Auto Express first drive report on new Z4 20i

[Anonymous]

Just read a first drive report in this week’s issue of Auto Express of the new Z4 20i M Sport. In their opinion the steering is sweeter than that of the six cyclinder 40i and the chassis is crisper too. The go on to say that pretty much everywhere other than on a drag strip it’s the more sharper and clinical version to drive. They also recommend not bothering to spend extra on the 30i.

 

[Tinker15]

Also online at https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/z4/106341/new-bmw-z4-sdrive20i-m-sport-2019-review

 

[ph001]

Lots of reports of it feeling a little under powered in general though - the G29 is a heavy car. Don't forget that the 30i is just the same engine but with a different map taking it from 189bhp to 255bhp, so in terms of dynamics it should be identical to the 20i.

The thinking mans money would go on a 20i and a remap it to 280bhp ish - warranty issues aside (which admittedly is quite a big issue on a brand new car!)

 

[MrPT]

They also recommend not bothering to spend extra on the 30i.

That's odd, isn't it? £3-4k more to deliver all the positives pointed out in their review and negate, to a decent extent, their point about outright performance.

 

[Anonymous]

Same story as with the E89, everyone focused on the heavier more powerful version 35i and it got bad reviews due to too much weight over the front end and too much power for the handling set up..

Of course back then the best combo the 28i didn't arrive until 3 years after the initial launch. so reputation-ally the die was set..one wonders if the 28i was the launch car of the E89 series how things may have been perceived :!:

The brand image of Porsche is so strong its going to take a very heavy dose of obvious technical and performance superiority to overcome the positive bias Porsche enjoys..that's a big ask for the G29..

 

[NewZdriver]

Just read a first drive report in this week’s issue of Auto Express of the new Z4 20i M Sport. In their opinion the steering is sweeter than that of the six cyclinder 40i and the chassis is crisper too. The go on to say that pretty much everywhere other than on a drag strip it’s the more sharper and clinical version to drive. They also recommend not bothering to spend extra on the 30i.

it’s fair to say that it’s a nicer drive overall than the M40i and is way quicker than my e89 was even on a new engine but for me the balance of sporty feel and refinement is astounding

 

[Jim S]

How does NewZdriver compare the 20i to the M40i since having the opportunity to drive both of them....... interesting to hear.
Promise that I won’t be offended if you prefer the 20i.

 

[Mad Professor]

The 20i is a properly nice car no doubt about that -but let's face it if you can afford the 40i then why wouldn't you ?
A lot of the on line comparisons between 20i vs 40i will come down to folk trying to justify why the cheaper car is the better one
I know which one I would have all day all things being equal

 

[Anonymous]

The 20i is a properly nice car no doubt about that -but let's face it if you can afford the 40i then why wouldn't you ?
A lot of the on line comparisons between 20i vs 40i will come down to folk trying to justify why the cheaper car is the better one
I know which one I would have all day all things being equal

Past history : Caterham HPC evo , XKR , Eunos VR , Eunos VS, Westie S8 ,TVR S2 , S54 Z3MR, SL500 , TVR Wedge 4.6 , Caterham Xflow , Saab 900 Turbo ,Caterham VXE ,Caterham BDR, Caterham Twincam , Elan S3 , Haldane Healey, Lancia HF turbo

For some strange reason(s) I can see why you might say that!

 

[Jim S]

The 20i is a properly nice car no doubt about that -but let's face it if you can afford the 40i then why wouldn't you ?
A lot of the on line comparisons between 20i vs 40i will come down to folk trying to justify why the cheaper car is the better one
I know which one I would have all day all things being equal

Yes, the price will be the deciding factor for many. The 20i M Sport that I drove was Loaded with extras and it was about £9k cheaper than my M40i. It was a really nice car to drive but, as you say, the M40i is the one to go for if you can afford it, can handle the depreciation and you want to spend that kind of money on a car. Roll on next weekend.