2009 BMW Z4

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Mr.IncrediblyBored

Mr.IncrediblyBored

Lifer
Jun 18, 2000
11,148
726
126
Autoblog pics and video of the Z4 on the road.

Edmunds article on the new model and some pics.

What is it?
2009 BMW Z4 Roadster

What's special about it?
First off, let's skip right past the part where we have to explain that the 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster is actually a hardtop convertible, complete with a two-piece aluminum roof that electrohydraulically deploys from the trunk in 20 seconds. This new model takes the place of the former Z4 roadster and coupe models, and it'll be built in Regensburg, Germany, now that BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is devoted solely to X models.

The Z4 looks the same with its 98.3-inch wheelbase, but the hardtop model is slightly larger overall, now measuring 166.9 inches in length (5.8 inches longer), 70.5 inches in width (0.4 inch wider), and 50.8 inches high (0.4 inch lower).

Two engine choices are available. The 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i features the twin-turbo, 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-6 with direct fuel injection, and you can choose either the conventional six-speed manual transmission or BMW's new seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual. The 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive30i has the normally aspirated, 255-hp 3.0-liter inline-6, and it gives you a choice between a six-speed manual and a conventional six-speed automatic. Both model designations include "sDrive," which is BMW's new nomenclature for rear-wheel drive.

BMW notes that the Z4 sDrive35i is actually quicker with the dual-clutch gearbox than the short-shift manual transmission, accelerating to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.0 seconds compared to 5.1 seconds with the manual. The Z4 sDrive30i gets to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds with its manual transmission and 6.0 seconds with the automatic.

The Z4 has BMW's Dynamic Drive Control as standard equipment, which allows you to select between three settings for the suspension and drivetrain calibration. Electric-assist power steering continues, while there's a new brake combination with lightweight rotors and reduced brake pad wear, plus an electric parking brake. The optional sport package features adaptive suspension damping. Both Z4 models have run-flat 17-inch tires as standard equipment, 225/45R17s in front and 255/40R17s in the rear.

As you'd expect with a hardtop convertible, there's a bit more luxury to the cabin, especially since the cockpit seems more spacious thanks to side windows that are 40 percent larger and a rear window that's 52 percent larger. There's more room for humans as a result ? another 0.2 inch of headroom, 0.8 inch of shoulder room and 1.7 inches of elbow room. There's a price for the extra room though, as the weight of this Z4 is up significantly over its soft-top predecessor. An sDrive30i with a manual transmission is 221 pounds heavier than its 2008 counterpart while the sDrive35i with a manual is up 364 pounds over its predecessor.

The Z4's iDrive is integrated into a navigation system with an 80GB hard drive that includes 15GB of storage for music. Trunk capacity hasn't yet been calibrated to U.S. specification, but an optional pass-through apparently will help accommodate two 46-inch golf bags. There are more storage compartments within the cabin as well.

Inside Line says: The Z4 leaves its largely unsuccessful life as a sports car and tries on a luxurious (and expensive) convertible hardtop for size. ? Michael Jordan, Executive Editor
Click to expand...
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
I don't like the roofline with the top up as much as the outgoing model with the solid hard top but it's far better looking than the previous convertible with the top up.
 
GTaudiophile

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
32
81
My, my, how it's grown from being almost Miata-like with the original Z3.

So many gadgets and buttons...7-speed this and that...what happened to simplicity? This Zed reminds of Vista compared to last model's XP vs. the Z3's Win2K...

Sad in a way.

Edit: And the whole sDrive vs. xDrive is stupid. xDrive I can understand to designate AWD vehicles, but by their very nature, BMWs are RWD...no need for a special marketing designation for the natural way of things.
 
senseamp

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
6,197
126
Giant meh from me. The last one was awkward looking, but it was actually interesting to look at, in the way modern art or Armani Exchange clothing is interesting to look at, even if it's accompanied by a WTF?
This one just looks completely geriatric and boring to me. It's the kind of car I'd expect Lexus to make, not BMW. It's really quite an accomplishment to make a 2 seat roadster look boring, you really have to try.
I hope they target the Z2 more towards the younger crowd and make it fun and hip.
 
senseamp

senseamp

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
6,197
126
I think I know what it is. The front overhang is too much. The headlights too elongated, look like they belong on an FWD car. With cabin pushed so far backward, having all that front overhang just makes the hood look enormous and messes up the proportions.
 
Dr. Detroit

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,249
699
126
Hard top vert's while all the rage eat up the entire trunk space and increase weight by 200+lbs everytime.

Audi is going soft-top only wit their A5 model.


 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
My, my, how it's grown from being almost Miata-like with the original Z3.

So many gadgets and buttons...7-speed this and that...what happened to simplicity? This Zed reminds of Vista compared to last model's XP vs. the Z3's Win2K...

