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2nd
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A non-poser poser car
May the hater love begin! A poser car is one that looks the part but only barely fits the mold. My current favourite poser car, the Nissan 370Z, is stunning to behold, but that's the only reason to buy it. It's not that fast, will heel-toe for you, and handles only mildly well.
The Z4 is different.
From the moment I laid eyes on the Z3's replacement for the 2003 MY, I thought to myself: This is nothing more than a ¨show car¨ for middle-aged men looking to impress the ladies. I've driven the Z4 on a few occasions in the last 10 years and I always forget what this car is and can do. Early onset Alzheimer's? Maybe.
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i is a fantastic package. It has the looks, the power, and the panache to be an excellent roadster for the uninitiated with an easy enough drive. For the initiated, on the limit and in balls-out mode, the Z4 can and will make you sweat.
What is the BMW Z4?
The 2014 BMW Z4 is in its 11th model year total, its fifth since a major facelift. As the spiritual successor to the likes of the famed and highly flammable BMW 507, the Z4 occupies the role of roadster in BMW's extensive lineup.
The BMW Z4 is also one of two cars that received the “is” treatment, the next best thing to an “M” treatment. Previously, there was the now highly coveted M Coupe and Roadster.
2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Price and Specs
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i is a luxury roadster that commands a certain price. The base sDrive28i starts at $54,300. The sDrive35i rolls in at $63,900. As tested with the Premium, Navigation, and M sport packages (along with the 7-speed double-clutch box), my car sported a sticker price of $74,950.
The 28i gets its mojo from a delightful turbocharged 2.0L 4-pot that generates 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 35i gains the best turbocharged 6-cylinder engine in the business. This 3.0L puts out a seat-of-the-pants underrated all-around 300 hp and lb-ft of torque.
Transmission choices reside between a 6-speed manual or a $1,950 7-speed automated double-clutch box.
The $1,950 M Sport package is the one that makes all the difference, and deserves a breakdown. It includes the 19” M Double Spoke alloys fitted with 235/35 front and 255/30 rear rubber, the Adaptive M Suspension and the M Aerodynamics Package. For what this option brings to the table, it should always be selected.
Driving the 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i
Taking control of the Z4 sDrive35i is like piloting a rocket. It all begins from the driver's point of view. Ahead lays an unnaturally long hood, shoulders, and an impossibly intoxicating TwinPower 6-cylinder engine.
Upon start-up, the I-6 snarls to life and immediately its potential takes hold of the senses. Dropping the 7-speed Sport automatic transmission into Drive is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I quickly understood that to truly make friends with the Z4, I needed to take control with the wheel-mounted paddles.
As with any proper BMW product, the harder the car is driven, the more it likes it, and the better it responds. Even with the Z4's Driving Experience Control set to Comfort, the car covers ground at a nearly fearful pace. The sDrive35i can be lazily driven while its suspension carelessly soaks up even the roughest patches of tarmac.
The fun begins at partial throttle as boost builds immediately. Before the driver knows it, the ton is reached. The 35i is fast, and so is the transmission. Knocking through the gears is rewarding and mind blowing; so quick are the gear changes and efficient is the gearing that shifting is a rapid-fire affair. Seriously, this car is engaging and involving. All is heightened further when Sport or Sport+ is selected.
Passing anything short of an F10 M5 or a Porsche 911 C2S is child's play. The growl from the car's exhaust (mixed in with the occasional backfire) is sufficient to give me goose bumps.
Steering is heavy and slightly off if only because of the length of the car's nose, and the brakes are massively powerful. Yes, I loved driving this car.
Inside and Out of the BMW Z4
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i's cabin is snug, tight, low, and spot-on perfect. The seats hold if not grab occupants. An ideal driving position is quickly found and reasons to leave the Z4's cockpit are not.
My tester featured the Hyper Orange Package that includes a two-tone interior colour mix. The blending of the orange and matte, and glossy-black surfaces was superb. Contrast stitching, the dash's metal meshing, and uber-cool stripping on the seats added undeniable layers of “hawt” to the car.
The Z4 sDrive35i's passenger quarters perfectly match the car's purpose and style.
Comparing the BMW Z4
The Z4 gets most of its heat from its German counterparts and all are quite attractive. The Mercedes SLK-Class, Audi TT, and Porsche Boxster are enticing and have undeniable qualities.
This land-going missile is as fetching as any roadster and its poser-like appeal is quickly forgiven once driven.
May the hater love begin! A poser car is one that looks the part but only barely fits the mold. My current favourite poser car, the Nissan 370Z, is stunning to behold, but that's the only reason to buy it. It's not that fast, will heel-toe for you, and handles only mildly well.
The Z4 is different.
