A special edition vehicle based on BMW’s Z4 convertible has been formally unveiled. At the Concours d’Elegance in Villa d’Este, the new, distinctive model, known as the Z4 Touring Coupe, was introduced.

BMW has provided us with a hint about a potential one-of-a-kind model of its own, based on the Z4 convertible and displayed at this year’s Concours d’Elegance in Villa d’Este. Recently, the Z4 Touring Coupe, a brand-new, distinctive model, was unveiled by the Bavarian manufacturer. To put it another way, this design is based on the Z4 Convertible and is even sometimes referred to as the Z3 M Coupe, which was manufactured from 1997 to 2002.

Of course, the roof that gives the Z4 Touring Coupe an uncommon appearance is the largest novelty that the special version brings. Due to its design, the majority of brand supporters have already given it many nicknames, such as the “bread machine” or even the “clown’s shoe.” The one-of-a-kind model was meticulously handcrafted, and it is painted in the Sparkling Lario color, which was developed especially for the new Z4 Touring Coupe and has blue metallic flakes.
Additionally, this area features a unique double grille with double longitudinal bars and embellishments in silver and bronze.

Golden rims that are 20 inches in the front and 21 inches in the back elegantly finish the exterior.
The Z4’s basic interior hasn’t changed much since. But we also offer a few unique features right here. Among these, we point out the leather upholstery made by the Italians at Poltrona Frau, coloured in two contrasting hues of brown.

The renowned in-line 6-cylinder engine from the manufacturer is housed under the hood of the new, distinctive model. In addition, the Z4 M40i version, the most potent variant of the convertible type, is the version on which the new BMW Z4 Touring Coupe is built. The 3.0-liter bi-turbo engine in this vehicle produces 340 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. The performance of the new special model was kept a secret by the German manufacturer.

The new BMW Z4 Touring Coupe is currently only available as a one-off; BMW has no current intentions to release it as a series vehicle.

Photo Gallery:

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post The Amazing BMW Z4 Touring Coupe – is a successor to the old Z3 Coupe appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Hey… did you know that tuning isn’t only about making cars more obnoxious and louder? It’s actually mostly about improving performance, be it power and torque or fuel efficiency. All to gain full confidence when accelerating, overtaking or merging onto a highway, as well as to save fuel under regular driving conditions.

Yep, you read that correctly: by having your BMW engine tuned, you can make it less thirsty. Not only that, with a proper tune, you are also looking at potential increases in reliability.

But how do you go about BMW ECU tuning? Read on to find out the most important aspects of it and see which bimmer engines are good performance improvement candidates.

What Makes a BMW Engine Good for a Tune Up?

There are only a handful of “ingredients” that determine whether or not an engine is right for tuning. That being said, each of them is very important, so if you are considering a BMW tune, take a look at the list below.

1. Aspiration type – turbocharged engines are much more tuneable than naturally aspirated ones, because there are more parameters that can be controlled to affect the performance.
2. Design durability – what you want from a good tuning platform is plenty of OEM reliability. The tune itself will help improve the longevity, but the more robust an engine is from the factory, the more safety margins you’ll have.
3. Engine condition – for tuning, a BMW engine has to be well maintained, according to a regular checkup schedule, along with timely oil and filter changes, and spark plug inspections.

Based on those three aspects, it’s easier to specify which power plants are better suited for tuning than others. So, what are they?

BMW Engines Perfect for Tuning

In the world of various BMW performance upgrades, there are a couple of designs that are definitely tune-worthy. They are characterized by respectable durability margins and reasonable factory power output. Additionally, they are relatively well thought out, at least in most cases.

Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of the abovementioned engines.

BMW B58 Engine Specs and Reliability

The largest of the Bavarians’ modular power plant family, the BMW B58 engine is their latest representative of the inline-six breed introduced in 2015. Depending on the variant and application, it pumps out 322–382 HP and 450–500 Nm of torque. It has forged aluminum piston rods and crankshaft, as well as a closed deck block.

This means the design is very robust from the get-go and it can handle power gains well. It also greatly aids the reliability of the BMW B58 engine, giving it a long-lasting potential, which can be improved even more with appropriate BMW B58 tune… But more on that later.

The BMW B58 engine is used on almost all current production 40i bimmers, including:

• BMW 340i (F30/F31/F34)
• BMW 440i (F32/F33/F36)
• BMW M240i (F22/F23)
• BMW 540i (G30/G31)
• BMW M340i (G20/G21)
• BMW M440i (G22)
• BMW M240i (G42)

BMW B48 Engine Specs and Reliability

Another representative of the modular family, the BMW B48 engine comes in the shape of a more compact four-banger. The Bavarians managed to squeeze out 154–255 HP and 250–400 Nm of torque from it. Thanks to the modularity of the designs, the very same forged piston rods that go into the B58 are also used in B48. In addition, similarly to its bigger brother, the inline-four also has a closed deck aluminum engine block.

