<img src="">www.zroadster.net/tim/hc0...over.jpg">
The January issue of <b>TotalBMW magazine</b> should be available in the US by now and has an article on points to look out for when buying a used Z3, as well as an article by me on Homecoming.
<a href="www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/" target="_blank">TotalBMW</a> is highly rated by <a href="www.boston-bmwcca.org/bim.../pubs.asp" target="_blank">Boston Chapter BMW CCA</a>, <a href="www.bmwworld.com/media/magazines.htm" target="_blank">BMWworld</a>, and has in-depth editorial--well worth subscribing to!
The HC02 article includes pics of Kenn Sparks/Anders Warming, Red Jen and crowd at Crossroads of Time, Werner Gerbs (well, his back), Jon T, Linda and Steve from Ontario, Amy and THAT quilt, plus a group shot outside Bruce's log cabin.
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<a href="www.zroadster.net/tim/hc0...w-p59.jpg" target="_blank">page 2</a>
<a href="www.zroadster.net/tim/hc0...w-p60.jpg" target="_blank">page 3</a>
<a href="www.zroadster.net/tim/hc0...w-p61.jpg" target="_blank">page 4</a>
The text got chopped in the subediting and a few bits got mixed up (like Dan Warsinger's trailer text/photo), so I've added the original text below.
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ORIGINAL TEXT
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<font size="+1"><b>Auf Wiedersehen Z3, Willkommen Z4</b></font>
We could have spent the last bank holiday Monday of the summer relaxing on the beach. Instead we rose before dawn to finish packing then drove to Gatwick airport. My wife Irene and I were headed for the Homecoming 2002 gathering at BMWs factory in South Carolina. Homecoming is an annual eventnow in its sixth yearin which Z3 owners from all over the US drive their babies back to the factory where they were born.
At the first Homecoming BMW was amazed at the amount of customising done by many of the owners. They video taped almost every car and asked a lot of questions. A flurry of BMW Techs decided that part of the event should include repairs to help them review issues with the cars. As they made their way around the group, people were amazed at how much they would do to fix a situation. Door panels, switches, door dings, dents, scratches and almost anything else.
Dr Burkhard Geschel, leader of the original Z3 project, and now BMW supervisory board member, attended the third Homecoming in1999 and was amazed at the reception he received. People queued up to have him autograph their owner handbooks. Geschel regaled the audience with reminiscences of the development project and how the team managed to thwart the management edict that 70 per cent of the components had to come from existing BMW models.
<i>Pic candidate: Burkhard Geschel seated in the Z3 from Goldeneye (picture courtesy of Robert Leidy)</i>
This would be my fourth Homecoming and I was looking forward to meeting friends from previous years who I chat to throughout the year on the bulletin boards. I had intended writing an article last year about Homecoming but the horrors of September 11th got in the way. Fellow Z3 owners we knew from Homecoming were involved. Mark, a colonel in the US Army, was on duty in the Pentagon when the plane struck. Rachel lives only a mile from where the Twin Towers stood and after the event made good use of the Internet in its original civil defence role helping organise volunteers and supplies. To make it really personal, my nephew Matthew had been at Newark airport that morning to catch a flight to the west coast. The terrorists could easily have chosen his flight instead of United Airlines Flight 93.
Many owners travel to Spartanburg in convoysTeachum leads a group of 30 roadsters from the Midwest, other convoys come from Texas, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey and so on. Other owners travel solo, often taking extended holiday time and clocking up extreme mileage. Dan Warsinger, the official photographer for Yosemite National Park, runs up 5,600 miles in his return trip from the west coast. The journey takes two and a half days each way, travelling at speeds of up to 107 mph, despite towing a trailer behind his heavily customised 2.8. Fred Kern has his 87-year old Mom riding shotgun in his supercharged 1.9 as he heads south from New York State. Zeattle Dave, as his name suggests, last year started out from Seattle in the northwest, but somehow managed to incorporate Florida in the return trip.
Whichever direction they are coming from, most participants plan their route to include Deals Gap, one of the narrow passes through the Appalachian Mountains originally trail blazed by early settlers. Now part of US 129 running between North Carolina and Tennessee, the gap is better known as The Dragon. With 318 bends in just 11 miles its a favourite haunt of bikers and roadster drivers and is the longest roller coaster imaginable.
Winging my way over the Atlantic, it suddenly struck me that this would be my first visit to Spartanburg without seeing the Z3 production line in full swing. For in June, after nearly seven years and 297,087 units, the Z3 moved off the production floor and into the history book. Production of customer Z4s for the US market was due to start the week after our visit and in the interregnum the E85 line was being used for pre-production assembly and testing. Although the worlds press wouldnt get to see the Z4 until the launch at the Paris auto show several weeks later, the word on the street was that we would get to see a Z4 in the metal this coming week.
<b>Smokey Mountain Blacktops</b>
Once our flight landed at Charlotte, North Carolina, we cleared customs, picked up a hire car, and were on our way to Spartanburg as quickly as possible. Our plans were to collect a loaner Z3 from the factory then head over the Appalachians to spend Monday night in Tennessee. We would stay a couple of days in BMW driving heaven playing with the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and some of the other excellent Smoky Mountain blacktops, then on Thursday join one of the convoys making their way back over the Appalachians to BMW Spartanburg for the Homecoming weekend.
We had a phone call en-route to say the loaner was an Impala Brown 2.5i Z3, which would be parked behind the Zentrum museum. The colour isnt everyones cup of tea (not unless you like your tea well-stewed), but I was looking forward to driving the 2.5i. Not only was it a model not sold in the UK, but also the 2.5 engine would be the entry-level powerbox in the Z4 and it would be interesting to compare it against the 3.0i.
When we got to the factory I strode off to the Zentrum to pick up the 2.5i, then stopped, retraced my steps, and collected my camera from the hire car. You never know what you will see. Sure enough, as I was drawing away in the Z3, I saw a Maldives Blue Z4 behind a chain link fence. I casually drew to a halt and fired off a quick shot but was too far away. I drew closer for another shot but in its wisdom the camera decided to automatically fire the flash. So much for surreptitious spy shots! I slunk away before someone called security and quickly transferred what we needed for the next few days from the hire car to the Z3 boot.
