Car and Driver doesn't like the Z4

erio · 05-04-2009, 08:24 PM

I was looking forward to driving one of these, but this is disappointing..."too much body roll and vague steering." They recommend a porsche boxter over the new z4!! Their reviews are usually right on the money. This does seem to contradict the previous review with the dct transmission when they say the steering is "weighted and direct." I'll have to drive one to decide myself.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

I didn't see this thread until now: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254029

Handling of an slk. Thats horrible in my opinion. I know it's not an M, but it's sports car and a bmw roadster for crying out loud. I have driven the slk 350 and 300. Even in sports mode, I felt it was all over the place with major body roll. Sounds like I may be passing on the z4 again. This sucks.

BForbes · 05-04-2009, 08:32 PM

It breaks my heart.

just4kickz · 05-04-2009, 08:50 PM

i dont like how it looks.

Slay0r · 05-04-2009, 09:13 PM

and ppl said the 1er was a pig

at nearly 3500lbs, whats the use of sacrificing a rear seat and cabin space if it still weighs more b/c of the damn retractable hardtop

O-cha · 05-04-2009, 09:14 PM

1er weighs just as much...

MisterSkiMask · 05-04-2009, 09:27 PM

The Z4 has always had vague steering, the E90 has significantly better steering feel.

footie · 05-05-2009, 02:05 AM

It sounds like the steering have went from one extreme (Z4M Coupe's utlra twitchy) to the other (new Z4's vague steering).

But I bet it will now sell better because of these changes, the previous Z4 was the wrong car for it's market and it showed in it's sales. Even the Z4M sold in tiny amounts, in fact, it's sales figures made the Boxster look like a mass market product.

blue2fire · 05-05-2009, 02:45 AM

$60,000?
No thanks, we have a brain.

MrHarris · 05-05-2009, 04:50 AM

.83g's on the skidpad + 65k price tag? BMW?? No thanks.

erio · 05-05-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

The Z4 has always had vague steering, the E90 has significantly better steering feel.

I agree and that's why I thought this car was supposed to be an improvement in that respect as well...esp. with it's price tag.

lyndon_h · 05-05-2009, 07:31 AM

trophy wife car FTW

JB135i · 05-05-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyndon_h

trophy wife car FTW

+1

ACZakka325i · 05-05-2009, 07:54 AM

No, a trophy wife will drive this:

imported_mega · 05-05-2009, 08:03 AM

I hate the electric steering in newer bmw's so much

erio · 05-05-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyndon_h

trophy wife car FTW

03BeastCharmer · 05-05-2009, 09:05 AM

The guys at EVO didn't like it either. Great cruiser, but not a drivers car. No longer designed to go head to head with the boxster, but not going up against the SLK.

Personally, no thank you.

BForbes · 05-05-2009, 09:09 AM

Something just told me the Z2 just got priority.

jeremyc74 · 05-05-2009, 09:31 AM

I think BMW has lost their way with this one. That curb weight is just absurd for a two seater.

MisterSkiMask · 05-05-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footie

It sounds like the steering have went from one extreme (Z4M Coupe's utlra twitchy) to the other (new Z4's vague steering).

But I bet it will now sell better because of these changes, the previous Z4 was the wrong car for it's market and it showed in it's sales. Even the Z4M sold in tiny amounts, in fact, it's sales figures made the Boxster look like a mass market product.

IMO the Z4M is not twitchy because of the steering, it is the chassis. Steering feel was improved in the Z4M, but it is not as good as it should be. To me the Z4M feels underdeveloped, it is a parts bin car. BMW decided to make an M version, so they threw the parts on from the E46 M3, but it never translated quite right IMO. Not to say that is isn’t fast or fun, it is both, it just isn’t very polished.

742 · 05-05-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyndon_h

trophy wife car FTW

Watch for BMW to package the X6 and the Z4 together. This will be marketed as the Trophy Wife Combo. The X6 for those dangerous bad weather days and the Z4 for going to The Club.

jopa489 · 05-05-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BForbes

Something just told me the Z2 just got priority.

As the Z4 moved "up market", hopefully the Z2 will be the driver's car. I love the looks of the new Z4 but agree it's too expensive.

Crimson92 · 05-05-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footie

It sounds like the steering have went from one extreme (Z4M Coupe's utlra twitchy) to the other (new Z4's vague steering).