Although the B engines are all relatively new, their hefty internal components bode really well for their base longevity. They also make for a solid tuning platform.

In what cars can you find the BMW B48 engine?

• BMW 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, and 5 Series 20i, 30i or 30e models after 2014
• MINI Cooper S (F56)
• Toyota Supra (J29)

BMW B46 Engine Specs and Reliability

Despite the BMW B46 engine being almost identical to the B48, it’s still worth explaining the different numbering. After all, you might’ve already come across this designation. BMW B46 is basically a version of B48 that complies with the American SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) requirements. The changes include distinct air intake, sensors, catalytic converters, and factory tune adjusted to those parts.

From the perspective of BMW ECU tuning or reliability, there are no significant differences between the two. The B46 was installed basically in the same models as B48, only destined for the US market.

BMW B38 Engine Specs and Reliability

The smallest and the first engine of the modular B family, this inline-three was introduced in 2013 along with the BMW i8 hybrid. The two versions it comes in (1.2 and 1.5 L) are available with outputs of 74–228 hp and 150–320 NM of torque.

Although it might seem like a lot of horses out of such a tiny engine, thanks to its durable construction, you still have some room for extra power gains. But, most importantly, engine tuning can help you take some load off of it.

As the lowest-displacement member of the family, B38 engine was meant for the lower trims of BMWs and the budget cars like:

• F20/F21 BMW 118i (2015–2019)
• F30/F31 BMW 318i LCI (2015–2019)
• F40 BMW 118i (2019–present)
• F44 BMW 218i Gran Coupé (2019–present)
• F22/F23 BMW 218i (2015–present)
• F45/F46 BMW 218i Active Tourer/Gran Tourer (2014–present)

BMW N54 Engine Specs and Reliability

Introduced in 2006, the BMW N54 was the Bavarians’ first turbocharged gasoline engine. It took advantage of two turbos to produce 302–335 hp and 400–450 Nm of torque. Similarly to the later B58 engine, it used forged internal components (piston rods and crankshaft), but its engine block was of open deck design.

The BMW N54 engine is able to handle increased boost pressures really well and has a lot of potential for longevity improvements with ECU tuning. Below you’ll find a short list of models that were powered by this power plant:

• BMW 335i (E90/E91/E92/E93)
• BMW 535i (E60/E61)
• BMW 135i (E82/E88)
• BMW X6 xDrive35i (E71)
• BMW Z4 sDrive35i (E89)
• BMW 740i (F01)
• BMW 335is (E92/E93)
• BMW 1 Series M Coupe (E82)
• BMW Z4 sDrive35is (E89)

BMW N55 Engine Specs and Reliability

An evolution of the previous design, the BMW N55 engine was produced from 2009 and gradually replaced the N54 in many applications. It was rated at 302–365 hp and 400–465 Nm of torque, depending on the version. Instead of two turbos, BMW used only one twin-scroll turbocharger, which made the motor lighter than the N54.

Similarly to its predecessor, the BMW N55 engine is quite strong and tolerates power increases well. This means that along with taking a few years off of it, with tuning you’ll be able to gain some extra “juice,” to help you overtake other cars swiftly.

• BMW 535i (F10/F11/F07)
• BMW 335i (E90/E91/E92/E93)
• BMW 135i (E82/E88)
• BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25)
• BMW 335i (E70)
• BMW 335i (F30/F31)
• BMW X6 xDrive 35i (E71)
• BMW X1 xDrive35i (E84)
• BMW 435i (F32/F33/F36)

BMW N20 Engine Specs and Reliability

If you are into Bavarian engines, you might think that the BMW N20 isn’t really suitable for tuning. Although it had its share of problems right after its inception, they have mostly been solved. Moreover, one of the issues that troubled this design was related to high intake air temperatures it experienced. Which is something that can be easily remedied by a proper ECU tune that will lower how hot the engine is running overall.

Introduced in 2011, this turbo inline-four was a replacement for a naturally aspirated straight-six N53 engine. It came in two displacement versions (1.6 and 2.0 L) and produced 168–241 hp and 250–350 Nm of torque.

