Car and Driver comparison: Z4 with Boxster S, TTS, Corvette

Here is the link:

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

You can guess who's on top. Porsche seems to be more of the ultimate driving machine.

About the Z4:
"The Sport package adds high-performance tires, sport seats, and the M adaptive suspension, which varies the shock absorbers among three settings. Unfortunately, it doesn't add enough sport to the Z4. In the most comfortable setting, "normal," the Z4 rides like it has taffy for dampers. Highway cruising is supremely comfortable, but cornering requires the stiffer "sport" or "sport plus" modes. In any situation, the Z4 has an abundance of body roll, and the steering supplements its artificial weight with a lack of feedback. In tight corners, the Z4 starts to understeer before the front end finally bites, requiring a steering correction. On curvier roads, the Z4 takes more effort to drive as quickly as the Audi and the Porsche but returns less enjoyment. This car's electric parking brake shows BMW's true intentions here. Our beloved "hand-brake revectoring" is simply not in the game plan. There's plenty of luxury, but we found ourselves wishing for a little more sport."

With BMWs it used to be what it can do? Now the Z4 is migrating towards the "how does it look" category that Audis usually occupy.

Can't we have both in a bimmer?

Didn't get reviews like that with the Z4 MCoupe!

this iteration of the Z4 is targeted at a different demographic. it's designed to be a little softer, a little cushier.

Originally Posted by Jakked

this iteration of the Z4 is targeted at a different demographic. it's designed to be a little softer, a little cushier.

Agree. Confirms my experience driving the 30i with MT and w/o sport package.

The poseur demographic that they've targeted this car towards has tender buns that can't be pestered with a sport suspension.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

The poseur demographic that they've targeted this car towards has tender buns that can't be pestered with a sport suspension.

That's going to be the crowd the Z2 hits. I hope, I hope. And I think the Z2 will make it. Moving the Z4 up market has made a place for a Z2.

4.3 seconds to 60 in the boxster? I find that hard to believe even though I love the car.

Originally Posted by jtm964

4.3 seconds to 60 in the boxster? I find that hard to believe even though I love the car.

I've read 4.1 with PDK and the sports chrono launcher.

Originally Posted by jtm964

4.3 seconds to 60 in the boxster? I find that hard to believe even though I love the car.

+1

Most of the print rags "correct" numbers for humidity, temp, altitude...

- Mike

the road was going down hill with a 60 mph favorable wind?

How does the TTS figure in that comparo mix, somebody enlighten me I don't get it!

Originally Posted by jtm964

4.3 seconds to 60 in the boxster? I find that hard to believe even though I love the car.

I agree. A '09 Carrera S with 385 hp can only do it in 4.4.

I agree! Is it really too much to ask for both? What's the M Coupe replacement -- something light, wild, and fire breathing? Oh, there is none. BMW is not that kind of company anymore, apparently!

Originally Posted by TMQ

Here is the link:

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

You can guess who's on top. Porsche seems to be more of the ultimate driving machine.

About the Z4:
"The Sport package adds high-performance tires, sport seats, and the M adaptive suspension, which varies the shock absorbers among three settings. Unfortunately, it doesn't add enough sport to the Z4. In the most comfortable setting, "normal," the Z4 rides like it has taffy for dampers. Highway cruising is supremely comfortable, but cornering requires the stiffer "sport" or "sport plus" modes. In any situation, the Z4 has an abundance of body roll, and the steering supplements its artificial weight with a lack of feedback. In tight corners, the Z4 starts to understeer before the front end finally bites, requiring a steering correction. On curvier roads, the Z4 takes more effort to drive as quickly as the Audi and the Porsche but returns less enjoyment. This car's electric parking brake shows BMW's true intentions here. Our beloved "hand-brake revectoring" is simply not in the game plan. There's plenty of luxury, but we found ourselves wishing for a little more sport."