<i>Pic candidate: Z4 through chain link fence.</i>
Although 6.30 in the evening, it was sweltering and in the high 80s as we set off for the mountains. It had already been a long day what with the flight and the 90-mile drive to the factory, but there was another 220 miles to go. We stopped for a quick pizza and left with doggie bags large enough for St Bernards. The temperature fell as we climbed, then came heavy rain and an electric storm. I flinched as natures speed camera from hell illuminated the road ahead with each strike. The speed limit dropped to 60 mph where the freeway starts the winding section through the middle of the mountains but its a fool who obeys it when theres a posse of half a dozen massive tractor units bearing down on you at 85 mph. I was glad to reach Alcoa and bed around 4.30am UK time.
We had breakfast the next morning with a couple of great friends, Connie and Brent Hill from Missouri, then set off together with a Canadian couple, Werner and Barb Gerbes, to say Hello to the Dragon and some of the local roads.
<i>Pic candidate: Werners Canadian Maple leaf and my Union Flag</i>
Most UK motoring journalists have harsh words to say about the Z3s handling and its true that the back end bunny hop catches many people out. Its not until you ride on the US blacktops that you realise the roadster is designed for a rather different set of roads with predictable bends, high cambers and wonderfully smooth surfaces.
Nevertheless the Dragon sometimes bites back as I found out the next morning. I set out around dawn to do some video filming and came across an unhappy-looking biker who had trashed his machine a few minutes earlier. The bike was hanging over a drop so I helped him extricate it and then gave him a run to the Crossroads of Time bikers cafe where someone would be able to sort him out.
The 2.5i was an interesting drive. Like the UKs 3.0i and 2.2i, the US 2.5i is based on the M54 engine. But whilst it has a shorter stroke than the 3.0i, it shares its bore. The result is a massively over-square engine that just loves to rev, spinning easily, and happy running at 4500-5000 rpm for long periods in lower gears. Normally I try to avoid using brakes, relying instead on engine braking. I had a shock the first time I dropped a cog going into a bend as the 2.5i engine merely raised its tone and kept going! Ultimately the 2.5i doesnt have the grunt of the 3.0i and with a red line just over 6,000 rpm I had to keep swapping from second to third to keep the speed up.
If Id been driving Zmurf, my Laguna Seca Blue M roadster, I could have used the torque to power round the Dragon in third gear. Zmurf is living proof that theres no such thing as a free lunchafter borrowing a US-spec M roadster from the factory the previous year I was so impressed that I ended up spending a small fortune upgrading to a 2001 M roadster on my return.
<i>Pic candidate: Jack, Craig, Red Jen (owner of the Red Z3), John and Vance at Deals Gap.</i>
When Thursday came around there were literally hundreds of Z3s on the Dragon for the run back to Spartanburg. We bumped into Linda and Steve, a British couple living in Ontario. Steve works with automotive modelling software and knew BMW designer Chris Bangel from his Fiat days. Together with Jon Trudel from New Jersey we set off to the home of Bruce Thomson, a local Z3 owner, who was holding open house with a barbeque lunch.
<i>Pic candidate: group shot at Bruces.</i>
Bruce and Marjs log cabin is set in a beautiful wooded area overlooking Table Rock mountain and with garage space for five cars was a little larger than I had imagined. Just as well for more owners turned up as time passed, and even more were arriving as we left.
I was following Steves M coup as we got back on the road. The M roadster has presence, the coup body shell adds meanness, and when its in black the overall effect is menacing. As we dropped further into the Carolinas the countryside started looking more like the film set of Deliverance. Creepers hanging from the trees added to the atmosphere. Roadside stands sell boiled peanuts; a local delicacy that once savoured is rarely repeated. Inadvertently I started humming Duelling Banjos.
The reality though is that locals are extremely polite and friendly. The Carolinas are part of the Bible belt and as we neared Spartanburg there were signs for factory outlets with Bibles at up to 70 per cent discount. I also noticed a sign in the road for coach drivers suggesting they drop passengers off first at the Bible outlet, Incentives available!
As we closed with the factory, suddenly we spotted a blue Z4 coming the other way, driver and passenger waving at the convoys of Z3s. We were all for turning and giving chase but the traffic was too heavy. During the welcome reception later that evening, BMWs Roberta Evans smiled serenely when I asked her if BMW had deliberately scheduled the Z4 run as a teaser.
<b>Performance Center</b>
We were up first thing Friday morning for a session at the Performance Center, a $12.5 million investment by BMW in driver training. Built on a 134-acre site close to the factory, it includes a delivery centre where US customers can take delivery of their new BMW and receive specialised orientation specific to their model. The driver safety-training course is a 1.7-mile track that is designed to create more than 35 driving experiences whilst an additional 1.3-mile off-road course is intended for training X5 drivers.
During Homecoming BMW reckons to give most participants the opportunity to sample the delights of the center. Our group of some 30 cars were split into three groups and we had separate sessions on slalom control, auto cross and skidpan training.
<i>Pic candidate: on the skidpan.</i>
The pan is a 300-foot wide circle of polished concrete constantly washed with jets of water. First we played with circling the pan with DSC on, letting the software take control of the car as it lost grip. Then we tried again with DSC off, seeing just how fast we could go before doing a complete 360. In previous years we had used 3 Series saloons provided by BMW on the pan, but this year we could use the Z3s and it was immediately noticed by everyone that the Z3 had far superior sticking power, probably due to its lower centre of gravity.
Although this was my fourth year of attending driver training I recognised just how much I learnt in the few hours. If I lived in the States I wouldnt hesitate to sign up for a two-day course.
<b>Peace Center</b>
Friday night was the traditional open-air entertainment at Greenvilles Peace Center. So how do you make space for more than 500 Z3s in the middle of the town? Easy, just block off the main street with a police car at either end and create four lines, one down each side of the road, and two in the middle. This way people can leave when the want.
