Right now, the hottest car to come out of Bavaria is the BMW M2 Competition. Naturally so, as it’s the newest, most extreme version of the M2, which is already the current fan-favorite. I was even talking to a high-ranking figure from BMW North America recently who told me the M2 Competition is incredible. And I have no doubt that it is. However, it’s actually the BMW Z4 M40i that has me more excited.
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Don’t get me wrong, the M2 Competition seems like a really exciting car and I can’t wait to drive it. But the BMW that has me itching most is the new BMW Z4, especially the M40i variant. It’s nothing to do with the Z4 being a roadster, though dropping the top and listening to that newly-tuned B58 engine does sound enticing. It’s more to do with the layout, spec and design of each car.
The BMW M2 Competition is an immensely capable car, with a short wheelbase, loads of mechanical grip, a superb rear diff, a 410 hp twin-turbo I6 engine and it comes with a six-speed manual in the middle. So it’s a car that can batter race track and also be a hoon on public roads. It’s raw, brash, loud and angry, everything car enthusiasts love. But it just isn’t giving me the fizz, at least from what I’ve seen and heard and at least not as much as the Z4.
On the other hand, though, the BMW Z4 M40i just has so much intrigue built into it. It’s the first Bavarian product to be built out of the joint-venture with Toyota and it shares much of its DNA with one of the biggest motoring icons of all time — the Toyota Supra. So it has the bones to be truly special before it even hits the road. It also gets completely new styling, with design cues that buck the trend of most traditional BMWs, such as Y-shaped Kidney Grille inserts rather than vertical slats and vertically-aligned headlight halos. Plus, it looks great and is more my style of car, with the classic sports car proportions of a long hood, short rear deck and the driver almost sitting on the rear axle.
Another point to consider is that the Z4 M40i will make almost as much power as the M2 Competition. In America at least (as we’ll finally be getting the most powerful version of a BMW), the Z4 M40i will make around 382 hp, which is only 28 ponies less than the M2. Those 382 horses will be made by BMW’s B58 engine which is widely considered the better sounding and feeling engine than the M2’s S55. The Z4 should also be more comfortable to drive daily (I think I’m starting to get old when I care about on-road ride comfort).
Now, I must admit, I’ve not driven either car. Horatiu was at the M2 Competition launch but not I and several journalists were able to drive pre-production Z4 M40is but I was not one of them (so if any journalist is reading this that’s driven both, please provide some insight). So I’m working purely on what these cars are, not how they are just yet. I’m looking at their recipes and judging from their ingredients and how they sound to me before tasting. And the BMW Z4’s recipe sounds better to me.
This might sound like heresy to many BMW enthusiasts, as the idea of wanting to drive a non-M convertible over a pure-bred M Division performance machine is going against the BMW enthusiast grain a bit. However, it is my opinion, however unpopular, and it’s how I currently feel. Is it possible that driving both changes my mind? Of course. But until then, I stand my ground that the BMW Z4 M40i is the more interesting and exciting car than the M2 Competition.
I’d say I have to agree. The sound from the B58 is light years better than the S55, and the new BMW design language inside and out of the Z4 is more exciting and modern in my opinion. I honestly think I prefer some M40i models to their M counterparts, except for the M5. I think the M240i is still a great choice, and maybe even a better one, as you still get great driving dynamics and fun (with a stick too) for pennies less, as well as a convertible option, while also having it be a more comfortable daily driver, because not all of us can afford an M-car as our third vehicle.
Top down for the win!
Do C&D still test cars in Michigan? Maybe their roads are the issue.
Mostly. The M2 Comp was tested in Spain on its worldwide launch, though. Horatiu was there as well.
Imagine a future “Z4M” with 476 – 500 bhp and all wheel drive system like from M5 F90. 0-62 mph in 3.3 secs.
That would be a dream..
Sometimes dreams come true. Take a look at Audi TT RS as an example. From 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds according to some german car magazines. Note Audi TT RS is one of fastest Audi of all time. Why shouldn’t Bmw do the same with Z4 M?
It’s definitely possible, and a care like that from BMW woud blow the TT RS out of the water. No question about it. But I’m afraid they won’t do it as they already said there’s not enough demand for such a vehicle. But that would definitely be a future classic.
I think Bmw fears that a potential Z4 M with a total weight of 1.3 tons would cannibalize the M2 Comp or M3/M4. I think with 3.3 seconds from 0-62 mph for the Z4 M Xdrive, the M5 would also have a real problem.
Yep, true.. Although not the M5 because that’s a totally different car. A Z4M would pretty much be a hardcore, 2-seat sports car whereas the M5 is a super saloon. I think the M2 Comp would be the closest although it’s still more practical and a coupe, so would still attract different people.
Yes, a two-seater and real sports car that would cost much less than for example the M5, which is actually a sports car with four doors, according to Bmw.
Judging all the reviews, I think “sports car with four doors” is not a bad description of the M5. :) We’ll see what happens, to me there’s definitely room for a Z4M, but whether BMW thinks the same that’s something else.
Not a bad point, and I really love the new Z4, as I’ve already driven it (4 cylinder only unfortunately ). But to me two big things makes it very hard to take it over the M2C.
First: manual transmission! To me this is just everything! Even though the ZF automatic is amazig, but in a fun car like that, it just has to be manual, especially for track usage. And as the rumors told us, there seems to be no manual option for the M40i.
And the other thing is: space! I don’t need much of it, but a two seater with small trunk is probably not enough for longer trips etc.
I hope I can get my hands on the M40i to get a better impression to compare it, at least to the actual N55 M2. And then at last, let’s see what the price says. Over long term a real M will keep its value much better I guess.
True that M-Cars keep the value well compared to regular BMWs but the Z vehicles also seem to keep their value too. Just a brief search on craigslist Z3s from the 1990s and early 2000s are well in the high 6s and 7s compared to other normal BMWs at much lower prices, and if you want a first gen Z4 many are selling for over 10k, and these are 10+ year old cars. It might be the type of vehicle, it being a roadster, or the smaller sales numbers, but Z vehicles seem to be pretty valuable.
I have to say when I had the previous Z4 as a loaner, I could not wait to get back into my 135i. It drove so much better. Same thing when I drove a 650i convertible. World’s best Thunderbird, but so what?