I picked up a 3.0iSE on Tuesday evening and have to say I'm very impressed. The car is a 2004 in Sterling Grey with black leather and 108's. Before you all start shouting I'll get some photos posted as soon as I can remember where I've put my camera.
I was out and about round the Worcestershire countryside at 6am as it was a clear morning. I couldn't resist taking the opportunity to get the roof down and get out there before the roads got busy. I now find myself volunteering for all kinds of chores that involve being within sight of or, even better, going out in the car. I can handle it. I can quit at any time I want. <Shiver>
Every once in a while you sit in and drive a car that feels like it has been designed around you. That's the feeling I get with the Z4. From the easy way my arm falls to the gear knob, the seating position to the general dynamic characteristics of the car. It really is frighteningly easy to drive quickly. Considering the limited time I've spent in the car I already feel very comfortable and confident in the cars capabilities.
The way the car steers reminds me of the +8 Morgan I drive in that in both cars you sit almost over the rear axle and the (long) nose of the car moves as if you were the pivot point. They both also respond very well to being steered with the throttle as opposed to constantly adjusting steering input once the car is set up for a corner. The front end does feel a bit vague but I'm sure that will be sorted when I change to NRF's. The ride is nowhere near as harsh as I was expecting. But I am used to the Mog which feels like you're sliding down stairs on an ash framed tea tray.
The engine is very tractable. It pulls from near crawling pace in pretty much every gear. The way the power is delivered is linear with no discernible flat spots. The way in which the power is delivered is like a 'luke warm' Porsche 993. All in all a very pleasing and competent package.
More thoughts will be posted when they occur to me and pictures to follow when I remember which of the 'safe places' I used to store my camera.
Thanks to everyone that gave me advice prior to buying the car. I'm sure I'll be very happy tweaking and enjoying it for a long while to come. I'll hopefully get to meet some other 'addicts' along the way.
Dan.
I was out and about round the Worcestershire countryside at 6am as it was a clear morning. I couldn't resist taking the opportunity to get the roof down and get out there before the roads got busy. I now find myself volunteering for all kinds of chores that involve being within sight of or, even better, going out in the car. I can handle it. I can quit at any time I want. <Shiver>
Every once in a while you sit in and drive a car that feels like it has been designed around you. That's the feeling I get with the Z4. From the easy way my arm falls to the gear knob, the seating position to the general dynamic characteristics of the car. It really is frighteningly easy to drive quickly. Considering the limited time I've spent in the car I already feel very comfortable and confident in the cars capabilities.
The way the car steers reminds me of the +8 Morgan I drive in that in both cars you sit almost over the rear axle and the (long) nose of the car moves as if you were the pivot point. They both also respond very well to being steered with the throttle as opposed to constantly adjusting steering input once the car is set up for a corner. The front end does feel a bit vague but I'm sure that will be sorted when I change to NRF's. The ride is nowhere near as harsh as I was expecting. But I am used to the Mog which feels like you're sliding down stairs on an ash framed tea tray.
The engine is very tractable. It pulls from near crawling pace in pretty much every gear. The way the power is delivered is linear with no discernible flat spots. The way in which the power is delivered is like a 'luke warm' Porsche 993. All in all a very pleasing and competent package.
More thoughts will be posted when they occur to me and pictures to follow when I remember which of the 'safe places' I used to store my camera.
Thanks to everyone that gave me advice prior to buying the car. I'm sure I'll be very happy tweaking and enjoying it for a long while to come. I'll hopefully get to meet some other 'addicts' along the way.
Dan.

