BMW Z Models News

While those super expensive Aston Martins are out of the reach of 99.99% of collectors, there are other cars used in the movies and driven by 007 that will appeal to those with more modest budgets.How about a 1996 Z3 BMW? It appeared in Golden Eye and while it only was on screen for a minute or two they are cheap. A quick look on Carsguide suggests $11,000 will get you into one and I'm sure with a bit of arm twisting you could reduce that even more. Hairdressers paid over $70,000 when they were new.If a sports car is not your style, then there is always the 1997 BMW 750iL that Bond drove with his phone in Tomorrow Never Dies. When new BMW dealers were asking punters to part with $265,000. Right now depreciation is your BFF and you can snatch a high mileage example for under $7000. Be cautious though, it might be well shaken and mightily stirred.For a bit of Italian flavour, 1983 the Alfa GTV6 which 007 used in the movie Occtopussy makes for a cunning alternative. Some sell for as low as $3000 but good ones go for mid-teens. If something British is more to your liking, then what about the Triumph Stag? Bond drove a yellow one in Diamonds Are Forever while he was impersonating a diamond smuggler called Peter Franks. Around $15,000 seems a likely starting point for negotiations to get you into a true classic.Another British choice is the Sunbeam Alpine, which Bond drove in the first movie, Dr No. These are fabulous looking little convertibles. My neighbour in London had one and always referred to it as "the real Bond car". They range from about $16,000 all the way up to $40,000 depending on condition. As an aside, the Alpine was also the car of choice in the Get Smart TV series.But I'm saving the best two for last. In Man with the Golden Gun, Bond drives a red 1974 Rambler Hornet hatchback through the famous corkscrew aerial jump. Although the coupe never made it to Australia, 1,825 four door Hornets were built and sold here between 1971 and 1975. Many have been hot-rodded, but unmolested examples sell for less than $10,000 and are a bargain.So that leaves the red 1971 Mustang Mach 1 from Diamonds are Forever. A good one will set you back about $40,000 and there are plenty around. And yes, I know that's six times the price of the 750 BMW, but it looks way cooler!David Burrell is the editor of www.retroautos.com.au 

There are many ways to measure up the showroom choices for your next car. Is it efficient, is it affordable, is it comfortable, is it safe ... and now: is it attractive to the opposite sex? A new survey has explored that last factor and come up with some surprising results, especially for those men who think a sports car will make them more attractive to women.In good news for tradies everywhere, the research undertaken in the US by Insure.com found that more women consider utes the most attractive for potential dates to drive. The poll of 2000 drivers found that of the women,  32 per cent said they saw men who drove utes as the most attractive, with sports cars behind at 27 per cent. SUVs scored just 16 per cent with women, sedans 11 per cent and hybrids and electrics a measly 5 per cent.Women judged Ford the most attractive brand at 16 per cent, and black the hottest colour at 53 per cent. So, gentlemen: a Ford Ranger in the Black Mica finish? Oh, that does suit sir.When it came to men's opinions of what cars made women most attractive, the results were more expected. The leader was sports cars with 39 per cent, with sedans trailing behind at 22 per cent, SUVs at 20 per cent and people-movers at the bottom with 4 per cent.BMW earned the top brand choice for men with 16 per cent, and red the favourite colour with 40 per cent. So ladeeez: a red BMW Z4, perhaps.The survey added a few very questionable explanations as to why these body types were the top picks, suggesting women were looking for a mate who could "help me move, bring me large gifts ... and do repairs" while they would "think twice about dating a guy driving a VW Beetle, or anything labeled a chick car".And the research focused only on opposite-gender attraction, so if you're lesbian or gay the results possibly mean even less to you than they should to everybody else when choosing your next car.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Toyota’s FT-1 concept was arguably the star of the 2014 Detroit motor show -- prompting considerable comment about whether or not it points to a successor for the iconic Supra – with an outright perfo

We've seen some over-the-top modifications before -- the extreme slants of 'stance' wheels, bitumen-scraping skirts and spoilers set high enough to require an aircraft warning light. But this gold BMW Z4 takes personalisation to a stratospheric level.The sports car has been turned into a Chinese dragon -- either that, or one of the mythical creatures has developed a taste for German metal and started chowing down on the Beemer. And the mod has obviously taken considerable effort, with dragon wings mounted on scissor doors, a tail, claws and other parts meticulously carved out of yak bones. The dragon has been fitted over a gold metallic wrap, with wheels treated to match.The dragon car was created as an exhibit for the recent China Import and Export convention in the country's Guangdong province, which suggests it's unlikely to ever hit the road. However, even with the additions it could still easily be street legal. You might have to convince the police it would keep any fire-breathing urges in check.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

