Did BMW miss badly w/ their (only) sports car?

Not Really an "is"

You'll pay handsomely for that straight-line superiority. For $64,225, our 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is tester has keyless start, a USB input and heated seats, but no Bluetooth or navigation. However, you can easily option up a standard 2011 Z4 sDrive35i past the $60,000 mark, and indeed our 2009 Z4 crested $64,000.

But here's an ugly truth: The 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is is less car for the money.

Maybe you won't slalom your Z4 sDrive35is, but you'll probably take it on a back road. And you'll find you can only lean on it up to a point. The composure isn't there, and it feels like there are a million things happening behind the scenes that the car isn't telling you about.

On Highway 1, it's the superb headlight coverage, not the steering feel, that gives us confidence to press harder in the Z4 sDrive35is. This might be OK in a 7 Series, but in the performance model of the Z4 line, we want more than technology. We want a conversation.
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bmwdrvr - 9/25/2010 3:38:51 PM

+7 Boost

Based on my test drive of a new Z4 its alot less a sports car and more a GT in the same conept as an SLK that what it felt like it was targeting at least the last Z4 and Z3 were sports cars the new Z4 not so much. Im going to assume the SLK is the sales leader in this class because clearly they dropped the hard edge precision of last Z models in favor of a luxurious gorgeous drop top fast 2 seater just not a sports car

S1000RRman - 9/25/2010 4:20:37 PM

+12 Boost

What kind of retardedness uses w/ in its headline?

Agent00R - 9/25/2010 7:55:11 PM

+1 Boost

@S1000RRman

Don't look at me, I didn't write it ;)

dlin - 9/26/2010 11:17:56 AM

-3 Boost

So U jus don ge i? I canno hel. :)

85bmw745i - 9/25/2010 10:01:45 PM

+3 Boost

I agree. BMW is using a retarded naming system. Used to be the last 2 numbers said the engine size. 325i=2.5l, 330i=3.0l etc. All this extra naming crap Sdrive35i etc makes things too complex. now instead of saying I want a 325i I would have to say I want a 325i xdrive25is.

JUGNU - 9/26/2010 7:15:51 AM

+3 Boost

Agree more than half people here in Dubai think xdrive 35i or BMW 335i is a 3.5 litre 6 cylinder engine. Stupid and confusing naming system.

JUGNU

S1000RRman - 9/26/2010 7:18:41 AM

+3 Boost

Actually you would just ask for a 325iX in the example you gave..

.. and interesting you say it used to be simple.... especially since your name is 85 BMW 745i... as, if you mean a 1985 745i... then that only had a 3.5l engine ;)

JRobUSC - 9/26/2010 7:13:02 PM

+2 Boost

No, you'd say you want a 328i xDrive, and guess what? That's no harder than going to an Audi dealer and asking to see an A4 2.0T Quattro or a Mercedes dealer for a C300 4MATIC.

Steve - 9/26/2010 7:57:44 AM

+1 Boost

To *me*, the styling looks like BMW is trying "too hard" to make some sort of statement. It lacks the simple, yet stunning beauty of some of Pininfarina's coachwork. I saw one on the road, and thought it looked like a car show concept car that should never have been put into production. Not ugly, by any means, but just lacking aestherically. It's a step up from the previous Z4, though.

(PS: Yeah, I know... time for deboosts 'cuz BMW Fanboiz can't stand hearing an *opinion* that differs that theirs when it comes to Their Brand.)

bmwdrvr - 9/26/2010 4:04:50 PM

+1 Boost

your right the 458 italia, Gran turismo, and 599 all look alot more simple than a run of the mill Z4 seriously what are you talking about....lol that makes no sense in the slightest your comments brand or not never make any sense at all

Steve - 9/27/2010 10:03:31 AM

+1 Boost

@bmwdrvr: You can't make sense of my statement because of your mindset. While I wrote "...some of Pininfarina's coachwork...", you perceived that as meaning "458 italia, Gran turismo, and 599." And that does not make sense to you, so you project your confusion on others.

I'm talking subjective opinion (see emphasis in my original post: e.g., "to *me*..."). You are also talking subjective opinion -- yours -- while believing it is a universal Reality, and that non-confirmity to your beliefs is "wrong."

Neverfollow - 9/26/2010 3:02:15 PM

+3 Boost

I think the car looks best with the top down. It's actually quite beautiful I think. Top up though, is a different story. Haven't driven one yet but sure it's all BMW which means quite good. I think the Boxter is still the best car in this catagory but it's a whole lotta money compared with one of these.

85bmw745i - 9/26/2010 7:33:12 PM

+1 Boost

S1000RRman the reason it is called a 745i is because the 3.4l (not 3.5l) inline 6 with 6psi had the same theoretical output as a normally aspirated 4.5l engine. Likewise the 335i is actually a 3.0 but has the same theoretical output of a naturally aspirated 3.5l. You are right but missing the point. My point is the whole Xdrive35is is stupid in my opinion. It should just be 335i, 335is for the sports package and m335is for the M sport package and 335ic for the convertible. Also I feel they shouldn't have reversed the letters in the 7 series. It used to be 735il or 740il now its reversed to 745li.

S1000RRman - 9/26/2010 7:45:59 PM

+2 Boost

Fair enough, I was thinking of the 3453cc engine in the 745i from BMW SA, in all honesty I hadn't realised euro 745i's were different!

as far as the current naming conventions go, you are entitled to your opinion.. personally It doesnt bother me, and I certainly don't think it's any worse then the naming of models from other manufacturers.

85bmw745i - 9/26/2010 7:37:08 PM

+1 Boost

Also the amount of boost (6psi) on the 3.4L angine in the 745i is equivalent to the same amount of air moved by a 4.5l inline 6 likewise it is the same with the 335i. This would suggest the same theoretical output. That is why the numbers don't match the engine size in these cases.

S1000RRman - 9/26/2010 7:50:33 PM

+2 Boost

Don't forget, there was a time when the last two digits represented power, not displacement!

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+1 Boost

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+1 Boost

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+1 Boost

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sdcarguy - 9/26/2010 10:19:38 PM

+1 Boost

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Caraficionado - 9/27/2010 4:43:43 PM

+1 Boost

@ sdcarguy, yes a couple in NYC. An improvement over its predecessor in terms of looks.

85bmw745i - 9/27/2010 1:15:58 AM

+2 Boost

+1 S1000RRman. The 745i was never sold officially in north America although some were sold under the gray market and some brought over by military. I can't really say the whole name thing bothers me, I guess I'm stuck on traditional. At least they kept the 4 headlights, kidney grill and other styling cues that will always make a BMW unique in keeping its traditional styling. I can't say I like all of their designs. One of my favorites is the e34 5 series from 90-95, the e24 6 series and the e30 3 series.

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+2 Boost

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