examiner.com reviews the BMW Z4. Comes to the expected conclusion

[Mark]

I really enjoyed this article posted on examiner.com. Its a nicely worded review of the Z4 which briefly hits on all the important points of the car

"Steering is very precise. The only learning curve for me was the massive distance from the front wheels to the steering wheel. Sitting so far back, it’s hard to triangulate exactly where the front wheels are – at first. In time, I was able to precisely position the Z4 on any curve. With a little extra stick (with the traction control off), the rear end slides out on command. On more than one occasion, sliding all fours was not only possible but ridiculously fun. "

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-2102-Denve...otos-and-Video

[samuraisaiyo]

Very interesting about the comments.

[WhoU4]

Denver Autos Examiner - Nathan Adlen

"The old Z4 represented much of what many dislike in modern design…ugliness. I could go on and on about what made the former Z4 not so great, in the end it was a muddled machine searching for a soul."

Whatever...

[E90PAT]

niceee.. never noticed how far bac from the center of the car you really are

[MidwestBimmerFan]

Nice article! But I still love the original Z4 also.

[ebeem]

Which hairdresser wrote this review?

This is not a full blown sports car, which is a good thing. The BMW Z4 is a grand touring vehicle of the highest order. Rather than beat you senseless with an over stiffened ride for track driving, the BMW Z4 sDrive35i in which I drove had an adjustable suspension. I left it alone and enjoyed the smooth – yet firm ride.

he just praises all the things former Z4 owners don`t like about the new Z4

well it became the SLK of BMW

but don`t get me wrong ,it is a beautiful car and I think it`s well built
but it does not reflect what BMW always tried to offer with the former Z-cars : the roadster feeling which connects you directly to the car as well as the road

[Ramius]

Originally Posted by ebeem

he just praises all the things former Z4 owners don`t like about the new Z4...

By far not all of them dislike the new one...

Originally Posted by ebeem

it does not reflect what BMW always tried to offer with the former Z-cars : the roadster feeling which connects you directly to the car as well as the road

Although it feels softer than the previous one it still does connect you directly and with a few easy suspension adjustments you make it as hard as the old one...

Coming from a 2005 Z4 with M-suspension and 19 inch wheels which I drove for 4 years, I think that I know what I'm talking about.

[the infamous...]

I think it's a good review.

[Roadstergal]

Thanks, great review. I especially liked what he said about the six speed manual vs dct or steptronic. My sentiments exactly.

[Vintage]

yes, the DCT is terrible compared to manual despite quicker acceleration and better gas mileage - it really sucks; while we are at it let's chunk the other technological advancements too like the M suspension, turbos, stability control, traction control, abs, airbags, variable valve and exhaust timing, much improved sound system, navigation, tubeless tires, run flat tires, satellite radio, SOS, auto dimming mirrors, auto wipers, hd radio (hell, delete all radio and all sound, real cars never had that, especially race cars), power steering and braking. indeed, might as well forget the starter and let's hand crank the darn thing. all this advancement sucks, I am going out back to hand chop firewood in preparation for the coming winter for my pot belly stove because it is the only source of heat for my log cabin that has no electricity or running water

[Roadstergal]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

yes, the DCT is terrible compared to manual despite quicker acceleration and better gas mileage - it really sucks; while we are at it let's chunk the other technological advancements too like the M suspension, turbos, stability control, traction control, abs, airbags, variable valve and exhaust timing, much improved sound system, navigation, tubeless tires, run flat tires, satellite radio, SOS, auto dimming mirrors, auto wipers, hd radio (hell, delete all radio and all sound, real cars never had that, especially race cars), power steering and braking. indeed, might as well forget the starter and let's hand crank the darn thing. all this advancement sucks, I am going out back to hand chop firewood in preparation for the coming winter for my pot belly stove because it is the only source of heat for my log cabin that has no electricity or running water

I don't think the person who wrote the article was dissing the dct transmission, nor am I. It is just that the six speed is more fun to drive. I was reallly going for the new technology and would not order my car until I found one to test drive. I was certain I was going to order my car with the dct transmission. I was coming from driving manuals all my life and was ready for a change. It just didn't do it for me. As I have previously stated, if you were accustomed to driving automatics, the dct would more than satisfy. I find that the six speed manual is more fun to drive and I knew that once the novelty of the dct wore off, had I ordered it with that configuration, I would be missing the manual. I am all for technology, but in this case the dct still seemed more like an automatic in my opinion. I think it is great, but just not for everyone and I just felt that the author of that article hit the nail on the head when he compared the manual to the other transmissions.

