[Westside Guy]

Many thanks to 23TripleBlack for bumping this old thread!

I use my M40i as my DD even though we also have a 2021 228i which I only use to transport very large objects. Otherwise, the trunk is large enough to transport most normal sized items.

Yes, the mileage on the M40i is not as good as what people get on the 30i but the goosebumps I have every time I start the car are priceless.

The car is an absolute dream to drive and I have no regrets buying it!

[OVERLND99]

I have not gotten mine yet, but I do plan to use this as a daily driver. I am getting the M40i. I do work from home, so "daily" wont be so "daily". My wife has an Explorer, so if we ever need to move anything more than just the two of us, we have that. We have no kids, just dogs. So I think it will work out great.

[Horseman]

I do. And here is my one year review:

[BEAR-AvHistory]

During good weather, most of the year, the 3 convertibles get sort of a rotation. The Z4 being my preferred long range car for trips to the beach 400+ miles round trip.

Bad weather, snow etc, the 4X4 Ranger & 4X4 Expedition Max get the call. Big Max also is used for major supply runs or trailering.

[stlcdr]

Those that daily drive, and live in a ‘variable’ climate, what do you do about tires?

I’m on the OEM tires, of course, Pilot SuperSport. Summer tires, but at the moment the sun is out but it’s cold (mid 20s tomorrow, up to around 50). It’s that edge zone. Or just hang it up and stay nice and toasty in the Expedition?

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Those that daily drive, and live in a ‘variable’ climate, what do you do about tires?

I mostly leave mine garaged and drive the other vehicle. I've driven cars with summer tires in the winter and they were fine as long as it was dry, and I took it easy and avoided potholes (the rubber compound isn't particularly pliant when cold).

If it was a DD, I'd buy a winter wheel and tire set but the Zed is our "fun car" so winter tires would be a waste.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Raleigh looks like 53.6 to 32 degrees, over the cold months. Yesterday was 71 today its 55.

Not unusual to wear a tee shirt on Christmas day.

Get some snow in the winter for a few days melts pretty fast.



I run Michlen PPS & PS4 tires on the cars, SCORPION+ all terrain on the SUV, BFGoodrich ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 on the Ranger which is use for hunting & NITTO NT01 Road Course tires on the Cobra.

[RavenGX]

For me its my only car, so i also drive it when it's snowing.
its a bit less stable than my 4gran coupe in the snow, but still drives fine (using winter tires)
the cabin space and seats in front, in my opinion, are more comfortable than the 4series i had which makes it excellent for long drives.

The only downside is the trunk space which is about 30cm in height (11.8inches) and the rear bumper sits a bit higher, so with bigger stuff you can not make use of the full 30cm since you won't be able to get the box in the trunk.

But I'm an IT-guy so most of the time it's only my laptop that gets transported around. The few times i need a bigger car i ask a friend or rent a van or something.

[Flying Clog]

My only car so yes - daily driver all year round.

Boot space is more than ample for a large suitcase and other smaller bags and I really don't need anything else.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Flying Clog

My only car so yes - daily driver all year round.

Boot space is more than ample for a large suitcase and other smaller bags and I really don't need anything else.

You can fit two 21/22" carry-on size bags in the trunk of the Z4 which is perfect for a short trip.

[Paragon-A]

I'm a Single guy, Early 30s and my 22 z4s30 is my only vehicle . Coming an 18 Accord, I was quite nervous I would miss the space but I don't. The car is the dream to drive and driving with top down is nothing short of therapeutic .

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

I'm sure the Z4 would make a fine daily driver in some climates. Mine is a summer toy only; I daily drive my Ram 4x4, GLC43AMG or one of my motorcycles (on occasion). I don't drive my sportscars to work or in the winter so they are parked for 6 months of the year.

Dave

Well, in the 3.5 years since this thread was started my Ram turned into a 2022 F350 Superduty and the GLC43AMG turned into an 2021 Audi SQ8....still have the motorcycles and the Z4 still hangs out on my lift all winter. I think I have about 7,000 miles on it now....

[Flying Clog]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

You can fit two 21/22" carry-on size bags in the trunk of the Z4 which is perfect for a short trip.

Agreed.
Last weekend I had 90cm trolley bag, folded up bike carrier, 4 bags of groceries in the boot and had room for more.

Very practical !!

[Accentu8]

My main concerns below about M40i as DD. I’m getting more nervous about that proposition. I don’t currently go into the office but that could change at any time and my Audi makes the perfect commuter. SQ5 has air ride so it lowers to almost sedan ride height therefore handles unbelievably well at speed and ride is unbelievable.

Size, surrounded by trucks and SUVs, especially on freeways at high speed.
Ride quality esp on rougher pavement.
Low ground clearance which can make navigating high areas tricky even at lower speeds.
Not worried about storage, I don’t carry much in my vehicle at all.
I’ve had lower slung sportier cars, but not in years. Last 5-6 years, sport sedans and the SQ.

This is a lot of money so I can’t make a mistake.

Thanks all!

[leeatmg]

I use mine as a DD, and probably will put ~5k miles on it per year (I work from home.). Granted, I’m not in a winter climate but I have no issues using this car every day. So much fun to drive; I’ve managed a whole cart of groceries in the trunk (as well as 2 23+ inch rolling suitcases plus more when traveling.). On rough roads, the comfort setting is “enough” and TBH, I don’t mind the sports car feel anyway. I find it to be a wonderful car all around, and while driving next to a semi at 80mph is a little intimidating, that’s what the vertical pedal on the right is for.