With BMWs it used to be what it can do? Now the Z4 is migrating towards the "how does it look" category that Audis usually occupy.

Can't we have both in a bimmer?

Yeah I dig everyone's analysis on who BMW is targeting. Analyze it from that person's point of view and you have a truly accurate review..

I have now had the opportunity to spend 2 months driving my Z435is. The automotive press is overly critical of the vehicle. I am basing my opinions on having been a Z4 owner for over 4 years (replaced my highly modified 2006 Z4 3.0si) and driving the car(s) on windy canyon roads on a nearly daily basis. First off the bad news. Yes, the 35is (and the 35i) have more understeer than one would expect and less precise steering and feedback than one needs to properly take the car on up and down the "twisty turny" roads at its real potential. Now the good news. How hard is this to fix? Uh, not very. First off, unlike the suggestions in some of the more absurd automotive press, the car does not handle like a "front wheel drive sedan" or a "large bus." I know this from experience. The car handles well. Not as well as my road racing 06 Z43.0si, but it's faster and vastly more comfortable to drive on a daily basis. In every possible way it is a vstly superior vehicle to pre 2009 Z4s.

I'm working on solutions to the handling issues that might include some or all of the following:

1. Dumpting the RFTs on the 19" wheels and replacing them with better gripping tires;
2. Playing around with front and rear sway bars to loosen up the rear and get more; traction in the front;
3. Slightly raking the car's stance noseward;
4. More aggressive springs;
5. Looking for a way to make the steering feedback more accurate.

IF ANYONE HAS TRIED ANY OF THESE OR SOMETHING ELSE LET ME KNOW!

A lot of critiques of the 35is ignore the vehicle's chief virtue. It functions as a luxury car, sports car, top down roadster, daily driver and GT. It's not the best car in any of those categories but it is, on its own, warts and all, excellent in all of them. There is simply nothing like it on the market and they can be had, brand spanking new, in the high 60K range absent tax and other add ons and fees.

Originally Posted by Wavesofblue

I have now had the opportunity to spend 2 months driving my Z435is. The automotive press is overly critical of the vehicle. I am basing my opinions on having been a Z4 owner for over 4 years (replaced my highly modified 2006 Z4 3.0si) and driving the car(s) on windy canyon roads on a nearly daily basis. First off the bad news. Yes, the 35is (and the 35i) have more understeer than one would expect and less precise steering and feedback than one needs to properly take the car on up and down the "twisty turny" roads at its real potential. Now the good news. How hard is this to fix? Uh, not very. First off, unlike the suggestions in some of the more absurd automotive press, the car does not handle like a "front wheel drive sedan" or a "large bus." I know this from experience. The car handles well. Not as well as my road racing 06 Z43.0si, but it's faster and vastly more comfortable to drive on a daily basis. In every possible way it is a vstly superior vehicle to pre 2009 Z4s.

I'm working on solutions to the handling issues that might include some or all of the following:

1. Dumpting the RFTs on the 19" wheels and replacing them with better gripping tires;
2. Playing around with front and rear sway bars to loosen up the rear and get more; traction in the front;
3. Slightly raking the car's stance noseward;
4. More aggressive springs;
5. Looking for a way to make the steering feedback more accurate.

IF ANYONE HAS TRIED ANY OF THESE OR SOMETHING ELSE LET ME KNOW!

A lot of critiques of the 35is ignore the vehicle's chief virtue. It functions as a luxury car, sports car, top down roadster, daily driver and GT. It's not the best car in any of those categories but it is, on its own, warts and all, excellent in all of them. There is simply nothing like it on the market and they can be had, brand spanking new, in the high 60K range absent tax and other add ons and fees.

Rather than an alacarte "experimental" approach, you'd be better off seeing of one of the tuners has a package - "Turner" and "dinan" come to mind.

At any rate, it's costly to do all that stuff and while you may improve the "handling", you may not like the resultant ride, or height from the road etc.