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

I don't think the person who wrote the article was dissing the dct transmission, nor am I. It is just that the six speed is more fun to drive. I was reallly going for the new technology and would not order my car until I found one to test drive. I was certain I was going to order my car with the dct transmission. I was coming from driving manuals all my life and was ready for a change. It just didn't do it for me. As I have preiviously stated, if you were accustomed to driving automatics, the dct would more than satisfy. I find that the six speed manual is more fun to drive and I knew that once the novelty of the dct wore off, had I ordered it with that configuration, I would be missing the manual. I am all for technology, but in this case the dct still seemed more like an automatic in my opinion. I think it is great, but just not for everyone and I just felt that the author of that article hit the nail on the head when he compared the manual to the other transmissions.

I test drove both, and the DCT was more fun to drive than the manual, so I purchased the Z4 with that transmission. I had driven manuals for the past 12 years. I feel I made the absolute right decision. The DCT is not a "novelty" where the enjoyment will wear off. I enjoy the option to either shift on my own or have the transmission do it for me. A choice you never get with the manual. It is nothing like an automatic or even a manumatic/steptronic. Totally different.

[Roadstergal]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

I test drove both, and the DCT was more fun to drive than the manual, so I purchased the Z4 with that transmission. I had driven manuals for the past 12 years. I feel I made the absolute right decision. The DCT is not a "novelty" where the enjoyment will wear off. I enjoy the option to either shift on my own or have the transmission do it for me. A choice you never get with the manual. It is nothing like an automatic or even a manumatic/steptronic. Totally different.

There is no right or wrong choice; different strokes for different folks.

[twin turbo]

And if you plan to tune (which I have), DCT has limit of 375 lb/ft of torque which means no Dinan/GIAC flash or JB3/Procede piggyback. Just another reason to go with the manual.

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

There is no right or wrong choice; different strokes for different folks.

Agreed

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

There is no right or wrong choice; different strokes for different folks.

I also agree - I was just trying to inject some humor into this endless debate.

[KWY91]

Nice review... Sigh, wish I could own a strictly 2 seater car.. Got to drive my buddies old Z4, what a beast

[willysp]

Originally Posted by E92PAT

niceee.. never noticed how far bac from the center of the car you really are

It is REALLY noticeable when I have my top up!

[dcs2k]

Originally Posted by twin turbo

And if you plan to tune (which I have), DCT has limit of 375 lb/ft of torque which means no Dinan/GIAC flash or JB3/Procede piggyback. Just another reason to go with the manual.

This in particularly is worrying. Any way to reflash the transmission to accept more than 375lb/ft of torque? Running on a JB3 now and do not wish to screw up the DCT.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by sg-e89

This in particularly is worrying. Any way to reflash the transmission to accept more than 375lb/ft of torque? Running on a JB3 now and do not wish to screw up the DCT.

Isn't that the issue, mechanically it's designed to handle a max of 375 tq.

The tunes from other models, or even the MT would blow the DCT in the 35i, at least that what I've read.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Isn't that the issue, mechanically it's designed to handle a max of 375 tq.

The tunes from other models, or even the MT would blow the DCT in the 35i, at least that what I've read.

They simply have to limit it to 375 lb.ft. of torque, still a nice increase of 75.
That would also limit the HP to about 380 depending on how the torque falls off at high RPMs.

[twin turbo]

From what I have read, the N54 makes about 320 lb/ft of torque at the crank, the car is under rated by BMW. I think that Dinan stage 1 might be safe (whens it's available). Even the JB+ at 100%, which I am currently running while waiting for a suitable flash, makes 358 lb/ft of torque to the wheels which exceeds the limit of the DCT. Oddly, the old steptronic handled more torque than the brand new state of the art DCT trasmission.