"Z" in German
For those of us that love roadsters and driving with the top down (I have the sun blisters on my ears to prove it), we realistically have one manufacturer to thank: Mazda. Without the MX-5 Miata, there would not have been any Porsche Boxster, BMW Z3, Mercedes SLK and Honda S2000. Since late 1989, the above-mentioned car makers have taken the roadster revival and added their own distinctive twists to their offerings.
In BMW's case, 1996 saw the arrival of the very gorgeous and sexy Z3. In 1997, BMW addressed the car's only flaw by offering a 6-cylinder engine to complement the 1.9L inline-4. 1998 was the year that brought us an "M" version with a 240 hp powerplant capable of 0-100 km/h times in the mid 5 second range and putting smiles on the driver's face. Once the typical 7-year life of the Z3 was over, the Z4 made its appearance in 2003. Slightly longer and wider, Mr. Bangle made sure that the Z4 was not simply the replacement of the Z3, but an entirely new beast.
Pricing for the Z4 starts at $51,900 and can top out at just under $75,000. Our tested 3.0i retailed for $68,400.
Styling
When I first gazed upon the pictures of the Z4, I was immediately
reminded of a snub-nosed shark. The hood extends to the tip of the car and then ever-slightly curves back down to meet with the signature twin-kidney grille and the bumper. If you look at the car from a perpendicular angle and focus on the crease lines, the shape of the letter "Z" becomes apparent. Within those lines is where you will find the only aspect of the car's exterior that I dislike; the side marker covered by the BMW logo. I would simply have separated the two and left the badge well enough alone. Body panel and paint application are, as always, top notch.
The cabin of the Z4, which is the size of a teacup if you would, represents no more than 1/3 of the car's total volume. It is therefore very snug although not uncomfortable. The seats are very well-fitting and could possibly be somewhat too tight for mildly larger than average body types. They do provide a great amount of support. Our tester was delivered with a brushed aluminium interior trim that gave the dashboard a distinctive look. The blue leather and plastics are of fine quality and carefully assembled.
The layout of the instruments and commands makes the most of the useable space. All the buttons are simple to use and have a nice cushioned feel about them. The optional HiFi audio system provides good aural entertainment. The trunk is actually a reasonable and usable size.
The power soft top opens and closes in less than ten seconds. What's more is that it requires only the touch of one button; no latches have to be released. The lining of the top is beautifully crafted and the windshield frame is finished with stitched leather.
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In BMW's case, 1996 saw the arrival of the very gorgeous and sexy Z3. In 1997, BMW addressed the car's only flaw by offering a 6-cylinder engine to complement the 1.9L inline-4. 1998 was the year that brought us an "M" version with a 240 hp powerplant capable of 0-100 km/h times in the mid 5 second range and putting smiles on the driver's face. Once the typical 7-year life of the Z3 was over, the Z4 made its appearance in 2003. Slightly longer and wider, Mr. Bangle made sure that the Z4 was not simply the replacement of the Z3, but an entirely new beast.
Pricing for the Z4 starts at $51,900 and can top out at just under $75,000. Our tested 3.0i retailed for $68,400.
Styling
When I first gazed upon the pictures of the Z4, I was immediately
 |
The cabin of the Z4, which is the size of a teacup if you would, represents no more than 1/3 of the car's total volume. It is therefore very snug although not uncomfortable. The seats are very well-fitting and could possibly be somewhat too tight for mildly larger than average body types. They do provide a great amount of support. Our tester was delivered with a brushed aluminium interior trim that gave the dashboard a distinctive look. The blue leather and plastics are of fine quality and carefully assembled.
The layout of the instruments and commands makes the most of the useable space. All the buttons are simple to use and have a nice cushioned feel about them. The optional HiFi audio system provides good aural entertainment. The trunk is actually a reasonable and usable size.
The power soft top opens and closes in less than ten seconds. What's more is that it requires only the touch of one button; no latches have to be released. The lining of the top is beautifully crafted and the windshield frame is finished with stitched leather.