As a predecessor of the B48, it was installed in a similar range of cars (with the exception of 30i BMW models) until it was replaced by the latter after 2017. Examples of N20-powered vehicles include:

• BMW 220i/228i (F22)
• BMW 320i/328i (F30) 
• BMW 320i/328i GT (F34)      
• BMW 420i/428i (F32) 
• BMW 520i/520Li/525Li/528i (F10)

BMW Engines Good for Tuning – Honorable Mentions

Apart from the power plants described up to this point, there are also other BMW engines that are really well-suited for ECU tuning. They are at the bottom of the list not because of their small potential, but due to the fact that they already are extremely powerful in their stock form.

However, if you wanted to, their durable internal components offer great safety reserves for additional power gains. So, which of these designs are a perfect match for engine tuning?

• BMW S55 – a performance version of the N55 introduced in the BMW M3 (F80), with different variants producing 275–493 hp and up to 600 Nm of torque. Manufactured from 2014 to 2021.
• BMW S63 – the strongest engine currently offered in the Bavarian lineup, this twin-turbo 4.4 L V8 powers the top-of-the-line M cars, like BMW M5 (F90) and M8 (F91/92/93), as well as their Competition variants. Produced from 2009, this power plant makes up to 635 hp and 750 Nm of torque.
• BMW S58 – based on the B58 but heavily revised, this engine debuted in BMW X3 M (F97) and X4 M (F98) in 2019. Currently still in production and used on models like the latest BMW M3 (G80), it pumps out 453–503 hp and 550–650 Nm of torque.

How to Tune a BMW Engine Safely?

There are many variables that have to be taken into account when tuning an engine. If you were to try changing any parameters within your BMW’s ECU, you would be at risk of damaging or even destroying the engine. Because of this, a remote tuning service like Awaken Performance by BimmerTech is your best bet.

During an online coding session, their technician does everything for you: they introduce necessary ECU changes and make your engine work at a lower operating temperature. As a result, it also drinks less gasoline (if you don’t change your driving style), and delivers power more smoothly. All while increasing the longevity of your car.

How to Take Care of a BMW Engine after Tuning?

After you’ve decided to give BMW ECU tuning a go, just don’t neglect the maintenance of your car. Use the best quality fuels (octane rating higher than 93 in US and at least 98 in Europe) and motor oils, and regularly inspect everything. And, most importantly, enjoy your car as if it was brand new, again!

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post Top 7 BMW Engines for Tuning: How to Tune & Is It Safe? appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

After so much waiting, the third-generation Z4 is finally here for the taking, as it was recently unveiled in Portugal at the International Media Launch. And that was the perfect moment and place to shanpshot it in an amazing photo gallery.

Long-debated, teased and seen in spy shots, the all-new 2019 BMW Z4 is definitely a subject to be debated for a long time. Especially if we are talking about the top of the lime M40i, an exceptionally well-built model with aggressive design language and sheer power under the hood.

On the outside, the new Z4 comes with the company`s new design philosophy, also seen on the brand-new 8-Series range. It sports the massive kidney grille at the front both significantly increasing its aggressive look. The overall personality is complemented by massive M wheels and the new performance features – 10-mm differential lower Adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes or M Sport differential, all increasing driving and handling capabilities.

The interior also benefits from the best materials alongside the company`s latest high-tech gadgetries, that make it one of the most advanced models from BMW. These features are also seen on the brand-new 8-Series range or M5.

The cherry on the cake however remains the powertrain under the hood which reveals great power and performance. The M40i uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol burner with 335 horsepower, available at 5,000-6,000 rpm. And that is in Europe; in the US, the power stops at 382 horsepower, while the peak torque is the same on both continents: 500 Nm of torque, available between 1,600-4,500 rpm.

Available as well with a high-performance Steptronic automatic transmission which sends the all the power to the rear wheels, the 2019 Z4 M40i is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, at a top speed which is electronically-limited to 250 km/h.

Besides the top of the line M40i, in Europe, the Z4 range also comprises the sDrive20i and sDrive30i variants. In the United States however, only the sDrive30i and M40i are available.

Performance wise, the sDrive30i is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, developing 255 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. That allows a straight line sprint in 5.4 seconds, at a top speed of 250 km/h. On the other hand, the sDrive20i, which uses the same pot, is less powerful – only 194 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. The sprint from standstill to 100 km/h is done in 6.6 seconds, at a top speed of 240 km/h.

We will thoroughly detail the Z4`s exclusive design language and onboard technology later on! Meanwhile, enjoy the media gallery with the 2019 BMW Z4 M40i!

