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How much?	£37,060
On sale in the UK:	Now
Engine:	2979cc 24v twin-turbo straight-six, 302bhp @ 5800rpm, 295lb ft @ 1300rpm
Transmission:	Seven-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive
Performance:	5.1sec 0-62mph, 155mph, 31.4mpg, 210g/km CO2
How heavy / made of?	1580kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	4239/1790/1291

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BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review

By Ben Barry

First Drives

19 March 2009 23:00

It says something that the first-generation BMW Z4 is already off-sale, yet it still looks ahead of its time, and is still fun to drive. The second-generation model, then, has quite an act to follow. CAR has just driven it, in twin turbo 35i trim – a 23i and 30i are also available – and we can report that it’s a very good car, but quite a departure from the model it replaces.

This new BMW Z4 looks a bit bigger to me...

It is. The old 3.0-litre soft-top was 4091mm long, 1781mm wide and 1299mm tall and weighed 1340kg, where the new one is 148mm longer, 9mm wider, but 9mm lower, and a full 240kg heavier. The proportions are similar – especially that cartoonishly long snout and the doors’ side scallop – but the rear is less truncated than before, giving more luggage space.

And some stowage capability for that folding hard-top, I’d say.

Indeed. This compact two-piece roof folds quickly (around 20 seconds) and neatly into the boot (the rear screen section first lifts up to sit on top of the roof, then both sections drop into the boot) at the press of a button, but only if the roof storage tray is in place. This tray ensures that no luggage will get in the roof’s way (and in doing so reduces stowage space from 310 to 180 litres) but has to be manually put in place even if the boot’s empty. You also can’t open or close the roof unless you’re completely stationary – because the process would momentarily obscure the rear parking brake, apparently.

There are worse hardships in this world, sure, but it can be quite annoying to be forced to come to a complete stop, press the button, then find that your empty boot won’t accept the roof because the tray isn’t in place.

Roof up, it’s coupe quiet, and with it down you’re very well protected from the airflow, even at high speed.

>> Click 'Next' below to read how the new BMW Z4 is on the road

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BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review

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romeeches says

RE: BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review

They should've left well enough alone. This is like the milquetoast version of the Z. Seems BMW has made both the 7-series and Z as generic as possible. ...not 'conservative,' but generic.

06 April 2009 11:55

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ga41 says

RE: BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review

Andremorten, you're getting sheeeepy... your eyelids are feeling heavy... Now sleeeeeep.

You dont like this bleating WAG's car... You think the old one is better in eeeevery waaaay.

On a more serious bleat i just bought a Z4 coupe so im rather biased you might say but i honestly dont think this moves the game forward in anyway in the looks department (apart from the rather lovely interior and sweet 3lt twin turbo engine). And i'm not saying this just to follow the flock. I really do think the old one looks better.

Plus Z4 M's are getting so cheap at the moment that they're a bargain if you want sheep thrills. A gorgeous exterior plus that competition bleating 3.2lt engine.. OK they do enjoy their drink but it's a flaw i can live with.

01 April 2009 10:40

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andrewmorten says

RE: BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review

Maybe it says something about me, but I find it a really sexy looking car. Yes wearing a bit too much makeup, but the lines are great. If this is where BMW is going after 8 years of gawkiness then I am celebrating. The interiour is also rather nice, especially now that its driver-centric again. That said its 350kg at least too heavy and about 5% too large. And that roof/boot sounds like a right royal pain. Hit and miss.

26 March 2009 21:19

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jacomoseven says

RE: BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review

Brand0,

I think you're absolutely right. It's the BMW for the key menopausal demographic.

Many of them will already own either an SL or XK, but will be worried about replacement costs given the current state of the financial markets. Here's the perfect solution - trade in the old banger, get a shiny new motor that will hopefully make that hunky gardener think they've still *got it* - and all for no extra outlay.

BMW are onto a winner.

23 March 2009 13:58

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Brand0 says

RE: BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review

It seems pretty clear to me that this car has moved up a size to give another option to those thinking of a 3 year old SL or XK. For these people the old Z4, Boxster, and TT are not 'proper' cars. BMW have also clearly decided to rekindle it's roadster's love affair with women by putting more curve and softness into the car's design. Key though is the fact that there are still enough 'technical highlights' to keep the likes of me interested. I think it looks great inside and out, and not too girly. I've not seen a bad photo of it yet and though not as cutting edge as the orginal, it still going ot be recognised as a Z4. I guess BMW hopes to gather in more new women than the men (and those for whom the price jump is a bit too rich) they'll lose in the menatime. It's certainly a gamble. Audi and Mercedes will be only too pleased to see this move, but it remains to be seen if this car has moved the goal post far enough. Of course it would all make perfect sense if they did another Z1 complete with the funky doors! I am not happy though that it drives lardy, even though the weight hike is probably worth if it means having that roof.

22 March 2009 23:46

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