Sad in a way.

Edit: And the whole sDrive vs. xDrive is stupid. xDrive I can understand to designate AWD vehicles, but by their very nature, BMWs are RWD...no need for a special marketing designation for the natural way of things.
Click to expand...

The e85/e86 Z4 was the last BMW to not have iDrive. I believe it was also the last to have a real dipstick. :(
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
wow it's a mini 6 series... was it because they had an overstock of 6-series ugly parts? :D In all seriousness though, I answered 6-series in the thread that asked what cars other people think were ugly but you liked...

^ btw, I know the X5 4.8i still has a real dipstick, the 3.0si does not. I think someone just bought a 335i without idrive recently as well, haven't heard of the ability to do that before.

love the new idrive, don't like the new shifter (the 07/08s were sleeker looking).
 
F

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,382
5
81
That looks terrible, whats with million creases and folds in the body?

The whole car looks awkward.

Did they take styling tips from their worse designed car, the 6 series?


Bangle needs to go and BMW needs to drastically change their course with styling.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,377
126
I like BMW, but have never cared for the Z3/Z4. I liked the Z8 until I saw what a mess it was on Top Gear.
 
Mr.IncrediblyBored

Mr.IncrediblyBored

Lifer
Jun 18, 2000
11,148
726
126
Originally posted by: BouZouki
That looks terrible, whats with million creases and folds in the body?

The whole car looks awkward.

Did they take styling tips from their worse designed car, the 6 series?


Bangle needs to go and BMW needs to drastically change their course with styling.
Click to expand...
Bangle isn't in charge of design any more. The Z4 design was led by Adrian van Hooydonk.

Judging by the comments so far, I think this car will be a success. The vitriol seems to be the order of things every time BMW releases a new car. Eventually the design grows on you and you learn to appreciate it. Then they release a new version that everybody hates and everybody says the previous version was much better. Repeat ad infinitum. (exceptions to this rule: X3 and previous 7-series)

Look at the folks saying the previous Z4 looked better. When it was released it was hammered for it's looks. Everybody thought the Z3 looked better and considered the Z4 an abortion. It's car design, people. It'll grow on you.

I love the attention to detail in the design. There may be tons of creases and folds, but every one seems to flow over the car, like the main character line going from the headlights to the rear fender.
 
amish

amish

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
4,295
6
81
Originally posted by: rh71
wow it's a mini 6 series
Click to expand...

that's what i thought too. a bastard child between a 6 series and a 5 series that should have been thrown off the cliffs of sparta.
 
D

DomS

Banned
Jul 15, 2008
1,678
0
0
honestly no one thinks it looks better than what it's replacing? I HATED the look of the old ones, this one actually looks modern, and sportier if you ask me. More classy. I wouldn't have been surprised to see a Maseratti or Aston Martin emblem on the front of it,
 
TehMac

TehMac

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2006
9,976
3
71
My bro has the M model, and I have to say, it is amazing to drive. Looks sharp and handles nicely.

My complaints: The pedals are super sensitive, which means if you're not precise, the manual shifts will be quite clear to everyone else in the car!
 
F

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,382
5
81
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: BouZouki
That looks terrible, whats with million creases and folds in the body?

The whole car looks awkward.

Did they take styling tips from their worse designed car, the 6 series?


Bangle needs to go and BMW needs to drastically change their course with styling.
Click to expand...
Bangle isn't in charge of design any more. The Z4 design was led by Adrian van Hooydonk.

Judging by the comments so far, I think this car will be a success. The vitriol seems to be the order of things every time BMW releases a new car. Eventually the design grows on you and you learn to appreciate it. Then they release a new version that everybody hates and everybody says the previous version was much better. Repeat ad infinitum. (exceptions to this rule: X3 and previous 7-series)

Look at the folks saying the previous Z4 looked better. When it was released it was hammered for it's looks. Everybody thought the Z3 looked better and considered the Z4 an abortion. It's car design, people. It'll grow on you.

I love the attention to detail in the design. There may be tons of creases and folds, but every one seems to flow over the car, like the main character line going from the headlights to the rear fender.
Click to expand...

No....

I don't like the last one either, the Z3 was the only decent looking one.

And BMW's designs don't grow on me, including the current 5 series, 7 series, and even 3 series.
 
Muadib

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
17,971
857
126
This is far worst than Bangle, and will do nothing to improve the 26.8% sale decline they had last month in the US.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,528
906
126
I like the rear end and they have cleaned up those strange angular lines running down the side from the front fender through to the rear wheel well a bit which is a plus. The front doesn't look bad but I think it looks ugly with the top up. And fuck i-drive, keep it simple stupid.

Top down looks good. I'd still take a Lotus Elise over this in a heartbeat though.
 
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