BMW has issued a safety recall for a total of 2894 cars sold between November 1 2012 and July 31 2013 for a defect that could see a lack of lubrication cause the vacuum pump to fail and reduce the effectiveness of the brake assist function that adds extra force for panic stops.The carmaker says however that the vehicles will still be able to brake under normal circumstances. "They don't lose braking ability, but still lose brake assistance," BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says. The affected vehicles are: the F20 1 Series; F30, F31 and F34 3 Series; F10 and F11 5 Series; E84 X1 compact crossover;  F25 X3 Series and E89 Z4 sports car.Fletcher says there have been no accidents or injuries, but a small number of vehicles have experienced the problem. "There have been about six or seven reports," she says. "We believe that only about 0.5 per cent of the vehicles in the recall will need fixing."An inspection taking less than an hour will determine if a vehicle needs the fix -- which will require up to another five hours. "We'll replace the component, and while parts can sometimes be an issue, ours are being airfreighted from Germany right now," Fletcher says. BMW says concerned owners should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call 1800 813 299.

BMW has given the Z4 Roadster a modest external freshen up, and added an eight speed auto transmission as standard to four-cylinder variants. In what is the latest in a string of pricing and specification updates for various BMW models, the Z4 refresh doesn’t extend to engine tweaks, but the two turbo-charged four-cylinder variants – the Z4 sDrive20i and Z4 sDrive28i, pick up that eight speed auto as standard. If you prefer to opt for a manual transmission, you will be pleased to hear that BMW won’t charge you any extra for a six-speed manual gearbox. On close inspection you may, or may not, notice the external changes, but they include; LED light rings around the now standard Bi-xenon headlights, new accent lights with metal inserts over the headlights, Chrome coloured surrounds on the turn signal indicators and a newly designed side indicator surround. Inside the cabin BMW has added high-gloss black surrounds around the central air vents and folding control display of the Z4 Roadsters iDrive system. Equipment upgrades include the addition of ‘Professional’ grade navigation system as standard. This system includes a high-resolution 8.8-inch colour display, DVD drive, functional bookmarks, 3D map and arrow display and bird’s-eye view. The Z4 sDrive28i picks up new 18-inch wheels, sports seats, internet functionality and a music interface for smart phones. And the top of the range Z4 sDrive35is receives new 19-inch wheels (up from 18-inch), wind deflector, internet functionality and a music interface for smartphones. BMW Z4 Roadster Australian Pricing: Australian MRLP* BMW Z4 sDrive 20i $79,900 BMW Z4 sDrive 28i $89,900 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i $119,545 Joel Helmes is the editor of the Behind the Wheel radio program, heard on more than 150 stations around Australia, and www.behindthewheel.com.au

An updated BMW Z4 roadster will reach us Down Under at about the time the new financial year ticks over. Which may be good news for those who have done all right in the 2012/13 year, because a new entry-level model, the BMW Z4 sDrive18i, will be one of the most eagerly awaited models in the shipment.VALUEBMW Australia won’t reveal the price until closer to the launch, but can we speculate that it will be somewhere in the high $60s? That’s going to be a significant drop from the current $77,500 entry price for the BMW Z4 sDrive20i -- putting the BMW Z4 into closer reach for a lot of buyers.ENGINESThe new BMW Z4 sDrive18i (why does BMW insist on these extraordinarily complex model names?) is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with BMW’s highly efficient TwinPower turbo technology. It produces maximum power output of 115 kW. Peak torque of 240 Nm is brilliant, spread from just 1250 rpm and is there all the way up to 4400 revs.As befits a pure sports model, the Z4 sDrive18i is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. An eight-speed sports automatic is an option.The 18i accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a sporty 7.9 seconds with the six-speed manual box, (the automatic is a little slower at 8.1 seconds).The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package for the new BMW Z4 sDrive18i includes twin-scroll turbocharging, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-Vanos continuously variable camshaft control.TECHNOLOGYThe optional BMW Individual hardtop, available in Black non-metallic and Glacier Silver metallic, adds to the appearance for the person wanting to stand out in the styling crowd. The hardtop can be opened while the Z4 is moving at up to 40 km/h, further adding to its practicality. If rain is looming you can keep the car topless knowing you only have to slow down, push the button and be secure again.The standard bi-xenon headlights of the revised BMW Z4 have a very slim design and extend well back into the front guards. There are LED daytime running lights. The integrated turn signal indicators now have chrome-coloured surrounds.Changes to the standard interior include high-gloss black surrounds for the central air vents and the iDrive control system’s folding Control Display (where fitted).The BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW Z4 sDrive35i and BMW Z4 sDrive35is are offered with Kansas leather trim, which is available as an option for the two other models.STYLINGWith a facelift of the body style, interior refinements and what BMW calls its new Design Pure Traction equipment package all variants of the Z4s are interesting sports machines.BMW Z4 is a true roadster thanks to its long bonnet, stubby tail and a low seating position that’s right back at the rear axle. This is strictly a two-seater, and we admire it for that.BMW’s ‘Design Pure Traction’ option is a vivid new equipment package that will please those who are bored with the unvarying black-on-black of too many new cars.Such-equipped Z4's will feature bespoke Alcantara door trim and orange-coloured lower section of the instrument panel. The black leather seats have contrast stitching in Valencia Orange and an accent stripe running down the central section of the backrests and seat cushions. This stripe is likewise orange and is flanked by two thin white lines.Another exclusive element of the Design Pure Traction package is the metal weave trim strip, which can be combined with further decorative elements in high-gloss black for the door openers and the gearshift or selector lever. 

