I've arranged to test drive an E89 Z4 28i M-Sport this afternoon.

I've been doing a lot of searching recently for my next purchase and think I may have finally decided on one of these. I originally considered a Boxster S or a Cayman S but then read some horror stories about the 3.4 S engines and it kind of put me off. Plus, running costs would be quite high when compared with my previous cars (especially when factoring in a warranty) so I've ruled Porsche's out.

I really do think the new Z4 is a stunning looking car (especially in Metallic Mineral White with Coral red leather, which is the one i've seen) and the folding hard top roof is a work of art.

As for performance - not too shabby. 0-62 in 5.7s and 155mph. 350 torques and only 159g/km C02 as well which means tax is £170 a year. All that and 42mpg.

All in all, i'm rather looking forward to this afternoon.

Will keep you posted.

 

Have you watched this weeks fifth gear (available on youtube)? Plato was raving about the 3.0 z4 and its engine. Any reason why you are looking at the 2.8?

Edit, my bad, the E89 is the new shape I see. This was looking at the old ones.

 

The 28i engine is the new N20 BMW engine which replaces the old straight 6 - it's a 4 cylinder twin turbo but it's actually only a 2.0l.

The 28i just denontes that it's the more powerful version. So, the new N20 20i has 184bhp and the N20 28i has 245bhp. Same engine, just a different state of tune.

I believe that this is the engine that BMW will now be putting in the new 3/5/X's series cars.

 

Supposed to be more of a cruiser than a sports car, but i'd be interested in how you find the test drive.

Its not a light car, so you might find it underpowered.

 

Look forward to your review later on.

As a previous owner of the first Z4 (supercharged 3.0) I've, perhaps wrongly, never considered the new model. I agree it's a looker, but as mentioned above, perhaps more of a crusier than a sportscar, much like the SLK is now too, appealing to a different market. It will feel very grown up compared to the S2000, great for a daily, but probably not special enough for a weekend car, shame they ditched the NA straight sixes, great engines and sounded fantastic, nice deep bassy sound, so special!

 

Yes I've heard that too. TBH thouhgh, i'm not particularly interested in a true "sports car". I had the S and that was enough for me - it kind of got it out of my system. However, i've never really been able to get roof down motoring out of my system.

I'm hoping the 28i won't feel that underpowered. It certainly shouldn't do given the stats and the torque. I think it's problem will be how it feels and handles on the road.

 

Might find the lack of a good LSD has a negative feel too. The 'M' bods nearly always neglect a good diff in their non 'M' models, even the 'M sports'

 

Took it out for a test drive last night and really was very impressed.....so impressed in fact that I put down a deposit. I pick it up tomorrow.

I was expecting the ride to be too harsh given the "M-Sport" addition but it certainly wasn't any firmer or more bone shaking than the S or my current Mini Cooper S for that matter. Steering felt great, quite a bit of feel through that (especially in "Sport" mode, although you can tell it's on runflats and has 19's on. I suspect with smaller wheels and non-RFT's it would feel more connected, but the 19's just look so damn good.

As for power, very impressed. It pulls from 1500 rpm or so all the way up to 7000rpm and there's no turbo lag at all. It's certainly quicker than an S (in a straight line anyway) and feels much more refined. As someone said above - it's more grown up.

The build quality also seems to be high. No squeaks or rattles that I could find. And it comes with plenty of toys such as heated seats, heated steering wheel, bluetooth, auto headlights/wipers etc and USB connection.

Looking forward to the weekend now - roll on the sunshine!

 

Congrats! I should really test drive one and see how it compares to the earlier Z4's. Z4 35si please

How does the engine sound, much induction or exhaust noise for a 4 cyl?

Do you feel it would handle well on the back roads?

Look forward to the pictures!

 

Sounds good - confirms the general view it's the first Z they've got right out of the box.

The idea of a BMW without a S6 (or V8) though...I know it's not as rough as the F20c, but it's still just wrong. Like that performance Diesel anime.

Good luck with it!