Pros & Cons of our Z - Poll!

[javol]

For me (35i):

Pros: style and look, easily tunable turbo engine, great torque, incredible sound, DCT

Cons: not so fast and easy to drive on the track (it's a roadster...), ugly calipers and deficient brake force if pushed, some interior rattles...

Globally: i love her!

[Nv Z]

Hey Javol.

I haven't owned my Z long enough to find any cons.
So far I'm happy as a pig in sh...

[ManiacGT]

Originally Posted by Nv Z

Hey Javol.

I haven't owned my Z long enough to find any cons.
So far I'm happy as a pig in sh...

Give it time!

Pros, it's still a looker after 3 years. Very quick (35i), feels special.

Cons, rattles, harsh ride (19" adaptive) on poor roads, lots of dealer visits for fixes, 296 wheel cracks.

[Nv Z]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Give it time!

Pros, it's still a looker after 3 years. Very quick (35i), feels special.

Cons, rattles, harsh ride (19" adaptive) on poor roads, lots of dealer visits for fixes, 296 wheel cracks.

Mine has 18" wheels, not 296. Rides smoother than my wifes 2010 Acura.
Maybe they have improved the ride since you bought.
I guess time will tell on the dealer fixes.

[rfx45]

Not much rattles on mine.

I got a 28i and it is more than fast enough for daily driving and some spirited canyon runs.

Ride is pretty soft actually, slightly more comfortable and quieter than my IS, that's speaks a lot because that's a Lexus. I did change out the RFTs and the ride is much better because of it.


Pros:
Classic design that will age very well
Hardtop convertible (love it) for security (no slashed roofs) and versatility (car is often confused for a coupe)
Surprisingly roomy cabin
Quality materials and great interior design
MPG is pretty damn good (averaging 25mpg on mostly city driving)
Still pretty rare on the road
Looks expensive (I've been asked and a lot thought the car is 911 money)


Cons:
Very high off the ground in stock form (higher than some sedans)
Needs more preset buttons (6 isn't enough since you can pretty much program anything there, ie: radio stations, nave address, closing the iDrive screen, etc...)
Need better integrated cup holders
Not much aftermarket options available at the moment

[Alpha_Zulu]

Pros
The car looks absolutely fantastic. And it looks even better with the top down.
Handles great.
Since your seat is so close to the rear end, passing people and getting in front of them is easy as well.
Pretty good gas mileage if you're not flooring it. I average about 27 MPG
The car can go from refined and simple to a straight up beast easily.
It's a sleeper; most people don't think the Z4 is fast until you both give it a run.
I just love the overall feel of the car on the road.
Awesome brakes.
Great premium sound system and when it's been EQed correctly, it's like listening to an orchestra.

Cons
The bloody sun visor doesn't pivot to block sunlight coming in through the driver/passenger windows.
Seat belt rubs up against the seat wearing out the leather.
The iDrive knob is too close to the shifter so you accidentally hit it when shifting.
The day running lights are absolutely atrocious. It should come with the LEDs like on the new 3 series/5 series/ and X series.
2011 model didn't come with the paddle shifters like on the '12s.
I hate how much brake dust the brakes generate

[baldguyj]

Pros:
1. Torque! I surprise people on the track.
2. I think the car looks great both with top up and down, how man convertibles can you say that about?
3. I fit in it.
4. Looks more expensive than it is
5. Good handling car
6. Quiet ride with the top up.
7. 350 days of the year I love driving it.
Cons:
1. Brakes on the track, both performance and looks, I have the 293s so it hide them, but will need to upgrade if I change wheels!!!
2. I said good handling car, but when it comes to the track lots of understeer, my friend’s 370z out performs me on the curves, then comes the straights and I pass him again.
3. Paddle shifters are not “true” they will switch on you if you get close to redline or stop.
4. We cannot set it up to stay in sport or sport+.
5. Brake dust with the 293s is a pain…
6. 10 days a year on the track I which the ride was a bit stiffer (tradeoffs!!!)
7. Lack of aftermarket and since the demand is high and supply is low, well…

[baldguyj]

number 6 should have said "10 days a year on the track I wish the ride was a bit stiffer (tradeoffs!!!)

