Discussion
You have to rev them fairly hard to get any decent progress from them. So fuel economy tends to be pretty poor for a smallish engine.
They now come in sport trim so look better with the larger wheels and have nicer seats in them. Be warned, the seats are pretty tight if your large.
Nice car to drive and on the deals that are out there reasonable value for a convertible.
They now come in sport trim so look better with the larger wheels and have nicer seats in them. Be warned, the seats are pretty tight if your large.
Nice car to drive and on the deals that are out there reasonable value for a convertible.
Well the Z4 in general is a very capable car (I'm not biased at all, you understand!). It's an excellent "Roadster", in that it's a bit less focused than some of it's rivals (Boxster et al), but in being so it makes for an excellent long-distance cruiser. That said, it's still a highly capable sports car with excellent, neutral behaviour even in fairly extreme conditions.
I've not driven the 2.0i, but from the stats I can imagine that it would be a little underpowered for the capability of the chassis. You'd need to wring it out to make it shift, but then if you're not into backroad hooning there shouldn't be a problem. The best bet is to have a go in one and find out if the power is enough for you.
I always felt that the 2.2i straight six (the 2.0i is a straight four) was a very appropriate mill for the Z4, it's a pitty that they discontinued it at facelift. It had enough poke to give real sports car performance, and was lighter than the common 2.5i/3.0i block so made the car less nose-heavy. But most of all it suited the "retro roadster" concept of the car, as it's small capacity/many-cylinder form gave it high revs and a distinctive sound.
The only slight warning I have about the car is that the ride quality can be patchy in some situations. It's good for a sports car, but it could be better. It seems to be the runflats that cause it, and it results in bucking around and tramlining on poor, broken up surfaces. Admittedly alternative sports cars would just crash over the same surfaces, which is no better, but given that the Z4 is so capable in all other areas, you expect it to be better in this one! However, smaller wheels give better ride, so if I were in your position i'd consider limiting it to 17" rims.
I've not driven the 2.0i, but from the stats I can imagine that it would be a little underpowered for the capability of the chassis. You'd need to wring it out to make it shift, but then if you're not into backroad hooning there shouldn't be a problem. The best bet is to have a go in one and find out if the power is enough for you.
I always felt that the 2.2i straight six (the 2.0i is a straight four) was a very appropriate mill for the Z4, it's a pitty that they discontinued it at facelift. It had enough poke to give real sports car performance, and was lighter than the common 2.5i/3.0i block so made the car less nose-heavy. But most of all it suited the "retro roadster" concept of the car, as it's small capacity/many-cylinder form gave it high revs and a distinctive sound.
The only slight warning I have about the car is that the ride quality can be patchy in some situations. It's good for a sports car, but it could be better. It seems to be the runflats that cause it, and it results in bucking around and tramlining on poor, broken up surfaces. Admittedly alternative sports cars would just crash over the same surfaces, which is no better, but given that the Z4 is so capable in all other areas, you expect it to be better in this one! However, smaller wheels give better ride, so if I were in your position i'd consider limiting it to 17" rims.
playerone said:
You have to rev them fairly hard to get any decent progress from them. So fuel economy tends to be pretty poor for a smallish engine.
They now come in sport trim so look better with the larger wheels and have nicer seats in them. Be warned, the seats are pretty tight if your large.
Nice car to drive and on the deals that are out there reasonable value for a convertible.
They now come in sport trim so look better with the larger wheels and have nicer seats in them. Be warned, the seats are pretty tight if your large.
Nice car to drive and on the deals that are out there reasonable value for a convertible.
So would it be fair to say that the official 37mpg combined figure is 'very' optimistic?
Edited by planman on Thursday 23 November 10:19
I average 25mpg on my 2.2 Z4. On a longer journey with a mix of roads I tend to get about 32mpg. If you can get the 2.2 by any means then go for it as the 6 cylinders make the engine creamy smooth and give it really nice sound, especially with a K&N air filter! Just put non run flat Michelin Sports on mine to rpelace the RFs. It's made a significant improvment to ride and handling.
I have the 2.5si coming next week, i cant wait... I’m kinda hoping for better than 25 mpg (same as S) but first impressions are very good, loved the easy driving style, but could really go when pushed...
I've got the sequential gearbox, with sport mode button which seemed to perk the engine up a bit, can anyone tell me if it does anymore than this?
(Sorry for hijack of thread btw)
cheers
Tom
I've got the sequential gearbox, with sport mode button which seemed to perk the engine up a bit, can anyone tell me if it does anymore than this?
