[CeEl]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

I don't know about that - the E89 was on it's own platform, and the chassis on that car was awful.

I'm just curious how the driving experience stacks up to an M car. I will likely let go of my M3 for the Z4 manual. I miss being in a roadster very much, but I am somewhat concerned that the Z4 won't have the dynamic edge and bratty-ness of the M3.

M4 convertible?

[IM2C]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

..but I am somewhat concerned that the Z4 won't have the dynamic edge and bratty-ness of the M3.

It does not. Owned f80 and f80 comp. Both manuals. Although I've driven my 2022 Z4 for less than 500 miles, it's not a true M car.
Super fun to drive minus the fart machine package which I don't remember ordering. Uniqueness and compliments abound.
If you're looking for an M experience, it's got to be a true M with a manual.

If BMW doesn't fix the Dukec monstrosity grille on M3/M4 LCI or Z4 manual falls thru, I'll be forced to go the P route.
Or just get a Camry. I hear it's got great reliability and gas mileage.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by M0011

It does not. Owned f80 and f80 comp. Both manuals. Although I've driven my 2022 Z4 for less than 500 miles, it's not a true M car.
Super fun to drive minus the fart machine package which I don't remember ordering. Uniqueness and compliments abound.
If you're looking for an M experience, it's got to be a true M with a manual.

If BMW doesn't fix the Dukec monstrosity grille on M3/M4 LCI or Z4 manual falls thru, I'll be forced to go the P route.
Or just get a Camry. I hear it's got great reliability and gas mileage.

I don't believe we will ever see you behind the wheel of a Camry!

[jdhiro]

Originally Posted by M0011

It does not. Owned f80 and f80 comp. Both manuals. Although I've driven my 2022 Z4 for less than 500 miles, it's not a true M car.
Super fun to drive minus the fart machine package which I don't remember ordering. Uniqueness and compliments abound.
If you're looking for an M experience, it's got to be a true M with a manual.

If BMW doesn't fix the Dukec monstrosity grille on M3/M4 LCI or Z4 manual falls thru, I'll be forced to go the P route.
Or just get a Camry. I hear it's got great reliability and gas mileage.

Ooof, that’s a little disappointing to hear. Love my F80 - but after 1 F30 and 2 F80s I’m ready for a change. G80 is an absolute non-starter for me - I’d rather drive a dump truck.

Maybe I need to go back in time and pick up a real Z4M.

[jdhiro]

Originally Posted by CeEl

M4 convertible?

I refuse to drive a convertible with rear seats.

Roadster all the way.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

I refuse to drive a convertible with rear seats.

Roadster all the way.

My last 3 cars before the Z4 were convertibles with rear seats and I totally agree!

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

My last 3 cars before the Z4 were convertibles with rear seats and I totally agree!

I would give the new SL a chance

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

I refuse to drive a convertible with rear seats.

Roadster all the way.

I thought I was the only one who didn’t like a 4 seater convertible!

(The 8 series convertable is real nice, but….why does it need back seats?)

[getbfuller]

For my fun ride I moved up from a single seat 2014 H-D Street Glide to the 2-seater Z4. If I need more than 2 seats I drive my truck.

[Bayernzeit]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

I thought I was the only one who didn’t like a 4 seater convertible!

(The 8 series convertable is real nice, but….why does it need back seats?)

Originally Posted by stlcdr

I thought I was the only one who didn't like a 4 seater convertible!

(The 8 series convertable is real nice, but….why does it need back seats?)

There can be a place for them; as a dad with kids my 135i Cabrio brought a lot of laughs and smiles from the back seats that I'll always treasure. They're older now so dad and mom are graduating to a Z4 (currently at status code 190, so delivery next week I hope).

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

I don't know about that - the E89 was on it's own platform, and the chassis on that car was awful.

I'm just curious how the driving experience stacks up to an M car. I will likely let go of my M3 for the Z4 manual. I miss being in a roadster very much, but I am somewhat concerned that the Z4 won't have the dynamic edge and bratty-ness of the M3.

Depends on what you are looking for as they don't match up as well as people expect.

Reading stuff into Lightning Laps & using the Toyota Z4 coupe as a surrogate for the Z4 roadster. The currant M Competition series is very hard to beat. 4.1 mile Grand Course West

M3C 2:53.5 (2022)
Supra 2:59.5 (2021)
M2C 2:59.7 (2019)

The raw power of the M3C/M4C gives the car a whole different feel when accelerating. With the xDrive it puts the power to the ground in a way the traction limited Z4 can't. Would be more of a contest it the Z4 was AWD.