As you can imagine the evening starts with everyone wandering down the lines of Z3s. It was coming here in 1999 that finally cured me of crying out, Look, theres another Z3. As dusk fell the band started and people were dancing under the stars. The evening finished with a chest-thumping firework display.
<i>Pic candidate: panoramic photo.</i>
<b>Entertainment</b>
The following night, Dr Helmut Leube, president of BMW Manufacturing Corporation, spoke about the close of the Z3 production. This is the first model changeover in the plants ten-year history. It was a strange feeling. As the final car came down the line for the first time in many years there was nothing behind it in the line. As it cleared each stage workers from each of the assembly points accompanied it on its journey. Befittingly, the final Z3 an individual edition in Sepia metallic paint and Arizona Sun seatsnow has pride of place in the Zentrum museum.
<i>Pic candidate: Auf Wiedersehen</i>
Leube said BMW preferred to use the phrase Auf Widersehen (until again see) rather than say goodbye to the Z3.
He went on to speak about the Z4, We have listened to you and your needs. The Z4 is larger, theres space for two sets of golf clubs, and The stereo in the Z4 has a concert hall effect, even with the top down. And you wont believe it, there are cup holders. Two of them; and they are air conditioned!
>b>What are Z3 owners looking for in the Z4?</b>
During the 1999 Homecoming, BMW hosted an owners clinic to obtain feedback on various aspects of the Z3. The clinic had been publicised in advance and before flying over to the US I asked other UK owners if there were any points they would like me to ask about, so I arrived at Spartanburg with a fairly long list.
A questionnaire was handed out as we entered the room. I whizzed through it, ticking boxes and writing responses whilst others were still entering the room. Hardly any of the items on my list were covered in the questionnaire so I waited patiently for the moderator to start the open session. Unfortunately the remainder of the clinic was taken up with a painfully slow explanation of how to complete the questionnaire and there was practically no time available for any participants to raise additional points.
This is the first truism of marketing surveys--they rarely pose the questions you want to be asked. And when they do, the possible reply options dont fit in with your response.
I felt that BMW had missed a golden opportunity during the 1999 Homecoming to get valuable marketing information from participants. What a bummer if they didn't fix some of the simple things in the next generation! So what could be done before it was too late?
Rather than designing my own survey I decided to establish a next-generation message board so that people could pose their own suggestions, as well as responding to other people's ideas. More than 250 messages were posted suggesting improvements and other ideas. After merging some very similar suggestions, this boiled down to 142 suggestions that I grouped under headings such as style, size, engine, stereo, etc. The next stage was to create a voting form that gave people the chance to rate each of the suggestions.
The survey opened in February 2001. I decided to prematurely terminate the exercise in March as by then some realistic looking spy shots of a new non-retro Z3 had appeared in Europe and I felt they might artificially bias the input. By then a total of 182 responses had been collected and stored on a database on the web server. I downloaded the database, produced spreadsheets showing the voting patterns, and forwarded all the files to BMW Munich and Spartanburg for their consideration.
While some of the response patterns were predictable, there were a few surprises. Of course, people responded based on their own experienceif they had an older Z3 they might highly rate some points that BMW considered already fixed in the latest production. The top twenty suggestions are shown below, grouped by topic together with their position in the poll.
Body style, size, strength
1. Maintain retro styling and low side profile
3. Keep small, light and nimble
5. Don't reduce trunk storage
8. Reduce squeaks and rattles, especially glove box area
16. Stiffer body shell
19. Standard strut brace
Stereo
2. Higher quality base speakers that don't distort
6. Improve premium Harmon/Kardon upgrade--weak, rattle
Paint
4. Reduce vulnerability to stone chips
17. Individual program--greater choice of exterior/interior colors
Softtop
7. Softtop that retracts under a proper cover rather than boot
11. Improve rear plastic screen clarity and quality
12. Softtop that doesn't mark, wear out, or leak
14. Easier replacement procedure for plastic window
Performance
9. Xenon headlights
10. Replace trailing-arm rear suspension with modern design
Modern features
13. Footwell and glove box lights
15. Adjustable rake and reach steering column
18. Lumbar adjustment in seats
20. Variable intermittent-speed wipers
I view the survey as an interesting exercise in drawing a line in the sand. One of the biggest marketing mistakes is to ignore the fact that a high percentage of future business comes from existing customers. So whilst it's fine looking over the fence at the competition, trying to second guess their plans and steal their customers, you ignore your existing customer base at your peril.
The concept and design work for the next generation Z3 were completed long ago and there was no way that some of the basics could be changed. But there are many aspects that BMW could still take notice of, such as fitting high-quality audio (2nd and 6th highest votes), reducing the size of the rear-view mirror and so forth.
It was particularly essential for BMW to improve the soft top. Not only did it figure highly in owner feedback but also warranty claims must have cost millions of dollars. Edscha supplies most of the soft tops for European cabriolet models and as far back as 1999 was encouraged to form a joint venture with ASC, the American company that developed the Z3 soft top, to develop a state-of-the-art system for the Z4.
<b>Factory tour</b>
Security was tight for the factory tour. As usual, no cameras were allowed, but each group was accompanied by extra guides to ensure we didnt accidentally stray off and see things we shouldnt. Nevertheless we saw quite a lot; I was able to closely examine the Z4 unibody which showed some interesting compartments behind the seats, roll hoops integrated into the chassis and additional strengthening struts.
<i>Pic candidate: welding the unibody.</i>
Whats interesting is the degree of automation. BMW was cautious of likely success of the Z3, with initial sales projections of just 125-150,000 units. Consequently production was kept as simple as possible to reduce machining investments. Associates welded many parts by hand and assembly was mainly manual, with only 30 per cent automation.
By comparison, the Z4 line is worlds apart in technology and the body shop producing the unibody is 95 per cent automated. Robots send a pager message to an Associate if they need any attention. Together with Nothelfer, BMW has applied for a patent for the system for welding together floor assembly and side panels in the geometry station. A patented door fitting system guarantees consistently narrow gaps.
