The ratio spacing between the six sprockets in the gearbox also felt like a perfect match for the engine's power curve, with
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| There are no flat spots or weak points anywhere between first and sixth gear. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
no flat spots or weak points detected from first to sixth. Each shift thereafter arrived with startling rapidity as the wind rushing over the cockpit intensified, lifting the snugly fitting ballcap from my bean.
I suppose I should mentioned here that compared to others in this class, wind buffeting in the Z4 is no worse than normal, with or without the optional wind-deflector screen in place between the roll bars. I chose to leave this calming device in the trunk, as the wind in the hair experience is what I think a convertible is all about.
In addition to its civilized open-air manners, many buyers will be attracted to the Z4 for its outstanding, welded-to-the-road
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| The 18-inch low-profile Bridgestone Potenzas are wrapped around spectacularly good-looking 5-spoke BMW alloy rims. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
handling ability. There isn't much that beats the gleeful delight found in sitting just fore of a rear axle, piloting the long nose of an unflappable roadster through a series of twists and turns tighter than a Hitchcock drama. Accentuated by the smallish diameter of the steering wheel and its perfect, ergonomic shape, Z4 turn-in is immediate. Body lean in the Bimmer roadster is pretty much nonexistent, regardless of speed, even when the 18-inch low-profile Bridgestone Potenzas laid down a wide patch of sticky contact beneath the car and never lost traction or cried out in tire-screeching pain, despite the application of severe cornering punishment. These brave "soles" were attached to spectacularly good-looking, 5-spoke BMW alloy rims.
