First Drives
- Thread starter csmith319
- Start date
Some nice pics
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=144547#2
:sweetheart: :sweetheart:
:sweetheart: :sweetheart:
What a tool (not you, Wondermike 
)...
How silly it is to say that the previous generations were "pricey" yet the base pricing on the new Z4 is beyond what any sane person would pay.
$52k base price, $60k+ optioned out. They're not even M versions!!! For that change, they're going to be hard pressed to find ANY buyers. And anyone who is anyone that's interested in a Z4 will know that the E85/86 versions will still be a better performer (and at a bargain).
Serious cruiser it may be, but roadster it is not. And who here ever thought that their Z3/Z4 was ever "cute?"
One thing this author is right about though... this new car has a new identity. An identity I don't know if I'd want to be associated with.
)...How silly it is to say that the previous generations were "pricey" yet the base pricing on the new Z4 is beyond what any sane person would pay.
$52k base price, $60k+ optioned out. They're not even M versions!!! For that change, they're going to be hard pressed to find ANY buyers. And anyone who is anyone that's interested in a Z4 will know that the E85/86 versions will still be a better performer (and at a bargain).Serious cruiser it may be, but roadster it is not. And who here ever thought that their Z3/Z4 was ever "cute?"
One thing this author is right about though... this new car has a new identity. An identity I don't know if I'd want to be associated with.
Several of these articles compare the S35 to the M, although natural given engine performance that's a bit unfair, and complain about the electric steering, lack of diff, not so hard suspension and less throathy engine exhaust.
The would be better to compare it to the Z4 3.0 which is more in that category.
Looking forward to a test drive to see how it really is.
I will wait until the new Z4 M arrives to make an comparison with the old Z4 M.
The would be better to compare it to the Z4 3.0 which is more in that category.
Looking forward to a test drive to see how it really is.
I will wait until the new Z4 M arrives to make an comparison with the old Z4 M.
Rick Hunter said:How silly it is to say that the previous generations were "pricey" yet the base pricing on the new Z4 is beyond what any sane person would pay.
X2
As I feared, BMW has decided to retreat up-market. I have no plans to change up any time in the near future, but when I am ready, I suspect that I will be looking at "Other Marques".
Heck, if I had wanted to spend that much money, I would have bought a Z4MC!!!!! Yeah, the looks are beginning to grow on me, but looks without performance isn't worth the coin, IMO.
I think I'll be keeping my coupe for a while. Dunno, maybe pick up an X1 in the future if I need more than 2 seats.
I think I'll be keeping my coupe for a while. Dunno, maybe pick up an X1 in the future if I need more than 2 seats.
This diagram illustrates that I suppose, but I would say that Sport + is slightly harder than old Z4, and Sport slightly softer. I would imagine for this comparison that the old Z4 is one with M sport suspension.ksher said:I am worried that if the new Z4 really goes too far for comfort and give up sharp handling. Evo magazine said the "Sport +" suspension setting is same as current Z4 standard setting (with no M Sports suspension).
This diagram illustrates that I suppose, but I would say that Sport + is slightly harder than old Z4, and Sport slightly softer. I would imagine for this comparison that the old Z4 is one with M sport suspension.Wondermike said:ksher said:I am worried that if the new Z4 really goes too far for comfort and give up sharp handling. Evo magazine said the "Sport +" suspension setting is same as current Z4 standard setting (with no M Sports suspension).
I feel better after seeing the diagram. Adaptive M Sports Suspension is "must-have" option then.
Definitelyksher said:I feel better after seeing the diagram. Adaptive M Sports Suspension is "must-have" option then.
I have found a review of someone who says he has driven an E89 in Spain last week. The best of all is, he owns a 3.0 E85 with m-tech suspension. So a nice reference point to start.
It's written in German...
http://www.zroadster.com/forum/bmw_z4_-_der_neue_e89/60126-der_neue_-_so_f%E4hrt.html
I have tried to translate the ‘Chassis and handling‘ paragraph so accurate as possible.
An interesting part :Chassis and handling
Now the part surprising for me. The new Z4’s suspension has become clearly more comfortable and targets a different kind of driver. But the sportiness did not suffer from it. The corning speed is very high. The Z4 remains always neutral, no under-steers at all. Even the moment I entered a U turn a little too fast, the car never pushed the front axle in under steer. The steering element fits: Precise, beautiful feedback - in addition, less difficult to operate than the old one. Again softly, like the whole car. The test driven car was equipped with the adaptive chassis option. The sDrive settings normal, sport and Sport+ differ however only in nuances. These have nearly no noticeable influence on the handling of the car. The only disadvantage of the new one with DKG: Getting the car into a drift is quite difficult. I have no idea what causes this, but one thing is clear. The new E89 one has more traction than the E85. The DKG seems to contribute to this also. In my opinion, my E85 is better suited to drift.