Towards the end of the tour we saw several Z4s in a variety of colours. The headlights of a Maldives Blue Z4 with fantastic sports turbine wheels illuminated a Merlot Red Z4 which looked beautiful.
One tour guide messed up big time. His group were ambling down a line of almost finished Z4s, watching the soft top operation and other obviously restricted aspects, when the guide was pulled over. The conversation was reported as, What the **** are you doing in this area. We spent all week moving the production away from the tour route and now you come down this line!
The factory tour ended in the Zentrum museum. Amongst its many exhibits is a standing display of the Z3 accompanied by quotes from owners displayed on seven large photo panels. One of the photos is a view of Z3s in Wasdale that I took during a cruise in the English Lake District.
<i>Pic candidate: Tim Cullis and the Z3 photo display.</i>
<b>Z4 design presentation</b>
Put your cameras at your feet and keep your hands where I can see them, boomed Kenn Sparks, Spartanburg Communications Manager, as he introduced Anders Warming, a worryingly young-looking Dane who led the Z4 design project. Warming, who works out of BMWs DesignWorks in California, related that his first Z4 design sketches were made in summer 1998 shortly after he received the outline specifications.
Warming stressed that the Z4 was not a successor to the Z3, We werent making a mark II Z3; each roadster productZ3, Z8, Z4is designed to meet the needs of the marketplace at the time of its launch. He also related how the design team had agonised over some of the design ideas, especially the two swage lines down the side of the car. Apparently flame surfacing is out of fashion and the phrase to use with the Z4 is dynamic surfacing. What are you most proud of was an awkward question, but Warming quickly responded with, The way the details were resolved.
In discussions with Warming after the presentation it is clear that a great deal of thought has gone into many aspects. Windflow through the cockpit is vastly reduced, although a wind blocker accessory will still be offered. Taller drivers will be delighted that the headroom and legroom space has been dramatically increased. BMW has come up with a neat idea for drivers wanting a sportier exhaust sound; rather than fit a sports exhaust, BMW has borrowed loudspeaker technology to create a sound box on the 3.0i that ports some of the exhaust note back into the cockpit.
During a second factory tour to recheck some of the things I had seen earlier, I started talking to a German couple. The husband was from FIZ, BMWs Munich research arm, and was at the factory for the Z4 production start-up. Relaxing afterwards with a glass of Hefe Weien beer, I met another German who I will call Georg. He knew of my work on the next-generation survey and we started talking about how the Z3 community would take to the Z4.
BMWs design directions are a hot talking point at the moment. The Z4 in particular elicits extremes of opinion, people tend to either love it or hate it. The detractors list aspects such as the twin swage lines, scalloped doors, lack of gills and the controversial roundel turn signal.
Georg explained that there are many differences between typical North American and European roadster buyers. Many Z3 owners in Europe are young professionals, its their only car, and they use it on a daily basis.
By comparison, many North American couples own two or three other cars in addition to the Z3, which is often only used for special trips on sunny summer days. Many plan to keep the Z3 indefinitely. We call them empty nesters, the children have left home, the man is looking to regain his youth, reckoned Georg, and really wants the freedom of a Harley, but knows the wife wont agree, so instead he proposes the safe solution of a Z3.
The second inhibitor is that the harsh angular features of the Z4 gives the roadster a more macho look that will appeal to men, but might put off the fairer sex.
Well thought out Georg, but according to Connie, the talk in the ladies powder room at Homecoming was all about how the fairer sex liked the design of the Z4 far more than their husbands. I like the sides, and I dont mind the angularity, says Connie. Oh, and we call these mid 50s people dinksdouble income, no kids.
The feedback from most male owners was that they are not necessarily opposed to the design, but are definitely sitting on the fence until they see the beast in the metal and can kick the tyres. I had breakfast with Ron Styger, Al Corey, and Randy and Sue Forbes. Whilst the three guys were fairly cautious, Suzy was extremely positive about the car.
Viserhawk agreed, I was about to order the new Audi A4 Cabriolet when BMW released pictures of the Z4 in early July. My wife took one look at pictures of the Z4 and told me I'd be nuts not to go for itthe Z4 was far more attractive. So, to keep peace in the family, I've make the supreme sacrifice and given in to my wife's views, ha-ha.
Again, reflecting the male view, Connies husband, Brent, isnt so positive, I was more impressed with an actualeven though suppressedview than with the photos, and I am sure BMW will sell them, but they will never be a Z3.
Men who havent owned a Z3 before are far more positive. Steve, a 3 Series owner, had some harsh things at a BMW feedback session about a prototype of the new 5 Series, but was positive about the Z4, Now I had something to cheer about. The roadster is a gorgeous car, and I told them so.
Others are equally positive; Its a completely unique car, so no confusing it with anything else. Those who have seen the car agree the photos dont do it justice, The Z4 looks much better in the flesh and movingits more dynamic than just about anything else on the market.
<b>Launch constraints</b>
The 6-speed gearbox for the 3.0i isnt ready for the start of US deliveries in November, nor is the SMG box, so initial deliveries of the Z4 flagship are Steptronic. Other things arent readythe hardtop and many of the accessories and options. And for some strange reason, initial customer production is limited to just four coloursJet Black, Titanium Silver, Sterling Grey and Maldives Blue. Other colours have been announced, but some wont be start production until December, others until next March.
The choice of colours has people scratching their heads. BMW has canned the popular Topaz Blue, replacing it with Toledo Blue, and the Urban Green has been described as Wermacht Grun.
Fred Meloan is a long-time Z3 owner, I certainly would not have changed the name to Z4 and I would never have approved the styling. Technically, I think the Z4 is right on and addresses all the limitations of the Z3. Starting production with only four colours makes no sense at all and I can't think of any technical reasons for the limited colours. I am left with the conclusion that some marketing maven came up with another stupid idea. Time will tell.
I dont believe the Z4 will sell as well as the Z3. The market has matured, theres more competition and the US economy is a bit shaky. Moving upmarket takes the Z4 out of the reach of some buyers, perhaps there will be a Z2 to fill the gap?
