RE: Driven: BMW Z4 sDrive28i

[Luca Brasi]

Happily there are still plenty of proper BMWs in the classifieds for us to enjoy!

[RossP]

"better base and baritone" - can't believe that I am the first of the PH pedants to spot this!

It should of course be BASS!

Oh, and electronic enhancement of an engine note?? That is pathetic.

[Bash Brannigan]

The e30 M3 had a four pot and no one says that that wasn't a proper BMW. I learned to drive in a clapped out BMW with a straight 6 and it was great, but isn't it nice to know that the boys in Munich are slightly sensitive to the needs and wants of real people with their development of engines that are economical?

[s m]

Bash Brannigan said:

The e30 M3 had a four pot and no one says that that wasn't a proper BMW.

Read the letters columns of car mags in the late 80s and there were plenty of people who said it was a travesty it hadn't got a six..... plus only in LHD!

[Riggers]

MRCC said:

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

But hopefully that Porsche will be a flat four and thus at least a little bit interesting

http://www.pistonheads.com/porsche/default.asp?sto...

[Digger]

James P said:

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

I've been looking at them! Cant argue with 340 ponies and a sub 5 sec 0-60. Fantastic looks, shame about the 'floaty' handling. Space Grey or Melbourne Red for me

These always look far far better in the metal, not the best angles in the pics above.

[rickeyt]

"The constant downward pressure on emissions and fuel consumption is forcing BMW, like every other carmaker, to make its motors ever-more efficient. And that means turbocharged fours are in, and six-pots are out."

Forgive me and my lack of engineering knowledge but BMW fits a 4 cyl turbo and a V8 in its cars but can't make a straight 6 meet current emissions. Can someone please explain why its beyond the wit of BMW engineers to work its wonder on its classic engine format.

[E38Ross]

rickeyt said:

"The constant downward pressure on emissions and fuel consumption is forcing BMW, like every other carmaker, to make its motors ever-more efficient. And that means turbocharged fours are in, and six-pots are out."

Forgive me and my lack of engineering knowledge but BMW fits a 4 cyl turbo and a V8 in its cars but can't make a straight 6 meet current emissions. Can someone please explain why its beyond the wit of BMW engineers to work its wonder on its classic engine format.

because, i think, they need to meet average emissions across the board of vehicles being sold, not each individual car. therefore, if 95% of their cars sold are 4 pots, 3% straight 6s and 2% V8 or V12 that's less emissions than 85% 4 pots, 13% straight 6s etc.

i'm just grateful they still actually make straight sixes. and, oddly (and thankfully), they need no sound enhancers to make those blown units sound good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igrnyNAqcbk

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

That car is a truly astonishing achievement!

I mean, how on earth have they managed to make it weigh nearly 1500kg?

This is a two seater roadster, FFS. What have they made it out of? Granite??

[Dave Hedgehog]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

That car is a truly astonishing achievement!

I mean, how on earth have they managed to make it weigh nearly 1500kg?

This is a two seater roadster, FFS. What have they made it out of? Granite??

you can thank us for that, we demand ever safer stronger cars, all the toys etc

[loose cannon]

gforceg said:

How long will it be before the wheel turns full circle and we're back with a 4 pot M3?

Probably when they realise the m3 shouldn't be the size of a scammel Ecca.......

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Dave Hedgehog said:

you can thank us for that, we demand ever safer stronger cars, all the toys etc

But 1490kg is heavier than the heaviest current model Ford Focus. I say again: this is a two-seater roadster. How on earth have they done such a bad job of controlling its weight?

[va1o]

I quite like the look of it, even though a straight 6 would be preferable the new 28i engine makes sense and the performance/ economy is pretty good for a car of that class.

[Gizmo!]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

you can thank us for that, we demand ever safer stronger cars, all the toys etc

But 1490kg is heavier than the heaviest current model Ford Focus. I say again: this is a two-seater roadster. How on earth have they done such a bad job of controlling its weight?

Check the weight of the early 90s Merc SL.

[E38Ross]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

you can thank us for that, we demand ever safer stronger cars, all the toys etc

But 1490kg is heavier than the heaviest current model Ford Focus. I say again: this is a two-seater roadster. How on earth have they done such a bad job of controlling its weight?

i believe the fact most of the buyers wanting a folding metal roof are to blame for an additional couple of hundred kgs..... which makes the weight not too bad. if you think the folding roof on the M3 adds what, 3-400kgs to the coupe; if this were a coupe it would weigh about 1250kgs even if the roof adds 250kgs.

now i wish they'd do a coupe, or even just a folding cloth roof. but alas, most buyers would rather a folding metal roof, that's what they went for, that's what makes 'em the most money.

[wst]

ZesPak said:

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.

While not strictly a BMW, Alpina apparently did a good thing with making a diesel 3 sporty 3 series. How about an Alpina diesel Z4? The wheels would suit it, for a start...

[kambites]

E38Ross said:

i believe the fact most of the buyers wanting a folding metal roof are to blame for an additional couple of hundred kgs..... which makes the weight not too bad. if you think the folding roof on the M3 adds what, 3-400kgs to the coupe; if this were a coupe it would weigh about 1250kgs even if the roof adds 250kgs.

I'm sure Mazda claim that their roof only weighs about 50kg more than the soft-top on the MX5. I wonder what the difference is that the Z4 one is so much heavier. Metal vs plastic maybe?

[Ecosseven]

I think the previous generation Z4 weighed around 1375kg with the straight 6 engine. The new car is longer and wider and that will account for some of the weight increase. I'm looking forward to the next MX-5 with interest as Mazda are targeting a weight reduction of around 50-70kg I believe.

I hope that BMW introduce the rumoured Z2 with RWD, a fabric roof, 6 speed manual box, 180bhp and a kerb weight of not more than 1150 kg.

[kambites]

Ecosseven said:

I hope that BMW introduce the rumoured Z2 with RWD, a fabric roof, 6 speed manual box, 180bhp and a kerb weight of not more than 1150 kg.

That would be lovely if they did, especially if they use their N/A 2.0 rather than the turbocharged 1.6 from the MINI. It doesn't really seem to fit in with their current direction, though.

It's about time the MX5 had some competition again.

[geoffracing]

toppstuff said:

This article makes me sad.

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.

I agree entirely.
I loved so much my 328i Coupé of 1996, that I bought a Z4 2 years ago.
If it only had 4 cylinders, I would NOT have bought it.
The BMW 6 cyl engines are their best part! I don't understand car makers.

Nor those who find Audis more attractive; they are well-designed, but so very BLAND.