I've been itching for a small red sports car. I'm looking for a car that screams the "I don't give a flying rock and I'm gonna enjoy my lil transient time on earth" kindda attitude, but I'm not necessarily looking for the equivalent amount of horsepower or death wish.

So today my local BMW dealership setup a 6-mile test drive for me in a BMW Z4 sDRIVE28i.

A quick look from BMWUSA.COM on the 4 cylinder bi turbo hardtop convertible roadster: 240 horsepower; 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine; Rear-wheel drive; Starting at $48,650 MSRP.

At $53k, my car was lightly optioned with black exterior, HIDs, retro-styled climate control *****, beautiful silver dash/ trim and tan leather. The seats felt "thin" and shell like. There were loads of interior space for 2 adult males comfortably occupying each of their own side of arm rest space, and the rear visibility was next to panorama.

Ever heard of the saying "it curves like it's on rails?" Well heck, I finally got to experience what that meant tonight. Holy molly I stepped on the gas and my vision was undisturbed at all-- as if I was sitting in the classroom taking a test-- the corning of the ultimate driving machine was that solid, undisturbed, and serene.

I pointed out to the sales person that the road noise of my last convertible drove me insane. And he was honest and upright to inform me that z4 is a small car and some road noise is to be expected. Well he was right: it was still perceptible that the hardtop roadster was not fully wrapped with thicker sound dampening material, therefore impervious to the typical symphony of the rush-hour clamoring, even when we were just stop and go between the lights. Adding on top of that, the exhausts got a fairly noticeable growling sound the moment the car's switched on, and every time I stepped on it. So this would be a fun car if you are looking to be constantly drowned by noise, speed, and the world's attention.

In conclusion, the more I think back on this Z4, the more I am leaning towards the 2011 335d that was sitting in the corner of the show room. The annual fuel consumption for 335d was estimated at $17xx, (bmw 128i's was a nauseating $ 28xx a year) a figure I'm accustomed to see in a Japanese bread and butter car lot. The 335d got a rack city, ///m3 topping of torque at 425 lb-ft. The seats are thick and cushioning. At the same price of $54K, it was fully loaded with paddle shifter, navi, glowing i drive *****, 4 doors, 5 seats, and I'm sure an escape tunnel to the other hemisphere. With the insane (double, correct me if otherwise) driving range of diesel fuel economy and decisive low end torque, wiping smirks off of any z4 or s2k driver will be another full time job.

 

my personal opinion, i think the z4 is quite overpriced for what it offers

 

+1 on that, but I will always have a soft spot for the Z cars because I use to have a z3 back in the day and that was my "1st" joyful car that I owned The z4's really look beautiful too

 

Personal opinion:
MB SLK55 AMG (brand-new) > BMW Z4

anyday

 

What he said

And go drive the 335d... you will SMILE

 

The new F30 328i is more efficient than the 335d, and faster. Something to think about if you are going to get the 335d.

 

Question is can you stomach the new nose

 

Interesting!
The F30 328i is actually a full second faster 0-60 than last year's 328i and gets a very nice 24/36 MPGs.

 

I'd wanna see how the next M3 sedan would look like

Heh, imho, this new F20 looks better than the E90.

 

If what you want a red roadster/sports-car that is fun to drive (although it will indeed have some road-noise....only you can decide if it is too much), you don't have to pay the kind of money that a Z4 will run. This might be your answer....a red Mazda Miata (yes, it's still available in bright-red). And a Miata, on the average, will also be more-reliable than a Z4. Miatas start at a little over 23K, less than half the starting price (48K+) of a new Z4.

 

Mike,I don't think too many here would go Miata.

 

^Nuthin wrong with a miata!

But if I was considering a miata I'd go for an FRS!!!

 

Porsche Boxser FTW!

 

I like the revised interior hah. Exterior not so much

 

Actually a lil red Cayman was my first choice. After all, how many drivers can customize their license plate "2 trunks?" It's got an amazing interior, fits 2 golf bags, and great gas mileage. You can even customize the clear engine cover to give it the audi R8 engine bay look for $1k!