But I bet it will now sell better because of these changes, the previous Z4 was the wrong car for it's market and it showed in it's sales. Even the Z4M sold in tiny amounts, in fact, it's sales figures made the Boxster look like a mass market product.

they didnt sell many z4ms because they didnt make many.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

IMO the Z4M is not twitchy because of the steering, it is the chassis. Steering feel was improved in the Z4M, but it is not as good as it should be. To me the Z4M feels underdeveloped, it is a parts bin car. BMW decided to make an M version, so they threw the parts on from the E46 M3, but it never translated quite right IMO. Not to say that is isn’t fast or fun, it is both, it just isn’t very polished.

i disagree , the z4m feels very well put together by bmw...it may be a parts bin car but its solid, light, quick, and overall a fun car

05-04-2009, 08:24 PM	#1
erio Captain 56 Rep 807 Posts Drives: e92 JB M3, 2012 GTR Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	Car and Driver doesn't like the Z4 I was looking forward to driving one of these, but this is disappointing..."too much body roll and vague steering." They recommend a porsche boxter over the new z4!! Their reviews are usually right on the money. This does seem to contradict the previous review with the dct transmission when they say the steering is "weighted and direct." I'll have to drive one to decide myself. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review I didn't see this thread until now: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254029 Handling of an slk. Thats horrible in my opinion. I know it's not an M, but it's sports car and a bmw roadster for crying out loud. I have driven the slk 350 and 300. Even in sports mode, I felt it was all over the place with major body roll. Sounds like I may be passing on the z4 again. This sucks. Last edited by erio; 05-04-2009 at 09:59 PM..
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05-04-2009, 08:32 PM	#2
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	It breaks my heart. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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05-04-2009, 08:50 PM	#3
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 336 Rep 11,025 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	i dont like how it looks. __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
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05-04-2009, 09:13 PM	#4
Slay0r First Lieutenant 19 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 08 135i, 08 E92 ///M,13 535i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (0)	and ppl said the 1er was a pig at nearly 3500lbs, whats the use of sacrificing a rear seat and cabin space if it still weighs more b/c of the damn retractable hardtop
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05-04-2009, 09:14 PM	#5
O-cha Brigadier General 218 Rep 4,726 Posts Drives: Mcoupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In front of you iTrader: (2)	1er weighs just as much... __________________
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05-04-2009, 09:27 PM	#6
MisterSkiMask Banned 147 Rep 2,014 Posts Drives: I Can not say Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: you must not know iTrader: (0)	The Z4 has always had vague steering, the E90 has significantly better steering feel.
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05-05-2009, 02:05 AM	#7
footie Major General 1118 Rep 8,016 Posts Drives: i5M60 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: No where fast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW i5M60 [0.00] 2022 BMW i4M50 [0.00] 2020 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	It sounds like the steering have went from one extreme (Z4M Coupe's utlra twitchy) to the other (new Z4's vague steering). But I bet it will now sell better because of these changes, the previous Z4 was the wrong car for it's market and it showed in it's sales. Even the Z4M sold in tiny amounts, in fact, it's sales figures made the Boxster look like a mass market product.
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05-05-2009, 04:50 AM	#9
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	.83g's on the skidpad + 65k price tag? BMW?? No thanks. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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05-05-2009, 07:31 AM	#11
lyndon_h Lieutenant Colonel 40 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Madagascar iTrader: (2)	trophy wife car FTW
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05-05-2009, 07:54 AM	#13
ACZakka325i Colonel 277 Rep 2,008 Posts Drives: 2 stroke Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (2)	No, a trophy wife will drive this: __________________ (Waitlist): #1 M2CSL (Current): 2016 F15 X5 3.5xdrive - 2010 997.2 C4S Coupe (Past): 2016 F30 340xi M-Sport -2013 535i xdrive 2008 E92 M3 - 2006 E90 325i 2002 E46 325xi - 1991 E30 325i
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05-05-2009, 08:03 AM	#14
imported_mega Colonel 122 Rep 2,199 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	I hate the electric steering in newer bmw's so much __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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05-05-2009, 09:05 AM	#16
03BeastCharmer Lieutenant Colonel 257 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: '13 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	The guys at EVO didn't like it either. Great cruiser, but not a drivers car. No longer designed to go head to head with the boxster, but not going up against the SLK. Personally, no thank you. __________________ Current: '13 E92 M3 Euro Delivery Gone: E86 M Coupe; E30 M3, E39 M5, E36 M3
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05-05-2009, 09:09 AM	#17
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Something just told me the Z2 just got priority. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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05-05-2009, 09:31 AM	#18
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I think BMW has lost their way with this one. That curb weight is just absurd for a two seater.
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