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Zulu

Cons

Seat belt rubs up against the seat wearing out the leather.

The seatbelt also flaps about (it can be heard flapping) at times when driving with the top down, I guess it can't be helped but it does get irritating at times.

[jparnes1]

I'd love the default suspension setting to be Sport, but there's no way to pr0gram that. And how about the mirrors opening and folding on engine start up or shut down?

But that's minor stuff. What a joy to drive!

[E36ic4Me]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

And how about the mirrors opening and folding on engine start up or shut down?

They will fold themselves back out when you start driving. Thats one better then some of my previous cars offered!

[mpbruin108]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I'd love the default suspension setting to be Sport, but there's no way to pr0gram that. And how about the mirrors opening and folding on engine start up or shut down?

But that's minor stuff. What a joy to drive!

My mirror folds when I hold the lock button and unfolds as soon as I unlock the car. I love that coding upgrade!

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by mpbruin108

My mirror folds when I hold the lock button and unfolds as soon as I unlock the car. I love that coding upgrade!

Seriously...did you do that coding on your own or did BMW do it for you?

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Seriously...did you do that coding on your own or did BMW do it for you?

I had mine coded via Andreas at prochip.de When I lock the car the mirrors close and when I unlock they open! Sorry, don't recall the pricing, mostly because I had other items coded at the same time, such as ability to open & close the roof at speeds greater than 8km/hr and I also had the V=SPEED (V for Velocity) digital indicator coded. In other words, I see my speed digitally displayed on the screen between my 'analogue' speedo and my tach.

Dave

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

I had mine coded via Andreas at prochip.de When I lock the car the mirrors close and when I unlock they open! Sorry, don't recall the pricing, mostly because I had other items coded at the same time, such as ability to open & close the roof at speeds greater than 8km/hr and I also had the V=SPEED (V for Velocity) digital indicator coded. In other words, I see my speed digitally displayed on the screen between my 'analogue' speedo and my tach.

Dave

So are these software codings be wiped out when BMW does a software update or are they chipped?

[stickshifter69]

Pros: It's still the best looking BMW model up-to-date!

Cons: I feel like I'm the only one driving around in this car. I've yet to see another one on the road. It attracts too much attention on the parking lot. One time I caught a family taking a picture in front of my car while the kid was trying to get up on my hood.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by stickshifter69

Pros: It's still the best looking BMW model up-to-date!

Cons: I feel like I'm the only one driving around in this car. I've yet to see another one on the road. It attracts too much attention on the parking lot. One time I caught a family taking a picture in front of my car while the kid was trying to get up on my hood.

That's weird...when I visit my brother in San Jose I see plenty of Z4's. But I'd shoot that kid for climbing on your car.

[ChuckB]

Pros are all, if not most of the above...Love this car, have enjoyed each of the 35,000 miles we have shared so far

Cons
Not impressed with handling on uneven surfaces when pushing a bit. Added H&R Springs to drop the car a bit, and to add a slightly more progressive spring rate. Major improvement, but still not perfect. Added 5mm Front and 10mm Rear spacers to the 313 [19"] wheels and this made another, very positive improvement in handling and ride comfort for such a small change.
Brakes look like crap, and do not work if you push them really hard, added E9x Performance Brakes to the front and the fade is almost non-existent, still no decent rear brakes out there but EBC Yellow Stuff keeps the system balanced.

[ZheHbKa]

u want a track car buy a m1/m3, 35is is plenty fast, faster then most cars that u find on the streets

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

So are these software codings be wiped out when BMW does a software update or are they chipped?

They have been wiped out once, for a software update for my oil sensor. Not a big deal since it takes less than 2 minutes to "re-flash" again and everything's back as it was.

Mind you, how often does bmw update the ECU.....say once a year at most, so 2 minutes back in your driveway to re-flash and you're good to go....!

Dave

[z4z4z4]

PRO: Bolt ons and tunes ea$y to 500bhp.
Con: Can't drive to the store without taking a 40 mile ride before returning home.

[Nv Z]

Originally Posted by z4z4z4

PRO: Bolt ons and tunes ea$y to 500bhp.
Con: Can't drive to the store without taking a 40 mile ride before returning home.