<b>Tim Cullis</b>
Tim is the webmaster of the Z roadster message board at www.zroadster.net
The January issue of <b>TotalBMW magazine</b> should be available in the US by now and has an article on points to look out for when buying a used Z3, as well as an article by me on Homecoming.
<a href="www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/" target="_blank">TotalBMW</a> is highly rated by <a href="www.boston-bmwcca.org/bim.../pubs.asp" target="_blank">Boston Chapter BMW CCA</a>, <a href="www.bmwworld.com/media/magazines.htm" target="_blank">BMWworld</a>, and has in-depth editorial--well worth subscribing to!
The HC02 article includes pics of Kenn Sparks/Anders Warming, Red Jen and crowd at Crossroads of Time, Werner Gerbs (well, his back), Jon T, Linda and Steve from Ontario, Amy and THAT quilt, plus a group shot outside Bruce's log cabin.
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<a href="www.zroadster.net/tim/hc0...w-p59.jpg" target="_blank">page 2</a>
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<a href="www.zroadster.net/tim/hc0...w-p61.jpg" target="_blank">page 4</a>
The text got chopped in the subediting and a few bits got mixed up (like Dan Warsinger's trailer text/photo), so I've added the original text below.
<hr>
ORIGINAL TEXT
<hr>
<font size="+1"><b>Auf Wiedersehen Z3, Willkommen Z4</b></font>
We could have spent the last bank holiday Monday of the summer relaxing on the beach. Instead we rose before dawn to finish packing then drove to Gatwick airport. My wife Irene and I were headed for the Homecoming 2002 gathering at BMWs factory in South Carolina. Homecoming is an annual eventnow in its sixth yearin which Z3 owners from all over the US drive their babies back to the factory where they were born.
At the first Homecoming BMW was amazed at the amount of customising done by many of the owners. They video taped almost every car and asked a lot of questions. A flurry of BMW Techs decided that part of the event should include repairs to help them review issues with the cars. As they made their way around the group, people were amazed at how much they would do to fix a situation. Door panels, switches, door dings, dents, scratches and almost anything else.
Dr Burkhard Geschel, leader of the original Z3 project, and now BMW supervisory board member, attended the third Homecoming in1999 and was amazed at the reception he received. People queued up to have him autograph their owner handbooks. Geschel regaled the audience with reminiscences of the development project and how the team managed to thwart the management edict that 70 per cent of the components had to come from existing BMW models.
<i>Pic candidate: Burkhard Geschel seated in the Z3 from Goldeneye (picture courtesy of Robert Leidy)</i>
This would be my fourth Homecoming and I was looking forward to meeting friends from previous years who I chat to throughout the year on the bulletin boards. I had intended writing an article last year about Homecoming but the horrors of September 11th got in the way. Fellow Z3 owners we knew from Homecoming were involved. Mark, a colonel in the US Army, was on duty in the Pentagon when the plane struck. Rachel lives only a mile from where the Twin Towers stood and after the event made good use of the Internet in its original civil defence role helping organise volunteers and supplies. To make it really personal, my nephew Matthew had been at Newark airport that morning to catch a flight to the west coast. The terrorists could easily have chosen his flight instead of United Airlines Flight 93.
Many owners travel to Spartanburg in convoysTeachum leads a group of 30 roadsters from the Midwest, other convoys come from Texas, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey and so on. Other owners travel solo, often taking extended holiday time and clocking up extreme mileage. Dan Warsinger, the official photographer for Yosemite National Park, runs up 5,600 miles in his return trip from the west coast. The journey takes two and a half days each way, travelling at speeds of up to 107 mph, despite towing a trailer behind his heavily customised 2.8. Fred Kern has his 87-year old Mom riding shotgun in his supercharged 1.9 as he heads south from New York State. Zeattle Dave, as his name suggests, last year started out from Seattle in the northwest, but somehow managed to incorporate Florida in the return trip.
Whichever direction they are coming from, most participants plan their route to include Deals Gap, one of the narrow passes through the Appalachian Mountains originally trail blazed by early settlers. Now part of US 129 running between North Carolina and Tennessee, the gap is better known as The Dragon. With 318 bends in just 11 miles its a favourite haunt of bikers and roadster drivers and is the longest roller coaster imaginable.
Winging my way over the Atlantic, it suddenly struck me that this would be my first visit to Spartanburg without seeing the Z3 production line in full swing. For in June, after nearly seven years and 297,087 units, the Z3 moved off the production floor and into the history book. Production of customer Z4s for the US market was due to start the week after our visit and in the interregnum the E85 line was being used for pre-production assembly and testing. Although the worlds press wouldnt get to see the Z4 until the launch at the Paris auto show several weeks later, the word on the street was that we would get to see a Z4 in the metal this coming week.
<b>Smokey Mountain Blacktops</b>
Once our flight landed at Charlotte, North Carolina, we cleared customs, picked up a hire car, and were on our way to Spartanburg as quickly as possible. Our plans were to collect a loaner Z3 from the factory then head over the Appalachians to spend Monday night in Tennessee. We would stay a couple of days in BMW driving heaven playing with the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and some of the other excellent Smoky Mountain blacktops, then on Thursday join one of the convoys making their way back over the Appalachians to BMW Spartanburg for the Homecoming weekend.
We had a phone call en-route to say the loaner was an Impala Brown 2.5i Z3, which would be parked behind the Zentrum museum. The colour isnt everyones cup of tea (not unless you like your tea well-stewed), but I was looking forward to driving the 2.5i. Not only was it a model not sold in the UK, but also the 2.5 engine would be the entry-level powerbox in the Z4 and it would be interesting to compare it against the 3.0i.
When we got to the factory I strode off to the Zentrum to pick up the 2.5i, then stopped, retraced my steps, and collected my camera from the hire car. You never know what you will see. Sure enough, as I was drawing away in the Z3, I saw a Maldives Blue Z4 behind a chain link fence. I casually drew to a halt and fired off a quick shot but was too far away. I drew closer for another shot but in its wisdom the camera decided to automatically fire the flash. So much for surreptitious spy shots! I slunk away before someone called security and quickly transferred what we needed for the next few days from the hire car to the Z3 boot.
