[IcewaterPete]

I’ve only driven the G29 platform once for about 20 minutes and it was the M40 version. I’m drawn to it by what I consider classic roadster styling and the imminent arrival of the manual transmission.

My current convertible is a 440i with the retractable hard top. The big differences for me between the two are when the F33 has the roof down I can feel more flex in the chassis than in the G29. The G29 appears to have much more robust side rails and is definitively more engaging to drive in a spirited way thanks to HP and the rigid chassis. The F33 also has a much more rear heavy feel to it when the top is down creating more of a rear weight biased handling experience.

This got me curious as to what all of your first impressions of the G29 where.

[RigaTony1982]

I had a 2021 M340i xDrive. My wife and I did one of the BMW track events at the Indy speedway. Before our time to do the actual track portion, they had a bunch of cars you could take out on street drives (basically what they do at the UDE events), which are just like long test drives. They had a SFR Z4 M40i as one of the models. I had always liked the looks, but had never driven one.

Took it out for about 20 minutes and I was sold. Immediately started the process of working on my wife to be ok with me trading in my M340 ( which was about a year old with less than 3K on it). Once I got her onboard, I did the trade in and placed the order!

[MisanoblueZ4]

I had never driven a G29 until purchase day. I knew I wanted another convertible and desired something more then a Miata this go around.

First test drive of the car I purchased an hour later was how “solid” the car felt. Also the B58 had immense power compared the the recent family cars and former NC Miata (all 4 cyl Mazdas).
Taking corners it had almost no body roll which made it feel very athletic to me.
Compared to a couple C6 corvettes (a coupe and Z06) the chassis flexes much less….in fact the C6Z06 would make odd noises when entering a driveway (chassis flex). Very impressed with BMW build quality and 20 years of car improvements in general. After purchase it was a neat 4hr highway drive home, the seats are FANTASTIC no fatigue felt and wife and I drove home with top down the whole way at speeds of near 80mph, minimal wind buffeting with side windows and screen in place which was outstanding, much better then targa Corvette or PRHT Miata.

With 6 months of ownership I really love it and see it staying with us for years to come. Getting it with the B58 means not wondering how the G29 would feel with more power or wanting more, it has a great balance of performance and fuel economy as demonstrated in my monthly fuel posts.

[Living Dead]

I had a 2006 E85 3.0i followed by a 2015 E89 35is which was followed by a 2017 M240i Convertible and now a G29 M40i. My first driving experience of driving the G29 was a 5 minute test drive which was limited to a 2 mile loop of city streets and about a 1/2 mile highway sprint. It was very solid, no cowl shake just like the E85 and E89, the m240i was actually my first experience with cowl shake and I never got used to it but what I did like about it was the B58. The extra 50 or so HP in the G29 was very noticeable, I was immediately in love.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

I had a 2021 M340i xDrive. My wife and I did one of the BMW track events at the Indy speedway. Before our time to do the actual track portion, they had a bunch of cars you could take out on street drives (basically what they do at the UDE events), which are just like long test drives. They had a SFR Z4 M40i as one of the models. I had always liked the looks, but had never driven one.

Took it out for about 20 minutes and I was sold. Immediately started the process of working on my wife to be ok with me trading in my M340 ( which was about a year old with less than 3K on it). Once I got her onboard, I did the trade in and placed the order!

It might be the same SFR M40i that I once drove at PBIR on a BMW Track Explorer day that was sponsored by the south Florida dealers. BMW transports a fleet of cars around the country for various events.

[Balr14]

In recent years, I have owned the following convertibles: Lexus 430SC, Porsche 997.2 Carrera S cabriolet, 48 Plymouth and Mustang GT. In addition, I have owned several BMW sedans. I sold all of these vehicles between 2019 and 2023, except the Plymouth.

I had not driven a G29 Z4 M40i before buying the one I own. I had driven older Z4 and a G29 Z4 S30i. I find all BMWs I've driven to have excellent driver ergonomics. I always feel comfortable with them in just a few minutes, kind of like putting on an old favorite pair of jeans. The only real difference is in power and mass. The Z4 M40i is smaller, lighter and more power than most, so you feel it. It's very nimble, easy to control and never intimidating.

Compared to these other convertibles, the M40i has similar power to the Carrera S and Mustang GT, but different power delivery. It has much better low-end torque but is weaker at the top end (limited by twin scroll turbo capacity). The Carrera S has a little more structural rigidity and quicker turning, mostly due to engine location. But, the difference in minimal. The Mustang GT is about the same structurally, but the mass it has makes it feel unpredictable.

The Lexus 430SC and 48 Plymouth are in an entirely different class. If you ever get a chance to buy either, take the Plymouth, pass on the Lexus.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

It might be the same SFR M40i that I once drove at PBIR on a BMW Track Explorer day that was sponsored by the south Florida dealers. BMW transports a fleet of cars around the country for various events.

