test drove the new car

It was quite telling that Sytner in Canary Wharf was offering back to back test drives in the Z4 and SLK for comparison. Not saying that's a bad thing, just that you can see what their target market is from that and I'm afraid it probably doesn't include me. After five years in a Z3 and now five years in a Z4, where next !?

As a side note, a car with a similar spec to my Z4 (but with the 35 engine) is pennies short of 50k.
 
Yeah, the Cayman S Sport a friend has is wonderful I have to admit....

I think Porsche are going to be the big winners from this new Z4...
 
Got the chance to drive the new Sdrive2.3 yesterday, and I have admit that having not really liked any of the photo's I have seen of the car I was pleasently surprised when I saw the car in the flesh, it is going to be very colour sensitive though this particular example was in Ruby Black, as has been stated it's not as big as you think, the boot is not brilliant (better than 3 series with the roof down) but I think you would get luggage for 2 in for with the roof down for a long weekend away somewhere, there is a space about 16" - 18" square along the length of the boot with roof cover in place, but the access to this space is useless.

The drive itself was only a few miles round Dumfries on a Saturday afternoon so no time or space to go mad, anyway the car was 2.3 with 206HP and the 6 speed Autobox with Paddles on the steering which seemed to work well (never used them before and the Wife never noticed when I was playing with them)
the ride is softer than the current car which personally I think will allow more people to actually drive the car harder than current version as suspension now absorbs some imperfections keeping the wheels in contact with the road giving you the confidence to press on as it's not getting thrown all over the road. We managed to dodge the rain showers and dive with the roof down again I think it offers more protection then current car as the windows go further back along the side of the car (now 4 windows not 2) rear visiblity with the roof is vastly improved thanks to these extra windows, I don't think it offers quite as much legroom as the old car but enough (I'm 6' 3"). The is shelf running the width of car behind the seats with a storage net to keep things in place, the centre console is higher than current car with the arm rest being well padded and useful this time round, the side of car is a couple of inches higher than currently which makes you feel a little bit more cocooned than before, the steering had a heavier feel than my car, things like the radio were not as intergrated into the dash as old car and should allow easier changing of the HU if you want to.

It is not hardcore roadster like he old car but I think more people will get more out it, I have to confess to being quite anti the new car and it's metal roof, but after driving it yesterday I would seriously consider getting one in a couple of years time which is when I plan to change, and I had been considering getting as late a model of the current car as possible at that time. :thumbsup:
 
Had a quick look at one down my local dealers and going to take it out next weekend thay have an auto 23, roof is my biggest turn off as it renders the boot useless IMO.

I prefer the interior but only if the dash is in leather as per all brochure shots, the one my dealer has was aluminium plastic same as round the heater controls which looked cheap and awfull, but to be fair that was one of the reasons I changed by brushed aluminium to black carbon leather.

I was concerend about the electric hand brake but was advised you take off manually which is good, as I was worried it would be like on a VW Passat which disengages itself and is a sod.
 
Went to see it today - did not test drive it, but had a sit and play with the roof etc.

The one is was in was the top spec model and with all the toys, including upgraded wheels etc it was £44k.

It is definetly much better in the flesh, love the front end, not sure about the back. I love the looks of the Z4 Coupe, but i am a roadster fan, so this is the best of both worlds. It is definetly better than the SLK, i had an old Slk and that was fun, but the new ones just too soft. Loved the inside and all the toys, but i would need to spend money to get what i have in my current M.

It feels much larger, more like a tt inside, the new sat nav screen is great, but they quoted me £1900 for that. :o Great boot space until the roof goes down and has a stupid contraption that has to be in place prior to the roof going down, just like the SLK.

There was a string of people wanting to look at it and they had already taken several orders. Very limited discounts offered and only if you where buying all the bells and whistles.

The colour choice is naff, even the special colours are limited. Why can Audi offers 30 odd colours including 5 purple shades and BMW cannot offer anything particulary special.

Will i buy one, not at the minute, for £40k odd think i could spend it more wisely and do not think it will be as fun as my current car. In a few years might consider one when i can pick one up a few years old.
 
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