BMW Z4 Spices Up 2010 Detroit Auto Show - NAIAS Video

[Chace1126]

Haha, I own a 2008 miata, a 2001 z3 and am about to own a 2011 z4. The miata isn't even in the same league as the z4. It's like saying your conversion van is more exciting than a lambo. I am a miata lover, but come on, be serious. You are probably just jealous that you can't afford one and trying to make yourself feel better. 

[BlueCrystal021]

There already was a Z4 ///M .....

[dejamester]

How did this become a Z4 vs. Miata debate? Apples and oranges. The Miata was designed in the spirit of the old, British MGs and Triumphs - a basic, no-frills machine for fooling around with the wind in your hair.

BMW, on the other hand, is about refinement. It's about trying to be the best that a car can be, which you're going to pay for on the sticker. I'm sure the Z4 is a wonderful car, but it and the Miata are in two different leagues.

[alernest]

Put a MANUAL on it and then we'll talk...

(Oh yeah, I forgot some of you are tech-geeks, can't operate manuals, clutches, and are unable to sense any qualitative sensorial difference between driving autos or manuals... You can keep measuring times with your gadgety cars, but you still can't enjoy sports cars or drive them to their limits...)

[YTman28]

I luv it already. We don't need a Z4 M now. whooo

[Ahya728]

let's find out

[t3jayzz]

really ugly rims

[DoggysStyle]

Is this with the new n55 engine?

[coolerdude44]

it's not rubbish, the last z4 m wasn't very popular, so they're not bothering with a new one.

thing is though, i think that this car with the m3's v8 and a proper manual would be absolutely godly.

[Wormtail81]

People say proper manual and I understand the BMW is one of the only companies that knows how to execute one...but the new DCT's are amazing.

[coolerdude44]

@Wormtail81 i don't care how quick the shifts are, and i don't care if it shaves 5 seconds off the nurburgring lap time. in the real world, the manual is smoother, and more rewarding to drive. and paying $4,000 not to have one is just ludicrous to me.

[StalePhish]

@coolerdude44: With my car (Pontiac G8), it was actually more expensive for the manual! It was like +$4000 or something, but only available on the "GXP" trim. I got the GT trip which has sportronic/automatic-only though

[coolerdude44]

tiptronic automatic isn't the same as a dsg. the dsg is jerky in real world driving, an automatic isn't. if you bought the g8 to cruise, then money well spent. but if you like driving, it's well worth it to have a manual.

[StalePhish]

@coolerdude44: It really wasn't worth it for me to pay $14,000 extra to get manual transmission and 60 extra horses so I'm happy with the semi-auto

[coolerdude44]

@StalePhish ... $14,000?

[StalePhish]

@coolerdude44: To go from GT to GXP trim and to add manual as an option. The GXPs around here were almost $40k and I went several states away to get a blue G8 GT for $26k

[coolerdude44]

@StalePhish oh i didn't know the normal g8 is only automatic

[StalePhish]

@coolerdude44: Yeah, the base trim (265hp) and the GT trim (361hp) are auto-only. the GXP trim (425hp) is where you get manual as an expensive option

[shaunmark1]

@StalePhish You know I would've bought a G8 if I could've gotten it with a manual, but like you said they only had it on the GXP which was a little out of my price range, pretty sick car though!!

[Wormtail81]

Point well-made.

[DiosanXaquerry]

@coolerdude44 "smoother", and "more rewarding to drive" ... since when... that definitely has not been my experience....

[bartybaby]

@DiosanXaquerry Yeah, asking the same question. Automatic Dual-clutch transmissions are very smooth. You cannot shift smoothly all the time in a manual specially when you are tired already and in a traffic jam, in most cases, people just dump the clutch.

[knoose]

LOL....your graphics are just garbage...

Always covering up the car with that big thick fucking thing...

[monsterdare]

the Z4 isn't worth the price.

[SLK350fast]

Rather get an SLK for the price

[yagam1]

0-60 in 4.7 sec my ass

[pennywse]

Actually, Car & Driver and Road & Track got the 2009 300bhp Z4 to 0-60 in 4.8 sec (you can see the video's on youtube). This version well likely get zip to 0-60 in around 4.4 - 4.5 secs. Remember that BMW and most other premium car companies will issue soft 0-60 times that are usually around .3 - .5 sec slower than what the car can really do (so crappy drivers can't sue when they can't get those times. Now most ppl will not get the 300bhp Z4 to 60mph in 4.8 sec, but it can be done.

