Monday 10th March 2003
BMW Z4
Nauman Farooq puts the new roadster through its paces
Discussion
Say what you like. I think it's got a bit of character. The Z3 was just dull and uncharismatic to look at. I think that BMW deserve a bit more credit for producing cars that go against convention in a time when it's pretty hard to distinguish between most cars on the road.
Now I just need to figure out what 60,000 Canadian Dollars is in English.....
Now I just need to figure out what 60,000 Canadian Dollars is in English.....
I had a look at the Z4 last week in California.
The exterior is very fussy to my eyes; lots and lots of bulges, curves and sharp creases. The interior was also unremarkable and bland. I was also not impressed with the treatment of the folded hood; it didn't look at all neat.
Mind you, I didn't drive one so can't comment on the dynamics. Don't think I'll be rushing to put my name down though...
Oh, and the dealer had a Z8 parked next to the Z4: now that is a barge-and-a-half.
The exterior is very fussy to my eyes; lots and lots of bulges, curves and sharp creases. The interior was also unremarkable and bland. I was also not impressed with the treatment of the folded hood; it didn't look at all neat.
Mind you, I didn't drive one so can't comment on the dynamics. Don't think I'll be rushing to put my name down though...
Oh, and the dealer had a Z8 parked next to the Z4: now that is a barge-and-a-half.
Geez... so anywhere from 80-100K Australian. That puts it well above the 350Z, MX-5 SP (Turbo) and close to the S2000. Not far from the boxster either.
On that basis, I think it really should struggle no matter how good the exhaust note. The 350Z LOOKS like an expensive and sleek sportscar and backs it up well(Got up close and personal with one in bunbury other week. I didn't possibly think that thing could be better in the flesh but it is. It looks 100% the business.), the S2000 revvs like a champ and sounds great if you like that sort of thing, which I do, and the boxsters got everything the Bimmer does and a beatiful exterior. And then there's the Audi TT as another looker in the segment. It'll sell, it's a BMW coupe. But I don't think it should even if it is a decent drive. The 330Ci can handle that.
On that basis, I think it really should struggle no matter how good the exhaust note. The 350Z LOOKS like an expensive and sleek sportscar and backs it up well(Got up close and personal with one in bunbury other week. I didn't possibly think that thing could be better in the flesh but it is. It looks 100% the business.), the S2000 revvs like a champ and sounds great if you like that sort of thing, which I do, and the boxsters got everything the Bimmer does and a beatiful exterior. And then there's the Audi TT as another looker in the segment. It'll sell, it's a BMW coupe. But I don't think it should even if it is a decent drive. The 330Ci can handle that.
Geez... so anywhere from 80-100K Australian. That puts it well above the 350Z, MX-5 SP (Turbo) and close to the S2000. Not far from the boxster either.
On that basis, I think it really should struggle no matter how good the exhaust note. The 350Z LOOKS like an expensive and sleek sportscar and backs it up well(Got up close and personal with one in bunbury other week. I didn't possibly think that thing could be better in the flesh but it is. It looks 100% the business.), the S2000 revvs like a champ and sounds great if you like that sort of thing, which I do, and the boxsters got everything the Bimmer does and a beatiful exterior. And then there's the Audi TT as another looker in the segment. It'll sell, it's a BMW coupe. But I don't think it should even if it is a decent drive. The 330Ci can handle that.
On that basis, I think it really should struggle no matter how good the exhaust note. The 350Z LOOKS like an expensive and sleek sportscar and backs it up well(Got up close and personal with one in bunbury other week. I didn't possibly think that thing could be better in the flesh but it is. It looks 100% the business.), the S2000 revvs like a champ and sounds great if you like that sort of thing, which I do, and the boxsters got everything the Bimmer does and a beatiful exterior. And then there's the Audi TT as another looker in the segment. It'll sell, it's a BMW coupe. But I don't think it should even if it is a decent drive. The 330Ci can handle that.
I might be being subconsciously willfully controversial (if you can imagine such a thing!) but the Z4 is A Handsome Car.
I'm afraid the only thing that puts me off it will be the be-shiny-black-polo-neck-ed people who will buy it.
>> Edited by mikeylad on Saturday 29th March 21:25
>> Edited by mikeylad on Sunday 6th April 19:40
I'm afraid the only thing that puts me off it will be the be-shiny-black-polo-neck-ed people who will buy it.
>> Edited by mikeylad on Saturday 29th March 21:25
>> Edited by mikeylad on Sunday 6th April 19:40
I have just ordered one of these beautys to replace a tvr griffith 500.Ok it might not be as powerful as a tvr but it is much nicer to drive.My advice to anyone looking for an open top sports car is to buy one of these,dont bother with second hand Blackpool rubbish that goes wrong every 5 mins like mine did,put the extra toward a new Z4 3.0.
I'd agree with that. Just managed to offload my Tuscan S after only 6 months of ownership.....could not stand the waiting for the engine to go bang along with the atrocious QC. Ordered an M3 and can't wait.
Z4 you either love or hate but there is one thing for sure....you won't have to worry about the windows closing or the hood fitting or the battery discharging or not being able to open the bonnet or the paint rubbing off or the.....OK now its getting boring. I think you get the message.
Z4 you either love or hate but there is one thing for sure....you won't have to worry about the windows closing or the hood fitting or the battery discharging or not being able to open the bonnet or the paint rubbing off or the.....OK now its getting boring. I think you get the message.
The fully optioned 3.0 I tested last week was around the figure above but you can quite easliy get away with a couple of ks worth of ticks on the option list. If you compare it to a Boxster its miles away in terms of standard kit, climate control, electric seats blah blah.
I liked the Z4 a lot. The only trouble was the demo was an auto - I 've a full day test organised when demand for drives dies down a little. Maybe I loved it so much because its a smoothy compared to the daily Type R battering I get at the moment.
I liked the Z4 a lot. The only trouble was the demo was an auto - I 've a full day test organised when demand for drives dies down a little. Maybe I loved it so much because its a smoothy compared to the daily Type R battering I get at the moment.
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