Liking Z4 "is" (from a past M Roadster owner)

[GaryRudolph]

Just picked up the Z4 last night and put about 700 miles on it last night and today (driving back from San Francisco to Los Angeles). I got to drive it on Highway 1, the 101 and the 25.

I had a 2006 M Roadster and V10 M5 and I'm not sure why there is so much negativeness surrounding the new Z4. The "is" is really a decent car. Overall, I like it much more than the M Roadster.

2006 M Roadster
+ Little more on edge
+ Great throttle response (and a great engine)
+ Fantastic at the track
- Lousy interior finish (even with extended leather) and electronics
- Lots of Road Noise

2012 Z4 "is"
+ Great interior
+ Little more room throughout
+ Quieter
+ Power/Torque is Impressive
+ DCT (My preference)
- Turbo Lag (Just get on the gas a little earlier)
- No Limited Slip Diff (Really missing this one, hoping for aftermarket)
- A tad soft (Does make it easier around town and on trips)
- Servo steering (I do like it around parking lots)

2008 M5
++ V10

I have to say overall I'd rather have the new Z4, even without an M version. I only miss the M version on the track (and that really wasn't that frequent). For spirited driving on typical California roads I find the new Z4 has enough of an edge on it to have fun, but is more refined to drives around. They're both quite heavy cars and neither has much feel for the road (what do you want for 4k in weight).

Now for a track day I'd rather have the M Roadster. But, then again if I was doing a track only car... I'd rather have the M Coupe

[Merefield]

Thanks, I have a 2006 M Roadster which I still love and have been sitting on the fence.

Main attractions for me on the new car are the DCT and its looks (which whilst the 2006 M R is a great looking car, are simply outstanding and on another level)

The old i6 M engine is hard to give up though ... so this may not be enough to swing it given the financial commitment required to shift ...

[GaryRudolph]

Yah, I agree. For me the big thing I wanted was DCT and iDrive (I had nav in the 2006, but... not quite iDrive). That was a pretty big factor.

[Vintage]

I took my wife's Z4 35i out this past weekend in the Texas Hill Country - it is a really great car for all the reasons stated and then some; bottom line for me is that it is drop dead gorgeous from all angles, but still aggressive looking, and very very quick/fun to drive. I stopped twice, once for scenery and once at a winery, both times people came up to me and commented on what a great looking car it was . . . I agreed. Sure, it could weigh a little less, have better steering feel, and a LSD, but it is awesome hauling around curves in Sport+ and smoking down the straights.

[az34]

go for it!