Presenting the BMW Z4 LCI Facelift

[BullowM3]

nothing different? it has an n54, long live the n54. nuff said :P

[ManiacGT]

Everyone is going on about it being expensive.. of course it is, its niche. No one goes on about the Boxster or Cayman being too expensive, which is even more money than a Z4..

[tranquility]

Many points here:

LCI looks alright, nothing major done there.

For a couple, it is a VERY practical car. It is my only car and my wife and I use it for everything and nothing is lacking. The only time I wished that I had another car was when I wanted to buy some large furniture. I dislike kids and so this is the perfect car pour moi. If you have little monsters, get a minivan.

To those saying that the Z4 is overpriced, yes, it is, that is, within the BMW range. I've always stated that I hate it when BMW uses the same freaking engine in less-expensive lines and yet the performance is better or the same as the Z, e.g. 135i, 1M. It's damn annoying. If they must use the same engine, at least put in better tweaks for the Z, which is significantly more expensive. We're getting ripped off there, I don't mind agreeing w/ some Z4-haters in this dept. Sure, the Z is more 'upscale' and looks better, etc, but it does tick me off a bit. Still, would I want to get a less-expensive BMW w/ similar performance to save a few (significant) bucks? Not really because the other cars don't really appeal to me.

However, outside of BMW, the car's really not that expensive compared to its peers. When I was cross-shopping the Z4, the Audi TTS was only a few thousand cheaper and it's only a 4-cyl and not as fast, so not worth the $ imho (btw, the TTRS came 1 yr too late, but was overpriced, had a huge waiting list, and the North Amer mkt got shortchanged because they only got the MT and not the DSG tranny, which was much better/quicker imho). The Boxster/Cayman were much more expensive (w/ Cayman spec'd similarly to the Z4, crazily almost $20K!!!) for what you got and not that good looking (pre-2013).

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by tranquility

For a couple, it is a VERY practical car.

Generally, agree. I wished the passenger had a bit more leg room. I am just a bit over 6 feet and not exactly slim, and my knees tend to press against the dashboard, even with the seat all the way back, adjusting he height of the seat etc.

I have zero problems (nor any comfort issues) in the driver's seat.

[samiti]

Video of Z4 LCI:

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by Technic

Sales are saying otherwise.

I think that issue is simple and has nothing to do with the looks of the car, which may be the best looking car in BMW's lineup as far as pure design asthetics go:

1) two seats;
2) soft economy since release;
3) $55k - $70k for two seats;
4) $55k - $70k for two seats in a soft economy
. . . . . .

it is just pricey and not practical with the "new" economy. for goodness sake, you can buy a nice X5 35D for that price . . . so when you are at a BMW dealer it is really hard to justify the purchase when a nice 5 series or X5 can be had for the same price.

this is our third car . . . we call it our date car and not too many people have that option - hell, even we probably should not have done it but the ED was incredible

[Jay60642]

Originally Posted by Vintage

I think that issue is simple and has nothing to do with the looks of the car, which may be the best looking car in BMW's lineup as far as pure design asthetics go:

1) two seats;
2) soft economy since release;
3) $55k - $70k for two seats;
4) $55k - $70k for two seats in a soft economy
. . . . . .

it is just pricey and not practical with the "new" economy. for goodness sake, you can buy a nice X5 35D for that price . . . so when you are at a BMW dealer it is really hard to justify the purchase when a nice 5 series or X5 can be had for the same price.

this is our third car . . . we call it our date car and not too many people have that option - hell, even we probably should not have done it but the ED was incredible

----------------------------------------

Do you think someone shopping the Z would consider a 5 series or X5 just because they are "more car" for the money? I'm 37, no kids. I drive my Z all year long in Chicago. It is extremely practical for parking in the city and driving along the lake with the top down can't be beat. Why would I want a bloated sedan or, worse, an SUV? (I'm hoping they come through with a RWD Z2 so that I can have an even smaller car.)

