[alexberlin]

what a beautiful car!

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by CeEl

Interesting review of the US spec M40i.

I'm sold!

[Karnidge]

I just picked up a Z4 M40i over the weekend. Interesting to read all of the negative comments on the new Z4 in the Z4 forums. A lot of haters in here. It's 2022 now, so things are a bit different now I suppose. But some things I noticed. The performance. BMW North America announced new 0-60 times for the Z4 in January 2019. 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. This is pretty impressive - faster than the Porsche Boxster S 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds. The styling. This is a subjective topic, but I think the new Z4 is a beautiful looking car. So much to like, inside and out. Some of my favorite aspects are the large side vents, the hood indentations, the stacked headlights, the rear-end (looks a lot like the M850), and the exhaust tips. Absolutely love the way this new Z4 looks.

If I could wave a magic wand and change some things, I would offer a manual transmission and AWD option.

I just wanted to show some love for the new roadster. I could have purchased several other vehicles but I chose the Z4 for everything it has to offer.

[ebirotedu]

Just noticing this post now. This review was one of the ones that convinced me that I'd be happy with a Z4.

Originally Posted by CeEl

Interesting review of the US spec M40i.

[BMWGirlFL]

Originally Posted by ebirotedu

Just noticing this post now. This review was one of the ones that convinced me that I'd be happy with a Z4.

"This is one EXCELLENT sports car."

[BMWGirlFL]

This was my first look at the car (& Shmee).

[ebirotedu]

I didn't see the Shmee vid until after I'd put my deposit money down on the Z4.

Raiti's Rides, Throttle House, Straight Pipes, Redline Reviews, and Car Wow were some of the earliest videos I saw after reading the Motor Trend & Car and Driver reviews. The consensus seemed to be that the Z4 was a comfortable and fun place to spend a day. And Andy Partridge's review answered the only question I had left: How would the M40i perform when pushed hard? I probably won't track mine (no plans ATM), or drive it harder than 8/10ths on any public roads. But I want to know that I can push it hard.

Also, the B58 is a really impressive engine, enough to convince me that I could be happy without a V8 or a flat-six. If I'm going to get a recreational gas powered car right as manufacturers are shifting heavily to EV production and killing off niche ICE models, then I want a motor that engages me emotionally, and the B58 does that - enough that I am willing to forego a manual transmission!

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

This was my first look at the car (& Shmee).

[BMWGirlFL]

I eagerly awaited the reveal in 2018. Think he posted a bit before BMW if I remember right. Still hoping for another V8 before this ICE ends but unsure if there'll be a future option that will work out for me. TBD...

[ebirotedu]

I hope so too re: V8s and other fun ICE engines.

Uptake of PHEVs and EVs in the US has been slow relative to other markets so that's working in favor of ICE being around for a while.
There's clearly a lot of demand at the higher end of the market, and I think this is driving manufacturers to retooling many of their most popular & profitable makes & models from ICE to EV.

I'm hoping this doesn't mean that the only ICE vehicles still available are lesser / lower performance oriented models, but it looks like all the manufacturers are headed in this direction.

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

I eagerly awaited the reveal in 2018. Think he posted a bit before BMW if I remember right. Still hoping for another V8 before this ICE ends but unsure if there'll be a future option that will work out for me. TBD...

[BMWGirlFL]

Originally Posted by ebirotedu

I hope so too re: V8s and other fun ICE engines.

Uptake of PHEVs and EVs in the US has been slow relative to other markets so that's working in favor of ICE being around for a while.
There's clearly a lot of demand at the higher end of the market, and I think this is driving manufacturers to retooling many of their most popular & profitable makes & models from ICE to EV.

I'm hoping this doesn't mean that the only ICE vehicles still available are lesser / lower performance oriented models, but it looks like all the manufacturers are headed in this direction.

My guess is final survivors will be $$$$.

[ebirotedu]

I think you’re right.

