Z4-forum.com

So it seems despite sales picking up recently and demand for the Z4 on the up, there’s an interesting article about making the Z4 electric.

I don’t have an opinion either way. Was just interested in peoples thoughts on a two seater electric car, instead of a four seater grand tourer.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2021/05/10/coul ... ports-car/

Its hard for me to have an opinion having never driven an electric car, cant help feeling it would be a soulless experience but I'd like to be convinced otherwise

Can just imagine putting the roof down and losing 20 miles off your range

Worse still arriving at your destination and its start raining and the roof won't go up.

I think I would have one, look at the first Tesla, it was an Elise so could be good to drive

It actually makes a lot of sense. Keep in mind that a lot of people on here who enjoy long drives all over the country are not exactly "typical" owners. Most people with roadsters drive locally, and for a lot it is a second car, so range matters a lot less. BMW have a choice though... make an electric Z4 (or some other name) or exit the roadster market in a few years.

Once proper infrastructure is available I might consider it.
My car is used as a toy and in normal times a Euro trip - we will need to see hotels have charge points available before it works properly for me.

My drive down to Baden Württemberg is now done in two hops - I think that would have to be done in three or more unless technology drastically improves!

mr.tourette wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 9:01 pm Its hard for me to have an opinion having never driven an electric car, cant help feeling it would be a soulless experience but I'd like to be convinced otherwise

I've also never driven one but I have been a passenger in a Tesla and anything with that stunning acceleration cannot be soulless

Gonna need a much better sound generator!

No exhaust note, no roadster experience for me.

We have an i3 as well as the zed and a 987 Boxster S. The i3 is an absolute hoot to drive - it’s centre of gravity is SO low as the batteries are in the floor, and the torque!

I was always an electric skeptic and thought my other half had had a bang on the head when he said he wanted an i3, but coming from 2 petrol heads, electric is probably the future.

I’m still having an internal struggle about the lack of engine noise and ‘mechanical feel’ of electric though. That’s something I just don’t know about. I love my zed for all of that. But an electric sports car? We’ll have to see. I don’t know that an electric sports car will have all the thrills that you’d expect - torque, centre of gravity and smoothness is one thing, but there’s still a place in my heart for a good engine note and a bit of proper mechanical oompf!

sp3ctre wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 10:05 pm It actually makes a lot of sense. Keep in mind that a lot of people on here who enjoy long drives all over the country are not exactly "typical" owners. Most people with roadsters drive locally, and for a lot it is a second car, so range matters a lot less. BMW have a choice though... make an electric Z4 (or some other name) or exit the roadster market in a few years.

Not sure I follow that argument. Even a short spitted drive will kill the range of any current electric vehicle, so there still needs to be a significant advance in the tech before I can see this appealing to me. May not be typical, but I can empty the tank on my MR in a day enjoying it locally. By which I mean a 200+ mile Sunday jaunt across the moors or down to Lands end and back on the fun roads. The South Wales Z4 meet is another Day out, that requires a full tank, from here.

I agree with your second point though.

buzyg wrote: ↑Thu May 13, 2021 12:13 pm

sp3ctre wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 10:05 pm It actually makes a lot of sense. Keep in mind that a lot of people on here who enjoy long drives all over the country are not exactly "typical" owners. Most people with roadsters drive locally, and for a lot it is a second car, so range matters a lot less. BMW have a choice though... make an electric Z4 (or some other name) or exit the roadster market in a few years.

Not sure I follow that argument. Even a short spitted drive will kill the range of any current electric vehicle, so there still needs to be a significant advance in the tech before I can see this appealing to me. May not be typical, but I can empty the tank on my MR in a day enjoying it locally. By which I mean a 200+ mile Sunday jaunt across the moors or down to Lands end and back on the fun roads. The South Wales Z4 meet is another Day out, that requires a full tank, from here.

I agree with your second point though.

Yeah, but my main point is most Z4 owners probably go a month on a tank, driving around town and to the shops. As much as we see spirited drives being a key part of roadster ownership I think most people buy them because they look good on the drive.

That’s just a hunch though, from seeing the traffic around my locality

sp3ctre wrote: ↑Thu May 13, 2021 12:32 pm

buzyg wrote: ↑Thu May 13, 2021 12:13 pm

sp3ctre wrote: ↑Wed May 12, 2021 10:05 pm It actually makes a lot of sense. Keep in mind that a lot of people on here who enjoy long drives all over the country are not exactly "typical" owners. Most people with roadsters drive locally, and for a lot it is a second car, so range matters a lot less. BMW have a choice though... make an electric Z4 (or some other name) or exit the roadster market in a few years.

Not sure I follow that argument. Even a short spitted drive will kill the range of any current electric vehicle, so there still needs to be a significant advance in the tech before I can see this appealing to me. May not be typical, but I can empty the tank on my MR in a day enjoying it locally. By which I mean a 200+ mile Sunday jaunt across the moors or down to Lands end and back on the fun roads. The South Wales Z4 meet is another Day out, that requires a full tank, from here.

I agree with your second point though.

Yeah, but my main point is most Z4 owners probably go a month on a tank, driving around town and to the shops. As much as we see spirited drives being a key part of roadster ownership I think most people buy them because they look good on the drive.

That’s just a hunch though, from seeing the traffic around my locality

You need to move boss.

Your right of course My wife's Mx5 needs a run at weekends, just to keep the battery charged, after her 3 mile round trip, daily commute.

So she can have the electric one.

Isn't it kind of ironic that I don't get a buzz from electric cars?

Madness

I drove the Porsche Taycan a while back, in 2025 all company cars here will need to be electric (still hoping it will get delayed).
Except that it felt really heavy compared to the Z4, it was a really nice car to drive, in the SPORT + mode you get a nice unique sound from the car, and the range was bigger than what i get with the Z in sport+ .
I haven't tried charging it but they claim on a supercharger it takes only 15minutes to get it to 80% which does make it acceptable for road trips too

If they remove the engine from the Z there is plenty of room for batteries so the range might still be acceptable

I wouldn't be opposed to an electric Z, but I would miss the exhaust sound so much, lately I mostly drive with the music off so I can hear the car