I have said many times it depends what you flavour is.
This forum is made up of niche owners with niche cars. The opinions of those owners do not reflect a wide diverse market. The new Z4 is a traditional 6cyl long nose classic convertible, offering a quick comfy very GT'able daily that has two seats and looks are always subjective.
That being said the problem with BMWs range is they are all too similar and dont offer the niche experience one would expect from the ultimate driving machine. At the end of the day with the engines, where you sit and the weight the actual driving experience is very similar to a 3 series.
That being said its still too early to call it a disaster but it certainly hasn't been received well.
I still dont think it competes directly with a box/cay its in a class of its own, base price possibly but anyone buying a Porsche will spec it up and in all honesty give it a go on the build your own its so easy to knock one up to 65/70k and at that price... im not so keen.
The TT is a similar car quick in a straight line but still not an incredible drive still very golf like, Jag F type 6 cyl slower than the Z but has the X factor but no boot in the vert, 370Z..., SLK similar to the Z4 but I would rather have the Z, otherwise you have MX5/124 spyder that offer a different experience.
Against that lot on paper if your talking new, the Z4 actually offers you a lot in the price bracket. Jack of all master of none with a marmite look. I actually dont mind them and think I would probably dabble in one in 2-3 years when the M40i has lost 50% of its value.
Thats the main issue the residuals, its not a good bet at all. If you think the discounts are great then what do you think it will mean for you in 3 years... 10k in a matter of 3-4 months :|
The E89 wasnt a success either, thats not to say it was a bad car nor a poor looker because it wasn't. It just didnt follow the DNA of the E85/6 and those buyers mostly went elsewhere, the residuals arent good either. Late 35is seem to be holding ok but I think thats a short term thing.
Suffice to say the buyers of the original Z4 have long moved on and it leaves this strange gap for people who have perceived value in the Z4 name but to those niche buyers, like those on this forum its a big swing and miss.
The main problem is if you want something that tickles your fancy like the E85/6 M and you want new your looking at £60k+ for a Boxster/Cayman S. Spec it like the M40i comes with all its packs for £53k the equivalent box/cay is even more then your into GTS territory.
All well and good saying its crap etc but at the end of the day you need another 15-20k to buy something equivalent to an older style sports car. Therefore the market in my opinion is heading toward fast normal models that do all and all well. Cars like the 340/M240 etc the new 340 has rave reviews.
The question is whats the point in buying a niche car with compromise everywhere in terms of boot, seats useability etc if it drives like a 3 series. It has to be for the statement then? Well it seems 80% of people hate the way it looks so its not going to offer that either.
Said it before and say it again cars have got expensive because they are niche and lower volume but inflation has a lot to do with it too.
My Z4M was £46k new that £66k in todays money. Maybe the Box/Cay isnt far off on price.
The only issue with the new Box/Cay is that 4 cyl its probably the least well received ever since the 996. Im not sure it will hold like the older ones have. Look at 981 S late cars 15 plate with low miles good spec your talking £45k... they hold well.
You can already get 718 S models for under £40k that are newer like 16 plates and similar milage...
Strange place to be in atm. In my opinion if you want a sports car get an M, yes they are old and cost a bit to run but you wont loose any money and youll have a hell of a lot of fun in the time you own it.
Just got another 5 years after selling my old one and I forgot how good they are, they just offer a package no modern car offers.
) I'd give it 12 months and pick up a cherished minter after what's predicted to be blood-bath depreciation on the volume 2.0i model. 
