[JRandall]

We did get lucky on the weather, did not drive the convertibles on this trip. Good chance we will return when during a cooler month, then some folks will definitely have a unicorn sighting

The Scouts put this up on wilderness parkway for memorial day weekend. A nice tribute from the community

[BMWGirlFL]

Misano, top up, near Haulover.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Misano, top up, near Haulover.

It wasn't me. 😉

[Mastakko]

I saw a dark blue G29 over the weekend in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego CA) only the 3rd I've seen in 6 months living here. 2nd since.i bought mine 3 months ago.

I can't begin to tell you the other cars I've seen in the meantime, true exotics, but this car (G29 z4) is truly rare and I'm happy to be an owner of one.

On my way to work today I saw two m4 competitions and a 981 boxster S manual which is what I always thought was my dream car but they're so popular there is something special to own a car like the G29 Z4 that is so rare. Hell I've even seen more rivians than I've seen G29 Z4's.

[Westside Guy]

At approximately 2:30 PM today I saw a white sDrive30i driving eastbound on Pembroke Road heading towards US-1.

[ebirotedu]

… was taking a drive in north GA today and stopped off near the border with NC to get gas and a small coffee. Left the Z4 parked with the top down in a marked parallel parking spot about 20 feet in front of the pumps and maybe 100 feet from the Dunkin Donuts where I got the coffee. In profile, no badging is visible anywhere on the car.

While sitting inside, enjoying the AC, and sipping my coffee, some of the cars at the pumps finished up and moved away so there was a clear line of sight to the Z4 from where the DD staff was congregated behind the counter. I was sitting near the window with my back to them.

“What is that?”
“I dunno… I think it’s an RX7? Or maybe an RX8?”


A unicorn indeed.

[ebirotedu]

Today was a record day:

Sighting 1 - Chrome grill BSM Z4 (so sDrive 30i) going south on Alpharetta Highway (GA-9) at Mansell (top up). This is around 2:30 PM maybe?

(several hours later - 6:30-ish PM)...

Sighting 2 - BSM Z4 M40i rolls past me in Sport mode (sounded good!) and like me he has his top down on Atlanta Highway (also GA-9) at Mullinax/Post going south to make a right onto Post while I'm at the light - he slows & waves as he rolls past. Car has a California plate on it. I wave back.

Sighting 3 - a mile further along Atlanta Highway, I see a silver Z4 with a black up (top) about 3 cars behind me - at this point I'm wondering if there was a secret Z4 meeting in the area. eventually it's directly behind me, but then turns left into the Walmart just past Hamby Road. Not sure of the model.

Sighting 4 - Unbelievably, a couple miles further down GA-9 past Cogburn road, I see another Z4 behind me. It's white with the black top up. It eventually catches up and passes me. It's an sDrive 30i and looks like a lady from the dainty wrists on the wheel as that's all I see as she passes going 50 in a 35 (I'm only doing 45 ) then turns right onto Milton Avenue into what passes for Downtown Alpharetta.

Totally shocked to see four Z4s on the same day.

Also, I saw maybe one older Boxster (mid-aughts), and no 911s. No Supras either. I really didn't see too many interesting cars at all, excepting the four Z4s.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Got to see two cars today that to me were pretty rare. On interstate 40 from Ocean Isle Beach to Raleigh between 12 noon & 2:30PM.

BMW Z3. Showroom condition was a goldish color black top rolling along about 70.

Toyota/BMW Supra. Red closer toward Raleigh was doing about 85 when we passed. Waved but no return. Was the second one I have seen in the wild, first was last year parked next to me at the supermarket...nice conversation with the owner.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by ebirotedu

Today was a record day:

Sighting 1 - Chrome grill BSM Z4 (so sDrive 30i) going south on Alpharetta Highway (GA-9) at Mansell (top up). This is around 2:30 PM maybe?

(several hours later - 6:30-ish PM)...

Sighting 2 - BSM Z4 M40i rolls past me in Sport mode (sounded good!) and like me he has his top down on Atlanta Highway (also GA-9) going south to make a right while I'm at the light - he slows & waves as he rolls past. Car has a California plate on it. I wave back.

Sighting 3 - a mile further along Atlanta Highway, I see a silver Z4 with a black up (top) about 3 cars behind me - at this point I'm wondering if there was a secret Z4 meeting in the area. eventually it's directly behind me, but then turns left into the Walmart just past Hamby Road. Not sure of the model.

Sighting 4 - Unbelievably, a couple miles further down GA-9 past Cogburn road, I see another Z4 behind me. It's white with the black top up. It eventually catches up and passes me. It's an sDrive 30i and looks like a lady from the dainty wrists on the wheel as that's all I see as she passes going 50 in a 35 (I'm only doing 45 ) then turns right onto Milton Avenue into what passes for Downtown Alpharetta.

