[Daveslaine3827]

Seems like an empty forum compared to others with most people seemingly always sticking to coupes or sedans or suvs and just hating the z4 because it's the only Z car and it has 2 seats and many hate convertibles even though the z4 is a roadster and handles far better than regular convertibles with back seats

[Romer]

Lot of people dont like it for what makes it a roadster. My wife hated my 2011 Z4 and called it an ass dragger. It was hard for her to get in and out. She actually likes my 2019 and says it is much easier to get in and out. I also notice that I don't have to duck my head to get in and out like I did in my 2011. Even though she likes it better, she always prefers the Land Cruiser because its easier to get in and out of plus she isn't worried about getting squashed by another vehicle.

I like the low to the ground stance and small size. It makes it much more maneuverable. It handles much better on the highway and love the convertible

It isn't a car for driving kids around or families.

It isn't good for your only vehicle if you live were it snows

I think it comes down to what you want to do with your vehicle. If I could only have 1 vehicle for me I doubt it would be the Z4. Fortunately I have 3 and the wife has a Lexus

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by Daveslaine3827

Seems like an empty forum compared to others with most people seemingly always sticking to coupes or sedans or suvs and just hating the z4 because it's the only Z car and it has 2 seats and many hate convertibles even though the z4 is a roadster and handles far better than regular convertibles with back seats

Roadsters are just not a popular type of car people are buying. At least we can still buy them.

Rob

[blvvet]

what most people want is a tool
not a toy

[German1967]

I love this car. However, it is not my DD but my fun car. Lots of power, great exhaust note, good looks, half the price of a 911 and different to Porsche: I never see another Z4 around - a unicorn car!

[badfitter]

Originally Posted by blvvet

what most people want is a tool
not a toy

Great comment.

We bought our Z4 completely as a toy. It's not practical for anything other than enjoyment. I consider it a plus that the unwashed masses find it unusable.

One thing for certain.... everytime I get in the Z4 (or "put it on" as some may say), it brings a big smile to my face.

[DPelletier]

I'm also a little mystified as to why the Z4 doesn't seem to be as popular as I'd have guessed. Here, I think it's the history of BMW making hot sedans and the lack of a "real M" on the G29.

Personally, after cross shopping everything else in the segment, I thought (and still do) that the Z4 M40i is beautiful, handles great, has a fabulous engine and well styled, comfortable interior......and it's a bargain compared to the competition for what you get, especially the P car.

and yeah, it's a toy. I watched this last night and it pretty much echoed my thoughts:

2 cents,
Dave

[ejm3]

Its just a numbers game.
This forum is quiet because they just don't sell many Z4's.
They don't sell many Z4's because its essentially a $70k toy.
And its not even a perfect roadster without the availability of a manual transmission.

Honestly I don't know that I'm in the market for one anymore since Covid hit and I hardly drive anymore but it seems like they are hard to come by if you do want one, especially quickly.
I did a search and only found like 2 M440's within like 500 miles of Connecticut.

Then I started searching on other convertibles in that price range and pretty much came up empty on anything good.

Americans don't like convertibles or sports cars anymore.
All anyone wants is an SUV or pickup truck.
They have no problem spending $70k on those.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Third or fourth in line for many people. Sedan, SUV, pickup, sports car.

Not all that many 4th car $70,000 MSRP incomes. Miata sells a lot of 2 seaters, better pricing for a toy car for most people.

[badfitter]

Looking at US sales, one might think it is Pickup, SUV, Sedan, Sports Car...

[JustChris]

The 1 series forum is also bizarrely quiet. That's explained as it's not a car for NA.

The Z4 I think is just low volume. Really hope it carries on into next gen.

Would be snapping up a Z4M no problem as part of BMW M anniversary of that happened.

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by ejm3

Its just a numbers game.
This forum is quiet because they just don't sell many Z4's.
They don't sell many Z4's because its essentially a $70k toy.
And its not even a perfect roadster without the availability of a manual transmission.

Honestly I don't know that I'm in the market for one anymore since Covid hit and I hardly drive anymore but it seems like they are hard to come by if you do want one, especially quickly.
I did a search and only found like 2 M440's within like 500 miles of Connecticut.

Then I started searching on other convertibles in that price range and pretty much came up empty on anything good.

That's because there is no better premium sportscar in it's price range. ....no more MB SLK/SLC, Audi TT is being discontinued, F type can't compete with the V6S and the V8R is far more expensive as is the Porsche Boxster. There is the C8 but it's a GM.

On the manual transmission thing; this isn't a Z4 issue, the F type is no longer available in a manual, ditto for the C8....the Boxster is the only choice there but again, 43% more $$$ I actually like the ZF8 and I wouldn't give up the 6cyl for the soulless 4cyl in the boxter just to get the manual....esp. with the massive price difference. I'd be a buyer for the new 718 GTS 4.0 but I'm sure it'll be double the price of the Z4 M40i.

You are 100% correct; they are very hard to find - I checked a couple weeks ago and there were only a few new M40i's in B.C. and only 4-5 used ones in all of Canada on Autotrader.

