Leading up to my decision to get an E89 it struck me that the car against which it was compared most often in the press (both on-line and in print) was the Porsche Boxster. The majority of these comparisons find that the Porsche has the edge over the Z4 with regard to performance driving characteristics. Yet, in the face of that majority opinion (or even coming to that conclusion by personally by driving the two), we all opted for the E89.
Despite the financial difference between the two, I think this pattern demonstrates that this choice is not one can that can be made looking at specifications and skid pad statistics alone. We aren't talking about basic transportation here nor are we talking about racing: we're looking at machinery designed for the love of driving. At the end of the day, there's an emotional component to this decision that defies, or at least trumps, reasoned analysis.
I chose the E89 because it feels right. It speaks to me. I feel good in it. I like the way I look in it.
Analyze that.
Cheers,
Danny
PS: The new ST movie was great!