Used Automobile Evaluation – E89 BMW Z4

The BMW Z vehicles have at all times occupied a little bit of a bizarre area within the BMW world. Regardless of having two seats, they don’t seem to be fairly devoted sports activities vehicles. Normally a roadster, they’ve been known as a extra grownup Miata or poor man’s Porsche Boxster. The Z vehicles additionally aren’t usually the primary place for even die-hard BMW fans to look once they’re purchasing for a automotive. They’ll often chase the M3 or M5, or perhaps a coupe 3 Sequence earlier than seeking to the Z3 or Z4.

So, what’s the deal? Much less seats = extra efficiency, proper? Shouldn’t fans be clamoring over these items? Effectively, sure and no. I spent a few days residing with the last-gen E89 Z4 to see if it was a misunderstood wunderkind I suspected it may be.

A Glimpse on the Previous: the E89 Z4 at a Look

The BMW Z4 developed from its predecessor, the Z3, in 2003. Apparently, the first-gen Z4 was designed by Anders Warming – the present Design Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Automobiles. The second technology debuted in 2009 because the E89 and ditched the ragtop for a Rube Goldberg-ian folding aluminum hardtop. The newfangled prime partially contributed to a better curb weight, and in complete, the E89 weighs nearly 300 kilos greater than its predecessor. It most likely received’t shock you to know that this E89 Z4 is longer, wider, and sits larger than the one earlier than.

For these of you paying consideration, this most likely sounds fairly acquainted. Yr after 12 months, BMW releases thrilling new autos for us to get pleasure from. And 12 months after 12 months, we Management+F the press launch for “curb weight” and lament that our favourite sports activities automotive fashions now have extra in widespread with a faculty bus than we thought attainable. Fortuitously for the E89 Z4, a 3,241-pound curb weight is virtually featherweight by 2024’s requirements. Certain, it’s no Miata, however the one additionally makes round double the facility because the final Miata I drove.

Yellow, Not Precisely Mellow

And energy is what the Z4 sDrive35i does completely proper. The Z4 sDrive35i mannequin – just like the 335i it shares most of its all the things with – makes use of the three.0-liter N55 engine. You get 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque from the turbo six-cylinder. It pairs up with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated with ergonomically-challenged paddle shifters. Push to downshift, pull to upshift. Bizarre, however not an insurmountable hurdle. FYI, mannequin 12 months 2012 and newer comes with the newer type of paddle shifters.

A little bit of a miss on the {hardware}, then. Nevertheless, it did include is a flashy yellow paint job. Atacama Yellow paint with yellow Alcantara inside highlights are a part of the zanily-named Unique Citrus Yellow Package deal. This $1,500 addition provides the paint and inside combo – unique to those vehicles. It additionally will get you piano black trim, which on this automotive, was well-stained and fingerprinted to a predictable degree.

Efficiency and Driving Impressions of the E89 Z4

So, the factor seems the half and has a reasonably strong drivetrain – however is all of it for present? Effectively, not fully. The Z4 sDrive35i has wonderful fundamentals. The N55 engine is a sweetheart that sings a throaty, if not unique tune, and the dual-clutch continues to be considered one of my favourite transmissions – wonky shifting be damned. Energy is swift and accessible all through the rev vary, and the Z4 at all times feels fairly mild on its toes. Granted, the sense of agility may be extra of an indictment of the trendy state of the sports activities automotive. The automotive feels related to the street and is shockingly just like what my outdated 135i felt like (in equity, the 2 fashions share mechanicals).

Nevertheless it’s the final half that will get me. A two-seater – particularly one that appears this good – shouldn’t really feel like a daily automotive, it doesn’t matter what pace you’re driving. The steering is nice however not nice. It was an odd sensation; turn-in is balanced, however there’s plenty of guesswork after that. To fight the wallowing steering really feel, I toggled some settings and located that Sport+ solely succeeds in making steering an artificially colossal effort. Dialing issues into Sport mode takes away among the weight however doesn’t repair it fully – a extra apt title can be Compromise mode.

No Goldilocks, Regardless of the Colour

I suppose the very last thing to cowl is whether or not the E89 Z4 is value contemplating in opposition to the most recent technology. It’s shut. The G29 Z4 swells one other 400 kilos regardless of regaining a smooth prime. Nevertheless it additionally has a extra usable trunk. It makes a good bit extra energy within the Z4 M40i trim, however the auto is rather less partaking – if extra refined – than the E89’s DCT. The B58 is overwhelmingly the higher mill, however I’m not fully positive it’s sufficient to benefit the tens of hundreds of {dollars} extra I’d spend stepping into it. Possibly name it a draw and provides me whichever one has a handbook transmission.

Whereas the Z4 sDrive35i isn’t good, it does have so much going for it. I want this had been the N54-powered iS model for some added persona, however I don’t assume the decision would have modified. 13 years later, the E89 Z4 is pleasing total, however maybe not the sports activities automotive worth of, say, a 981 Cayman or Boxster. It’s, nevertheless, a automotive I believe flies below the radar for a lot of fans.

It’s worthy of a take a look at drive, on the very least. With costs presently floating between $20,000 and $30,000, it’s good energy and appears for the cash should you don’t wish to drive a Vette or platform-mate just like the 335i or 135i. I don’t assume the Z4 is misunderstood – it simply isn’t pretty much as good as we desperately need it to be.