Manual G29 Z4M40I is here

[NitroYellowMKV]

Well I have been hearing rumors about this on the Z4 forum side for a while but really did not thing it was actually going to happen but looks like all of a sudden today a bunch of initial reviews on a still pre production G29 Z4 M40i went live, I know some people couldn't care less about the soft top sister to our cars but to those who love the engine and platform and like the drop top experience, till a targa supra ( which I still think would will never happen , but hey I guess anything is possible) this is the closest we will get. It doesn't hurt that the interior on the Z4 one ups the supra by a good bit as well as much better tech and better sound system, also unexpected was people saying that the manual and shifter feel is an improvement over the MT supra, which is already ages better than the manual currently found in any of the G8x cars.

Given that the closest other option to convertible manual rwd sports cars that is not a mustang is Porsche, and any comprable 6cyl boxter is going to be 100k+, this at around 70 seems like a pretty good buy. I do think if they wanted to end competition they would have dropped the S58 in this car, but this is a close second. I am pretty confident I will NOT be keeping my Emira after the mess that has been that experience + reviews, and everything else has gotten so pricey in the P car world, this may be a great option for those love the supra platform but want something a little nicer inside, a little different+ the drop top experience, while keeping the amazing b58 powerplant and modding ability.

Curious to hear what everyones thoughts on the supra side are on this, will it be replacing your supra? or something you'd never even consider. I know I am forsure!

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/12/11/bmw-z4-manual-prototype-drive/
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46091451/2024-bmw-z4-manual/
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a46093511/2024-bmw-z4-manual-transmission/

Sponsored

 

[Schang105]

Hey, great news here! This could be good for people who wanted a Supra MT allocation, but can't because of dealers being a bummer. Personally will just hold onto my 22 3.0 AT, but more options are a good thing.

 

[ColonelAdama]

It's been nice knowing you guys! Where do I trade? ?

 

[DarkZupra]

High on my list for my next daily. Might put the KWs from the supra on it, exhaust, and some wheels and thats it.....

Gonna need another daily for my daily....

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

Hope this doesn't take away from manual Supra production

 

[BMWAF]

I wonder if the manual is the same as ours or without Toyota's tweaks.

 

[DEupra]

Hope this doesn't take away from manual Supra production

My thinking is we should be more concerned with how many manual Supra's Toyota wants to supply (I'd guess Toyota would keep production similar to the roughly 1200 MT Supra sold from Sept'22-July'23, so say at most 1500 for the full year) . You think a company like ZF will have a problem manufacturing an additional 700 transmissions? (basing 700 off of roughly 50% of Z4 sales in the last 2 years). ZF produces over 1.2 million transmissions per year.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a44690187/toyota-supra-manual-transmission-ratio/
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/bmw-z4-sales-figures/
https://press.zf.com/press/media/pr...6/tx2021-02-04_ZF_Powerline_NA_Investment.pdf

I wonder if the manual is the same as ours or without Toyota's tweaks.

Article says without Toyota tweaks, so does that mean it's the identical transmission as the Z4 20i? I guess we'll know when the part number is published.

"The Z4 will use the same ZF-sourced gearbox as the Toyota, but without the tweaks made by Toyota for the Supra. Car and Driver reports that, consequently, the Z4's shifter has a more typical BMW feel; light, rubbery yet still precise. "

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46091451/2024-bmw-z4-manual/

 

[NitroYellowMKV]

I wonder if the manual is the same as ours or without Toyota's tweaks.

supposedly it is tweaked by BMW but a good bit over the auto, and still different than the tuning found on the supra. I am excited forsure.

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

My thinking is we should be more concerned with how many manual Supra's Toyota wants to supply (I'd guess Toyota would keep production similar to the roughly 1200 MT Supra sold from Sept'22-July'23, so say at most 1500 for the full year) . You think a company like ZF will have a problem manufacturing an additional 700 transmissions? (basing 700 off of roughly 50% of Z4 sales in the last 2 years). ZF produces over 1.2 million transmissions per year.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a44690187/toyota-supra-manual-transmission-ratio/
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/bmw-z4-sales-figures/
https://press.zf.com/press/media/pr...6/tx2021-02-04_ZF_Powerline_NA_Investment.pdf


Article says without Toyota tweaks, so does that mean it's the identical transmission as the Z4 20i? I guess we'll know when the part number is published.

"The Z4 will use the same ZF-sourced gearbox as the Toyota, but without the tweaks made by Toyota for the Supra. Car and Driver reports that, consequently, the Z4's shifter has a more typical BMW feel; light, rubbery yet still precise. "

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46091451/2024-bmw-z4-manual/

Didn’t see it, but was there an agreement between ZF and BMW on volume?

I suspect there is a volume limit. If Toyota made more manuals they would sell them. Don’t see many manuals sitting on lots and in all the dealers I’ve talked with there’s a long list for manuals, and they can’t even tell you how long the wait might be. Most think they can get you an auto within a couple months though.

 

[DEupra]

Didn’t see it, but was there an agreement between ZF and BMW on volume?

I suspect there is a volume limit. If Toyota made more manuals they would sell them. Don’t see many manuals sitting on lots and in all the dealers I’ve talked with there’s a long list for manuals, and they can’t even tell you how long the wait might be. Most think they can get you an auto within a couple months though.

"This won't be a limited-run model. BMW will build as many as it needs to satisfy demand, with production commencing early next year."

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46091451/2024-bmw-z4-manual/

 

[NitroYellowMKV]

I want one, as much as I love the supra, This is what I initially wanted. Definitely placing an order, if it is amazing when it comes here then i'll prob swap, if not I am loving my MT so no wrong choice.

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

"This won't be a limited-run model. BMW will build as many as it needs to satisfy demand, with production commencing early next year."

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46091451/2024-bmw-z4-manual/

Right that’s the Z4 but I haven’t seen anywhere from Toyota saying manual Supra aren’t limited run models.

 

[DEupra]

Right but I haven’t seen anywhere from Toyota saying manual Supra aren’t limited run models.

Because the demand is there, but they’re not making enough.

Toyota had mentioned about the GR Corolla that they wanted to make "one too few" of them and I'd assume that would translate over to the GR Supra. I'm guessing they don't want a repeat of the MKIV where they sat unsold at dealer lots.

 

[DEupra]

I want one, as much as I love the supra, This is what I initially wanted. Definitely placing an order, if it is amazing when it comes here then i'll prob swap, if not I am loving my MT so no wrong choice.

What would be your main concerns about the Z4 not meeting your expectations? Convertible B58 noises without the wind buffeting! (yes yes i know easy fix for the Supra). Updated/upgraded interior quality/infotainment (design of course is subjective).

 

[NitroYellowMKV]

What would be your main concerns about the Z4 not meeting your expectations? Convertible B58 noises without the wind buffeting! (yes yes i know easy fix for the Supra). Updated/upgraded interior quality/infotainment (design of course is subjective).

2 things- shifter is actually different than g8x cars which is really meh, and chassis is comparably as dynamic as the supra, or at least close. auto z4 m40 felt good last time I drove one a few years back, hopefully with the new tuning its even better.

Sponsored