News from Spartanburg

[Zmeagol]

Picked up loaner Z4 from the factory this morning--Bright Red 3.0i with beige interior, black softtop. Saw lots of interesting colour combinations, especially with grey softtops that nobody seems to go for in the UK. Titanium + grey looks good. Other interesting combinations:

Midnight Blue with Champagne and Poplar interior
Aegean Blue
Phoenix Yellow with beige softtop
Olivin with grey softtop, beige interior
White with beige
lots of reds

Will post pics asap. In Nashville at the moment, going to the NashBash tomorrow night.

Tim

[Zmeagol]

It's not Toledo (plenty of them around to compare against), and looks like Aegean Blue


Wood detail from Midnight Blue with Champagne interior


Look behind the second red roadster...


...and there's one in Phoenix Yellow. Anyone any theories on why the factory should be testing Phoenix Yellow?

Tim

[The Other Tom]

Hey Tim...
Glad you made it. Hope to see you Friday
Regarding the Phoenix Yellow Z4...you didn't happen to look at the back, did you ? Dual exhaust, perhaps ??!?

[Zmeagol]

Didn't have a chance, it was in an area at the Performance Center that's not open to visitors. I had accidentally taken the wrong turn and was driving back out. It might still be there later in the week.

Tim

[stu]

Enjoy the trip and thanks for the report. Look forwards to more.

PS ask what bits they've got left at the factory - could we get them to organise a yard sale?

[Zmeagol]

Got into Nashville at about the time GW [Bush] was leaving. Went to BB King's in downtown on Tues night, then went to th NashBash on Wed. This was quieter than when we went three years ago, probably as many people prefer to stop closer to Knoxville for the drive over the Dragon.

The Dragon was real smooth in the Z4. Afterwards went on the Blue Ridge Parkway which was obscured for much of the way with low cloud.

Bought piles of goodies for the new Z4 plus a huge touring windscreen for the other roadster (BMW R850R). Fortunately the BMW gift this year was tote bags which will help with the packing.

According to David Lightfoot who's just written a book about the Z4 development, the S54 engine will be used in an M roadster based on the Z4. His reasoning was that with the M3 moving on to a V8-based M4, there would be ample supply of the S54. Inclined to not believe this.

Another rumour floating around is that they are trial building a couple of M Roadsters a week at the factory. Definitely don't believe this one.

Anyway, some more pics to whet your appetites. I've been taking lots to fill in some gaps in the Z3/M roadster/coupe colour galleries. I've also been taking a lot of Z4 pics. The Americans are a lot more adventurous than the British with many people opting to grey and beige softtops. I have pics on my other camera of a white Z4 with red leather and a Toledo Blue with red.


Better shot of the Phoenix Yellow paint mule (grey softtop)


Another 'M' paint mule--Estoril Blue


Unusual Maldives Blue with Maldives interior and Grey softtop


Due to the heat, white with beige leather is popular


Urban Green looks best in bright sunlight


Friday night gathering


Saturday's '50s night with BMW Isetta bubblecar and caravan

Tim

[Jason]

Out of interest, here's an old yellow pic.
Don't remember where I found it though...

[Andre_z_3000]

Urban green, eeurrgh, what are they making z4's for the US Army now. Who thinks up some of these colours!?

[Zmeagol]

Some more photos from Homecoming


White M Roadster with Imola interior at the NashBash


Pre-war 328 Roadster in the Zentrum


Aegean Blue with Beige softtop


Real problem finding the car after parking on the grass


G'Day's supercharged S50


Toledo with Red/Grey interior and Grey softtop


Beautiful individual in Black with Red/Black interior, Red hoops and softtop.


White with Red/Grey interior and Grey softtop


If you see one of these, run like feck


No, it's not a new colour, it's the electrostatic coating


Siena Red with Beige interior and top


Olivin with Black interior and top


As the name suggests, Midnight Blue is very dark


Maldives with Maldives/Grey interior and Grey softtop


I needed the rucksac for all the goodies I bought from John at LeatherZ


One of LeatherZ's new items


One very fast looking coupé

Tim

[TDZ4]

Saw lots of interesting colour combinations, especially with grey softtops that nobody seems to go for in the UK. Titanium + grey looks good.

Hey I've got Titanium + grey softtop and I'm in the UK

[WB]

The wife and I really missed the event this year. Your call did lead to us dropping everything and going out for a "Dragonesque" 185 miler. Thanks for posting a few photos.