Very well could be. I just pulled up a picture I took of it. Had same wheels as well as the cerium trim

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Very well could be. I just pulled up a picture I took of it. Had same wheels as well as the cerium trim

Please post your pics. 👍🏻

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Please post your pics. 👍🏻

Couple of them in this post

https://g29.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1930605

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Couple of them in this post

https://g29.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1930605

My Z4 definitely had a NJ license plate! 👍🏻

[izjamest]

Love my Z4 in Thundernight Metallic. A blast to drive. This is my first convertible. But I felt worth it for the price vs Porche and Mercedes convertibles that I was interested in. Get it!!!!!

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by Balr14

In recent years, I have owned the following convertibles: Lexus 430SC, Porsche 997.2 Carrera S cabriolet, 48 Plymouth and Mustang GT. In addition, I have owned several BMW sedans. I sold all of these vehicles between 2019 and 2023, except the Plymouth.

I had not driven a G29 Z4 M40i before buying the one I own. I had driven older Z4 and a G29 Z4 S30i. I find all BMWs I've driven to have excellent driver ergonomics. I always feel comfortable with them in just a few minutes, kind of like putting on an old favorite pair of jeans. The only real difference is in power and mass. The Z4 M40i is smaller, lighter and more power than most, so you feel it. It's very nimble, easy to control and never intimidating.

Compared to these other convertibles, the M40i has similar power to the Carrera S and Mustang GT, but different power delivery. It has much better low-end torque but is weaker at the top end (limited by twin scroll turbo capacity). The Carrera S has a little more structural rigidity and quicker turning, mostly due to engine location. But, the difference in minimal. The Mustang GT is about the same structurally, but the mass it has makes it feel unpredictable.

The Lexus 430SC and 48 Plymouth are in an entirely different class. If you ever get a chance to buy either, take the Plymouth, pass on the Lexus.

Excellent batch of comparison vehicles! Thanks for all of the info!

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by izjamest

Love my Z4 in Thundernight Metallic. A blast to drive. This is my first convertible. But I felt worth it for the price vs Porche and Mercedes convertibles that I was interested in. Get it!!!!!

“Get it!!!!!!” That’s the plan!

Congrats on getting your first convertible. Great color choice too. They all are a blast in any form, but the G29 is a real good one.

I’ll keep an eye open for you around Houston. I spend a lot of my time there going up and down and around I45, I10, 610, I69.

[SpeedyATL]

My first impressions were: too small, too noisy, too firm of a ride. But, i bought one anyway.

After a year, i love my Z. Only my second convertible in 23 years. Previous was a 99 m roadster.

Keep thinking i will trade for an m4 convertible, but the only reason i can think to do this is to have a real M again.

The G29 is nearly as fast around legal speeds, is better looking, more rare (vs all g8x), less expensive to buy and operate (tires, service, brakes, insurance, gas) and is more fun in the mountains. And, i don't need a back seat.

So its just a 'real M' thing. I'm not certain that's enough to warrant a change....

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

My first impressions were: too small, too noisy, too firm of a ride. But, i bought one anyway.

After a year, i love my Z. Only my second convertible in 23 years. Previous was a 99 m roadster.

Keep thinking i will trade for an m4 convertible, but the only reason i can think to do this is to have a real M again.

The G29 is nearly as fast around legal speeds, is better looking, more rare (vs all g8x), less expensive to buy and operate (tires, service, brakes, insurance, gas) and is more fun in the mountains. And, i don't need a back seat.

So its just a 'real M' thing. I'm not certain that's enough to warrant a change....

I think you have answered your own question, the G29 is a keeper and definitely better looking! 👍🏻

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

My first impressions were: too small, too noisy, too firm of a ride. But, i bought one anyway.

After a year, i love my Z. Only my second convertible in 23 years. Previous was a 99 m roadster.

Keep thinking i will trade for an m4 convertible, but the only reason i can think to do this is to have a real M again.

The G29 is nearly as fast around legal speeds, is better looking, more rare (vs all g8x), less expensive to buy and operate (tires, service, brakes, insurance, gas) and is more fun in the mountains. And, i don't need a back seat.

So its just a 'real M' thing. I'm not certain that's enough to warrant a change....

Any similarities between the Z3 & Z4? What do you like more about the Z4? Does the Z4 make you smile just as much or more than the M roadster?

[SpeedyATL]

Originally Posted by IcewaterPete

Any similarities between the Z3 & Z4? What do you like more about the Z4? Does the Z4 make you smile just as much or more than the M roadster?

Very few similarities except they are both roadsters. The Z4 is so much better in every way....but it is 23 years newer tech.

Its faster, more refined, better looking, better sounding,

[Wife'sCar]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

Very few similarities except they are both roadsters. The Z4 is so much better in every way....but it is 23 years newer tech.

Its faster, more refined, better looking, better sounding,

Ditto!! Our Z3 was a '99 2.5 we had for 22 years, Z4 is a '20 S30. Z4 does almost everything much better than the Z3 did. Z3 was a little more tossable, but wife doesn't drive that way anymore.