Last month it was confirmed Toyota and BMW would collaborate on a new platform that would form the basis of at least one sports car from each of the automakers.

Free M suspension and dress-up bits will help maintain BMW’s average of one in every two cars being sold with an M Sport pack.Anyone who picks up a 5 Series or Z4 between now and March 31 will get a free M Sport deal, which runs from stiffer suspension, lightweight wheels and an aero package to sports seats, alloy interior highlights and a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel. That’s a saving of up to $7900 on the entry level BMW 520i.Buyers of a 1 or 3 Series coupe and convertible will gain the same tweaks, along with differing alloys and gloss-black kidney-bar grilles rear light surrounds and for 1 Series buyers. Step up to a 3 Series and the deal includes chrome kidney-bar grilles, metallic paint as a no-cost option, sports seats, alloy pedals and black-backed exterior mirrors.BMW has dubbed the promotion the “Festival of M” and says the savings range from $2500 to $7900. BMW spokesman Scott Croaker says it isn’t so much of a run-out as it is a value adjustment as the model dates.“The 1 and 3 Series coupe and convertible won’t be run out until the end of the year and the upgrades reflect the corporate policy of adding value as the vehicles near the end of their production run, Croaker notes. “The specific M Sport offer recognises that 50 per cent of our customers already take the option and reacting to that.”BMW is also selling a new X5 M Sport Limited Edition based on the three-litre turbodiesel. The pack costs $99,000 driveaway against a regular $72,600 price for the 30d and adds a body kit, 20-inch alloys, chrome tailpipe, auto tailgate and bi-xenon headlamps with high-beam assist. BMW says it adds more than $15,000 to the donor car.

The "new" 2014 Z4 gets updates that include: full access to ConnectedDrive features; three new paint colours; updated trim and stitching for the interior; a new 18-inch wheel design; and a new side indicator light that "adds a dynamic sweep to the gills on the front side sections of the car" according to BMW. Yep, that's it in a nutshell. Updates to the Z4's ConnectedDrive system include: High Beam Assistant, Park Distance Control, and in navigation-equipped cars, internet-based information and entertainment features, including BMW Online portal, Real Time Traffic Information, and iPhone-based BMW apps to scan Twitter and Facebook posts or listen to MOG, Pandora, Aupeo, or Stitcher internet radio. BMW's TeleServices, Remote Services, Concierge Services, and Automatic Collision Notification features are also now included in the Z4's ConnectedDrive package. The interior updates include standard high-gloss black surrounds for the air vents and iDrive's folding Control Display (part of the optional navigation package); optional Fineline Anthracite wood trim; Kansas leather trim; and the Hyper Orange package, which includes a black-and-orange theme for the cabin, including Alcantara door trim, black leather seats with Valencia Orange stitching, an accent stripe on the backrests and seat cushions, and a "metal weave" trim strip. The Hyper Orange package replaces the previous Citrus Yellow package. Powertrains and models are unchanged for the 2014 model year, with the 180 kilowatt 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged Z4 sDrive28i, the 225 kilowatt six-cylinder turbo Z4 sDrive35i, and the 250 kilowatt turbo-six Z4 sDrive35is all carrying forward. The sDrive35is is available only with the seven-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission, as last year, while the sDrive28i offers a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic and the sDrive35i gets a choice of six-speed manual or the seven-speed DCT. MotorAuthority