Z4 test driven. Opinion and questions

[Pacemaker1000]

Thanks to my local dealer never having any Z4,s in stock to see let alone drive I made the 100 mile trip today and was rewarded with an uninterrupted one hour alone time with the car
The model I was given was a 2.0 M Sport manual with 19" wheels.

Really liked the finish of the car which is way ahead of my old Boxster and the metal roof is brilliant. Took it down the motorway and you would not now you were in a roadster when the roof is up and very little buffeting when down.
However now the bad. After jumping in i was soon reminded of the poor peddle position of BMW's. That is the offset to the right causing you to hit the footrest not the clutch? My recent Beemers have all been autos so no such problem. However this was totally eclipsed by the dreadful unacceptable ride quality, or lack of it! I would go as far as to say, and I did to the salesman, that BMW should never allow such a setup to exist on a car. Having an M Sport 3 series I am used to a firm sporty ride but this was constantly shaking even on smooth roads and crashed over rough ones.
I don't know whether it was down to the sport suspension, the 19" wheels, or a combination of the two.

Unfortunately it was too late to try the SE used car with the 18" rims.

Anybody care to comment on this experience?

Also, what is the strange whining noise every time you touch the throttle?

 

[Finisterre]

I find the strange whining noise is normally the salesman.

 

[Bing]

I find the strange whining noise is normally the salesman.

:rofl:

Seriously, the 2.0 is a turbocharged 4 pot isn't it ? So that would be the turbo ?

As for the ride, sars swears by 18s for the reasons you state, but many on here have the 19s and I am sure will comment...

Sorry your experience wasn't great

 

[Carol M]

Also, what is the strange whining noise every time you touch the throttle?

Take it you're not having one then? :lol:

The whining noise has been debated in depth on here and the consensus is it is turbo whine.

Edited to say, I've got 18" at the moment but will have 19" after Saturday so will be able to comment on the difference in ride.

 

[Pacemaker1000]

Don't think the noise is the turbo. Sounds more like an electronic buzz from behind the dash. Came on every time I touched the throttle and there was a delay of a second or so after I released it.

 

[TitanTim]

I have never driven the Standard Spec Z4 i.e. non M Sport but reading What Cars review it does say to avoid the M Sport as the suspension ruins the ride. I then went and bought the M Sport . Seriously all M Sport badged BMWs are hardly in the French sofa smooth category. Coming from a 118d Msport with 18s and runflats I found my M Spec Z4 to be more comfortable, yes it can be a little crashy at times but the payoff for me is the handling etc, afterall its a sports car. If I want a cosseting ride I would buy a Citroen

The whine, probably turbo, mine does it quite loud at idle when cold, but also you get a strange noise through the air vents when your on the throttle but disappears when you lift off, all normal.

I would suggest you try a non M Sport and see what you think. The difference in ride quality between the 18s and 19s on the M Sport is negligable. Remember if you go for standard spec you won't get the nicer sports seats, carbon trim (I think) and M bumpers.

Tim.

 

[Stark]

I love the 19's and the ride is fine, and I've come from a Range Rover Sport with air suspension, so how do you explain that?

 

[K99]

Mine has 19" with M Sport and the ride can be jarring on bad roads especially over potholes. My previous car had similar 19" and that was a lot worse. Ive only driven E89 M Sports with 19" wheels so can't compare with other combinations. I don't mind "putting up" with the ride as I much prefer the looks of the M sport & 19" so don't have the choice unless I could have found same car with the M Sport suspension deleted.
I didn't buy the car for comfort, more for performance, looks etc so don't mind living with the ride.

 

[Paul c]

I find the ride quite good even in sport mode its better than my previous 1coupe and 3 series both msports wife agrees with me she hated the ride in the 1er plus am on the19inswheels and we are a couple of oldes

 

[sars]

As for the wheels, it all depends on what you are used to, so Carol I don't think you will find a significant difference between your old 18" wheels and the new 19". However if you are used to a saloon or conventional tyres you will notice the difference. Having come from an Audi A4 Cabriolet, I test drove a 2.3i with 19" 296 and like you I found the ride intolerable to the point that I had a headache after 30 minutes.

The best size for comfort and noise are the standard 17" wheels, but they are to small for the car, my 18" with non RFT's are only slightly worse than the 17"

 

[Carol M]

As for the wheels, it all depends on what you are used to, so Carol I don't think you will find a significant difference between your old 18" wheels and the new 19".

I expected as much sars, hope so anyway!

 

[Pacemaker1000]

Do all z4,s come with run flats?

Think I would prefer an SE with 18" if it isn't much difference to the 17"

It's not the wheels though is it? It is the tyre depth?
I noticed the car had 30 side walls whereas the Porsche with 19" has 35/40

Also better stick with a non turbo straight 6

 

[FabZ4]

I find the 3.0 litre on mine free from whines (!) and the ride on the 18's is more than acceptable - especially coming for the E85

 

[Anonymous]

Do all z4,s come with run flats?

AFIK yes, it's standard BMW issue Bridgestone Potenza RFTs for the E89.

We have 19"s on our Z4 and swapped to proper tyres :wink: after a few weeks and sold the RFTs, this greatly improved the ride and handling.

 

[mrlozzer]

I find the strange whining noise is normally the salesman.

:rofl:

 

[JVE89]

I have 19"s on mine but with the M sport adaptive suspension, well happy with that. I test drove a Z4 with 19" and stock suspension and comparing that to my car in normal mode on rough roads, my feeling is that my car deals better with them. On smooth roads, just put it in sport mode for a firmer ride.

 

[keejoonc]

I'm guessing it would the combination of M suspension and RFT?
I have 19"s on mine, but don't have M suspension or RFT.
I find the ride to be fine, except when I'm driving over cobblestone road near my work! I hate driving on that road with a passion. Feels like the car will break apart haha. Wish I could avoid it, but oh well.

 

[duncan-m-w]

I am 18's on an m sport, but I deleted the sport suspension. Best of all worlds. Many tests of the Z4 were on std suspension. Also get an extra 1cm of clearance, but you would not know looking at the car.

Really happy with my choice. Perfectly comfortable, but still worthy of a hoon. Plus you get all the other m sport kit.

 

[Bing]

duncan-m-w, off-topic, but that yellow interior looks lovely in your black (?) motor

 

[dr_john]

I just (today) took delivery of a 28i msport after owning a 23i SE for 2 years. I tried a new 20i SE last week and found it to be like driving a Ford Mondeo, enough said!

Despite the fact that I like my comfort, I don't find time msport Z4 anything other than a good alround sports motor.