By Guest. on 9th Apr 2008
Guest.'s Ratings| Year Manufactured | 2003 |
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| Length of ownership | 3 years |
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| Doors | 2 |
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| Performance | 9/10  |
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| Practicality | 7/10 |
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| Reliability | 9/10 |
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| Value for money | 10/10 |
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| Overall value | 10/10 |
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 Guest.'s recommendation |
Good Points
Standout styling (love it or hate it at least it gets noticed - there are far uglier cars that don't have any of the other virtues in the z4). Great engines and transmission, nice fit and finish, atmospheric cabin, great proportions, great performance and handling, rarity on the roads.
Bad Points
inverse snobbery directed at the driver of a BMW. With the Z4 being fairly cheap not all Z4 drivers will be looking down their noses at other drivers, in fact many will buy it INSPITE of it being a BMW purely as the great value for money all rounder roadster it is. If it had a japanese badge on it people would go easier on it.
General Comments
At the price BMW Z4s now go for on the 2nd hand market, its a performance/style bargain. Its not as all out racer as the Honda S2000, but its nowhere near as tame as the typical roadsters like the MGF and MX5. It is NOT aimed at females but females will buy it, its a vast improvement in looks and ability over the Z3 and if people who cant see past the styling just took a while to see how BLAND the car would look (see an S2000 for comparison) without the side styling and aggressive front and rear they would understand why many people do enjoy the looks of the car. I think most Z4 buyers buy not because of the looks but the quality of the car in its segment and all round ability in comparison to its flawed competition. If the looks are the only downside (and they are still in my opinion very cool looking compared to the on every street MX5 and totally anonymous S2000 styling) then it says a lot about the actual ability of the car.
Z4 too is flawed, all cars are but where it counts it delivers and for a good price. Its a nicer car to be in than most sub 25k roadsters and is fun and powerful to drive. Personally I love the looks purely because they defy convention AND look sporty (especially the rear view and rear haunches).
A great, misunderstood car that most people dont see past the looks or the badge of, a shame because its a stunning car to own and to drive.
