100,000th BMW Z4 Rolls-Off South Carolina Line

100,000th BMW Z4 Rolls-Off South Carolina Line

BMW launched the more aggressively styled Z4 roadster on October 22, 2002, to replace the fun-loving Z3. Deeply controversial, the new Z found as many naysayers as admirers due to its unusual "flamed surface" design language, the legacy of then head of design Chris Bangle and California design studio boss Adrian von Hooydonk.

Like the 7-Series, BMWs flagship sedan that has also come under some scrutiny because of its unorthodox design, the Z4 has sold quite well, especially considering how soft the sports car market is. In just two years more than 100,000 Z4 roadsters have been built at BMWs Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, also home to the popular X5 sport utility.

This is no doubt an uplifting note for BMW Manufacturing Co. to kick off its 10 year anniversary party with, with the conversation piece being a Phoenix Yellow Z4 sporting an Anthracite leather interior, 18-inch alloy wheels and aluminum silver interior trim, sitting in the lobby of the manufacturing facility. The special Z4 was built on November 8, 2004, especially for a customer in Jena, Germany, a small town near Leipzig.

All Z4s feature one of two inline 6-cylinder engines, the base version being the brands 184 horsepower 2.5-liter, 24-valve, DOHC unit with 175 lb-ft of torque, and the upgrade being a 225 horsepower 3.0-L, 24-valve, DOHC I-6 sporting 214 lb-ft of torque.

Most likely future Z4s will get the same power upgrades the next-generation 3-Series will receive when it debuts next year as a 2006 model. Again, the 3 will offer the same two engines the Z4 includes in its list of features. Changes to the 2.5-liter unit include a magnesium crankcase and Valvetronic variable valve lift system. The engine now makes 218 horsepower (in European spec) and 184 lb-ft of torque from between 2,750 and 4,250 rpm. The rejuvenated 3.0-liter mill makes 255 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, available between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm.

Back to the 2005 model, a 5-speed manual transmission is standard with a 6-speed manual standard with the 3.0-liter engine. A 5-speed Steptronic automatic with manual mode is optional with either engine, while a 6-speed paddle-shift actuated sequential-manual gearbox (SMG) is available with the 3.0-liter powerplant.

The Z4 goes up against a strong lineup of competitors, including a much upgraded Audi TT Roadster, an all-new Chevrolet Corvette, an entirely new Chrysler Crossfire Roadster, a revised 2.2-liter Honda S2000, the value-packed and extremely athletic Nissan 350Z Roadster, and the all-new Mercedes-Benz SLK.

BMWs Z4 continues to be a unique statement within this group, however, mostly due to the distinctive styling that some BMW fans find out of character with the German brands DNA. Others find it the most attractive of the bunch, evidenced by its 100,000 unit volume over the last two years.

Z4s sell for $51,900 in base trim and $59,900 in 3.0-liter V6 guise, with a myriad of options available. Whats more, a made-to-measure service BMW calls individual allows buyers to customize their cars with unique paint, interior trim, and more. Unlike the previous Z3, or its 3-, 5- and soon to be 6-Series siblings, no M edition of the Z4 is available.