FIRSTDRIVE - BMW Z4:The Z4 is a superb car to drive but, asks Paddy Comyn, even if you can afford it, could you be seen to?
ONCE UPON a time we would have talked about this car being perfect for the climate of the next few months. Sadly, the economic bending of language as well as our financial affairs means a new Roadster suddenly starts to look as aloof as a Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Not only is lack of disposal income an obstacle for any would-be buyer, there is also the social stigma of being seen to buy yourself one in a recession. We are aware of many company directors hanging onto old cars as they can’t buy a new one when they have just let people go.
However, the new Z4 is likely to cause even the most morally solid some weakening at the knees – in terms of design, BMW has hit the jackpot. The car was primarily designed by two women – Juliane Blasi on the exterior and Nadya Arnaout on the interior – who have improved on the themes laid down by the previous model. The front end looks more aggressive, imposing and ultimately better-looking and the rear looks like a blend of the 6-Series and the Z8 Roadster of a few years back. The new car is bigger and sits on a purpose-built platform.
Gone is the cloth roof, replaced by a new retractable hard-top. This gives the car, according to BMW, more practicality, meaning it offers the best of both worlds. While some of its rivals, namely Porsche’s Boxster and Audi’s A5 Convertible continue with a cloth roof, Mercedes-Benz’s SLK uses a folding hardtop and this, it would appear, is its main rival. The new roof takes 20 seconds to tuck away and there is a decent boot left behind. Roof up, BMW claims you can stow two sets of golf clubs and skis in the Z4.
The new interior is very impressive. Arnaout used the female form as the basis of the design and, while this might not be instantly obvious, what is clear is that there has been a lot more thought put into its ergonomics and practicality. There is more room for taller drivers, the seats are more comfortable and switches on the centre console point towards what we might see in future models. The switches appear to have been inspired by the Z8, making this car feel more upmarket than the old model.
The last Z4 was a hard-edged sportscar, almost always requiring your undivided attention, especially the more powerful versions – and we were driving the most powerful version of the new car, the 35i, powered by a 3-litre, six-cylinder engine with 306bhp and with optional double-clutch transmission.
Another option fitted to our car is the BMW Adaptive M suspension which has adjustable dampers, meaning you can choose the right setting for the road – or, indeed, your mood. The new Z4 aims to be more comfortable than before, so the Sport setting is equivalent to the old standard ride. This new system allows you to choose Normal and Sport+, in addition to Sport, with the latter turning off the stability control. The Sport is the most fun, with the Normal better suited for everyday use.
On a mixed set of roads in Alicante, the Z4 proved itself a rewarding driver’s tool, but the 306bhp is reserved for the attentive driver. With this power going through the rear wheels, there remains a little more fishtailing and tyre scrubbing than the average convertible poser appreciates or needs.
This is a car that requires you to grab it by the scuff of the neck and, if you do just that, it is superb. The steering is delicate and responsive and, after a day or two driving the car, your confidence will soar.
The orange light in the dashboard flickers frequently with spirited driving as even the gluey tyres fitted to our test cars searched for grip on the excellent surface. One can only guess that a wet road would be somewhat enlightening in this car and bring you closer to your chosen spiritual icon.
The sound of the 35i is gorgeous: a fierce, hard grumble and, roof down, driving through a tunnel will raise the hairs on the back of your neck and make you want to do it all again.
The gearbox fitted to the car is super fast, although we would grumble about the placement of the paddles. We’d prefer one to go down and another to go up, right behind the wheel, but the ones on the Z4 do both on each side and it’s not ideal.
This is a superb car to drive if feeling a little bit too focused on 35i form. We’re guessing that the other 3-litre with 258bhp or even the 2.5-litre with 204bhp, fitted with a standard manual gearbox, could be equally rewarding, without requiring the driver to drink so much coffee before lift-off. BMW hasn’t announced a diesel version but one would assume it will appear, with the 3-litre diesel from the 335d the most likely candidate.
Pricing is an issue for anyone attempting to sell a car in 2009, but the Z4 might face more challenges than most. With the cheapest model at €52,250 and the model we drove costing €74,500, sales in Ireland are likely to be small, especially when you consider the price reduction applied to Porsche’s Boxster earlier this year.
A Boxster can be bought from €54,950 with the superb Boxster S costing €64,950. While the new Z4 is good, the Boxster S would probably be too alluring for most buyers in this segment, although the BMW might be marginally socially acceptable in this bluntly miserable economic year.
Either way, this would be a nice dilemma to have and we expect that, if we do see smaller-engined versions or indeed a diesel, the Z4 will meet new buyers. For now, it’s likely to remain a dream car for many.
Factfile BMW Z4 35i version
Engine:2,979cc 6-cylinder, 306bhp, 400Nm torque
0-100km/h:5.2 seconds
Max Speed:250km/h
L/100km:9.4 (30.0 mpg)
CO2 emissions:219g/km
Tax:VRT – 32 per cent; annual motor tax – €1,050
Prices:€74,500; Z4 sDrive 23i – €52,250; Z4 sDrive 30i – €63,750; Z4 sDrive 35i – €74,500
Arriving in Ireland:orders taken now for delivery in May