RE: BMW Z4 M40i: Driven

[WJNB]

Oh dear a repeat of the bulbous last minute boot moulding, this time incorporating a shapeless attempt at a spoiler.
And what's all the Z shape triangulation going on in the cabin?
Sorry but this makes the hard-top Z4 look sweet & shapely, the supposed 'softening' of no consequence whatsoever.
Worse, I reckon the Mercedes SLC is a better looker & in 6 cylinder form has all the performance needed & a nearly new version much better value. . That's a few thousand quid saved so thanks BMW.

[E65Ross]

underphil said:

Lowtimer said:

rare6499 said:

I quite like it but 1500kg...how?

All modern cars are lardy. A tin-top 240i coupe with the eight speed autobox is 1540kg. Why would this convertible be any lighter?

Because Porsche manage to make a lighter car

And yet I see far more Z4's than Boxsters.

[LuS1fer]

E65Ross said:

And yet I see far more Z4's than Boxsters.

Or maybe "notice" since you plainly like BMWs?
Whenever I buy a new car, I suddenly see far more than I noticed before as you become ''switched on'.
I can't say I particularly notice either.
I remember when I see a Civic Type R because how could you miss those...

[Howrare]

Nothing original to add, just a horrific gopping mess.

[RJG46]

E65Ross said:

underphil said:

Lowtimer said:

rare6499 said:

I quite like it but 1500kg...how?

All modern cars are lardy. A tin-top 240i coupe with the eight speed autobox is 1540kg. Why would this convertible be any lighter?

Because Porsche manage to make a lighter car

And yet I see far more Z4's than Boxsters.

400kg more than the new Alpine, so just not true to say all new cars are lardy. I see very few Z4s around, certainly the newer ones.

[E65Ross]

LuS1fer said:

Or maybe "notice" since you plainly like BMWs?
Whenever I buy a new car, I suddenly see far more than I noticed before as you become ''switched on'.
I can't say I particularly notice either.
I remember when I see a Civic Type R because how could you miss those...

There are very few current BMWs I like to be honest. I like the M3/4/5.....that's pretty much it to be honest. 440i wouldn't go amiss but I'm not fussed on the rest. I would rather a Porsche over a BMW, in general, so I'm not sure that argument holds true.

[Ares]

MX6 said:

Deep Thought said:

I think an F Type is in a different league entirely.

In what way would you say? Yes I think the F Type subjectively looks better, and it has the R and SVR halo models that lift the image. But now it has the 2.0 four pot in the range it's on a par with this Z4 in terms of hardware and spec.

I'd put them at a similar point.

Similar weight/size/performance?...Z4 just looks as if it will be cheaper?

[Ares]

underphil said:

Because Porsche manage to make a lighter car

And smaller, and has a 4-pot, and only c100kg lighter.

[cerb4.5lee]

RJG46 said:

400kg more than the new Alpine, so just not true to say all new cars are lardy.

I think Alpine should be really applauded for what they've done with the A110. I know its not the modern way of doing things...but it would have been nice if they'd offered it with a manual gearbox.

[SidewaysSi]

True. The Alpine has destroyed the class and is great to see. Except the convertible thing, why you would buy a Z4 over one, God only knows.

[kambites]

SidewaysSi said:

True. The Alpine has destroyed the class and is great to see. Except the convertible thing, why you would buy a Z4 over one, God only knows.

I haven't driven an Alpine but I'm guessing the answers are refinement, ease of entry and exit, perceived quality (especially of the cabin), toys, etc... ie exactly the same reasons you'd buy the Alpine over an Elise or an Elise over a Caterham. It's all a continuum; which car is best is simply a matter of personal requirements and taste.

[sly fox]

Codswallop said:

Agreed. It's a badly proportioned mess of a design. The interior is gopping too.

+1
That's one of the worst interiors i can remember in a long time.
Think i rented a van from Enterprise recently with a nicer dash.

And the new nose?
It does make the previous Z4 look very good in the styling department.

[Sycamore]

I'm a big fan of the first gen Z4.
Wasn't keen on the second gen.
This is ugly as st. The front looks looks like a Fiat 124.

It'll sell really well, mind you

[akashzimzimma]

Given the dimensions, the fact that it's a convertible with many creature comforts, and has a turbo'd straight 6, It's not overweight at all.
It's actually about 100kg lighter than an M2 which is commendable. The smaller SLC even in 4 cyl form has a similar mass also.

[ilovequo]

Why such gussy design!?
Bmw! Sit down and look at an e46 for a few months...

[mikey P 500]

Why would you buy this when an m140i uses the same engine, but is faster, due to being lighter and importantly is about half the price, would have to really want a convertible as both are equally ugly in my opinion. Don't really understand how BMW expects to sell the higher end cars when it's puts the good/same engine in even the smallest cheapest car, no other manufacture does this.

[J4CKO]

mikey P 500 said:

Why would you buy this when an m140i uses the same engine, but is faster, due to being lighter and importantly is about half the price, would have to really want a convertible as both are equally ugly in my opinion. Don't really understand how BMW expects to sell the higher end cars when it's puts the good/same engine in even the smallest cheapest car, no other manufacture does this.

An M140i isnt half the price, just because you can get a fairly new one for 25 grand or a new one from a broker doesnt mean its half the price, you are comparing a brand new model to one that is coming to the end of its run and is a completely different market segment, they just share an engine.

[kambites]

mikey P 500 said:

no other manufacture does this.

That's really not true. Other manufacturers have engines which span their entire range.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 7th November 19:51

[E65Ross]

mikey P 500 said:

Why would you buy this when an m140i uses the same engine, but is faster, due to being lighter and importantly is about half the price, would have to really want a convertible as both are equally ugly in my opinion. Don't really understand how BMW expects to sell the higher end cars when it's puts the good/same engine in even the smallest cheapest car, no other manufacture does this.

Firstly, your initial comment about asking why you'd buy one over an M140i is answered by your 2nd comment about wanting a convertible. What if you want a convertible 6 cylinder car?

Your comment about no other manufacturer sharing engines like that is very true. Except for Audi with the TT S and the S3 (these aren't M cars, but "M performance cars.....so not rival to RS Audis). And isn't The AMG SLC model from Merc using the same engine as the A45?

But yes, apart from those 2 from its main rivals you're completely right....and probably countless other cars too. Isn't the MX5 engine used in something else, for example? Or the V8 in the DB11 used in the smaller, less expensive V8 Vantage? But yes, you're totally right. No other manufacturer does this

[theJT]

For all its other faults, the outgoing Z4 is _beautiful_ this one... really isn't. I just don't think that's forgivable in this segment, because pure hard driving sports car this is not. The looks matter, and they've gotten them badly wrong.