Totally shocked to see four Z4s on the same day.

Also, I saw maybe one older Boxster (mid-aughts), and no 911s. No Supras either. I really didn't see too many interesting cars at all, excepting the four Z4s.

I think you now have the record for same day sightings!

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Got to see two cars today that to me were pretty rare. On interstate 40 from Ocean Isle Beach to Raleigh between 12 noon & 2:30PM.

BMW Z3. Showroom condition was a goldish color black top rolling along about 70.

Toyota/BMW Supra. Red closer toward Raleigh was doing about 85 when we passed. Waved but no return. Was the second one I have seen in the wild, first was last year parked next to me at the supermarket...nice conversation with the owner.

Not all Supra owners realize the connection their car has with the BMW Z4.

However I stopped next to one at a red light a few months ago, the driver was in his young 20's. He rolled down his window and with a big smile he said, "Did you know we are related? That our cars are first cousins?" We spoke for a minute or so until the light turned green and he said he loved driving his Supra and I replied that the feeling was mutual with my Z4.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

A shade off Unicorn but still a car sighting thing. I drive I40 Raleigh to Ocean Isle Beach & return quite a bit. I40 is pretty lonely as far as area population so there are not many places to get gas or plug in an electric.

One thing that seems to stick out are Tesla's rolling along around 65mph. State speed limit is 70MPH & general traffic flow is about 85MPH.

Can't remember seeing one in our quick traffic flow a bit over the general flow. Am I imaging things?

BTW great feature of our Z4 M40i with fuel prices running up. My trip door to door is just over 200miles. Average speed 80+MPH Average fuel used 30+MPG.

The overall performance of these cars are way above average with fuel economy better than some below average performers.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

BTW great feature of our Z4 M40i with fuel prices running up. My trip door to door is just over 200miles. Average speed 80+MPH Average fuel used 30+MPG.

The overall performance of these cars are way above average with fuel economy better than some below average performers.

Is that 30+ MPG in Eco, Comfort, Sport or Adaptive mode?

[ebirotedu]

I wonder if those sub-speed limit driving Tesla drivers aren't hypermiling, trying to minimize the times they have to stop and recharge during long-distance travel. Was reading that's a thing with a subset of owners and gamified through online forums/websites where they track & compete for various achievements.

And the Z4's mileage is pretty amazing considering what a great performer the B58 is. Even the Boxster GTS 4.0, which weighs ~350 lbs less, gets inferior mileage to the Z4 M40i, at least per fueleconomy.gov - not sure what people are claiming for real world mileage.

Somewhat related, while at the RAM dealer the other day a young dude blasts out of the dealer lot in his TRX, supercharger whining, and onto the street - so he can immediately slow down and sit in afternoon ATL metro traffic. I idly wondered at what point he'll make the connection between his heavy right foot and the amount of money in his wallet.

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

.

One thing that seems to stick out are Tesla's rolling along around 65mph. State speed limit is 70MPH & general traffic flow is about 85MPH.

Can't remember seeing one in our quick traffic flow a bit over the general flow. Am I imaging things?

BTW great feature of our Z4 M40i with fuel prices running up. My trip door to door is just over 200miles. Average speed 80+MPH Average fuel used 30+MPG.

The overall performance of these cars are way above average with fuel economy better than some below average performers.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Is that 30+ MPG in Eco, Comfort, Sport or Adaptive mode?

Comfort or Adaptive turn in similar results. They both seem to enable 8th gear which I think is locked out in Sport at least it was on my 440. Never have used ECO other than a test run.

OUT & BACK

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Comfort or Adaptive turn in similar results. They both seem to enable 8th gear which I think is locked out in Sport at least it was on my 440. Never have used ECO other than a test run.

OUT & BACK

Perhaps you should experiment with Eco mode? Although it's a different car my wife's 228i in Eco mode gave her 44 MPG on a 360 mile round-trip to Key West.

[Kwajtrader]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

A shade off Unicorn but still a car sighting thing. I drive I40 Raleigh to Ocean Isle Beach & return quite a bit. I40 is pretty lonely as far as area population so there are not many places to get gas or plug in an electric.

One thing that seems to stick out are Tesla's rolling along around 65mph. State speed limit is 70MPH & general traffic flow is about 85MPH.

Can't remember seeing one in our quick traffic flow a bit over the general flow. Am I imaging things?

BTW great feature of our Z4 M40i with fuel prices running up. My trip door to door is just over 200miles. Average speed 80+MPH Average fuel used 30+MPG.

The overall performance of these cars are way above average with fuel economy better than some below average performers.

