BMW Z4
Ratings
5 stars
Summary
Highly recommended. About the best reason there is not to buy a Porsche Boxster.
Review
With its combination of cutting edge design and an ever sharper driving experience, the Z4 has always been near the top of the premium roadster class - and the recent arrival of a several new engines and a coupe version have broadened the range further.
In styling terms this is one of the most successful of the "Bangle-era" BMWs in terms of visual appeal, the heavily contoured flanks giving it looks that can still turn heads. The well-finished cabin is a excellent piece of minimalist design with an uncluttered dashboard and a snug-fitting driving position. Only having two seats limits practicality compared to cars like the Audi TT, but the flip-side is a respectably proportioned boot. The roadster's canvas roof also folds away quickly and painlessly, and refinement is still perfectly acceptable with it up. The coupe version is cramped inside and awkward to get in and out of.
Dynamically the Z4 is almost too good - the grip reserves are so high that it requires serious velocities to really wake the chassis up. Standard traction control keeps everything in line, but with this turned off you need to be quick and accurate to catch the Z4 when it does start to slide.
Roadster buyers can choose between five different engines. All are petrol, and even the most basic 2.0 litre version gives strong performance - although the smooth-revving, zingy 2.5 Si is the pick of the bunch. At the top of the range the M-Coupe and M-Roadster are fast but expensive for what they offer.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
5 star
Utterly unique and still looking fresh despite the arrival of newer rivals. The best of the controversial
Handling
4 star
All except the M-powered versions suffer from slightly light-feeling electric power steering, but otherwise a clean bill of dynamic health - fast, agile and grippy.
Comfort
3 star
Driving position is relatively cramped and the ride feels a bit choppy over rougher roads, a problem that feels worse in the coupe.
Quality & Reliability
4 star
Solidly assembled and with lots of nice quality touches in the well-finished cabin.
Performance
4 star
Even the most basic 2.0i Roadster can crack 60 mph from rest in 8.2 seconds, although it lacks much in the way of mid-range punch when it comes to overtaking. 2.5 and 3.0 litre six-cylinder versions are brilliant - the 3.2 litre
Roominess
2 star
Only two seats, of course, although boot capacity is reasonable by the standards of the segment. The roadster's soft top is one of the quickest operating on the market.
Running Costs
4 star
Fuel economy is respectable considering the amount of performance on offer, although under hard use the Z4 develops a serious thirst. Depreciation is under tight control, too.
Value for money
4 star
Undercuts the equivalent Porsche Boxster by a fair amount - but a Mazda MX-5 delivers a similar dynamic performance for a big saving.