(Sorry for hijack of thread btw)
cheers
Tom
Edited by coopers on Thursday 23 November 20:58
Congratulations Tom, I'm sure you'll enjoy the car.
To address your query, the "Sport" button is on all 2.5Si and 3.0Si cars (prior to facelift it was on all 2.5i and 3.0i). On all equipped vehicles it alters steering and throttle behaviour. The steering action becomes firmer, enabling more precise input and making it less prone to tramlining or wandering. The throttle opens more fully and with less delay throught the rev range.
In addition, on vehicles equiped with the automatic transmission, activation of Sport mode puts the gearbox into a more sporty changing regime, so it holds lower gears for longer.
Just out of interest, the sequential on the facelift model is in fact a conventional automatic transmission (i.e. featuring a torque converter), with steering wheel paddles added to control the ratio selection feature. Prior to facelift an SMG sequential based on the manual was offered, with a computer controlled clutch, but apparently it wasn't well received and was discontinued at facelift.
To address your query, the "Sport" button is on all 2.5Si and 3.0Si cars (prior to facelift it was on all 2.5i and 3.0i). On all equipped vehicles it alters steering and throttle behaviour. The steering action becomes firmer, enabling more precise input and making it less prone to tramlining or wandering. The throttle opens more fully and with less delay throught the rev range.
In addition, on vehicles equiped with the automatic transmission, activation of Sport mode puts the gearbox into a more sporty changing regime, so it holds lower gears for longer.
Just out of interest, the sequential on the facelift model is in fact a conventional automatic transmission (i.e. featuring a torque converter), with steering wheel paddles added to control the ratio selection feature. Prior to facelift an SMG sequential based on the manual was offered, with a computer controlled clutch, but apparently it wasn't well received and was discontinued at facelift.
Well this is where I go a bit red faced; I’ve picked a very reasonable 53 plate.. lol so yer I’ve got the preface lift model with the ssg box .
But in my defence
I drive a Cooper S and find the handling and ride perfect and the way it delivers the power brillaint whereas others may comment it being harsh and unappealing compared to the smoother S3 or GTI...
I did test drive an automatic (again 03) and for me it didn't seem urgent enough and too lazy... but just my opinion.
I got a good price hence why I could move up and would of liked a facelift model but nothing was around my mark, saying that I will be looking at some Alpina bits and bobs but will have to wait till next year
Can I ask have there been problems mechanically with this ssg transmission, as this is the reason why I’ve changed away from getting another S as mechanically it was very delicate (read; not well put together)
Anyway I’ll post up my first proper impressions this time next week
Cheers
Tom
But in my defence
I drive a Cooper S and find the handling and ride perfect and the way it delivers the power brillaint whereas others may comment it being harsh and unappealing compared to the smoother S3 or GTI... I did test drive an automatic (again 03) and for me it didn't seem urgent enough and too lazy... but just my opinion.
I got a good price hence why I could move up and would of liked a facelift model but nothing was around my mark, saying that I will be looking at some Alpina bits and bobs but will have to wait till next year
Can I ask have there been problems mechanically with this ssg transmission, as this is the reason why I’ve changed away from getting another S as mechanically it was very delicate (read; not well put together)
Anyway I’ll post up my first proper impressions this time next week
Cheers
Tom
I'm not aware of any particular reliability issues with the SMG transmission. It's fundamentally the manual transmission, just with a hydraulic system added to control the clutch and gear movement, so there shouldn't be any reason for the mechanicals to be any less reliable than the manual. There's an interesting workshop technical note here that describes the transmission in greater detail.
I know that sport mode increases the severity of gear changes with SMG, so I imagine that it will be more prone to shredding clutches than a manual if you use the sport programme frequently.
I'm not sure why they discontinued SMG at facelift. I know that it wasn't a very commonly chosen option, but I can't see that being enough to cancel it. I suspect that that they couldn't offer it on the M models either for technical or marketing reasons, and didn't want to offer it on lower models when it wasn't available on the M.
I know that sport mode increases the severity of gear changes with SMG, so I imagine that it will be more prone to shredding clutches than a manual if you use the sport programme frequently.
I'm not sure why they discontinued SMG at facelift. I know that it wasn't a very commonly chosen option, but I can't see that being enough to cancel it. I suspect that that they couldn't offer it on the M models either for technical or marketing reasons, and didn't want to offer it on lower models when it wasn't available on the M.
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