On my recent mountain trip with the Z4 M40i I averaged 34mpg on the way home. I was in comfort mode at my normal cruising speed, which is mainly in the passing lane. To me this is incredible given the performance available on demand. I also just came back from a 2,300 mile trip up the East coast in the Tesla (~$200 in charging cost), and since I typically use full self driving I did find myself more often one lane over and running slightly slower. Maybe it’s just part of the leisurely vibe, or could be the more utilitarian nature of the beast. It’s true that as speed increases efficiency does drop off. Many of the early Teslas also included unlimited supercharging (not mine), so they are basically driving for free when on the road for the life of the car. That was gone by the time I purchased ours. I did bag 2,000 free supercharging miles which basically paid for all our highway travel for the better part of the first year.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Perhaps you should experiment with Eco mode? Although it's a different car my wife's 228i in Eco mode gave her 44 MPG on a 360 mile round-trip to Key West.

Was not really looking to max fuel milage just get good numbers for the speed I try to maintain.

Some of the run groups 5 or so cars can get real fast, like you can see a digit on the HUD you don't normally ever see for a few miles at a clip. There might be occasions you are hitting passing gear at 85MPH to get around traffic.

Car needs very quick response to any change when its at speed, braking or turning. Felt ECO took the turbos out of action somewhat as acceleration was very spongy.

What you need to think about my average MPH is there a 4 miles of city traffic to the interstate & the beach roads are 35mph with heavy enforcement maybe 8/9 miles.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Car needs very quick response to any change when its at speed, braking or turning. Felt ECO took the turbos out of action somewhat as acceleration was very spongy.

I totally agree that Eco does not give you that punch. That is why I am now hooked on Adaptive as it covers all of the modes. When I need to accelerate the car really takes off!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Kwajtrader

On my recent mountain trip with the Z4 M40i I averaged 34mpg on the way home. I was in comfort mode at my normal cruising speed, which is mainly in the passing lane. To me this is incredible given the performance available on demand. I also just came back from a 2,300 mile trip up the East coast in the Tesla (~$200 in charging cost), and since I typically use full self driving I did find myself more often one lane over and running slightly slower. Maybe it’s just part of the leisurely vibe, or could be the more utilitarian nature of the beast. It’s true that as speed increases efficiency does drop off. Many of the early Teslas also included unlimited supercharging (not mine), so they are basically driving for free when on the road for the life of the car. That was gone by the time I purchased ours. I did bag 2,000 free supercharging miles which basically paid for all our highway travel for the better part of the first year.

To be fair my route is pretty flat. I have the basic cruise control & set it at 85MPH. Its very lightly patrolled & WAZE does a good job. As long as you are not cutting in on people traffic runs fast with out any issues. Slower cars a pretty good at staying to the right. Will average about 4 hall monitors per trip.

Not sure how many Tesla chargers are available over the route as the fast area runs about 128 miles with nothing to see out the windows but trees & fields. I gas up 13 gallon tank at each end but could make a round trip on a tank & still move quickly.

[Kwajtrader]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

To be fair my route is pretty flat. I have the basic cruise control & set it at 85MPH. Its very lightly patrolled & WAZE does a good job. As long as you are not cutting in on people traffic runs fast with out any issues. Slower cars a pretty good at staying to the right. Will average about 4 hall monitors per trip.

Not sure how many Tesla chargers are available over the route as the fast area runs about 128 miles with nothing to see out the windows but trees & fields. I gas up 13 gallon tank at each end but could make a round trip on a tank & still move quickly.

I know I’m waaaay off topic, but there are 6 superchargers spread across the route, so I’m not sure what’s up with those slow pokes…

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Kwajtrader

I know I’m waaaay off topic, but there are 6 superchargers spread across the route, so I’m not sure what’s up with those slow pokes…

Might be something to take a look at in other areas where traffic moves quickly & destinations are over 100 miles apart. Maybe high speed & A/C (mid upper 90*F) has an effect on range.

Was thinking as its pretty much point to point NC Beach Towns to Raleigh maybe they don't want to stop to charge the car. Going slower might net them the same travel time as going faster & charging.

Looks like gaps in the coverage. My route back is:

Ocean Isle Beach Road
Ocean Highway #17
I 140
I 40
I 440
I 87
I 540
Six Forks Exit

[Kwajtrader]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Might be something to take a look at in other areas where traffic moves quickly & destinations are over 100 miles apart. Maybe high speed & A/C (mid upper 90*F) has an effect on range.

Was thinking as its pretty much point to point NC Beach Towns to Raleigh maybe they don't want to stop to charge the car. Going slower might net them the same travel time as going faster & charging.

Looks like gaps in the coverage. My route back is:

Ocean Isle Beach Road
Ocean Highway #17
I 140
I 40
I 440
I 87
I 540
Six Forks Exit

Based on this you can do the trip without having to charge if you can plug in at your destination. You'll arrive with about 60 miles of range (20%). A regular AC outlet will give you 3 MPH of range. This works just fine if the car is going to be spending most of its time sitting.