Opinions on a not-so talked about car.

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
03/16/2014 at 02:16 • Filed to: I get my story ideas late at night

Why does no one talk about the Z4?

With all the talk about BMW's current lineup, the Z4 just hides in the corner, with no one talking good, or bad about this attractive roadster. The worst thing to happen to a car is no one talking about it at all, so I'm going to dammit.

Just look at it. That has to be one of the most attractive cars in BMW's lineup. No Air Breather or whatever its called, No connected headlights to the grille or smiling fascias, just an attractive roadster that has the classic roadster profile of a long hood, short rear deck. Looks good with the top up, looks even better with the top down.

The interior is typical BMW; beautifully assembled, but a little on the bland side. It's pretty roomy though. I sat in one at the auto show this year and my sizable self fit in there just fine. I'm not too sold on the Nav set-up though, but I've never been big on flip-up Nav systems. And electric park brakes needs to die a slow painful death.

Do you have a thing against natural aspiration now BMW? When this generation first debuted, the "28i" models had the wonderful 3.0L straight 6. Now it's the typical 2.0L TwinPower and 3.0L TwinPower for the "28i" and "35i" models. The "35is" gets a more powerful version of the 3.0L.

It has EPS... There was hydraulic steering when it first debuted, but just like the N/A 6, it went away with the mid-cycle update. I can't say much on how it drives, but if someone has one and wants to lend it to me, I won't complain! What I can tell you is it's available with a 6 speed manual and has rear multi-link suspension; Both facts taken straight off the BMW website.

This car is due for a refresh very soon, and I hope they don't ruin it. Please BMW don't add that new connected-eyes-to-nose face you've bestowed on the 3 and 4 series. Don't add your Air Breather. Just polish this design a little to make it even more attractive than you have in the first place. And please refine your EPS, it's okay as it is, but still needs some polishing to be as good as your hydraulic system was. Just don't ruin this car, okay?

DISCUSSION (38)

Brian Silvestro > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:21

I think it's sexy as hell, and looks amazing with the top up. But being a hardtop convertible, it's probably pretty heavy. But still, I'd drive one.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Brian Silvestro
03/16/2014 at 02:25

It weights 3300 lbs, not exactly a lightweight, about the same weight as 3 series.

Brian Silvestro > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:26

That's probably what makes it a hard sell. You get relatively the same performance with more practicality and less money.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Brian Silvestro
03/16/2014 at 02:28

True, but a 3er doesn't looks this good.

Brian Silvestro > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:29

That's the key. That's the reason they're selling it.

Arben72 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:33

The eps isn't okay, it needs to be thrown out. I would have loved a z4, I'd have taken it over anything if it came with the same drivetrain as my m3. Would have been the perfect car, can't think of anything better. Maybe a r8 spider but that's about it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Arben72
03/16/2014 at 02:36

Like I said, hopefully they can pull a Porsche and make a great EPS. M3 drivetrain in this thing would probably make the perfect car.

Milky > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:37

Beautiful inside and out. But I would guess no one talks about it because its expensive & there is no performance model to get people excited. Everyone loves bang-for-your-buck cars & M hotness, the Z4 sadly has neither.

Its a shame too because I really like the Z4 along with every Z car … really all of them. Sad times we live in when you can get two M SUVs but not a single M built from the ground up as a sports car.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Milky
03/16/2014 at 02:40

I've been waiting for an M model of this car since it debuted. Maybe they'll deliver with the new one. The 50k starting price is pretty steep, though.

Arben72 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:41

They made a whole new eps for the m cars, no shared parts. That's great news in my book, Porsches system is excellent. A z4m for the last year would be nice, but sadly there's no way it would end up with the v8 from the m3.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Arben72
03/16/2014 at 02:43

They could use the straight 6 they designed for the M3/4 to make an M variant. Hopefully the M EPS trickles down to lower models.

Milky > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:51

Esp. when you consider the one you want starts at 67k … and thats still with only 335hp.

Kinja'd!!!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Milky
03/16/2014 at 02:58

Yeah, its expensive, but I'd still buy one if I had the funds.

Arben72 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 02:58

Inline 6 turbo is ok but a high revving v8 that sounds exotic and can still be a dd is much better.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Arben72
03/16/2014 at 03:00

An N/A V8 is always gonna sound better than a Turbo 6. The 6 Turbo sounds good, but the V8 is just... Amazingly perfect in every way.

jkm7680 > Milky
03/16/2014 at 06:47

Agreed, you can get something with much better performance, and 70K looks for that price.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 09:13

I think it's a great car, but it's useless and costs a good bit. For the money you could find a much more unique toy vehicle.

EL_ULY > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 10:13

Good write up, I was thinking the same thing not too long ago and was planning to post something very similar to this

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > EL_ULY
03/16/2014 at 11:46

I actually saw one and thought, why they hell does no one talk about this car anymore?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 12:37

I like the previous gen coupe. The latest one looks a bit fussy in comparison.

Then again, I'm not really a BMW person, so that speaks more for how cool the Z4 Coupe is :)

EL_ULY > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 12:40

yup, I saw a white one on Monday and thought the exact same thing

EuroJosh > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 12:56

Kinja'd!!!

Ummm. Whats all this talk of no m model? I've seen more than a few Z4 M coupes in person.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > EuroJosh
03/16/2014 at 12:58

There was an M model for the previous generation, but there was never one for this gen.

EuroJosh > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 13:02

I don't know what everybody is talking about with there being no M version of the Z4. But I've seen quite a few of them. They favor the permanent fast back style over the hard top vert, and have a more power version of the S54 from the E46 M3.

EuroJosh > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 13:05

Ah true.

PardonMyFlemish16 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 15:15

No way. A 335i is like 3600-3700lbs.

This thing is still a heavyweight though.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PardonMyFlemish16
03/16/2014 at 15:18

335i - 3555lbs

Z435i - 3527 lbs

PardonMyFlemish16 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 15:49

OK, we were both wrong.

For the same weight, I'd rather have a sedan.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PardonMyFlemish16
03/16/2014 at 15:52

If BMW wasn't so afraid of soft tops, that weight could probably go waay down.

PardonMyFlemish16 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/16/2014 at 16:10

They should make a hatchback version. Moms like the hardtop.

oldestyoungn > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/17/2014 at 14:10

Look at one of the few hardtops made... I got to sit in it. Fairly nice really but it was night time.

Kinja'd!!!

Sorry for blur. I botched it.

oldestyoungn > EL_ULY
03/17/2014 at 14:13

Kinja'd!!!

I saw a hardtop (one of four in the US I think?) and talked to the guy who owns it. He and his wife were super nice and let me sit in it. Oh and gratuitous tire slip as he sped off and then high revving. (Can't tell if failed burnout, on purpose, or plain old fail.)

EL_ULY > oldestyoungn
03/17/2014 at 14:20

soooooo much want. Those things are so damn badass to me for some reason

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > oldestyoungn
03/17/2014 at 15:50

The want is so strong with that one.

JasonStern911 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/17/2014 at 23:15

cool cars, but even the 2009 models haven't depreciated enough to generate legitimate interest. doing a quick 200 mile AutoTrader search, the cheapest sDrive35i is $35k - 996tt territory, and the cheapest sDrive30i is $29k - Cayman S territory.

Wonk Unit > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/19/2014 at 16:35

I don't think these are available with a manual tranny. no Manual no care.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Wonk Unit
03/19/2014 at 16:40

They do.

Kinja'd!!!

Wonk Unit > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/20/2014 at 12:10

Well let me just shovel my words on this plate and chow down. I'm glad I'm wrong!