The post 2019 BMW Z4 M40i Launched – Media Gallery Reveals Beauty at Its Finest appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

With BMW unveiling the Z4 concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d`Elegance last year, it was just a matter of time until we`d see the production model in countless tests before arriving on the market next year, along with Toyota`s Supra model.

A recent spy video revealed the future Z4 Cabrio fully camouflaged and undergoing tests just outside Magna Steyr facility, near Graz, Austria, where it will be produced along with Toyota Supra and other models from BMW.

Thanks to previous spy photos and leaked info, we already know how the new Z4 Cabrio will look and feel, however, there might be some changes occurring along the way.

As we can depict from the spy video, the new 2019 BMW Z4 Cabrio is wider and more aggressively-looking, thanks to the new and sporty front bumper which comes with a wide twin kidney grille and sweptback headlights. At the rear end, this test mule in question also comes with slim taillights and dual exhaust system.

As for interior updates, the new Z4 will feature plenty of new technologies, like digital instrument cluster, new switchgear or freestanding infotainment system, all perfectly blending in with the high-premium leather upholstery.

Performance wise, the new Z4 is likely to arrive in Europe with four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque, equipping the entry-level variant, while in the US, the same engine would produce more – 250 horsepower. However, there is word of a second engine in the shape of a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine with two power configurations – 330 horsepower and 380 horsepower, respectively.

The new 2019 BMW Z4 Cabrio is expected for an official release at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. More details will be provided this summer.

The post 2019 BMW Z4 Cabrio – Spy Video Emerged near Magna Steyr Facility appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The Z4 is dead, long live the Z4, in a complete configuration from all aspects. At least this is how the future BMW Z4 can be described in just a couple of words. The Bavarian carmaker announced the arrival of the extremely sexy and appealing new Z4 for this year`s Paris Motor Show, in October.

Now, we have the chance to see the BMW Z4 taking shape in concept form and slowly making its way onto the market towards the second half of the year.

BMW representatives have also officially confirmed that “the new car will be shown at the Paris Motor Show too, but currently the plan is to show it at its own dedicated event before then.”

As a reminder, BMW and Toyota revealed their plans to create two exceptional models in a joint venture, a couple of years ago, with technology and visual tweaks comprising both the new Z4 and the Supra models.

However, there will be some characteristics that will separate the two models. First, the Supra will arrive as a coupe model, while the new Z4 will be offered only in a roadster form. Next, there are also chances that the new Z4 will feature a manual transmission as optional, while going for the standard automatic along with the Supra as well. These things remain to be unveiled later on this year.

As for engine lineup, the 2019 BMW Z4 is likely to come with a wide range of four- and six-cylinder engines. One of them was officially confirmed and involves the entry-level 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 200 horsepower, and offered in Europe or Australia.

In the United States, the 2019 Z4 will be offered in its cheapest form with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower, or a higher 3.0-liter turbo straight-six cylinder engine, with power ranging between 340 – 390 HP.

Once arriving on the market, the 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster will compete against the likes of Jaguar F-Type, Porsche 718 Boxster or Mercedes-Benz SLC.

You can admire the 2019 BMW Z4 in the concept form in the media gallery below! Enjoy!

The post New 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster Confirmed for Paris Motor Show, Will Be Available only as a Roadster appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Seeing a Z4 or a 3-Series from BMW receiving impressive power kits from famous G-Power tuning company is a rare thing, but these kind of things do happen. And this is where the tuner`s professionalism in delivering all sorts of tuning programs sets in.

In case you own an E46 BMW 330i from the 3-Series or a splendid and gorgeous BMW Z4 then you should know that G-Power tuner is now offering a power kit for the models, which make them extremely powerful.

The good part is that the tuner has also officially released the pricing details – for just 3,867 euro, you can get the SK Plus supercharger for both models.

This means that the system does wonder to the 3.0-liter straight-six petrol burner that the older-generation E46 comes with, increasing its power from 231 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque, to a good 306 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque.

The Z4`s 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with stock 189 horsepower and 245 Nm of torque has also received a rather the same lump. As for the performance figures, the tuner has not revealed any details on that matter.

However, we expect some serious improvements from the 330i, which in the stock version allows an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, while the Z4 runs the same straight line in 7 seconds. please find more about the G-Power`s tuning kit in the media gallery below!

The post E46 BMW 330i & E85 Z4 with Power Kit by G-Power appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The joint venture between BMW and Toyota is likely to spawn a new generation of highly developed models in terms of design and performance under the hood, and that thanks to Toyota`s latest technology and BMW`s know-how and expertise.

Recently, we have seen the all-new 2018 Toyota Supra being seen in the first tests at the Ring, the model coming with advanced technology and the latest hybrid drivetrain.