<i>Pic candidate: Z4 through chain link fence.</i>
Although 6.30 in the evening, it was sweltering and in the high 80s as we set off for the mountains. It had already been a long day what with the flight and the 90-mile drive to the factory, but there was another 220 miles to go. We stopped for a quick pizza and left with doggie bags large enough for St Bernards. The temperature fell as we climbed, then came heavy rain and an electric storm. I flinched as natures speed camera from hell illuminated the road ahead with each strike. The speed limit dropped to 60 mph where the freeway starts the winding section through the middle of the mountains but its a fool who obeys it when theres a posse of half a dozen massive tractor units bearing down on you at 85 mph. I was glad to reach Alcoa and bed around 4.30am UK time.
We had breakfast the next morning with a couple of great friends, Connie and Brent Hill from Missouri, then set off together with a Canadian couple, Werner and Barb Gerbes, to say Hello to the Dragon and some of the local roads.
<i>Pic candidate: Werners Canadian Maple leaf and my Union Flag</i>
Most UK motoring journalists have harsh words to say about the Z3s handling and its true that the back end bunny hop catches many people out. Its not until you ride on the US blacktops that you realise the roadster is designed for a rather different set of roads with predictable bends, high cambers and wonderfully smooth surfaces.
Nevertheless the Dragon sometimes bites back as I found out the next morning. I set out around dawn to do some video filming and came across an unhappy-looking biker who had trashed his machine a few minutes earlier. The bike was hanging over a drop so I helped him extricate it and then gave him a run to the Crossroads of Time bikers cafe where someone would be able to sort him out.
The 2.5i was an interesting drive. Like the UKs 3.0i and 2.2i, the US 2.5i is based on the M54 engine. But whilst it has a shorter stroke than the 3.0i, it shares its bore. The result is a massively over-square engine that just loves to rev, spinning easily, and happy running at 4500-5000 rpm for long periods in lower gears. Normally I try to avoid using brakes, relying instead on engine braking. I had a shock the first time I dropped a cog going into a bend as the 2.5i engine merely raised its tone and kept going! Ultimately the 2.5i doesnt have the grunt of the 3.0i and with a red line just over 6,000 rpm I had to keep swapping from second to third to keep the speed up.
If Id been driving Zmurf, my Laguna Seca Blue M roadster, I could have used the torque to power round the Dragon in third gear. Zmurf is living proof that theres no such thing as a free lunchafter borrowing a US-spec M roadster from the factory the previous year I was so impressed that I ended up spending a small fortune upgrading to a 2001 M roadster on my return.
<i>Pic candidate: Jack, Craig, Red Jen (owner of the Red Z3), John and Vance at Deals Gap.</i>
When Thursday came around there were literally hundreds of Z3s on the Dragon for the run back to Spartanburg. We bumped into Linda and Steve, a British couple living in Ontario. Steve works with automotive modelling software and knew BMW designer Chris Bangel from his Fiat days. Together with Jon Trudel from New Jersey we set off to the home of Bruce Thomson, a local Z3 owner, who was holding open house with a barbeque lunch.
<i>Pic candidate: group shot at Bruces.</i>
Bruce and Marjs log cabin is set in a beautiful wooded area overlooking Table Rock mountain and with garage space for five cars was a little larger than I had imagined. Just as well for more owners turned up as time passed, and even more were arriving as we left.
I was following Steves M coup as we got back on the road. The M roadster has presence, the coup body shell adds meanness, and when its in black the overall effect is menacing. As we dropped further into the Carolinas the countryside started looking more like the film set of Deliverance. Creepers hanging from the trees added to the atmosphere. Roadside stands sell boiled peanuts; a local delicacy that once savoured is rarely repeated. Inadvertently I started humming Duelling Banjos.
The reality though is that locals are extremely polite and friendly. The Carolinas are part of the Bible belt and as we neared Spartanburg there were signs for factory outlets with Bibles at up to 70 per cent discount. I also noticed a sign in the road for coach drivers suggesting they drop passengers off first at the Bible outlet, Incentives available!
As we closed with the factory, suddenly we spotted a blue Z4 coming the other way, driver and passenger waving at the convoys of Z3s. We were all for turning and giving chase but the traffic was too heavy. During the welcome reception later that evening, BMWs Roberta Evans smiled serenely when I asked her if BMW had deliberately scheduled the Z4 run as a teaser.
<b>Performance Center</b>
We were up first thing Friday morning for a session at the Performance Center, a $12.5 million investment by BMW in driver training. Built on a 134-acre site close to the factory, it includes a delivery centre where US customers can take delivery of their new BMW and receive specialised orientation specific to their model. The driver safety-training course is a 1.7-mile track that is designed to create more than 35 driving experiences whilst an additional 1.3-mile off-road course is intended for training X5 drivers.
During Homecoming BMW reckons to give most participants the opportunity to sample the delights of the center. Our group of some 30 cars were split into three groups and we had separate sessions on slalom control, auto cross and skidpan training.
<i>Pic candidate: on the skidpan.</i>
The pan is a 300-foot wide circle of polished concrete constantly washed with jets of water. First we played with circling the pan with DSC on, letting the software take control of the car as it lost grip. Then we tried again with DSC off, seeing just how fast we could go before doing a complete 360. In previous years we had used 3 Series saloons provided by BMW on the pan, but this year we could use the Z3s and it was immediately noticed by everyone that the Z3 had far superior sticking power, probably due to its lower centre of gravity.
Although this was my fourth year of attending driver training I recognised just how much I learnt in the few hours. If I lived in the States I wouldnt hesitate to sign up for a two-day course.
<b>Peace Center</b>
Friday night was the traditional open-air entertainment at Greenvilles Peace Center. So how do you make space for more than 500 Z3s in the middle of the town? Easy, just block off the main street with a police car at either end and create four lines, one down each side of the road, and two in the middle. This way people can leave when the want.
