BMW Z4
If you want classic summer driving thrills,
then a road-hugging roadster ought to be ideal. And with its traditional
two-seater layout, simple rear-wheel-drive handling and versatile folding
hard-top, the recently revised BMWZ4 fits the bill perfectly.
However, even eagle-eyed fans will struggle
to spot the tweaks to the exterior. In fact, apart from the revised xenon
headlamps and grille, the BMW's looks are virtually unchanged. That means you
get the same long nose, low-slung stance and eye-catching combination of
creases and curves.
The
Z4 has a folding metal roof, which promises to blend open-air thrills with
coupé comfort and security
Like its Mercedes SLK arch-rival, the Z4
has a folding metal roof, which promises to blend open-air thrills with coupé
comfort and security. It's easy to make the most of any sudden sunshine, too,
as the top can be raised and lowered on the move. Unfortunately, due to the
two-piece roof's complexity, it takes a leisurely 26.4 seconds to stow the
hood.
Peer inside the BMW and you'll find it's
been left largely unchanged. That's no bad thing, though, as the dashboard is
attractive and quality is top notch. Only the slightly dated buttons and stereo
display betray the car's advancing years. Bluetooth and air-con are included,
but you'll pay extra for kit like the wind deflector ($323) and heated seats
($443) – both key in a convertible.
With
deflector is $322 and stereo controls are dated, but cockpit still scores on
quality
The combination of a low seating position
and high transmission tunnel gives the interior a snug feel, but there's
actually plenty of room. There's a decent amount of storage, too, including a
long shelf behind the rear seats and a large, lockable cubby. Better still,
with the roof raised, the Z4's boot will swallow 310 cramped 180 liters when
the roof is lowered. Still, most roadster buyers are more concerned with
back-road thrills than boot space-and the BMW doesn't disappoint. The new
entry-level 154bhp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine feels sluggish at low revs,
but selecting Sport or Sport+ modes sharpen the throttle response and adds
weight to the steering.
Rear-wheel-drive
Z4 is composed through corners
At the track, our entry-level 18i model
completed the 0-60mph sprint in a brisk 7.9 seconds, but buyers wanting more
performance can choose from the 18ibhp 20i or 24bhp 28i. Plus, there are the
six-cylinder 302bhp 35i and 335bhp 35is models.
Yet whatever version you choose, you'll get
the same balanced rear-wheel-drive handling, plus steering that's direct and
delivers decent feedback. A snappy gearshift and surprisingly sporty exhaust
note add to the fun.
The Z4 delivers decent refinement, too.
There's little wind buffeting with the optional deflector in place, and raising
the roof brings more calm. It's not coupé-quiet, though, and the ride is a
little firm, while the restricted suspension travel can cause hops and skips
over mid-corner bumps. It's expensive, too, with prices from $41,415 – over
$1,500 more than for an Audi Roadster.
BMW Z4 technical specs
·
Price: $41,415
·
Engine: 2.0-liter
4cyl, 154bhp
·
0-60mph: 7.9
seconds
·
Test economy:
31.5 mpg/6.9mpl
·
CO
:
159g/km
·
Annual road tax:
$262
·
Why? A mid-life
facelift aims to move the underachieving BMW Z4 up the roadster order. We test
the new entry-level 18i model.
Verdict
With summer now in full swing, the charms of
a convertible are hard to resist and our four contenders demonstrate that there
should be something for every taste and budget.
The Vauxhall looks good, has a roomy
interior and, in entry-level guise, isn't too expensive to run. It's not the
most fun car to drive and its cabin can't match those of premium rivals for
quality, but it's a capable and composed drop-top.
Buyer wanting more thrills will love the
RS5's performance, soundtrack and muscular looks. While it's expensive, only
BMW's M3 Convertible comes close to matching its blend of talents.
If you're looking for fun on a smaller
budget, then the Beetle is hard to ignore. It looks great, and it's as easy and
engaging to drive as a Golf.
Finally, the Z4 has been lifted back into
contention by this update. It's still not quite as enjoyable to drive as you'd
expect from a BMW roadster, but the new entry-level engine is smooth and
reasonably powerful, as well as cost-effective to run.
