CTC Review: 2009 BMW Z4

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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Sunday was both Father's Day and the first day of summer, and did summer ever hit us hard, with temps above 30 degrees the past few days in Ottawa.  I'm not complaining; on the contrary, I'm taking in all the sun I can get with lunch hour walks around the campus at work and top-down motoring on the way home!  More...

[ovr50]

The Z4 is nominated for 2010 Euro Car of the Year:

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275616

[Mitlov]

Best-looking Z-car ever, inside and out.  But several reviews have noted that the driving experience is a little more SLK-esque than previous Z3s and Z4s--more luxurious but less sporty.  If true, I think it's a bit sad the Z4 is headed in that direction.

The Z4 is nominated for 2010 Euro Car of the Year:

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275616

Wait for it...wait for it...

There is actually a mathematical equation for the score of the make:

Score = [(percentage of invoice paid/100)*4]+[Subjective feedback from 0-1 from JD Power Execs on Hookers and Blow]

An example:  Your company only pays 80% of the invoice amount and supplies no hookers and blow to JD Power brass, then:

Score = [(80/100)*4]+[0]

= (0.8*4)+0

Score = 3.2

Perhaps you paid the whole bill AND went to the max on hookers and blow (Playmates and the finest flake) :

Score = [(100/100)*4]+[1]

= (1*4)+1

Score = 5

See.  Completely scientific.

 

[mmret]

NOw this is just taunting.

[ovr50]

Best-looking Z-car ever, inside and out.  But several reviews have noted that the driving experience is a little more SLK-esque than previous Z3s and Z4s--more luxurious but less sporty.  If true, I think it's a bit sad the Z4 is headed in that direction.

The Z4 is nominated for 2010 Euro Car of the Year:

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275616

Wait for it...wait for it...

There is actually a mathematical equation for the score of the make:

Score = [(percentage of invoice paid/100)*4]+[Subjective feedback from 0-1 from JD Power Execs on Hookers and Blow]

An example:  Your company only pays 80% of the invoice amount and supplies no hookers and blow to JD Power brass, then:

Score = [(80/100)*4]+[0]

= (0.8*4)+0

Score = 3.2

Perhaps you paid the whole bill AND went to the max on hookers and blow (Playmates and the finest flake) :

Score = [(100/100)*4]+[1]

= (1*4)+1

Score = 5

See.  Completely scientific.

 

Should have known......

[vdk]

BMW's new SL. Sad...

[G0dspd]

... more SLK-esque than previous Z3s and Z4s--more luxurious but less sporty.  If true, I think it's a bit sad the Z4 is headed in that direction.

BMW has to make room for the smaller and more sporty Z2 (2010?).  Too bad the Z10 never made it to production.  It would have been great against the R8.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Fantastic inside and out. That colour combo is perfect!

What I like about the redo is that it takes on the persona of a higher end (less toy-like) model. The detailing in the styling is superb, far more exclusive, and I'm sure the drive is still plenty sporty.

[inco]

I think this one is the best looking of the breed. It looks so right from every angle and the interior is very tastefully done. Must be the Kansas leather?  Still $70 grand before all the taxes is a lot of coin.

It looks sooooo good that if I were to win the lottery or have the CRA make an error and refund all my overpayments, I would gladly make room in the garage for it.

[ovr50]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275724

4 BMWs including the new Z4 and the 2 new diesels in NA are up for North American Car of the Year.

[416Hammy]

I thought it was the gorgeous looks causing my eyes to well up with tears...

...but it was actually that eye-watering price!

*Starting* at $61-large???

C'mon BMW... you really think only offering a hi-lux model will make your volume targets happen?

For that money, I'll take a Boxster, thanks.  Or better yet, a 370Z plus a CRV/RAV4/Rogue for the Mrs.

[Demosthenes X]

Agreed on the price.     I'm sure the Z4 is fantastic, but when you can get an S2000 and something practical, or a Miata and something else fantastic, for the same price one starts to wonder if its worth it.  Either alternative delivers the top-down, RWD experience...  is the Bimmer really worth $40k more than a Miata?

[mmret]

Agreed on the price.     I'm sure the Z4 is fantastic, but when you can get an S2000 and something practical, or a Miata and something else fantastic, for the same price one starts to wonder if its worth it.  Either alternative delivers the top-down, RWD experience...  is the Bimmer really worth $40k more than a Miata?

For the (typical) guy buying a new one...yes. The "driving experience" is about being seen downtown in a fancy BMW roadster, not carving up twisties. There are no twisties for this buyer, as he/she lives in a downtown penthouse condo and is working far too many hours to make it out of the city.

[carcrazy]

I would take an 135i and take a long vacation with teh savings to enjoy driving the car.

[Alex_S]

This is a phat ride.  I might pay a little extra and go with the Boxster tho..

[ovr50]

Agreed on the price.     I'm sure the Z4 is fantastic, but when you can get an S2000 and something practical, or a Miata and something else fantastic, for the same price one starts to wonder if its worth it.  Either alternative delivers the top-down, RWD experience...  is the Bimmer really worth $40k more than a Miata?

For the (typical) guy buying a new one...yes. The "driving experience" is about being seen downtown in a fancy BMW roadster, not carving up twisties. There are no twisties for this buyer, as he/she lives in a downtown penthouse condo and is working far too many hours to make it out of the city.

Cynic................

[initial_D]

When I can afford a new Z4, I would not compare it to a Miata in terms of dollar value, bange for the buck; just wanna go for a bang bang whatever I can.

Love the Z4s!!

[Jack]

Well... as a former owner of a Z3 I had moved temporarily to the States.  It drove me crazy when people used to ask me, "What's a ZED 3?"

[vdk]

Agreed on the price.     I'm sure the Z4 is fantastic, but when you can get an S2000 and something practical, or a Miata and something else fantastic, for the same price one starts to wonder if its worth it.  Either alternative delivers the top-down, RWD experience...  is the Bimmer really worth $40k more than a Miata?

For the (typical) guy buying a new one...yes. The "driving experience" is about being seen downtown in a fancy BMW roadster, not carving up twisties. There are no twisties for this buyer, as he/she lives in a downtown penthouse condo and is working far too many hours to make it out of the city.

 
Plus what does a Z4 have in common with an S2000? RWD? The Z4 is BMW's new SL - they're about the same size too. At 61 large it's dirt cheap. I don't think anyone buys SLs and takes'em to the track every weekend, it's all about being seen on Yonge, Richmond, Queen and King in your new shiny Bimmer, preferably with a good looking blonde in the passenger seat.
If the old Z4 couldn't keep up with the Boxster, the new one doesn't even try.

[Just Bob]

The most important part of a roadster, though is the engine

I disagree, I'd say the chassis is the most important aspect.

Agreed on the price.     I'm sure the Z4 is fantastic, but when you can get an S2000 and something practical, or a Miata and something else fantastic, for the same price one starts to wonder if its worth it.  Either alternative delivers the top-down, RWD experience...  is the Bimmer really worth $40k more than a Miata?

Why do people always say this, it's a pointless argument. You could say the same about any car, Boxster, M3, Elise etc.  If everyone bought Miata's/S2000's and spent the extra money on something else the world would be a very boring place indeed...