You can't put a price on aesthetics or sex appeal, and the 5 series--even the M5--does not stir anything in me.

[jolt8631]

Well I'm not going to be rushing to the Stealer any time soon.

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by Jay60642

----------------------------------------

Do you think someone shopping the Z would consider a 5 series or X5 just because they are "more car" for the money? I'm 37, no kids. I drive my Z all year long in Chicago. It is extremely practical for parking in the city and driving along the lake with the top down can't be beat. Why would I want a bloated sedan or, worse, an SUV? (I'm hoping they come through with a RWD Z2 so that I can have an even smaller car.)

You can't put a price on aesthetics or sex appeal, and the 5 series--even the M5--does not stir anything in me.

Ditto!

[BuckarooVT90]

yeah... I'm liking that orange... wish I could afford another Z... we'd have a His and Her's in the garage when that orange is available if I could...

[alicantor]

Hey guys did you notice on the video posted by samiti that this Z4 can open/close the top while driving/moving. THIS is a big improvement and I hope that there will be a SW update for the previous version !!

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by alicantor

Hey guys did you notice on the video posted by samiti that this Z4 can open/close the top while driving/moving. THIS is a big improvement and I hope that there will be a SW update for the previous version !!

The previous version can also open/close while moving, just at much lower speeds.

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by alicantor

Hey guys did you notice on the video posted by samiti that this Z4 can open/close the top while driving/moving. THIS is a big improvement and I hope that there will be a SW update for the previous version !!

Probably not. Supposedly, BMW made the roof mechanism stronger to allow for open/close while driving. This has been available on cars in Germany (and probably other countries) since about April 2012.

I was ticked because my car doesn't have it - I took delivery in late May.

I think all 2013 US cars have it (since about July? Not sure actually).

[alicantor]

Really ? I didn't know about that. Bought mine in April 2012, but Feb 2012 built...

[Blu Yea]

Originally Posted by StevenY.

Doesn't look bad, I was never really a fan of the Z4 though. Perhaps I'm just not a big fan of convertibles.

Then why are you on a Z4 fan site?

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by Blu Yea

Then why are you on a Z4 fan site?

I think the news is cross-posted on all bimmerpost sub-forums, not just the Z4 sub-forum.

[VailM3]

Originally Posted by z4z4z4

So true. Having owned my M3 for over 10 years, I was use to a supreme level of handling performance, but man straight line mid 3 second 0-60 times of the tuned N54 Z4 is so wonderful too. I do look forward to next season ALMS to root for the Z4s as a proper sport car model opposed to the old M3 being the only modified 4 seater in the show. Also, I was shocked to see an $81k sticker on the Boxter S at the LA Auto show this year. Yikes! Nice car, but not $81k.....I'd buy an M3 first.

What now? you are saying 3.5 0-60 times for a 35i/35is. Thats 1.1-1.3 seconds off the 35is time?

[fontana302]

I was more interested in the fact that in the video that's a US version car (LHD) being driven in Australia on a RHD road!

[cjwb1984]

I would've gotten that orange color if it was available last year.

[Tom (Atl)]

Overpriced crap with a terrible suspension / chassis and no track performance.

Good job completely ruining the Z4 line and ripping off customers, BMW!

[stickshifter69]

Originally Posted by Tom (Atl)

Overpriced crap with a terrible suspension / chassis and no track performance.

Good job completely ruining the Z4 line and ripping off customers, BMW!

Doesn't the 135 share similar components? Just aesthetically ugly with big head lights for such a little boxy body. Isn't it also crap unless you opted for a 1m???

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by Tom (Atl)

Overpriced crap with a terrible suspension / chassis and no track performance.

Good job completely ruining the Z4 line and ripping off customers, BMW!

LOL, tell us how you *really* feel.

Overpriced? Yes, I agree here as I've stated w/ reasons earlier: I can't stand that it shares engines w/ lesser-priced BMWs. However, it doesn't have a terrible suspension / chassis, despite being a convertible.