7th November...

[-Tom-]

The video is a good watch. The initial change over from the Z3 into the Z4 hurts the eyes initially though.

I’m not convinced on his comment though of, “it’s an M car in all but the name”. The whole m performance range vs M car irritates me. A c43 is a handful and a beast, but no C63. 2.0tsi A3 is fast, but it’s no Rs4. My diesel E class is a handful in the wet. I could go on :roll: (I’m hating on the journo’ here, not the car btw).

 

[MrPT]

[youtube]dXzlzAyNezc[/youtube]

 

[Z4 Beemer]

[youtube]eQLtii-Qh4Y[/youtube]

 

[buzyg]

Good reviews. The most used word seemed to be comfort though. Fare enough, but not exactly what I was hoping to hear.

 

[PerryGunn]

Good reviews. The most used word seemed to be comfort though. Fare enough, but not exactly what I was hoping to hear.

What I've taken from the reviews I've seen/read (including the 'early drive' ones) is that the adaptive dampers make the ride quite comfortable in day-to-day use but firm up a lot when pushed or when the car is in sport/sport+ mode.

As long as BMW have got the settings and transitions right, comfort around town on potholed roads and nice and firm in the twisties sounds quite good to me... especially as I get older and my back becomes less forgiving...

 

[GBZ4]

There are two reasons to watch this

[youtube]Vqm_1slW73k[/youtube]

 

[Burgy100]

Dear All,

I really am having issues liking this car, probably cos' I am so bias towards my E89 3.5iS! The reviews seem to be very favorable and from the outset the interior is stunning but I just cannot get passed its looks. I make no apology for this but it is just pig ugly and in this case beauty really is in the eye of the beholder! and maybe I love a good conspiracy theory as to why they paid for a load of motor journalists to go to Portugal let them review the car but nothing to be released until now! Have they reviewed each review and any negativity adjusted? and why the references to the Z8 on a lot of reviews! To many questions and not enough answers for me

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/11/06/first-drive-2019-bmw-z4-m40i/

 

[mmm-five]

They probably had more than one press event over the last few months, so had to agree on a date for them all to be embargoed until.

No conspiracy...just your paranoia.

 

[Burgy100]

They probably had more than one press event over the last few months, so had to agree on a date for them all to be embargoed until.

No conspiracy...just your paranoia.

Totally agree with you re my paranoia..LOL

 

[MrPT]

I suspect it looks better in the flesh. Especially the side profile, which is even more slabby in “2D”. The front is still a confused mess. The interior looks great - I didn’t think it would come under much criticism, but I guess previous Zs have had more characterful interiors. Love the wheel and the seats.

Pretty warm reviews overall then. Doesn’t seem to have any faults, it’s just a bit disappointing to compare the reviews of some of the more driver-focused establishments with their equivalents for the M2, M5 etc. And 1500kg+ again!

Feels like another E89, with a step forward on the handling side and a step back on the looks. Back to my angry boneshaker...

 

[philbo909]

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/bmw-z4-m40i-driven/39087

 

[ph001]

From the pistonheads article:

"The Z4 is just a little too heavy, a little too blunt, a little too soft around the edges to make it a truly stellar contender."

...sounds just like that last one then! Although it does sound considerably better then the E89 in every other area.

 

[PerryGunn]

From the pistonheads article:

"The Z4 is just a little too heavy, a little too blunt, a little too soft around the edges to make it a truly stellar contender."

...sounds just like that last one then! Although it does sound considerably better then the E89 in every other area.

Quoting individual lines can give a slanted view, the final two paragraphs of their summary is more balanced...

Arguably, of course, it doesn't need to be, and the Z4's considerable advances over its predecessor shouldn't be ignored. This is now a credible proposition for those after an accomplished roadster, one that on pace alone has the ability to take on the best from Stuttgart, Ingolstadt and Dieppe. But on pure driver appeal? It's just not quite there. The Z4 is just a little too heavy, a little too blunt, a little too soft around the edges to make it a truly stellar contender.

Still, with a more engaging powertrain than Porsche currently offers and better (i.e. rear-driven) handling than Audi provides, there's still a lot to recommend here. BMW has delivered an appealing blend of talents - more so than ever as far as the Z4 badge is concerned - which means it still ranks as a very competitive, if not wholly compelling, convertible sports car.

 

[Rathean]

Where is the drama!??

the interior of my E89 z4 could have been plucked from a speedboat, its exterior sweeping lines running lengthwise from its sweeping bonnet tailing off its stubby but perfectly formed rear end

This looks like a modified saloon and although I'm sure it'll get some double-takes when we see them on the street, its just so... sensible :?

 

[ph001]

Quoting individual lines can give a slanted view, the final two paragraphs of their summary reads

...which is why I substantiated with "Although it does sound considerably better then the E89 in every other area".

I did identify with one of the comments which was:

"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. "

...but the big deal breaker for me is the lack of a manual box.

 

[john-e89]

They might as well write about flying to the moon on a star spangled banner full of spacedust....the only way to tell if it’s any good or not is to go and try one for yourself and see if it fits your feet so you can buy one or not depending on the outcome.

 

[ronk]

They might as well write about flying to the moon on a star spangled banner full of spacedust....the only way to tell if it’s any good or not is to go and try one for yourself and see if it fits your feet so you can buy one or not depending on the outcome.

 

[Rathean]

They might as well write about flying to the moon on a star spangled banner full of spacedust....the only way to tell if it’s any good or not is to go and try one for yourself and see if it fits your feet so you can buy one or not depending on the outcome.

Very good point, well made. If I'd made a decision on the back of E89 reviews I'd have run for the hills but it's still a marvellous sports car to drive and its quirks make it all the more engaging.

I just fear that the edginess of the previous model might have been engineered out... but as you said only a test drive will tell and I can't wait to give one a blast

 

[Angelus666]

The interior is just so similar to every other new BMW model, is that bad, not sure, but definitely takes away from the quirkiness of the previous generations. IMO it feels like they've missed a real chance to raise the brand excitement/perception with this car.

 

[ph001]

The interior is just so similar to every other new BMW model, is that bad, not sure, but definitely takes away from the quirkiness of the previous generations. IMO it feels like they've missed a real chance to raise the brand excitement/perception with this car.

...except the fully digitised dash of course. Genuine improvement or Playstation city?