RE: Driven: BMW Z4 sDrive28i

[Kong]

ZesPak said:

Hmm so the version similary powered to the base Boxster now has a turbo 4-pot, which gives it another point to the boxster.

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.

I agree, I have the old Z4, love this Z4 (looks much better in M-sport form) and I don't even mind the turbo four pot that much. However i'd have the new Boxster over this any day. Enjoy the N/A flat sixs while we can.

[Dave Hedgehog]

nice looking car, nothing wrong with a blown 4 pot, 7/10

[Riggers]

Dave Hedgehog said:

nice looking car, nothing wrong with a blown 4 pot, 7/10

Like the 10-word car review! This idea could catch on...

[ZesPak]

Riggers said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

nice looking car, nothing wrong with a blown 4 pot, 7/10

Like the 10-word car review! This idea could catch on...

And then let's see for how many cars you can use the same "review":

Dave Hedgehog said:

nice looking car, nothing wrong with a blown 4 pot

The list is quite endless.

[F1GTRUeno]

It's a good looking thing is the current Z4.

I cannot stand the naming conventions though.

SDrive28? What the fk is that?

[J4CKO]

Four pots are where its at, would take a four ever time at lower power levels as lowered powered sixes, though lovely and smooth tend to be dull, thinking old 320i vs 318i kind of thing, go higher and obviously a six every time but I bet this is a great car.

[James P]

Riggers said:

Gizmo! said:

Shame.

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...

Don't forget you can still get the six-cylinder in the sDrive35i

and the sDrive35is

[threespires]

A disappointing review. Whilst their saloons seem to deliver "The Ultimate" it seems that when it comes to 2 seaters BMW often seem to fall short.

[kambites]

threespires said:

A disappointing review. Whilst their saloons seem to deliver "The Ultimate" it seems that when it comes to 2 seaters BMW often seem to fall short.

To be fair, in some ways it's significantly harder to make a drop-top handle well than a car with a structural roof.

I also don't think the absolute gap is all that wide - BMW saloons tend to handle well for saloons but they never feel like anything other than saloons. The benchmark for a sports car is rather higher.

Edited by kambites on Monday 23 January 13:43

[Guvernator]

I have to admit to being a little bit worried about BMW of late as IMO they have made a few suspect choices or decisions.

1. Suspension

I've recently got into a 335i which suffers from the exact same issue as this Z4. Now I am used to stiffly sprung cars but stiff springs and bad damping is a huge mistake, it really is the most atrocious in terms or ride quality I have sampled from a mainstream manufacturer although Audi aren't much better these days to be fair. When will the German manufacturers understand the "sporting" doesn't have to mean that it has to knock your fillings out. I really am suprised more Journo's haven't said anything about this. This really has to stop now!

2. Run Flats
Which tw*t as BMW actually thought these were a good idea? They make an already bad ride worse, they are very expensive to replace and they are sh*t. Whoever greenlighted these across the BMW range should be taken out and shot!. This really has to be stopped now!

3. Electronic engine noise
REALLY!? REALLY?? I suspect some of the engineers at BMW are having sleepless nights as I can't imagine anyone with oil running through their veins could be remotely happy about this. First in the M5 and nows this! Yet more corporate marketing BS. This really really has to be stopped now!

Please any motoring journo's with any clout at all in the industry, help to put a stop to this madness before it's too late.

[bobbylondonuk]

I recently stumbled upon the 'birds' bmw tuning from a bmw mag article...Apparently BMW tend to have harder springs to combat roll and are under damped..not as bad as audis. Their solution was to use softer progressive springs, matched damping rates and thicker anti roll bars. They say the ride was leagues ahead from the standard bmw configuration and A/B road progress was much better due to the ride being comfortable as well as grippy!

[E38Ross]

threespires said:

A disappointing review. Whilst their saloons seem to deliver "The Ultimate" it seems that when it comes to 2 seaters BMW often seem to fall short.

with possible exception of the old z4m

[mc_blue]

Is it really that bad dynamically? The Z4 doesn't seem to sell that well, maybe they should take a leaf out of Merc's book and introduce a diesel version to appeal to fleet market? I'm aware it would still be limited but may appeal to young salespeople who are up and down the motorway. Think it looks fantastic and love the interior though.

[kambites]

E38Ross said:

threespires said:

A disappointing review. Whilst their saloons seem to deliver "The Ultimate" it seems that when it comes to 2 seaters BMW often seem to fall short.

with possible exception of the old z4m

The Z3MC was pretty well reviewed too, in a "crude but fun" sort of way.

[ZesPak]

mc_blue said:

Is it really that bad dynamically? The Z4 doesn't seem to sell that well, maybe they should take a leaf out of Merc's book and introduce a diesel version to appeal to fleet market? I'm aware it would still be limited but may appeal to young salespeople who are up and down the motorway. Think it looks fantastic and love the interior though.

Well, we'll still have to see if the diesel SLK is a big seller.
The diesel did sell pretty good for the 3-series convertible though. Iirc, BMW has more experience selling diesel convertibles than merc.

But agreed, with the diesel SLK, there is no two-seater convertible to compete from BMW.

[sad61t]

Guvernator said:

... When will the German manufacturers understand the "sporting" doesn't have to mean that it has to knock your fillings out. ...

N'ringitis?

[digitalrurouni]

I am in agreement...BMW has lost it's way. I think they are getting heavier, and softer and more catered to the mass market instead of being the Ultimate Driving Machine. I think I will keep my E92 M3 around to combat the oncoming lineup of BMW cars.

[Herbs]

"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."

This is the crux of the matter with the latest shape Z4:

it's too soft to be sporty and too hard to be a cruiser.

It's stuck in no-mans land rather than being good at one thing it's average at everything - a big disappointment from the old Z4

[Ecosseven]

I love the looks but would pick a 2.5 straight six over a blown 2.0 even if the 2.0 was more powerful.

[MRCC]

Don't forget all that a 4-cylinder entry level Boxster is on the way soon too. It seems that four cylinders are the future for entry-level sports cars and expect more in the way of 'electronic' engine noises too. There'll come a time when you can download any engine noise you want to 'enjoy' in your new car. Sad but a reflection of the times.

Regards,

Mr. CC