As you can imagine the evening starts with everyone wandering down the lines of Z3s. It was coming here in 1999 that finally cured me of crying out, Look, theres another Z3. As dusk fell the band started and people were dancing under the stars. The evening finished with a chest-thumping firework display.
<i>Pic candidate: panoramic photo.</i>
<b>Entertainment</b>
The following night, Dr Helmut Leube, president of BMW Manufacturing Corporation, spoke about the close of the Z3 production. This is the first model changeover in the plants ten-year history. It was a strange feeling. As the final car came down the line for the first time in many years there was nothing behind it in the line. As it cleared each stage workers from each of the assembly points accompanied it on its journey. Befittingly, the final Z3 an individual edition in Sepia metallic paint and Arizona Sun seatsnow has pride of place in the Zentrum museum.
<i>Pic candidate: Auf Wiedersehen</i>
Leube said BMW preferred to use the phrase Auf Widersehen (until again see) rather than say goodbye to the Z3.
He went on to speak about the Z4, We have listened to you and your needs. The Z4 is larger, theres space for two sets of golf clubs, and The stereo in the Z4 has a concert hall effect, even with the top down. And you wont believe it, there are cup holders. Two of them; and they are air conditioned!
>b>What are Z3 owners looking for in the Z4?</b>
During the 1999 Homecoming, BMW hosted an owners clinic to obtain feedback on various aspects of the Z3. The clinic had been publicised in advance and before flying over to the US I asked other UK owners if there were any points they would like me to ask about, so I arrived at Spartanburg with a fairly long list.
A questionnaire was handed out as we entered the room. I whizzed through it, ticking boxes and writing responses whilst others were still entering the room. Hardly any of the items on my list were covered in the questionnaire so I waited patiently for the moderator to start the open session. Unfortunately the remainder of the clinic was taken up with a painfully slow explanation of how to complete the questionnaire and there was practically no time available for any participants to raise additional points.
This is the first truism of marketing surveys--they rarely pose the questions you want to be asked. And when they do, the possible reply options dont fit in with your response.
I felt that BMW had missed a golden opportunity during the 1999 Homecoming to get valuable marketing information from participants. What a bummer if they didn't fix some of the simple things in the next generation! So what could be done before it was too late?
Rather than designing my own survey I decided to establish a next-generation message board so that people could pose their own suggestions, as well as responding to other people's ideas. More than 250 messages were posted suggesting improvements and other ideas. After merging some very similar suggestions, this boiled down to 142 suggestions that I grouped under headings such as style, size, engine, stereo, etc. The next stage was to create a voting form that gave people the chance to rate each of the suggestions.
The survey opened in February 2001. I decided to prematurely terminate the exercise in March as by then some realistic looking spy shots of a new non-retro Z3 had appeared in Europe and I felt they might artificially bias the input. By then a total of 182 responses had been collected and stored on a database on the web server. I downloaded the database, produced spreadsheets showing the voting patterns, and forwarded all the files to BMW Munich and Spartanburg for their consideration.
While some of the response patterns were predictable, there were a few surprises. Of course, people responded based on their own experienceif they had an older Z3 they might highly rate some points that BMW considered already fixed in the latest production. The top twenty suggestions are shown below, grouped by topic together with their position in the poll.
Body style, size, strength
1. Maintain retro styling and low side profile
3. Keep small, light and nimble
5. Don't reduce trunk storage
8. Reduce squeaks and rattles, especially glove box area
16. Stiffer body shell
19. Standard strut brace
Stereo
2. Higher quality base speakers that don't distort
6. Improve premium Harmon/Kardon upgrade--weak, rattle
Paint
4. Reduce vulnerability to stone chips
17. Individual program--greater choice of exterior/interior colors
Softtop
7. Softtop that retracts under a proper cover rather than boot
11. Improve rear plastic screen clarity and quality
12. Softtop that doesn't mark, wear out, or leak
14. Easier replacement procedure for plastic window
Performance
9. Xenon headlights
10. Replace trailing-arm rear suspension with modern design
Modern features
13. Footwell and glove box lights
15. Adjustable rake and reach steering column
18. Lumbar adjustment in seats
20. Variable intermittent-speed wipers
I view the survey as an interesting exercise in drawing a line in the sand. One of the biggest marketing mistakes is to ignore the fact that a high percentage of future business comes from existing customers. So whilst it's fine looking over the fence at the competition, trying to second guess their plans and steal their customers, you ignore your existing customer base at your peril.
The concept and design work for the next generation Z3 were completed long ago and there was no way that some of the basics could be changed. But there are many aspects that BMW could still take notice of, such as fitting high-quality audio (2nd and 6th highest votes), reducing the size of the rear-view mirror and so forth.
It was particularly essential for BMW to improve the soft top. Not only did it figure highly in owner feedback but also warranty claims must have cost millions of dollars. Edscha supplies most of the soft tops for European cabriolet models and as far back as 1999 was encouraged to form a joint venture with ASC, the American company that developed the Z3 soft top, to develop a state-of-the-art system for the Z4.
<b>Factory tour</b>
Security was tight for the factory tour. As usual, no cameras were allowed, but each group was accompanied by extra guides to ensure we didnt accidentally stray off and see things we shouldnt. Nevertheless we saw quite a lot; I was able to closely examine the Z4 unibody which showed some interesting compartments behind the seats, roll hoops integrated into the chassis and additional strengthening struts.
<i>Pic candidate: welding the unibody.</i>
Whats interesting is the degree of automation. BMW was cautious of likely success of the Z3, with initial sales projections of just 125-150,000 units. Consequently production was kept as simple as possible to reduce machining investments. Associates welded many parts by hand and assembly was mainly manual, with only 30 per cent automation.
By comparison, the Z4 line is worlds apart in technology and the body shop producing the unibody is 95 per cent automated. Robots send a pager message to an Associate if they need any attention. Together with Nothelfer, BMW has applied for a patent for the system for welding together floor assembly and side panels in the geometry station. A patented door fitting system guarantees consistently narrow gaps.
Towards the end of the tour we saw several Z4s in a variety of colours. The headlights of a Maldives Blue Z4 with fantastic sports turbine wheels illuminated a Merlot Red Z4 which looked beautiful.
