RE: BMW Z4 M40i: Driven
Discussion
Well I like it so there 
It is however a shame that BMW appear to have somewhat moved away from their very distinctive short front overhang. I’m guessing this is largely due to the requirements in the newer architectures for getting drive to the front wheels. Although as a shared platform this car is probably an oddity in that respect anyway.
It is however a shame that BMW appear to have somewhat moved away from their very distinctive short front overhang. I’m guessing this is largely due to the requirements in the newer architectures for getting drive to the front wheels. Although as a shared platform this car is probably an oddity in that respect anyway.
In a world where manufacturers are trying to breath some life into their turbo charged cars given so many feel let down by the death of naturallly aspirated engines, BMW has surely missed an open goal? The Porsche offerings, while good cars, were beatable, Mercedes is nowhere in this segment at the moment, and Audi continues to produce solid dullness.....and BMW while maintaining 6 cylinders, admittedly in turbo charged form, had an opportunity to nail it.....and boy they missed! Too ugly, too big, too heavy, synthetic sounding....the Alpine may have the 'wrong' engine, but it's the only choice
So what 1600kg when wet with passenger ? For a f
king convertible
Design is what I expected from BMW it's in keeping with it's ugly design language of recent times started off by the 1 series.
I'd rather have an mx5. 180hp a LSD and some nice bilstein dampers in the new ones will be a riot to drive.
king convertibleDesign is what I expected from BMW it's in keeping with it's ugly design language of recent times started off by the 1 series.
I'd rather have an mx5. 180hp a LSD and some nice bilstein dampers in the new ones will be a riot to drive.
Edmundo2 said:
How come BMW can't make a sports car? How..?
They've never made a good one, which is pretty baffling when you consider how very well regarded the 3 and 5 series have been over the years. The Z4M Roadster I had was a poor drive in comparison to the 3 series I'd had, the clutch/gearbox were at odds with each other, and the ride/suspension didn't have any compliance to it.
They've ditched the metal roof on this one and managed to make it heavier and made it auto only(which I do understand because Bmw's manual gearboxes are crap).
I genuinely believe that Bmw should just give it up as a bad job, and just stick to what they're good at. Sports car and Bmw just don't go together.
Could and should have looked better. Used the Gen 1 car as a basis for exterior design as it still looks good today and the Gen 2 car as a basis for interior design. Too heavy and too challenging looks wise, they missed an open goal when you consider the current Porsche 718, which is as flat as the layout of its engine.
It sounds like BMW has nailed everything I hate about poorly executed sports cars. Too much weight, too soft, vacuum cleaner exhaust sounds, MP3 fake exhaust, lifeless steering, and unpredictable behaviour on the limit. I have no idea why they were talking up the car’s sharpness, it’s clearly anything but.
Weighs about the same as a Mustang, looks like a Fiat, at the front.
They seem lost when it comes to a convertible. It is aimed at Americans who like big cars but they don't work here.
I'm pleased to see that BMW have abandoned the cliche grille but an M1 design would have worked better - I like the old small kidneys not the twin bloated livers.
What BMW needed was a premium MX5 not another yacht.
They seem lost when it comes to a convertible. It is aimed at Americans who like big cars but they don't work here.
I'm pleased to see that BMW have abandoned the cliche grille but an M1 design would have worked better - I like the old small kidneys not the twin bloated livers.
What BMW needed was a premium MX5 not another yacht.
aka_kerrly said:
As a bit of a thread derail, was the previous generation Z4 really as bad as the article makes out?
I've not driven one but its my favourite generation of Z4, I liked the folding metal roof(looks wise) and I really liked the way it looked from the front. The interior was also a massive improvement from the interior that was in my Z4M. It was criticised as being more of a cruiser, yet my Z4M weighed almost 1500kg so that was hardly a nimble sports car anyway! Bmw always make heavy cars...so its at odds with me to even bother trying to make a sports car.
"Lightweight aluminium and a cloth roof to save weight", and it still weighs as much as our estate car with the same 3ltr block in it. Did they install depleted uranium in the chassis to lower the centre of gravity, or bling it up using cast iron?
Imagine how much lighter an MX5 could be if you'd spent some of the monetary difference on lightweight body panels. Sure, wouldn't have the same pointless Top Trumps top speed, but would probably be a LOT more fun in the bendies.
Imagine how much lighter an MX5 could be if you'd spent some of the monetary difference on lightweight body panels. Sure, wouldn't have the same pointless Top Trumps top speed, but would probably be a LOT more fun in the bendies.
I so wanted to like this thing - assuming it looked mostly like the concept, it was going to be a replacement for my 440i Cabrio. But no, I can't, no matter how I try, it's just an ugly car from every angle, except perhaps from the front, which is just, well, bland. Very bland. Inside is not bad, but no real 'sense of occasion'. And those overhangs......
Never mind, I've ordered an M4 Competition instead, which after (very significant) discount, isn't a million miles away from what I would have paid for one of these once a few options were added.
Never mind, I've ordered an M4 Competition instead, which after (very significant) discount, isn't a million miles away from what I would have paid for one of these once a few options were added.
Red_Kite said:
What a mess! Front bits of Fiat 124 Abarth, rear from the side looks like a 350Z. Then BMW have sort of melted it a bit. Interior looks like a saloon and what happened to simple round dials for speedo and rev counter?
I thought exactly the same as you about the traces of 350z from the rear and side quarters.No manual... fake exhaust noise... unusual proportions... And probably near 50k with options! :O
...I'll be sticking with my *manual* Z4M Coupe thanks :-)
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