It’s not just other men that check out the Z4 when it growls past. A grasshopper took no time to decide he’d had enough of Dorset’s slow pace and leapt into the passenger seat for the ride to the action.
Unfortunately Mr Grasshopper wasn’t that chatty, so I don’t know if he was impressed by the Z4’s handling. But I certainly was. For most of us there are only a handful of cars within financial reach that can handle corners, chicanes and roundabouts like the new Z4. Frustratingly, several of them (think Honda S2000) feel too big and wide for you to really take advantage of their dynamic qualities if there is any other car in sight. But in the narrow and ever-so-low Z4, whether in sport mode (which adjusts suspension stiffness) or not, it was thrillingly easy to zoom around things. Even the smallest input to the steering wheel served as a reminder that you can change this car’s trajectory at a snap.
It’s just one part of the effort BMW has gone to for you to enjoy an old-fashioned thrill from driving without the old-fashioned risks. The clutch has a weighty spring that begs for a quick release. The gear change is very stiff, which means you have to grip it with urgency and manfully demand gear changes. Yet there is a gear change indicator to help you drive more economically.
The engine note makes you think you are accelerating like Nigel Mansell used to, but look down to check how naughty/cool you are and you find you are well within the speed limit. There is also a full complement of driver, passenger and side airbags.
Overtaking on A-roads requires a block shift from 6th to 4th, but as soon as that clutch is out you’re off, the car leaping the dashed white lines with fervent energy. No sooner has the move begun and it’s over and you’re back to cruising.
The rasping engine note that helps turn heads in town, and convinces you that your acceleration is much braver than it actually is, adds to the many noises you endure at cruising speed. It reacts particularly badly to coarse road surfaces, but when the wheels transfer to smooth tarmac, the previously drowned-out wind noise becomes apparent.
So the dilemma for you, the ultimate buyer, is not whether you will have fun in this car. You will. But it is whether the experience is sufficiently better than that of a nearly new Mazda MX-5 to warrant the extra £5,000 (minimum, depending on the used cars you compare). I’m not sure it is.
There are, however, many factors that may sway you in favour. The Z4 has more space for tall drivers than some of its rivals. The seat, dash and door trim quality is exactly as it is in all BMWs: excellent. The boot, even with the roof folded into it, can take overnight luggage for two. There are lots of handy, beautifully finished and neatly hidden cubby holes and cup holders (which are normally irritatingly absent on cars of this nature).
And if you’re still not convinced, don’t underestimate how much more attractive this car makes you.
What’s the market like?
Early indications are that the new Z4, of which there are less than 100 on the used market, is going to pick up where the old version left off in terms of residuals. So you can use the depreciation stats from the older model on the price pages to predict what your Z4 will cost you to run.
In the main, prices are stable and predictable across the country because almost all the Z4s are within the main dealer network. There are some bargains still to be had, though. Old-shape 2009-registered cars with the small 2.0 litre engine can be great value. If it has to be the new shape, there are a few dealers matching our low price for the 2.5 litre sport drive models. But you’ll be going some if you get our best price just yet.
What else can this budget buy?
A 1-year-old Z4 costs about £21,000, which makes it an appealing £4,000 less than the smaller-engined 2.0 Audi TT. If you want a TT for the same money, you need to look at 2-year-old cars. The brands don’t have the same lustre, but Nissan and Honda both have offerings to consider.
Honda’s S2000 is almost exactly the same money as the BMW, with similar handling. But it will lose £4,000 more than the BMW over the next two years. Nissan’s 350Z doesn’t have comparable engines, but the 3.2 litre petrol is the same money if looking at 1-year-old cars and depreciates less than the Honda but more than the BMW.
Summary
Racing car handling, sports car power, super car-exotic looks; it delivers exactly what you expect from a BMW Z4. The coupe-cabriolet roof limits boot space but it is better than expected.
By: Matthew Tumbridge