Driven: BMW Z4 sDrive28i
Four-pot power for BMW's Z4. But is it any good?
We mentioned good news? Oh yes - said turbocharged 2.0-litre four is a corker, in the Z4 at least. There are two versions available for BMW's folding hardtop coupe-roadster thingummy: a 184hp version, and this, the 245hp option in the Z4 sDrive28i. The new motor, courtesy of such tricks as the variable camshaft control system double Vanos and the fully variable valve control system valvetronic (not to mention a twin-scroll turbocharger) is just 13hp down on the old sDrive30i, despite giving away two cylinders.
It's also got 29lb ft more torque than its predecessor, 258lb ft available between 1,500rpm and 4,800rpm, which not only gives a decent turn of outright speed (0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph), but also provides some fairly serious and easily accessible real-world poke. It's a crisp, linear motor, too, with sufficiently sharp throttle response and enough eagerness all the way through the rev range to feel distinctly un-turbocharged at times. And all that's in conjunction with CO2 emissions of 159g/km and an impressive official combined fuel consumption figure of 41.5mpg. Which is suitably green.
BMW is also very conscious of the lack of aural merit relative to its older six-cylinder offerings. As a consequence it has come up with an electronic sound generator, to give it a better bass and baritone note both at idle and in the main 2,500-3,500rpm rev range. The result won't fool you into thinking you're driving a six, but its eager gurgle sounds pleasant enough.
So that's the good news. Unfortunately this is also followed by some bad news: the engine's comfortably the best bit of the Z4. It's not the build quality or design that's the problem - it's all well screwed together, has plenty of kit and looks sufficiently sporty, if a little awkward from some angles. It's the handling that's the issue.
And the main issue with the Z4 – much as with the Merc SLK – is that it doesn’t really seem clear what it is trying to be. Is it a relaxed boulevardier? It can’t be, because the ride is too tough and fidgety, the steering too sharp, and its general demeanour a little too lairy. A proper foucused sports car, then? Er, nope, because even though there’s a stiff-ride, the Z4 often feels under-damped, making comfortable – or even rapid – progress over rough B-roads pretty much an impossibility.
Essentially, it just doesn’t hang together as a dynamic package. And that’s a shame, because despite the lovely engine, a spot-on driving position with well-positioned pedals and a lovely six-speed manual gearchange (the eight-speed ZF auto is also an option), that unresolved chassis is a bit of a deal-breaker. Especially when there’s a new Porsche Boxster on the way...
BMW Z4 SDRIVE28I
Engine: 1,997cc 4-cylinder, turbo
Power (hp): 245 @ 6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258 @ 1,500-4,800rpm
0-62mph: 5.7 sec
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,490kg
MPG: 41.5 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 159g/km
Price: £33,645
Has the PH shop onsidered selling a CD with "proper" engine sounds that could be downloaded?
Nope, because that would be lame.
Can't believe anyone who cares about cars in the way I'd hoped a PH reviewer does is happy to endorse a stereo playing the exhaust note?!?
Apologies for morning rant....
- goes to get coffee and discover inner calm
Come on BMW, grow a pair and give us a proper Z4M again.
It only took six years of people asking for them to make the 1M...
With the M3's V8 in it and the handling sorted (poor damping? on a BMW? What utter heresy!) it'd be a cult classic like the E46 CSL. They could knock 1000 of them out at £60k and keep the guys at ///M happy: I can't imagine the workforce are overjoyed at designing aero kits for diesel 5-serieses.
With the M3's V8 in it and the handling sorted (poor damping? on a BMW? What utter heresy!) it'd be a cult classic like the E46 CSL. They could knock 1000 of them out at £60k and keep the guys at ///M happy: I can't imagine the workforce are overjoyed at designing aero kits for diesel 5-serieses.
With the M3's V8 in it and the handling sorted (poor damping? on a BMW? What utter heresy!) it'd be a cult classic like the E46 CSL. They could knock 1000 of them out at £60k and keep the guys at ///M happy: I can't imagine the workforce are overjoyed at designing aero kits for diesel 5-serieses.
Has the PH shop onsidered selling a CD with "proper" engine sounds that could be downloaded?
Nope, because that would be lame.
Can't believe anyone who cares about cars in the way I'd hoped a PH reviewer does is happy to endorse a stereo playing the exhaust note?!?
Apologies for morning rant....
- goes to get coffee and discover inner calm
The BMW petrol six in its various guises from 2 to 3 litre, is one THE great driving experiences.
I have owned lots of them. I learned about oversteer in a really lairy 328i saloon with dodgy tires years ago. I still miss that car, I absolutely bloody loved it and the noise that it made.
I really, really, really urge anyone who has not owned one to make sure that at least once, they own a 6 cylinder petrol 3 series with a manual box. Preferably a 328, 325 or 330. Drive it hard and learn about how sweet a nice 6 cylinder engine can sound. Learn about balancing rear wheel grip with power.
It is so much fun being able to spin the needle around the rev counter just for the hell of it and because it sounds good. Modern diesel drivers will never know how good that feels.
This new Z4 is a sad car. No one can tell me it is more fun than a six.
Sad times indeed.
Bmw's were once so handsome - they seem to have given that ground to Audi now
Come on BMW, grow a pair and give us a proper Z4M again.
It only took six years of people asking for them to make the 1M...
With the M3's V8 in it and the handling sorted (poor damping? on a BMW? What utter heresy!) it'd be a cult classic like the E46 CSL. They could knock 1000 of them out at £60k and keep the guys at ///M happy: I can't imagine the workforce are overjoyed at designing aero kits for diesel 5-serieses.
Good thing the Boxster is about £4k more expensive, but it becomes harder still to make a case for the Z4, where (imho) it had the "nicer" engine before, it certainly doesn't now. Looks like the only thing it has got going is a cheaper price imho.
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