His verdict:
The new Z4 is in nearly in all areas a better car in comparison to a E85. The chassis is really fantastic (even with the extra >100 Kg). The twin turbo is a dream and the DKG makes it even more perfect.
Thanks to author, FastWriter of http://www.zroadster.com.
It's written in German...
http://www.zroadster.com/forum/bmw_z4_-_der_neue_e89/60126-der_neue_-_so_f%E4hrt.html
I have tried to translate the ‘Chassis and handling‘ paragraph so accurate as possible.
An interesting part :Chassis and handling
Now the part surprising for me. The new Z4’s suspension has become clearly more comfortable and targets a different kind of driver. But the sportiness did not suffer from it. The corning speed is very high. The Z4 remains always neutral, no under-steers at all. Even the moment I entered a U turn a little too fast, the car never pushed the front axle in under steer. The steering element fits: Precise, beautiful feedback - in addition, less difficult to operate than the old one. Again softly, like the whole car. The test driven car was equipped with the adaptive chassis option. The sDrive settings normal, sport and Sport+ differ however only in nuances. These have nearly no noticeable influence on the handling of the car. The only disadvantage of the new one with DKG: Getting the car into a drift is quite difficult. I have no idea what causes this, but one thing is clear. The new E89 one has more traction than the E85. The DKG seems to contribute to this also. In my opinion, my E85 is better suited to drift.
His verdict:
The new Z4 is in nearly in all areas a better car in comparison to a E85. The chassis is really fantastic (even with the extra >100 Kg). The twin turbo is a dream and the DKG makes it even more perfect.
Thanks to author, FastWriter of http://www.zroadster.com.
I think my pre facelift 3.0 is too quiet, too refined and because of that a tad too compromised for comfort. Motorway work with a ragtop isn't exactly loud even at 90mph or so. Well, not for my expectations of a sports car anyway.
This new one must be a bit like a limo.
I'm glad Porsche are still making sports cars in the lower priced segment, and pretty much ignoring Merc/BMW with their luxo GT sports cars.
Boxster would be where my money would be going (if I had £40,000+)
This new one must be a bit like a limo.
I'm glad Porsche are still making sports cars in the lower priced segment, and pretty much ignoring Merc/BMW with their luxo GT sports cars.
Boxster would be where my money would be going (if I had £40,000+)
I agree, though, with the author who notes that BMW knows who it is targeting with the new SLK, er Z4... those who are more into boulevard cruising than back road carving.
Perhaps that's where the Z2 will come in... BMW might be looking to have their cake and eat it too by offering two siamese siblings for different driving enthusiasts.
Perhaps that's where the Z2 will come in... BMW might be looking to have their cake and eat it too by offering two siamese siblings for different driving enthusiasts.
Reviews this week in Auto Express and Evo mag condemn the car to role of boulevard cruiser. :thumbsdown: Evo usually get their reviews spot on and clearly the car is more SLK than Boxster.
That's not to say it's a bad car but it's focus is clearly not on honing the driving experience the way Porsche (Boxster) or Nissan (370Z) seem to be trying to do. Hope the Z2 will be a better car.
That's not to say it's a bad car but it's focus is clearly not on honing the driving experience the way Porsche (Boxster) or Nissan (370Z) seem to be trying to do. Hope the Z2 will be a better car.
Mr Whippy said:
Apart from the hideous new Panamera Mr Whippy. Porsche doesn't make any great cars any more except the Gt2 and Gt3. Ther rest are far far too soft. I've had a lot of Porsches and nothing beats the 993 series for driver involvement. Porsche have been getting softer and more mass market ever since.
outrun said:
The 993 Turbo 4 and 996 GT3 (mk1) are my faves. Not really a fan of any of the more modern stuff (despite the nicer interiors)
I think given the current market, if I wanted a sporty roadster, it'd be the Porsche Boxster S, or if I wanted a sporty GT roadster, it'd be the SLK350. I'm not really sure where the Z4 lands now. I don't think it'd answer my needs anyway. The interior alone ruins it vs the E85 timeless looking minimalism.
Dave