2 cents,
Dave

[Tedbay]

Originally Posted by badfitter

Great comment.

We bought our Z4 completely as a toy. It's not practical for anything other than enjoyment. I consider it a plus that the unwashed masses find it unusable.

One thing for certain.... everytime I get in the Z4 (or "put it on" as some may say), it brings a big smile to my face.

I found it is the perfect weekend trip car too! just back from a 3 day trip to Mendocino and Anderson Valley wine country nearby and it was perfection. And my wife loves it too though she HATED getting in and out and bouncing around in my 2007 Z4 M Coupe. only negative is the trunk was full after buying wine (another plus my wife noted as she said it keeps me from buying too much wine on trips!). Love this car and the only thing missing is ventilated seats..... a toy but ALSO perfect tool for weekend trips!

[ZMcruiser]

We ordered ours in April 2019 and took delivery in July. We have done long multi-day trips on mostly two lane roads in the Appalachian mountains. We have driven it hard and quickly. It is much smoother than our 2006 M Roadster and quicker. We have driven both cars on the same roads so it's easier to compare them. I can tell you the G29 is so much quicker when going into and out of curves. I agree with the video in that you don't miss a manual box, the paddle shifters are good. During break-in I quit using the paddle shifter because I found it easy to exceed 4000 rpm.
Weather permitting my wife uses it as her daily driver, as she did with the M Roadster. Overall we are very pleased with the G29.

[CJ421]

I agree the Z4's perceived lack of practicality keeps most away. Two seats, limited cargo room, and rather expensive in the larger picture (even though it's a decent deal next to a Boxster).
Plus, I don't think BMW makes much of an effort to advertise the Z4. (At least, I've yet to see an ad for one.)

Charles

[Mixitt]

To sum it all up, the new Z4 is:

1. Your secondary fun or thrill car, a toy. Translation - you're young at heart and have money and time to burn,

2. It's one of, if not the best, values for a highly refined sportster on the road,

3. It's not a substitute for your family car. That's why they make the X5 or X7 - to haul people and things around.

4. It's rare and unique. There are very few on the road because it's not a money maker for BMW. Nothing is as boring as seeing a GMC Corvette at every intersection in the big city however.

[ZMcruiser]

We are members of the Z Series Car Club of America (ZSCCA.org) and lead the Maryland chapter, Free State Bimmer Zs. ZSCCA provided a promotional package that we used to approach dealers in our area to help them with the launch of the new Z. We spoke with sales managers at three dealerships and the fourth the receptionist was a road block. We were offering to bring in Z3, Z4 (E85) and the last Z4 to display and talk to prospective buyers about the new car and the Z life, we received mild interest, but when we followed up they weren't interested. BMW dealers iare just not interested in promoting the new Z. The money is in X platforms, just like the money is in trucks and SUVs for the other manufactures.

[ejm3]

I can't believe I'm saying this about a $70k 2-seater but in the big picture it is a something of a good deal.

The equivalent Porsche would like $100k and I'm not going to take it to the track so the extra performance seems like overkill for me personally.

Everything else is either more expensive or the performance is lacking or its been discontinued or like the AMG C65 just expensive and dated.

As cars move towards EV's it won't be long until convertibles are like dodo birds and dinosaurs.

Edit: I left out the C8, but I think there's still like a 1-2 year waiting list on those. And anyone who owns a BMW can't really complain about the C8's reliability. Realistically its probably a push.

[Mixitt]

Originally Posted by ejm3

As cars move towards EV's it won't be long until convertibles are like dodo birds and dinosaurs.

Dodo birds and dinosaurs are now collectors items.

[Mdivisible]

Originally Posted by Daveslaine3827

Seems like an empty forum compared to others with most people seemingly always sticking to coupes or sedans or suvs and just hating the z4 because it's the only Z car and it has 2 seats and many hate convertibles even though the z4 is a roadster and handles far better than regular convertibles with back seats

The main reason I didn't buy one is that there were none available at dealerships, and the time from ordering until delivery was very long and uncertain considering no allocations were available.

I also don't like that there is no manual, but I would have bought it anyway.

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by German1967

I never see another Z4 around - a unicorn car!

I thought the same thing... until I saw a red sDrive 30i drive down my street. It turns out that my cars doppleganger is garaged only 5 blocks away. Luckily that car has the Shadowline option and mine has the polished aluminum grill - so they are unique?!

[Geradeaus]

Originally Posted by Tedbay

I found it is the perfect weekend trip car too! ... Love this car and the only thing missing is ventilated seats..... a toy but ALSO perfect tool for weekend trips!

Just took delivery of a new Mazda CX-5 and it has ventilated seats. If they can put them in a $30,000 SUV why can't BMW figure out how to do it in a $60,000 roadster? Z4 owners are looking forward to summer to get their cars out of hibernation - us folks in sunnier climes are dreading the heat and harsh sun of summer. I pick my 30i up next week for temperate spring cruising!