Z4

Vehicle: 2011 BMW Z4 SDrive 35iS with 7-speed double clutch gearbox
Price as tested: CDN$77900

Performance: After the demise of the M Roadster and M Coupe, BMW has come out with this answer. The iS version of the Z4 roadster. Does this “S” live up to its billing as the most dynamic roadster in the segment? We will find out after this test drive.

With BMW’s N54 twin-turbo 3.0 liter 24-valve DOHC straight-6 powertrain, which have mated with all the latest in technologies like Double VANOS stepless variable valve timing and gasoline direct injection. This engine has a good 335 hp and 332 lb/ft of torque. The maximum torque is able to arrive as low as 1900rpm, which is downright impressive. BMW has solved our major complaint with Z54, which is the dreadful turbo lag before both turbos spool up. These turbos have spool up quickly and efficiently whenever driver nails the responsive throttle. All it have done without losing the entertaining engine note one associates with BMW straight-6 powertrains. Another tradermark of Bavarian I-6, which is the never ending of revving right from the impressive mid-range to upper end of the tachometer remain intact. Their latest software upgrade really have helped this N54 a whole lot by eliminating the annoying lags. However, we still find N55 resides in 335iS performs far more seamlessly for our liking. Our tester comes with the optional 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Its not only the gear ratios are perfectly match to iS’s character as a blvd cruiser, its paddle shifters are able to drop cones regardless of gear is an added bonus. That means driver can downshift whenever they reach a corner instead of pulling the gearlevel to the manumatic mode. All of those engineering are able to move the heavy 3549 lb of German leather-lined roadster of luxury in a hurry.

Handling: While the Z4 certainly based on a solid and rigid platform, which is typical of what BMW is famous for. Its dynamic abilities have left us cold. Even though its Dynamic M suspension is available for enthuisasts to choose between normal, sport and sport+, sort of like Subaru’s SI-Drive. We don’t see any desired effect when changing from normal to sport and sport+. We only found the suspension is getting stiffer to ungainly stiffer, while steering only provides heavier to even heavier weight without having any precision and responsiveness in return. One of the biggest factors contributing to Z4′s poor ride quality are those run-flat tires. With sport+, the suspension is getting so ungainly, it has nothing on compliant. Sport is only marginally better when it comes to ride quality. Normal has best ride quality, which has some sense of comfortably compliant typical of German suspension. Unfortunately, none of those provide the sort of driver feel and feedback, with proper steering response and precision one associates with BMW. However, that doesn’t mean Z4 is all that bad. The stiff chassis with proper engineering provide zero cowl shakes when driven through railroad tracks, while its electronic stability control remains uninstrusive when pushed. Dynamically speaking, its a balanced roadster which has nothing on its rivals.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Z4′s brake feel lives up to its promise. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feels solid and reassuring. ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily is a good thing.

Interior: Slip behind the wheel of the Z4 iS, its the same ergonomically weird center console as its lesser silibings. However, the instrumentation gauges are typical BMW. Those leather sports seats provide excellent thigh and back support when cornering.

With the retractable hardtop fold down, there are only adequate luggage space for 2 persons on a romantic getaway. When its up, its only slightly better.

Conclusion: On the top, I have asked the question on whether the “iS” live up to BMW’s billing as the most dynamic roadster in its segment? The answer is a definite NO. Even though it has an improved powertrain with nice dual clutch gearbox, the “iS” continues latest Z4′s dynamically disappointing trail as more of a blvd cruiser than a curve eater. Ironically, those who are looking for a blvd cruiser would probably looking elsewhere say IS350 convertible. That leave Z4 as a poser’s roadster for those who purely want a blue and white propeller emblem on the hood. Those who are seeking for pure fun should go to their nearby Porsche dealer.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 BMW Z4 SDrive 35iS
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 2.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 2.5/5

Vehicle: 2009 BMW Z4 SDrive 35i with 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, sports pkg, executive pkg, Exclusive Ivory leather and servotronic steering
Price as tested: CDN$72400

Performance: The Z4, just like the 3-Series, which is loosely based on. Got both normally aspirated DOHC 3.0 liter straight-6 or twin-turbo straight 6 depending on whether you opt for 3.0 or 3.5i. Our tester happens to be the flgaship model with BMW’s twin-turbo version of its straight-6. It also happens to receive BMW’s latest 7-speed double clutch gearbox. While this gearbox works nite-and-day difference compare to BMW’s previous effort on sequential gearbox, SMG, the double clutch gearbox doesn’t help much with 3.0 twin-turbo’s annoying turbo lag. Despite of its 300 hores and 300 lb/ft of torque, with all the advanced BMW Valvetronic and Double VANOS technologies, it still won’t shake away that annoying turbo lag when the turbo spools up. The irriating turbo lag also hurts the low range a bit during acceleration. On the other hand, the same powertrain mated with 6-speed manual doesn’t have this drama. The saving grace is this double clutch gearbox works every bit as good as the benchmark system currently reside in Audi called S-Tronic. Both the up and downshifts are quick, as it comes standard with paddle shifters on the steering whel, you just have to use the gear to compensate for the annoying turbo lag. The rest of the powertrain is up to BMW standards, with excellent refinement and revving quality from the mid to upper range. If I have to choose, I would take the base normally aspirated 3.0 liter with 255hp and 6-speed manual.

