Planet 9

RobMason · #1 05-06-2009, 08:23 PM

I was at the BMW dealer today and some dealers have recieved the Z4 version 2. I must say I was never a fan of "flame styling", but they hit the styling mark on the Z4. I welcome the true BMW competitor to the Cayman. Porsche will no doubt lose some folks to the new car. Pics taken today. I have not driven it, nor seen the specs. The bluecar had a sticker price just over 60K, it had the twin turbo engine, the 7 speed DCT (dual clutch transmission), and was probably very highly optioned. I think it is so much nicer than the former Z4, Z3 and Z1, and should have been designated Z5. One day I will test it out. IMO this is the sharpest 2 seater since the Z8. (and quite possibly since the M1 and before that the classic 507. I would rate it right up there with the Z8 on styling, it should be a hit.

**K-Man S** · #2 05-07-2009, 06:04 AM

$60K??? Dang, I bought the first M Roadster back in 98 for just over $40k, that's a huge increase in a decade and not even the "M" version...

**Rpryan55** · #3 05-07-2009, 06:09 AM

Looks like they've put a retractable hard top on that thing.

ATL Markus · #4 05-07-2009, 07:46 AM

I saw one at the car show a couple of months ago. The interior has gone more upscale. There's lots of empty space under that long hood, like detroit iron from the '70's. But overall it is my favorite of the Z3 and Z4s. But I would never cross shop it with the Cayman. Apples and oranges.

crespo · #5 05-07-2009, 08:24 AM

As a non-owner, I'd like to mention that this would be a car I would cross-shop against the CS. I agree with just about everything RobMason said (though i'd probably try a manual first before choosing, knock a couple grand off the sticker in the process), this should be a great car.

Shame about the transmission paddles though, they went with the same push-pull interface Porsche is using. VAGs left-for-down and right-for-up is a much better solution.

gmsracing · #6 05-07-2009, 08:37 AM

Me no likey! Looks very contrived.

**DaveC** · #7 05-07-2009, 08:56 AM

Better than previous generation. The "mouth" is strange. Maybe better in person.

***Wolfie*** · #8 05-07-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by RobMason

I was at the BMW dealer today and some dealers have recieved the Z4 version 2. I must say I was never a fan of "flame styling", but they hit the styling mark on the Z4. I welcome the true BMW competitor to the Cayman. Porsche will no doubt lose some folks to the new car. Pics taken today. I have not driven it, nor seen the specs. The bluecar had a sticker price just over 60K, it had the twin turbo engine, the 7 speed DCT (dual clutch transmission), and was probably very highly optioned. I think it is so much nicer than the former Z4, Z3 and Z1, and should have been designated Z5. One day I will test it out. IMO this is the sharpest 2 seater since the Z8. (and quite possibly since the M1 and before that the classic 507. I would rate it right up there with the Z8 on styling, it should be a hit.

The new Z does look nice. I recall that in the mid 90's BMW, Mercedes and Porsche all came out with cute little roadsters. I purchased the first Z3 that arrived at the dealership, probably because it was the least expensive of the three. It was a fun little car. When people first saw it they didn't know what it was and thought it was some hugely expensive exotic. As I recall, it was under $30K. A lot of bang for the buck, but as usual there were complaints about it being under powered and it probably was... but it didn't stop me from enjoying it. My next car was an SLK Kompressor (supercharged) and that seemed like a real upgrade in power and interior space, although leg room was in short supply. Now at long last I'm enjoying the Porsche, and I must say after sampling all three marques, it is the most rewarding experience of all.

But then you knew that.

**blueone** · #9 05-07-2009, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

The new Z does look nice. I recall that in the mid 90's BMW, Mercedes and Porsche all came out with cute little roadsters. I purchased the first Z3 that arrived at the dealership, probably because it was the least expensive of the three. It was a fun little car. When people first saw it they didn't know what it was and thought it was some hugely expensive exotic. As I recall, it was under $30K.

It was about $30K, but remember, it was a four cylinder car. Personally, I fell for the MZ3 Coupe. I loved it, but the handling never satisfied me, so I modded the suspension and then hated the car. My wife's 2003 Z06 made the MZ3 seem slow and unresponsive (handling-wise), so I sold it. The Z06 structure was also much stiffer, which made the M Coupe feel flimsy by comparison. I also didn't like the "driving from the back seat" effect. Lately I wish I had never sold it.

