Base Price - $45,750 and $51,650?

[cruise_bone]

Wow.

179216

[philippek]

In general I think the strategy is quite sound.

This is a calculated and considered move up market. Sales pressure has been somewhat alleviated by moving production to Germany (making that car in SC always meant high volume--lest you risk underutilizing that factory). German production is more expensive and lower production volumes go hand-in-hand with higher prices. With any luck this product will be different enough from the Mercedes, Audi and Porsche offerings and content-rich enough to provide value to those cross shopping the brands. Price alone should prevent the S2000, 370Z or Miata buyers from even stepping foot in the showroom.

I would personally be happy to see the end of the multi-thousand-dollar market allowances and subvented leases for this car. The E86 Z4 was overexposed and cliched because it was too accessible, and because of that it distracted many people from what was, dynamically speaking, one of the finest vehicles ever to come out of Munich.

This car should never have been looked at as a cash cow by BMW. It is a niche vehicle for affluent and discerning enthusiasts. It should be a second, or third, or 4th car, and you shouldn't see it on every street corner.

In general I think the strategy is quite sound.

Now give us a real coupe version and a bona fide ///M offering, BMW!

[Rubber Ducky]

In general I think the strategy is quite sound.

This is a calculated and considered move up market. Sales pressure has been somewhat alleviated by moving production to Germany (making that car in SC always meant high volume--lest you risk underutilizing that factory). German production is more expensive and lower production volumes go hand-in-hand with higher prices. With any luck this product will be different enough from the Mercedes, Audi and Porsche offerings and content-rich enough to provide value to those cross shopping the brands. Price alone should prevent the S2000, 370Z or Miata buyers from even stepping foot in the showroom.

I would personally be happy to see the end of the multi-thousand-dollar market allowances and subvented leases for this car. The E86 Z4 was overexposed and cliched because it was too accessible, and because of that it distracted many people from what was, dynamically speaking, one of the finest vehicles ever to come out of Munich.

This car should never have been looked at as a cash cow by BMW. It is a niche vehicle for affluent and discerning enthusiasts. It should be a second, or third, or 4th car, and you shouldn't see it on every street corner.

In general I think the strategy is quite sound.

Now give us a real coupe version and a bona fide ///M offering, BMW!

Pretty good comments. My first reaction to the pricing was 'no way,' but second consideration has me thinking that this will be a fairly exclusive set of wheels. Looks like a dream. The N54 mill is wonderful. All told, a splendid package ... if a person can afford it. I can. And may. Need to drive the car now.

Good comments.

[tturedraider]

The reality is the price difference for a similarly equipped '08 3.0si v. an '09 sDrive30 (both having the same engine) is $3,900; $48,875 for the '08 and $52,775 for the '09. Of course, that's not chump change, but for folks in this market it's probably not a deal stopper for a new generation car. And, too, for that $3,900 difference you get the folding hard top (which we know may be a bane to the purists, but the majority of buyers will like and it makes the car more of an all season car) and the Adaptive M Suspension.

[dwulffusa]

Its a choking increase in price, despite comparing old to new 3.0's etc and saying that a 3.0i base now replaces the old 3.0si from a performance perspective. Bottom line is you cant get into this car for $45k, whereas in the outgoing model, a discounted $30k was probably feasible. So yes, they have decided on a different demographic, and I expect lower sales volumes. It bothers me because I cant drive the new model now, not for a while, but at the same time, they have alternatives, a 1 and 3 series convertible, a 128i convertible base can be had for similar money to an 08 Z4 3.0i, so perhaps its right that the 2 seat roadster should not be that accessible...

[tturedraider]

The Z2 is now a lock. It is set for production scheduled to begin in 2012.

[KevinC]

Base Price - $45,750 and $51,650?

http://avatarfarm.com/avatarimages/animatedimages/laughingchimp.gif

[Z4luvr]

The reality is the price difference for a similarly equipped '08 3.0si v. an '09 sDrive30 (both having the same engine) is $3,900; $48,875 for the '08 and $52,775 for the '09. Of course, that's not chump change, but for folks in this market it's probably not a deal stopper for a new generation car. And, too, for that $3,900 difference you get the folding hard top (which we know may be a bane to the purists, but the majority of buyers will like and it makes the car more of an all season car) and the Adaptive M Suspension.This is true. However, the price difference is actually much greater than $3900 (at least at the early stages of the new model versus the older stages of the old model). 2006 and later Z4's had trunk money, residual increases and other dealer incentives which actually reduced their final price quite a bit. I looked back at my original sticker and it was just shy of $50K. However my cap cost was reduced a ton (at least $5000 as I recall) and I had an artificially high residual as well, further reducing the payments. The real price difference is well over $10,000 for an apples to apples deal. My SA just sent me an email that he had just booked his first Z4 order - with them paying full MSRP of $66K for a 3.5tt. Wow! :yikes:

Even though this comparison is not truly "apples to apples", I did a very rough calculation at $60K and got a lease payment that was more than 55% higher than what I paid for my Z in 2006.

[TMQ]

Totally different car now, materials, design, drivetrain, etc. And most importantly, made in Germany, so high price isn't surprising. This is mainly for 5 series type owners. BMW is probably tired of Z4 being shopped in comparison with Honda.

Current Z4 owners should wait for the Z2 - which probably would be more of a purist's roadster.

[Tabbie]

Totally different car now, materials, design, drivetrain, etc. And most importantly, made in Germany, so high price isn't surprising. This is mainly for 5 series type owners. BMW is probably tired of Z4 being shopped in comparison with Honda.

Current Z4 owners should wait for the Z2 - which probably would be more of a purist's roadster.

I hope the Z2 is better. I don't like the new Z4. It does not look like a sports car. It looks more like it should be parked at the marina. I may have to move on the Porsche.