One tour guide messed up big time. His group were ambling down a line of almost finished Z4s, watching the soft top operation and other obviously restricted aspects, when the guide was pulled over. The conversation was reported as, What the **** are you doing in this area. We spent all week moving the production away from the tour route and now you come down this line!
The factory tour ended in the Zentrum museum. Amongst its many exhibits is a standing display of the Z3 accompanied by quotes from owners displayed on seven large photo panels. One of the photos is a view of Z3s in Wasdale that I took during a cruise in the English Lake District.
<i>Pic candidate: Tim Cullis and the Z3 photo display.</i>
<b>Z4 design presentation</b>
Put your cameras at your feet and keep your hands where I can see them, boomed Kenn Sparks, Spartanburg Communications Manager, as he introduced Anders Warming, a worryingly young-looking Dane who led the Z4 design project. Warming, who works out of BMWs DesignWorks in California, related that his first Z4 design sketches were made in summer 1998 shortly after he received the outline specifications.
Warming stressed that the Z4 was not a successor to the Z3, We werent making a mark II Z3; each roadster productZ3, Z8, Z4is designed to meet the needs of the marketplace at the time of its launch. He also related how the design team had agonised over some of the design ideas, especially the two swage lines down the side of the car. Apparently flame surfacing is out of fashion and the phrase to use with the Z4 is dynamic surfacing. What are you most proud of was an awkward question, but Warming quickly responded with, The way the details were resolved.
In discussions with Warming after the presentation it is clear that a great deal of thought has gone into many aspects. Windflow through the cockpit is vastly reduced, although a wind blocker accessory will still be offered. Taller drivers will be delighted that the headroom and legroom space has been dramatically increased. BMW has come up with a neat idea for drivers wanting a sportier exhaust sound; rather than fit a sports exhaust, BMW has borrowed loudspeaker technology to create a sound box on the 3.0i that ports some of the exhaust note back into the cockpit.
During a second factory tour to recheck some of the things I had seen earlier, I started talking to a German couple. The husband was from FIZ, BMWs Munich research arm, and was at the factory for the Z4 production start-up. Relaxing afterwards with a glass of Hefe Weien beer, I met another German who I will call Georg. He knew of my work on the next-generation survey and we started talking about how the Z3 community would take to the Z4.
BMWs design directions are a hot talking point at the moment. The Z4 in particular elicits extremes of opinion, people tend to either love it or hate it. The detractors list aspects such as the twin swage lines, scalloped doors, lack of gills and the controversial roundel turn signal.
Georg explained that there are many differences between typical North American and European roadster buyers. Many Z3 owners in Europe are young professionals, its their only car, and they use it on a daily basis.
By comparison, many North American couples own two or three other cars in addition to the Z3, which is often only used for special trips on sunny summer days. Many plan to keep the Z3 indefinitely. We call them empty nesters, the children have left home, the man is looking to regain his youth, reckoned Georg, and really wants the freedom of a Harley, but knows the wife wont agree, so instead he proposes the safe solution of a Z3.
The second inhibitor is that the harsh angular features of the Z4 gives the roadster a more macho look that will appeal to men, but might put off the fairer sex.
Well thought out Georg, but according to Connie, the talk in the ladies powder room at Homecoming was all about how the fairer sex liked the design of the Z4 far more than their husbands. I like the sides, and I dont mind the angularity, says Connie. Oh, and we call these mid 50s people dinksdouble income, no kids.
The feedback from most male owners was that they are not necessarily opposed to the design, but are definitely sitting on the fence until they see the beast in the metal and can kick the tyres. I had breakfast with Ron Styger, Al Corey, and Randy and Sue Forbes. Whilst the three guys were fairly cautious, Suzy was extremely positive about the car.
Viserhawk agreed, I was about to order the new Audi A4 Cabriolet when BMW released pictures of the Z4 in early July. My wife took one look at pictures of the Z4 and told me I'd be nuts not to go for itthe Z4 was far more attractive. So, to keep peace in the family, I've make the supreme sacrifice and given in to my wife's views, ha-ha.
Again, reflecting the male view, Connies husband, Brent, isnt so positive, I was more impressed with an actualeven though suppressedview than with the photos, and I am sure BMW will sell them, but they will never be a Z3.
Men who havent owned a Z3 before are far more positive. Steve, a 3 Series owner, had some harsh things at a BMW feedback session about a prototype of the new 5 Series, but was positive about the Z4, Now I had something to cheer about. The roadster is a gorgeous car, and I told them so.
Others are equally positive; Its a completely unique car, so no confusing it with anything else. Those who have seen the car agree the photos dont do it justice, The Z4 looks much better in the flesh and movingits more dynamic than just about anything else on the market.
<b>Launch constraints</b>
The 6-speed gearbox for the 3.0i isnt ready for the start of US deliveries in November, nor is the SMG box, so initial deliveries of the Z4 flagship are Steptronic. Other things arent readythe hardtop and many of the accessories and options. And for some strange reason, initial customer production is limited to just four coloursJet Black, Titanium Silver, Sterling Grey and Maldives Blue. Other colours have been announced, but some wont be start production until December, others until next March.
The choice of colours has people scratching their heads. BMW has canned the popular Topaz Blue, replacing it with Toledo Blue, and the Urban Green has been described as Wermacht Grun.
Fred Meloan is a long-time Z3 owner, I certainly would not have changed the name to Z4 and I would never have approved the styling. Technically, I think the Z4 is right on and addresses all the limitations of the Z3. Starting production with only four colours makes no sense at all and I can't think of any technical reasons for the limited colours. I am left with the conclusion that some marketing maven came up with another stupid idea. Time will tell.
I dont believe the Z4 will sell as well as the Z3. The market has matured, theres more competition and the US economy is a bit shaky. Moving upmarket takes the Z4 out of the reach of some buyers, perhaps there will be a Z2 to fill the gap?
<b>Tim Cullis</b>
Tim is the webmaster of the Z roadster message board at www.zroadster.net
