Autocar - First for car news and reviews

Jesus H. Corbett! What an ugly crate.

Thank you, Autocar, for making clear that options on the test car push its price to almost £10,000 more than the standard model: £37,060 vs £46,495. The BMW press department sure know how to push reviewers' buttons.

Speaking of which, £2,315 for a sat-nav system makes you wonder if the company aren't moving their profit into extras they know the faithful wasteful - their customers - will buy.

Though once you add a legendary poor quality ride, questionable looks and fuel economy some way below claims, the new Z4 is certain to be a success. Misguided poseurs do like their expensive German second-raters.

ThwartedEfforts:

Though once you add a legendary poor quality ride, questionable looks and fuel economy some way below claims, the new Z4 is certain to be a success. Misguided poseurs do like their expensive German second-raters.

Regarding the "poor ride quality" this is what Autocar said in an ealier test of this car:

 "....The ride is far better resolved, for the new Z4 has traded some of its renowned body control for a touch of added comfort. Body control remains impressive, but the primary ride has improved greatly, with a more composed action over a variety of surfaces...."

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/BMW-Z4-3.0-sDrive35i/238845/

Which pretty much contradicts the findings of this test. I don't put much credence in Autocar tests anymore. Testers on this publication are as much open to subjective analysis, personal preference and (dare I say it) bias for/against certain makes as much as the rest of us.

My thoughts are pretty much the same as ThwartedEfforts on this one.

"It doesn’t ride well enough, either. A roadster should, regardless of your speed, make you feel good about driving it, and somehow the Z4 misses that mark."

That'll be the run flat tyres again!  When will BMW learn?

The Z series sux...

Autocar:

Our heavily optioned 35i test car weighs in at a serious £46,495,

Bl**dy hell - how much money down the drain? as soon as they inevitably release the 2.0 litre engined version and diesel, residuals will drop like a stone on these larger engined versions to just a smidge over the basic cars.

In BMW's quest to turn into Mercedes they are going to have to drop the "Ultimate Driving Machine" mission statement as it is turning into a blatant lie. 

"Whereas the previous generation of Z4 was available with a four-cylinder engine, though, the latest version is not. Instead, there is a narrow range of high-output six-cylinder engines."

The 4 cylinder only joined the range a year or so after it was launched, so a bit early to rule out a 4 cylinder turbo or similar in the new range.  I think the old Z4 4 cylinder in base spec was the peach of the range.  Surprised this only got 3.5 stars after a fairly glowing review.  God-knows what the 'non linearity' of the steering being 'dead' off centre is, but I didn't notice it.  I think I'll lump that Autocar expression in with endless comments about 'progressive' braking and 'UK roads'.

As for "Misguided poseurs do like their expensive German second-raters.", I don't really get what is second rate about this car.  Having driven the Z4 in Germany - similar spec to this one but no sat nav - I don't feel the comments are justified.  I reckon there are far more "misguided poseurs" driving around the A3 like its the Nurburgring in supposedly driver focused cars such as the Elise, Cayman Evo, WRX STi et al.  Each to their own, but in my opinion the Z4 strikes a great balance between comfort and sportiness, in a similar way to how the MK1 Boxster did (esp on smaller alloys), and it also happens to go like a rocket.  Plus, as the review states, it looks great and the interior is a class above the rest.  I'd say that value-wise it stacks up well against a Cayman or Boxster and although there are probably many qualities that the latter two models have that the Z4 doesn't, the Beemer is far more comfortable than the Boxster (even on runflats, Teg), nicer inside, cheaper to service, hard top folding roof, etc etc.  Most buyers - including enthusiasts and petrol heads - aren't Steve Sutcliffe clones and I think this should be reflected more in Autocar's reviews but I guess its a difficult thing to do without turning inot a boring What Car clone.  I haven't driven the Cayman, but given a choice between this and the Boxster S I'd have to think very hard...before going for the Boxster S!

I've driven the S-Drive 35i twice now on British roads and its a very fine car indeed. Autocar miss the point about the Z roadsters. Yes at 9.9 tenths maybe its not as rewarding as a Boxster S but they cost roughly half to service, anything that goes wrong will be much cheaper, 3-year warranty (Porsche only used to offer 2), its at least as quick and more economical than a Boxster S and the interior quality and fascia layout are far, far better than a Boxster.

In my opinion (and thats all comments about looks are - subjective opinions) its so much better looking than a Boxster as well (or TT for that matter). Some like the Z4 looks some don't. Who cares !

And as for the people on here calling it a second rater or questioning its ride - have you driven it yet or are you just commenting on what Autocar have written ? If you haven't shame on you - develop a mind of your own and see for yourself.

 Well said!

originalguv:

Yes at 9.9 tenths maybe its not as rewarding as a Boxster S but they cost roughly half to service, anything that goes wrong will be much cheaper, 3-year warranty (Porsche only used to offer 2), its at least as quick and more economical than a Boxster S and the interior quality and fascia layout are far, far better than a Boxster.

Pretty much why I bought a Z4 over a Boxter - I don't drive at 10 10ths all day long. I agree the boxter is a bit better to drive, but the interior isn't as nice in the Boxter (thats new and old Z4 btw - in my opinion), servicing costs can apparently be silly money on a Boxter and for age / money you get much more performance from a Z4 (and in terms of character - the BMW straight 6 is at least as characterful as the porsche flat 6).

 Anyway - saying that, I'm not 100% convinced by the new Z4 having looked at it extensively in real life - it does look good, the interior is fantastic, but for me its like looking at generations of the Boxter - it'll take 3 years before the new one makes the old one actually look old.

julianphillips:

I reckon there are far more "misguided poseurs" driving around the A3 like its the Nurburgring in supposedly driver focused cars such as the Elise,

So the Z is more driver-focused than an Elise?

Have I inadvertently sliped into the 'What Caravan?" forum?