this:

        http://www.autosavant.com/wp-content...47_highRes.jpg
        I would crap my pants if i see one of those on the road. I want to see that thing with a overbored destroked direct injected 13.5:1 comp S70/2 V12 revving to 9,000 RPM. A real sequential like the one that Z4 GT3 has but with a clutch pedal would match it perfectly. No nanny system, no audio, no BS. Just A/C and 2 comfortable seats as i don't like racing seats at all. The ultimate orgasm machine.
      1. lughed's Avatar
        lughed - 08-01-2012, 03:39 PM
        This is interesting. With BMW's latest moves with the 4 series coupes in all, some thoughts that BMW might be phasing out its M3 race program has passed through my mind. I thought the reasons could be possibly that BMW knows the M3 isnt what it used to be so they will soon introduce a car to replacec the M3 as its prime race car (Z4?) and settle with the M3 being what it is now instead of bringing it back to its roots. Far fetch but this is a move i would not mind seeing!

        As far as a Z4M, yea people ask for it but then it doesnt sell well which is why BMW hasnt done it. And BMW with all there latest antics still arent as big a $#@! as Chevy and Ferrari.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 08-01-2012, 03:44 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by lughed Click here to enlarge
        As far as a Z4M, yea people ask for it but then it doesnt sell well which is why BMW hasnt done it.
        This is true and why we don't have it.

        How would you feel though if I told you for the 550GT program we could have the best Z4M ever? That POS never sold yet they did it.

        The difference here would be BMW would be building an Ultimate Driving Machine and it is worth taking a loss on the program simply to show they haven't forgotten what they are all about. They would rather lose money on some piece of $#@! crossover nobody asked for that simply goes to show us they continue to move away from their core ideals. You tell me which you would prefer.
      1. Sorena's Avatar
        Sorena - 08-01-2012, 04:06 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        How would you feel though if I told you for the 550GT program we could have the best Z4M ever? That POS never sold yet they did it.
        This.

        I can say that they dumped a lot of money in the 5GT project and the car don't sell well. Still 5GT sells more in a month than what Z4M would sell in it's lifetime for sure, however Z4M would need a very limited budget for R&D. The cost of making each Z4M including R&D cost would be less than each 5GT's.
      1. lughed's Avatar
        lughed - 08-01-2012, 04:43 PM
        I agree about the 550GT but that was a first go around and didnt BMW scrap that already too. I think a better example would the 6 sedan, which is rediculous but BMW did it. Like Sorena said it will still sell more than a Z4M. I love the Z4 and a limited n/a M version even if only to homologate it woulod be the only modern M car i would buy. I just feel like the M3 needs so much more in r&d to keep up with these pure bred race cars in racing that maybe its time to let a better platform like the z4 takes its place in racing. Let the M3 makes its money in the class it is in now. Its no longer a pure bred. Let a small percentage car like the z4 do its part in racing.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 08-01-2012, 04:44 PM
        I agree let's see the Z4. The problem is BMW is not doing it and expecting to get an exception. That's BS, build the damn car if you want to race.
      1. Yukohama's Avatar
        Yukohama - 08-02-2012, 02:32 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        I'm thinking more like this:

        http://www.bimmerboost.com/images/im..._highRes-1.jpg
        i concur. I want this... on the street.
      1. Autobahn335i's Avatar
        Autobahn335i - 08-02-2012, 03:34 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by lughed Click here to enlarge
        I agree about the 550GT but that was a first go around and didnt BMW scrap that already too. I think a better example would the 6 sedan, which is rediculous but BMW did it. Like Sorena said it will still sell more than a Z4M. I love the Z4 and a limited n/a M version even if only to homologate it woulod be the only modern M car i would buy. I just feel like the M3 needs so much more in r&d to keep up with these pure bred race cars in racing that maybe its time to let a better platform like the z4 takes its place in racing. Let the M3 makes its money in the class it is in now. Its no longer a pure bred. Let a small percentage car like the z4 do its part in racing.
        So sad to read a requiem for the M3, THE archetype of an affordable yet true sportscar, well until now at least Click here to enlarge BMW has totally forgotten how the M3 E36-E46 built its image as a sports car manufacturer compared to Audi and Mercedes who always targeted the comfort-oriented (older Click here to enlarge ) market share. Images like the legendary E30 M3 fighting in the DTM series will forever be branded in our brains.

        Maybe the next-gen 1M based on the new generation 1er coupé will take the place of the M3. I don't want to sound like a poor boy whining, but a next-gen M3/M4 costing 80.000 EUR start price (fully optioned 100.000 EUR Click here to enlarge ) is far from being affordable for the average car enthusiasts.

        As far as a Z4M is concerned, a limited homologation run would be epic. Could be legend-building like the M1 Procar.
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