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BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si Sport - BMW Z4 Car Review

Review

Added: 17 Jul 2006
Last update: 24 Dec 2009

YOUNG free and single, money no object? The BMW Z4 is the answer. No doubts whatsoever.

I guess you could argue whether it looks sexier than its competitors, such as the Mercedes SLK or Audi TT.

Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.

But the BMW Z4 allies its looks with luxury and above all else it is simply great fun. It does wonders for your self esteem too because it's certainly a head turner.

And because it's a 'Beemer' you know it is well built and safety has been a major consideration in its evolution.

The BMW Z4 is the offspring of the much loved Z3, which always featured high in the popularity stakes since making its debut in 1996.

The Z4 is slightly bigger than the Z3 in terms of overall length and the bulk of it is its marvellous bonnet.

The body is stiffer, and measures have been taken to reduce weight without sacrificing rigidity.

Handling is sharper than before, and the electrically assisted steering rack delivers solid road feel.

Under that bonnet there is a choice - either a 177 or 218bhp, 2.5-litre or a 265bhp, three-litre engine.

For transmissions, there is a five-speed manual gearbox which is standard on the 2.5-litre or a six-speed manual which is standard on the three-litre, a five-speed automatic or, as previously seen on the M3, a six-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG).

This car's three-litre engine seemed well up to the job each time I demanded power, although it was noisier than I expected.

The power-operated top - which can go up or down in 15 seconds - has a special folding mechanism that allows extra storage space.

The space is tight, but BMW insists that the trunk can hold two golf bags.

When the top is opened, the front-most section of the roof folds over and rests flush on the body when fastened in position, thereby eliminating the need for a tonneau cover.

And when the sun shines and the top is down, the streets suddenly begin to seem more like those of downtown LA.

I know I'm getting a bit carried away here, but if a car can't have that effect on you, it's a bad job.

Inside, the cockpit is simple and fairly classic, with a clean set of dials and gauges and nothing to cause you to take your eyes off the road.

Every BMW Z4 model comes with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, run-flat tires and a sophisticated stability control system. Passive safety features include rollover protection, side airbags, knee protection and child-seat anchor points for the passenger seat.

The Z4 also incorporates some impressive new technology, including 'smart' airbags, new-technology side-impact sensors, passenger-airbag deactivation and automated roll-over protection.

FAST FACTS

BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si Sport

Price: £34,195

Mechanical: 265bhp, 2,996cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6spd manual gearbox

Max speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 5.7 secs

Combined mpg: 32.8

Insurance group: 19

CO2 emissions: 207g/km

BiK rating: 28%

Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust.

Words: Andy Richards

Keywords: bmw, z4


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