There’s a lot of money at the top of the market that can buy whatever it likes and some of that money will want ICE powered vehicles even once EVs completely dominate in terms of performance. That market may persist until all the old, rich people who had memorable experiences in gas powered cars die off.

At the low end of the market ICE is significantly cheaper than EV right now. But costs should come down over the next 5-10 years with the amount of money being invested into EV manufacture; presumably infrastructure will also appear in remote locations as well, removing the other obstacle to widespread consumption of EVs in the US.

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

My guess is final survivors will be $$$$.

[ebirotedu]

Saw something related to this within the past couple weeks. Happened across the C&D story tonight:

https://medium.com/tech-topics/could...s-aaf65a426b45

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...neutral-e-fuel

https://www.thedrive.com/news/38707/...ut-of-thin-air

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by ebirotedu

I didn't see the Shmee vid until after I'd put my deposit money down on the Z4.

Raiti's Rides, Throttle House, Straight Pipes, Redline Reviews, and Car Wow were some of the earliest videos I saw after reading the Motor Trend & Car and Driver reviews. The consensus seemed to be that the Z4 was a comfortable and fun place to spend a day.

I think Shmee lives in a bit of a dream world of high priced cars. I'm jealous of course.

I thought Straight Pipes didn't review the Z4 that well. They considered it more of an older person touring convertible with their biggest pet peeve being loose steering. I did agree that the exhaust is a bit too predictable in how it blurps. Their biases do affect their reviews somewhat.

Throttle House. I enjoy these guys the most. Their review is fair and unbiased.

Raiti's Rides. I've seen some of his reviews and he sometimes comes across as poorly informed and just winging it on his reviews. Sometimes he's wrong on key points as a result.

Redline Reviews. One of the more enthusiastic reviews out there. He really liked the car!

I was disappointed Doug Demuro didn't review the M40i. Perhaps he thought reviewing the 30i was good enough?



Rob

[ebirotedu]

Yeah, agree with pretty much everything you said.

The Straight Pipes guys represent a typically young, male demographic and have the sort of preferences & maturity (performance, noise, and tire smoke over everything else) that you would of expect.

Throttle House’s review was fair. They knocked the Z4’s steering compared to the Supra and rated the Supra a better sports car, but the Z4 as a better GT, IIRC.

I watched Raiti’s reviews because when I started looking for a Camaro ZL1 convertible, there were only a very small # of convertible reviews anywhere. Raiti had two videos, and he owns or owned a ZL1 1LE. That he thought the Z4 had a great motor and was fun to drive worked for me, even if it’s not necessarily the kind of car he’d want to own himself.

Yeah, the Redline guy said he liked it better than his Boxster (not sure what gen he owns), and was pretty enthralled with the B58. I think he said good stuff about the interior too. Actually, I don’t think any of the reviewers, whatever they thought of the Z4, said anything about the interior other than that it was very comfortable.

All the reviews seemed to converge on a few points: 1 - the engine and transmission are fantastic; 2 - the steering is direct and accurate, but doesn’t provide a lot of feedback; 3 - handling is good, but it’s not a Boxster (well, duh, it’s not mid-engined so….); 4 - the interior is very comfortable and includes all the tech and every amenity you might want except ventilated seats.

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

I think Shmee lives in a bit of a dream world of high priced cars. I'm jealous of course.

I thought Straight Pipes didn't review the Z4 that well. They considered it more of an older person touring convertible with their biggest pet peeve being loose steering. I did agree that the exhaust is a bit too predictable in how it blurps. Their biases do affect their reviews somewhat.

Throttle House. I enjoy these guys the most. Their review is fair and unbiased.

Raiti's Rides. I've seen some of his reviews and he sometimes comes across as poorly informed and just winging it on his reviews. Sometimes he's wrong on key points as a result.

Redline Reviews. One of the more enthusiastic reviews out there. He really liked the car!

I was disappointed Doug Demuro didn't review the M40i. Perhaps he thought reviewing the 30i was good enough?



Rob