RobMason · #10 05-07-2009, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by blueone

It was about $30K, but remember, it was a four cylinder car. Personally, I fell for the MZ3 Coupe. I loved it, but the handling never satisfied me, so I modded the suspension and then hated the car. My wife's 2003 Z06 made the MZ3 seem slow and unresponsive (handling-wise), so I sold it. The Z06 structure was also much stiffer, which made the M Coupe feel flimsy by comparison. I also didn't like the "driving from the back seat" effect. Lately I wish I had never sold it.

I am not familiar with the Z6, do you mean the Z4? or Z8?

***TX-KmanS*** · #11 05-07-2009, 10:23 AM

There have been few BMW's that I absolutely love; M1, 850 and the 6 series are about my only love for the brand. This new Z4 is an improvement but while I like the rear end of the car and I really dig the fact that the retractable roof is a hard top; the front end has a face only a mother could love. That thing is ugly.

Superman · #12 05-07-2009, 11:08 AM

I have owned a Z3 and a Z4. The Z3 was fun. I drove an M Roadster Z3 once... REALLY FUN even though the motor by far exceeded the chassis. The searing on the first generation Z4 was very twitchy and lacked feeling. (Just sneeze and you were in the other lane!) A recent review of the new Z4 felt that it lacked steering feel as well, even in the Sport mode. Hopefully it might be somewhat improved over the first generation. Looks like a nice car though. The turbo motor is said to be extremely smooth and powerful at all RPM, as one would expect from BMW. The foldable hardtop is very sweet.

When considering cars I think one really needs to think about what experience and personality that they expect from a car. There are a lot of great cars out there, even the greatest vary substantially in their personality. If someone does not want a "boy racer" feel, a high revving motor, and is willing to trade off precision handling for other qualities such as the folding hardtop and other amenities then the Z4 might be for them. I must say the Z4 with the premium sound was one of the best sound systems EVER in a convertible ever, which Porsche could learn a lot from.

**green_Cs** · #13 05-07-2009, 11:36 AM

Not sure I like it, may grow on me. It appears a little to busy for me.

**Blitzkrieg** · #14 05-07-2009, 11:36 AM

I really want to like this car, but can't get by the front end. From a performance standpoint I'm sure it would be more than adequate for what I'm looking for. But aesthetics wise it's like one of those movie moments where the "sexy" woman enters the frame. The camera begins slowly panning up amazing legs, past the curvacious hips etc.. but then:

AlexMcNabb · #15 05-07-2009, 11:51 AM

The Z4 M Coupe was the pinnacle, all others pale in comparison. The M Coupe was so under-rated, so largely ignored, it's really one of the hidden gems of modern automobiles. Not a perfect car, but FAR more competitive than anyone gives it credit for. My good friend recently used one with nothing more than a set of fresh A6s, Bilstiens, and a set of H&Rs to snag a 2nd place overall finish at our last autocross. This was versus an entire posse of Pro class drivers in highly modded cars. (90 some drivers) Suffice it to say, everyone was shocked.

Retired-Teach · #16 05-07-2009, 12:10 PM

According to the magazines, there is no M version. The twin turbo is taking its place.

**blueone** · #17 05-07-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by RobMason

I am not familiar with the Z6, do you mean the Z4? or Z8?

I'm sorry, I was discussing a 2003 Corvette Z06.

**blueone** · #18 05-07-2009, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by AlexMcNabb

The Z4 M Coupe was the pinnacle, all others pale in comparison. The M Coupe was so under-rated, so largely ignored, it's really one of the hidden gems of modern automobiles. Not a perfect car, but FAR more competitive than anyone gives it credit for.

I agree, and it took me months of consideration to choose the CS over the Z4M Coupe. To this day I wish I had the space to own both.

AlexMcNabb · #19 05-07-2009, 12:25 PM

It's such a raw, aggressive, savage little car. I really think I would own one over a Lotus. It actually does have a trunk and a pretty good interior.

RobMason · #20 05-07-2009, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Retired-Teach

According to the magazines, there is no M version. The twin turbo is taking its place.

True. But BMW will no doubt produce a version with higher performance stats a few years down the road, they have done so consistently in the past.

One reason the car is costly is no doubt due to the foldable hardtop. This also removes the need for 2 different cars (Coupe and Convertable).