Handling: With a rigid and solid chassis, rear-wheel drive layout’s ideal 50/50 perfect balance, its pretty easy to understand Z4 continues to be quite a drive. That’s despite BMW has softened Z4′s edge in order to appeal to more of its mainstream a.k.a badge conscious roadster buyers. While the sports suspension remains fairly compliant when pushed through corners, it also absorbs all the roughness and patholes with ease even with run-flat tires. The optional Servotronic steering system, unfortunately, provides numb and dead road feedback. This isn’t the kind of steering feel and precision we used to expect from BMW. But we already witnessed the same poor road feel with new 7-Series, X6 to Z4. Not to mention those active steering-equipped 3 and 5-Series. Despite that, the entire car feels very balanced and agile when driven hard. Body rolls have kept to a minimum, while the electronic stability control doesn’t step in until driver rears Z4′s ugly heads certainly add some to the fun. What the Z4 really does well is the lack of any of annoying cowl shakes as with many convertibles, thanks to its solid structure and quality built.

Brakes: Z4′s brake certainly live up to BMW’s usual standards. The stopping distance is short while pedal feel is solid, both modulation and pulsation are excellent by any standards. ABS has done a very good job to bring it to a complete stop withot stepping in unnecessarily.

Interior: The transformation from a traditional soft top to retractable hardtop has sacificed much of Z4′s rear cargo space. It can barely enough for 2 persons on a weekend getaway with the roof down. With the roof up, its can only be describe as merely adequate.

The interior has finished with some weird ergonomics, like the auto climate control has placed on a rather oddball location despite of its questionable user-friendliness. The placement of auto climate control also make the stereo placed below, which doesn’t make any sense, in terms of ergonomics. The rest of the interior materials and fit-and-finish are on par, if not outstanding, in its class. We have said about the same on every latest 3-Series we tested, it doesn’t fare any better in the new Z4. The sports seats are comfortable and well-foamed, so does the instrumentation gauges are clear and analog.

Conlcusion: With the introduction of hardtop in the latest Z4, BMW has decided to go after the style and image-conscious crowd rather than performance-oriented enthuisasts. The serious turbo lag with dual clutch gearbox and numb steering feel certainly don’t help neither. If you are in the market for the new Z4, you should look at the base version with 6-speed manual without opting for the Servotronic steering, that should make you more satisfied especially with the optional sports package. The most unfortunate fact about the new Z4, is BMW decided to drop the M version in flavor of X5 and X6. Very pitiful consider this is a company that claims itself as enthuisast-driven instead of marketing-driven, the X5 and X6-M over Z4-M certainly make the case that it already being driven by latter instead of formal. Shame on you, BMW.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 BMW Z4
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 3/5

Vehicle: 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i with sports and premium pkgs
Price as tested: CDN$65100

Performance: Z4 is motivated by 1 of 2 engines. These straight 6s are either 2.5 and 3.0L. Our tester is latter with 225 hp and 214 lb/ft of torque, the same impressive engine found in 3 and 5-Series. The legendary turbine-like BMW straight 6 quality remains intact, as it combines high level of refinement and flexability all over the rev range. In the sports package, when you press the “sport” button. The engine sound becomes more intoxicating and more sports car-like. The 6-speed stick shift on our tester is a joy to use. The throws are typical BMW short with well-defined gates and light clutch.

Handling: While the extra stiffness through the push of a “sport” button does provide more aggressive driving experience, there are some dynamic qualities that really turned me off. Z4′s electric power steering feels numb and lifeless. You still find the same steering response typical of a BMW, the precision and sharpness have become a history compares to a more lithe Z3. The whole car feels much less communicative than the last M Coupe I drove. DSC+3 stability control kicks in too abruptly when going into a corner. Sometimes the tail wants to go out before the DSC keeps getting into the picture, which makes driver hard to detect whether its going oversteer or not. On the other hand, its ride is more than acceptable and body rolls are very well tempted. In terms of chassis stiffness, there is no cowl shakes when going through rough roads. It proves to be a solid and well-made chassis that in need of a better steering gear and stability control.

Brakes: Typical of all BMWs, its stopping performance is world-class. Both pedal feel and modulation are wonderfully well controlled.

Interior: Z4′s interior appointment is a mix review. While the driving position is easily found and gauges are typical BMW clear, the use of plastic material is a big let-down. There are hard and brittle plastics everywhere from door panels to the flimsy glovebox. While the climate control with knobs are easy to drive, the controls have a low-rent feel that is completely unacceptable in a BMW.

Conclusion: Despite the Z4 no longer the segment beater like Z3 used to be, it remains a viable choice in a sea of roadster if you can get over its controversial looks.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.75/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.75/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5