From the moment I laid eyes on the Z3's replacement for the 2003 MY, I thought to myself: This is nothing more than a ¨show car¨ for middle-aged men looking to impress the ladies. I've driven the Z4 on a few occasions in the last 10 years and I always forget what this car is and can do. Early onset Alzheimer's? Maybe.
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i is a fantastic package. It has the looks, the power, and the panache to be an excellent roadster for the uninitiated with an easy enough drive. For the initiated, on the limit and in balls-out mode, the Z4 can and will make you sweat.
 |
What is the BMW Z4?
The 2014 BMW Z4 is in its 11th model year total, its fifth since a major facelift. As the spiritual successor to the likes of the famed and highly flammable BMW 507, the Z4 occupies the role of roadster in BMW's extensive lineup.
The BMW Z4 is also one of two cars that received the “is” treatment, the next best thing to an “M” treatment. Previously, there was the now highly coveted M Coupe and Roadster.
 |
| It has the looks, the power, and the panache to be an excellent roadster for the uninitiated with an easy enough drive. (Photo: Colin Styker) |
2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Price and Specs
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i is a luxury roadster that commands a certain price. The base sDrive28i starts at $54,300. The sDrive35i rolls in at $63,900. As tested with the Premium, Navigation, and M sport packages (along with the 7-speed double-clutch box), my car sported a sticker price of $74,950.
The 28i gets its mojo from a delightful turbocharged 2.0L 4-pot that generates 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 35i gains the best turbocharged 6-cylinder engine in the business. This 3.0L puts out a seat-of-the-pants underrated all-around 300 hp and lb-ft of torque.
Transmission choices reside between a 6-speed manual or a $1,950 7-speed automated double-clutch box.
The $1,950 M Sport package is the one that makes all the difference, and deserves a breakdown. It includes the 19” M Double Spoke alloys fitted with 235/35 front and 255/30 rear rubber, the Adaptive M Suspension and the M Aerodynamics Package. For what this option brings to the table, it should always be selected.
 |
| The 35i gains the best turbocharged 6-cylinder engine in the business. This 3.0L puts out a seat-of-the-pants underrated all-around 300 hp and lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Colin Styker) |
Driving the 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i
Taking control of the Z4 sDrive35i is like piloting a rocket. It all begins from the driver's point of view. Ahead lays an unnaturally long hood, shoulders, and an impossibly intoxicating TwinPower 6-cylinder engine.
Upon start-up, the I-6 snarls to life and immediately its potential takes hold of the senses. Dropping the 7-speed Sport automatic transmission into Drive is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I quickly understood that to truly make friends with the Z4, I needed to take control with the wheel-mounted paddles.
As with any proper BMW product, the harder the car is driven, the more it likes it, and the better it responds. Even with the Z4's Driving Experience Control set to Comfort, the car covers ground at a nearly fearful pace. The sDrive35i can be lazily driven while its suspension carelessly soaks up even the roughest patches of tarmac.
The fun begins at partial throttle as boost builds immediately. Before the driver knows it, the ton is reached. The 35i is fast, and so is the transmission. Knocking through the gears is rewarding and mind blowing; so quick are the gear changes and efficient is the gearing that shifting is a rapid-fire affair. Seriously, this car is engaging and involving. All is heightened further when Sport or Sport+ is selected.
Passing anything short of an F10 M5 or a Porsche 911 C2S is child's play. The growl from the car's exhaust (mixed in with the occasional backfire) is sufficient to give me goose bumps.
Steering is heavy and slightly off if only because of the length of the car's nose, and the brakes are massively powerful. Yes, I loved driving this car.
 |
| Dropping the 7-speed Sport automatic transmission into Drive is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship. (Photo: Colin Styker) |
Inside and Out of the BMW Z4
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i's cabin is snug, tight, low, and spot-on perfect. The seats hold if not grab occupants. An ideal driving position is quickly found and reasons to leave the Z4's cockpit are not.
My tester featured the Hyper Orange Package that includes a two-tone interior colour mix. The blending of the orange and matte, and glossy-black surfaces was superb. Contrast stitching, the dash's metal meshing, and uber-cool stripping on the seats added undeniable layers of “hawt” to the car.
The Z4 sDrive35i's passenger quarters perfectly match the car's purpose and style.
 |
| My tester featured the Hyper Orange Package that includes a two-tone interior colour mix. (Photo: Colin Styker) |
Comparing the BMW Z4
The Z4 gets most of its heat from its German counterparts and all are quite attractive. The Mercedes SLK-Class, Audi TT, and Porsche Boxster are enticing and have undeniable qualities.
This land-going missile is as fetching as any roadster and its poser-like appeal is quickly forgiven once driven.