Keep us informed.

I still think it's a great car and wouldn't mind owning one (I too had a first gen Z4)

Originally Posted by Wavesofblue

...I'm working on solutions to the handling issues that might include some or all of the following:

1. Dumpting the RFTs on the 19" wheels and replacing them with better gripping tires;
2. Playing around with front and rear sway bars to loosen up the rear and get more; traction in the front;
3. Slightly raking the car's stance noseward;
4. More aggressive springs;
5. Looking for a way to make the steering feedback more accurate.

IF ANYONE HAS TRIED ANY OF THESE OR SOMETHING ELSE LET ME KNOW!

A lot of critiques of the 35is ignore the vehicle's chief virtue. It functions as a luxury car, sports car, top down roadster, daily driver and GT. It's not the best car in any of those categories but it is, on its own, warts and all, excellent in all of them. There is simply nothing like it on the market and they can be had, brand spanking new, in the high 60K range absent tax and other add ons and fees.

I upgraded from 18" to 19's, having found a deal on the 313 wheels, do wonders for road comfort in smoothing out some of the bumps, still running the RFT's but will replace as soon as they wear out. Had a good bit of hop at the rear in corners, but a set of H&R springs corrected most of that as they are a bit more progressive than the stock springs and they reduced a lot of the body roll, the H & R Sway bars also help a lot with controlling the rear and further reducing what little body roll was left. Reduced the rear camber 1 degree, while that induced a bit of oversteer, it does help tremedously with evening out the rear tire wear, and it does seem to bite better out of the corners. Steering is a bit vague, but haven't found anyone who has any ideas on how to adjust the electric pieces in there for better feel and more feedback. Biggest issue I have is the brakes, and even though the Euro 30 has the same calipers and discs as the 35, they still start to noticable fade on the second hot lap of the Ring, however the Brembo upgrade is hard to get passed my "Cashier in Chief".

Originally Posted by jsoltan

Didn't get reviews like that with the Z4 MCoupe!

Ya', but people don't yawn when they look at a NEW Z4.
Sorry, but your car looks dated and over-bangled. ...but wait, you already know that. ....and how's the ugly, dated, cheap , looks like it belongs in a 1987 Fiero, interior working out for you?

Go sit and try to figure out why no e89 owners spend the time or effort lurking in YOUR e85 forum.

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Ya', but people don't yawn when they look at a NEW Z4.
Sorry, but your car looks dated and over-bangled. ...but wait, you already know that. ....and how's the ugly, dated, cheap , looks like it belongs in a 1987 Fiero, interior working out for you?

Go sit and try to figure out why no e89 owners spend the time or effort lurking in YOUR e85 forum.

Dude, that's not necessary - this is a community of enthusiasts here - don't pollute with this kind of crap, ok?

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

The poseur demographic that they've targeted this car towards has tender buns that can't be pestered with a sport suspension.

..and that is?

Originally Posted by EdCT

Dude, that's not necessary - this is a community of enthusiasts here - don't pollute with this kind of crap, ok?

Yes sir, I promise to stop quoting negative e85 comments I've read in car magazines, just as soon as the e85 trolls all learn not to backslap the e89. If the e85 trolls continue to troll on our forum and backslap the e89 like that, then they better be prepared for some ridicule. If they are going to dish it out then they better be prepared to take it... tenfold.
If you don't want to read it then you are free to set me up on your ignore list.

Just so I understand ....It's OK for someone to post a link to a review that states both positive and negative things about all 3 cars (e89, Corvette and TTS), but I can't say anything negative about the e85???

For E85 owners it must suck going from hot stuff to antiquated overnight..

Originally Posted by Wraith.

For E85 owners it must suck going from hot stuff to antiquated overnight..

Ouch ...another kick in gut for ol' Jsoltan

Jsoltan,
..and you may not respond, but rest assured, we know you are out there reading all our comments about your e85. If you posted you are monitoring.