[CJ421]

The Z4 is my only car and I drive it year-round. I put winter tires on the factory wheels.

Driving in several inches of snow is a no-no, but that's something you plan for ...if it's going to snow, I avoid driving no matter what car I have.

Originally Posted by 23TripleBlack

My main concerns below about M40i as DD. I’m getting more nervous about that proposition. I don’t currently go into the office but that could change at any time and my Audi makes the perfect commuter. SQ5 has air ride so it lowers to almost sedan ride height therefore handles unbelievably well at speed and ride is unbelievable.

Size, surrounded by trucks and SUVs, especially on freeways at high speed.
Ride quality esp on rougher pavement.
Low ground clearance which can make navigating high areas tricky even at lower speeds.
Not worried about storage, I don’t carry much in my vehicle at all.
I’ve had lower slung sportier cars, but not in years. Last 5-6 years, sport sedans and the SQ.

This is a lot of money so I can’t make a mistake.

Thanks all!

If there's something the Z4 isn't lacking, it's road presence. You'll be noticed on the highway and anywhere else you drive. I've done trips through crowded cities (Washington DC, etc.) and never had a problem. And this car is so stable and maneuverable at highway speed that you won't feel insecure.

The ride quality isn't harsh. I have the 19" wheels w/ Michelin PSS tires, which are stiff. But the suspension dissipates bumps nicely. There's not a whole lot of shock travel, so you'll be moving around, but not in an abrupt manner.

The ground clearance also is manageable. You obviously can't drive up to concrete curbs like you can in an SUV. I used to drive a lowered car and had to go over every speed bump, driveway entrance, and so on at an angle, but so far the Z4 hasn't made me do that.

I think time with the car will solve your concerns. Basically, I had similar fears before I got my Z4 (I never test drove it, or any roadster for that matter) and pretty much forgot them before I got it home from the dealer.

Charles

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by CJ421

The Z4 is my only car and I drive it year-round. I put winter tires on the factory wheels.

Driving in several inches of snow is a no-no, but that's something you plan for ...if it's going to snow, I avoid driving no matter what car I have.

If there's something the Z4 isn't lacking, it's road presence. You'll be noticed on the highway and anywhere else you drive. I've done trips through crowded cities (Washington DC, etc.) and never had a problem. And this car is so stable and maneuverable at highway speed that you won't feel insecure.

The ride quality isn't harsh. I have the 19" wheels w/ Michelin PSS tires, which are stiff. But the suspension dissipates bumps nicely. There's not a whole lot of shock travel, so you'll be moving around, but not in an abrupt manner.

The ground clearance also is manageable. You obviously can't drive up to concrete curbs like you can in an SUV. I used to drive a lowered car and had to go over every speed bump, driveway entrance, and so on at an angle, but so far the Z4 hasn't made me do that.

I think time with the car will solve your concerns. Basically, I had similar fears before I got my Z4 (I never test drove it, or any roadster for that matter) and pretty much forgot them before I got it home from the dealer.

Charles

I second everything that Charles has said.

On the highway I feel completely safe at high speeds.

Comfort mode is exactly that, comfortable and I love the seats.

The only concern I have ever had is with my Z4 is pulling up to concrete curb guards in parking lots and making sure I don't touch them with the bottom of my front bumper.

We have speed bumps nearby and I can go straight over them in Comfort mode at 20mph without any issue.

[DPelletier]

I also find the Z4 very comfortable and composed at speed. ditto on the low curbs too.

Dave

[crashd]

Agree with Charles's post ^ there.

I daily drive mine. Here in Finland it's required by law to have winter tires "when the weather requires it". I have a set of Nokian R3 nordics - it's not the ideal driving experience but the grip levels with snow and ice is so much better than summers.

[ebirotedu]

WRT to historical use of sports cars in winter & snow, marginal traction and high power have been greatly mitigated with the advent of better snow tires and traction management systems.

The only compelling reasons remaining, IMO, to not drive a sports car in the winter are that you're worried about other people who don't have good tires, good driving skills and/or traction management systems on their cars, and the possibility of getting road salt or other snow/ice road treatments on your undercarriage that may cause or otherwise accelerate corrosion. Particularly in places like the northeastern US. Even then, modern cars seem a lot less amenable to the kind of rusting out common a few decades ago, but maybe I say that because I live in the southeastern US now where it's not as common.

And I don't like when my Z4 is dirty, and that includes any sort of coating of dust or dirt on the frozen paint of the sort that accumulates if I even hit a single unimproved road on a dry day. The last thing I did since it was last driven and parked in the garage, nearly two weeks ago, was wash it.

I keep my daily driver truck reasonably clean, but it's been a couple weeks since its last wash. And on a truck, dirt is a badge of honor with some folks.

[Living Dead]

This is my 3rd Z4 Daily driver and by far the most comfortable for the duty. All were good in the snow with winter tires, the E89's trunk was a little small and longer road trips had to be made with the top up until the destination was reached. The A5 in the background is my wife's car.

[crashd]

Originally Posted by Living Dead

the E89's trunk was a little small and longer road trips had to be made with the top up until the destination was reached

It's funny remembering how much less practical E89 was compared to the new Z4. I at least so many times opened the trunk just to realise you weren't able to get stuff out of there.