Now, the same joint venture is testing out the official replacement of the BMW Z4, dubbed the Z5, the test mule also getting its piece of the action at the Ring. As we can depict from the spy video, it is bigger, more aggressive and indeed a worthy successor than would carry on the legacy of the Z4 legend.

This would be the first time seeing the so called Z5 on works at the Ring, the model being in its early stage of development, wearing full camouflage and tweaking new mods at the body.

The car`s main highlights are for the moment the new aero styling bits, like the front winglets on the lower bumper bar, adding active rear wing for improved aerodynamics and increased stability on the tracks.

Under the hood, the BMW Z5 will come with a wide range of four- and six-cylinder engines, adding an interesting hybrid version developed by Toyota. Unfortunately, we do not have the official details, but we expect fresh news in the upcoming period! Meanwhile, enjoy the spy video with the all-new BMW Z5 being caught while testing at the Ring!

The post Video: 2018 YM BMW Z5 Gets Some Action at the Ring, Brings Forward Styling Innovations appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

It is not every day you see the one-off BMW Z4 being transformed in something unique, as this model eventually ended up, thanks to the aftermarket specialists from the famous German AC Schnitzer tuning company.

I am talking about a bold project carried out on the BMW Z4, the model bearing the ACZ4 5.0d name in its final shape. It involves the sDrive23i version which has been completely customized in terms of performance under the hood.

In order to gain more power, the AC Schnitzer tuner have fitted the BMW ACZ4 5.0d with some cool performance features, like the better suspension system, sportier brakes, while the overall body weight has been also reduced, to improve driving dynamics and performance on the tracks or roads.

As for the engine under the hood, the AC Schnitzer have replaced the old-school 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and fitted the N57S 3.0-liter tri-turbo diesel engine, which now develops an increased 430 horsepower and impressive 840 Nm of torque. The higher performance is also given by the ECU remap, which made its way under the hood as well. With all this new power, the BMW ACZ4 5.0d is now capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, at a toping of 300 km/h.

The BMW ACZ4 5.0d seen here is perhaps the only one to be seen customized by the guys from the AC Schnitzer, the model coming at a whopping price of 113,965 euros. But be glad to see it on the streets in this shape, as the carmaker is planning of putting off the stock version, making room for a future BMW Z5.

The post BMW ACZ4 5.0d by AC Schnitzer appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

BMW officially revealed the Z4 GTLM, a model that is inspired by the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL, at least in terms of exterior styling. The livery is easily recognizable but maybe more important is that this model celebrates 40 years since the first victory at Sebring for BMW Motorsport.

BMW unveiled the Z4 GTLM at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance alongside the winners of the 1975 race. We talk about Brian Redman, Sam Posey and Hans-Joachim Stuck, who found this a good opportunity to unite again.

The current BMW Team RLL driver, Bill Auberlen, was the first one to drive the car around the circuit. If that was not enough, a couple of BMW Z4 GTRLM models will race at the 12-hour race of Sebring, an event which starts on March 21st.

“Jochen Neerpasch, the first managing director of BMW Motorsport GmbH, and BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt were also among the guests,” adds BMW.

The company also celebrates another important milestone as in 1975, only few days before the Sebring victory, BMW of North America was founded. With this been said, be sure to check the photo gallery with the new BMW Z4 GTLM in order to take a closer look.

The post 2015 BMW Z4 GTLM officially unveiled appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The BMW Z4 which first saw the daylight in 2009 is now considered to be put off, as the German carmaker is reportedly planning a replacement, under the Z5 moniker.

Even if the Bavarian company has not yet confirmed these plans, some reports emerging on the web state that the so called BMW Z5 would come as the official replacement of the Z4 before 2020. The reason is pretty obvious: the Z4 was not that successful worldwide, as it was only sold out in just 5,300 units in Europe and 2,150 units in the United States, last year alone.

Another reason for dropping down the Z4 and make room for the Z5 moniker is the increasingly development of the “green cars” or of the lightweight material models, which would make them faster, less expensive and more fuel-efficient.

This is why the BMW Z5, even if it will not be the carmaker`s one of the highest priorities, it would come with lightweight materials, like carbon fiber on the roof and on other parts of the body.

More than that, there are also some sources inside BMW`s headquarters, stating that the future BMW Z5 will come with a “more radical front-mid-engine bias.”

This means that we would find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood, with three powers: 190 HP, 245 HP and 270 HP, with the engines being hooked to a ZF 8-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.

The post BMW Z5 Announced Before 2020 appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.