[AccidentallyFunny]

That is a gorgeous car. If I wanted a performance roadster I would not look anywhere else but BMW, aah and looks that kill man is that thing awesome

[gephross100]

@AccidentallyFunny mazda miata

cheap easy to maintain powerful and maintains value better than bmw's shit roadsters

[ElBoundy88]

gephross100 you compare a mazda to bmw?? everybody in europe would laugh at you.. no idea bout cars.. mazda used to be good.. in the 90 but now its just crap

[demonicreborn]

@ElBoundy88 I like Miatas. I think it's one car out of mazda that doesn't go wrong- the 2003 Mazda6 was okay at first, but its Ford Engine ruined it. I think they really did a good job with all the Miatas- but the Z4 is amazing.

[AccidentallyFunny]

@gephross I own a 2003 Miata =)

I think maybe you misunderstood my comment. I just think that these cars cross into the luxury performance segment and there's a whole different market for that. Kudos for bringing up the MX-5 though. Couple years down the road I'll sell this guy and get gen.3 they're amazing cars.

[pennywse]

For ppl who can't afford it, yes. For the rest of us who can why would you buy a Miata? It's a roadster for ppl who can't afford a premium car. I have driven both and the difference is hard to put into words. Just on speed alone the BMW EATS the Miata. Never mind the quality fit and finish AND feel of the BMW is lightyears ahead.

[gephross100]

@pennywse because the miata retains its value and the bmw z does not. and it doesn't retain value for a reason.. because the bmw z's are trash cars

[quickcooper61]

@gephross100 A 1999 BMW Z3 is much more expensive than a 1999 miata.

[sdlausen]

The Miata is a purists car that's reliable, and FUN. This Z4 is not. It's more on the terms of a cushy, plush roadster intended for cruising. Boring... I see the Z4 as over complicated, heavy, and of course, expensive. I'm also pretty sure like every other BMW due to their over engineering, it will be an unreliable electrical nightmare on the long term. New BMW's don't even have an oil dipstick. Sad. If you want a real exciting/fun/reliable roadster, try an S2000. Just my 2 cents.

[quickcooper61]

@sdlausen The Z4 is actually a high tech miata. Believe me I love the miata because it is by far the best road car for the money. But the Z4 is simply a few steps further. More power more comfort such on and so forth. In a straight line the Z4 by far on windy roads the z4 would still come out on top because of its power advantage. Also its not insanely heavier than the new miata. a few hundred pounds... Nothing that twice the amount of power and wider wheels can't fix

[scrfce123]

Have you driven a Z4?... I've driven some decent cars, but the older Z4 takes the cake. It has the best feel of any car that I have driven to date... Only other car that comes close is a WRX Impreza - which is nicer to drive than something like an M3... I would definately buy this new one over an S2000 and Miata if I had the cash. It has torque, refinement, style and comfort. Something that the competition lacks.

[quickcooper61]

@gephross100 while i love and respect the Mazda, BMW has been in the business of kicking ass just as long and has done a much better job as a whole. Yes since the mid 90's BMW has stepped away from their roots and started building luxury road cars. Most of them are formidable oppoents to many other road cars. When it comes to the Z you are getting your moneys worth. Besides wait until BMW unveils the Z2. Same size and weight as the miata but with a monster NA BMW engine under the hood.

[CentauriAB]

I like how he say's zed instead of zee.

[ricepaddy69]

Yup, that's the British for ya.

[mrjost55]

yeah it's one of the differencec between American and British English

[gephross100]

@CentauriAB its suppose to be pronounced as zed

[justincrap]

Getting one. Really can't wait to test this beauty :)

[GreenJoe5]

Cool BMW.

[RonDeKiller]

Although a lot of us would love to see a new M Z4, I think it's true there isn't a business case. It would be way too expensive given the less models are way overpriced. Nobody is buying this new model as it is.

[sidewayznut2009]

Not really don't forget the M is suppose to be about how many people buy them rather it brings people into the show room then they see how nice the z4 is or another BMW

[wnnarace]

i think this car is fine for the people that want/afford it

[sdlausen]

As nice as it may be, this car is just plainly pointless, and OVERPRICED.

[LittleBigB]

lol @ ignorant noob

[Supish16]

@crazyfast39

probably a british thing

[ricepaddy69]

It doesn't frigging matter. If people want to use an extra unnecessary breath, let them.