Real world driving the Z4 is more agile very quick & has good over the road comfort, speed & mileage. The M3/4's will eat its lunch in most all the performance measurements but you still are aware its a much bigger car. That said small cars are generally more fun to drive.

[jdhiro]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Depends on what you are looking for as they don't match up as well as people expect.

Reading stuff into Lightning Laps & using the Toyota Z4 coupe as a surrogate for the Z4 roadster. The currant M Competition series is very hard to beat. 4.1 mile Grand Course West

M3C 2:53.5 (2022)
Supra 2:59.5 (2021)
M2C 2:59.7 (2019)

The raw power of the M3C/M4C gives the car a whole different feel when accelerating. With the xDrive it puts the power to the ground in a way the traction limited Z4 can't. Would be more of a contest it the Z4 was AWD.

Real world driving the Z4 is more agile very quick & has good over the road comfort, speed & mileage. The M3/4's will eat its lunch in most all the performance measurements but you still are aware its a much bigger car. That said small cars are generally more fun to drive.

Hmmm... they don't seem to have times published for the F80.

I prefer RWD, and my M3 CS is brutally fast and raw... it's just almost too fast to enjoy in 98% of all driving! And I would trade the dual-clutch for a manual. And my X3 isn't exactly slow with the B58. I'm less concerned with raw lap-times, and more concerned with feeling connected to the car. Sometimes the M3 feels like a giant weapon you have to work hard to control, where-as some of the roadsters I've had in the past are a joy to drive because they feel like a natural extension of your body.

Decisions!

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by Bayernzeit

There can be a place for them; as a dad with kids my 135i Cabrio brought a lot of laughs and smiles from the back seats that I'll always treasure. They're older now so dad and mom are graduating to a Z4 (currently at status code 190, so delivery next week I hope).

I guess I was being a bit facetious…

Seriously, I did look at the 8 series convertable (not in person) but then you start looking at the performance version…then….cost prohibitive territory. Maybe something like that in a few years. The Z4 is a big step up from my previous convertable.

Mind you, the new Mercedes SL does look really good…(as someone mentioned, so had to have another look).

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by jdhiro

Maybe I need to go back in time and pick up a real Z4M.

Well you could as long as you're OK with the real Z4M underperforming compared to the "fake M" G29 M40i. ;-)

Dave

[jdhiro]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

Well you could as long as you're OK with the real Z4M underperforming compared to the "fake M" G29 M40i. ;-)

Dave

Fair point

[morgan302]

Would love a standard shift version, my loves mine with the automatic. She did not like my M3 std even though i loved it so she bought a 540 for the long haul car

[stlcdr]

I will say, I’m still betting on there not being a manual transmission. Which might be good for those here looking for a manual (my betting skills are sub par…).

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by morgan302

Would love a standard shift version, my loves mine with the automatic. She did not like my M3 std even though i loved it so she bought a 540 for the long haul car

What ever happened to "Happy wife, happy life?"

[geko29]

Looks like it's confirmed, with availability beginning March of 2024:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...postcount=1399

[ZMcruiser]

According to a BMWNA Brand Rep, BMW needs at a minimum a 35% order rate for manuals. I'm not sure the number of Z4s that are ordered by customers versus the dealership. Rest assured that unless your dealership has a lot of car guys buying from him he isn't going to order any manuals. Most BMW purchasers are enamored with the brand and are not serious car people. The only car currently making that 35% rate is the M3 and M4 vehicles. Even Europe is moving away from manuals. If the lack of a manual is holding you back, it's your loss. I have my F22 M235 and E85 M Roadster to give me that manual fix. I just finished a 5912 mile road trip, mostly on secondary roads, and didn't miss the manual once!

[jdhiro]

Originally Posted by ZMcruiser

Rest assured that unless your dealership has a lot of car guys buying from him he isn't going to order any manuals.

I'm going to give a shout-out here to Adam at BMW Seattle, because he's a real car guy that's stocked some awesome manual BMW's I've bought straight off the lot.

Z4 is a prime candidate for a manual -- it's a 2-seat dedicated sports car for ***** sake.

I'd still love to get an S58 in there, but it's looking less likely.

[Geradeaus]

Was watching a video review of the Jaguar F-Type and the reviewer claimed that only 19 manuals were sold in the last year of that option. All automatics now coupled with a V-8.

It will be interesting to see how many (few) Z4's come with the third pedal.