Mark I Z4 and Mark II Z4

[original guvnor]

I generally love the shape of the E89 apart from that weird rear. I also love the interior (a big jump in quality over my E85&6).

But I don't love:-

1) Weight
2) Hard top
3) Engine Choice - no non-turbo is a travesty
4) No M or Alpina
5) The market positioning - SLK
type cruiser not a proper sports car.

All of the factors above turn it from a car I'd love to own to car I have no desire to own.

I'm struggling with BMW to be honest now because all the new M's have DCT and no option for manual.

Can't help feeling they are driving a lot of customers away from the brand.

 

[PerryGunn]

I posted the following on another thread, but it seems appropriate to repeat it here:

While I agree that the bread-and-butter E89s are a better drive than the equivalent E85 models, IMO they still don't compare with the E85-based ///M or Alpina - in much the same way that an E36 M3, assuming it's been maintained properly, will still handle better than a bread-and butter E46 or the majority of the E90 range - and the 'best car' debate between the ///M and Alpina is heavily influenced by personal preference and driving style.

Although there'll be no E89-based Alpina, I don't think there will be a better Z4 than the ///M or Alpina until/if/when they release an E89-based ///M or the next gen of Z4s appear

 

[tomscott]

They cant help it tho, EU regulations are basically destroying BMWs M mantra, NA engines are of the past, but I completely agree with every point made.

Another way of making sure these cars hit the 0-60 figures are to use the DCT too. Getting any Ms to 60 in the estimated time is very difficult with a manual unless the conditions are perfect and the tyres are hot and sticky and the driver changes optimally everytime. Get a GTR it will do its allotted 0-60 between 3.5-3.7 pretty much every time, obv they have launch control etc but its a lot harder to get reliable performance off the line in the Ms. Obviously this doesnt matter on the road but it is when it comes to a selling point at 4.8 the M3 could be seem as slow at its price point same with the 997 CS which is why both introduced the DCT and both those are rated at 4.6 if not 4.4 for the 997 MKII.

Evo did a great vid comparing the M3 and the GTR and the guy had just bought an M3 and he was really disappointed the GTR was worlds better but around the same price point. But he did the 0-60 test 3 times in each car and the E92 struggled to do 0-60 in under 5.5 and the GTR was on the dot every time.

Granted the GTR has more tech than a space shuttle but still..

But I do like the twin turbos in the new BMW engines I was lucky enough to be a passenger in an M5 recently and just wow... you could barely tell it was turbo charged no lag no nothing and head butted the horizon on the limiter was fantastic. So they are keeping the mantra in other ways but it will always be an argument for the purists. But have a go in one! you wont be disappointed in the straight line speed its just the damn weight, once you get into the corners its not the same.

 

[Beedub]

tom what f-stop and shutter speed settings did you use to get the last 2 pics of your car???

(ive been learning )

 

[tomscott]

It was a complex set up for that shoot, but wrote a little on how I did it here:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=38130

Hope that helps

 

[Derby Z4]

Great pic,s there Tom,they really show the contours of the car.Very professional pic's,be very proud of them.
I have just been on AutoTrader looking at Aston Martins just to see how their models have changed over the years,and the DB9 is far nicer looking than the previous DB7.
What muppet would buy a Aston Martin Cygnet High Line Automatic 1.3 3dr at £30,000 and it isn't even new! :lol:
The cheapest is over £20,000! What a joke :lol:
It is basically a smart car with a Aston Martin Badge on the front!
I'm sure the chicks would be falling at your feet driving the Aston Martin Cygnet High Line Automatic 1.3 3dr around!
I mean,us Zed drivers have got no chance! :lol: