Insurance Group: 43
MPG: 31.0
CO2: 211
0-62 Mph: 4.8 secs
BHP: 340 BHP
Range: 375 miles
PROS: The top version of the Z4 offers stunning pace and comes with the M Sport styling package and suspension that makes it even better to drive, while it is also supplied with plenty of equipment.
CONS: The price for this version of the Z4 puts it in the same bracket as some very impressive sports cars, while the folding metal roof does take up a lot of the luggage space when folded down.
The twin turbo 3.0 litre engine is a powerful beast that offers some good performance figures, with acceleration from 0-62mph being achieved in a swift 4.8 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. The handling is very good with plenty of grip, and this helps the driver to feel confident cornering at speed whether the hood is up or down. The one drawback with this version of the car is that it does have a slightly firm suspension set up, but this isn't too much of a problem for most drivers.
Getting comfortable is easy in this car despite the relatively small cabin, with plenty of headroom when the hood is up, and adjustment in the supportive seats and the steering wheel. One surprising aspect is that the refinement in the car is very good, with not too much noise while the roof is up, but even when the roof is folded the buffeting is kept to a minimum thanks to the clever design.
The Z4 is a beautiful car whether the roof is up or down, and the front end is an evolution of previous BMW sports cars, with the narrow grille and sleek headlight clusters giving it a dynamic appearance. The low posture of the car also hints at how quickly it can be propelled by the engine, and when the roof is up it looks like a very attractive quick coupé. The alloy wheels complement the sleek lines of the car nicely, and the overall look is completed by a classy interior.
There is plenty of equipment included with this model of the Z4 as standard, including the attractive leather seats, which are comfortable and supportive. The climate control is a nice touch that keeps the car comfortable when the roof is up, while it also comes with a DAB digital radio received in a very nice stereo set up.
It is fair to say that the Z4 isn't the car for those who like to travel with plenty of luggage, as there are no back seats and the boot space is limited, especially when the folding metal roof takes up more of the precious boot space.
Safety is certainly one of the strong features with the BMW, as there are plenty of electronic systems to help the driver keep the car under control, with Dynamic Stability Control and corner brake control among the equipment to keep the car under control. There are also air bags built into the seats and a side impact system that also helps to protect the occupants in case of an accident. Like many German manufacturers BMW has developed a very good reputation for building reliable cars, and the original Z4 was very good, and this model is expected to be equally strong in terms of reliability.
The list price for this top end version of the Z4 is £45,815, which puts it in the same bracket as a well equipped Porsche Boxster, which makes it hard to recommend this particular model. The performance of the three litre engine does also come with reasonable efficiency, offering an average 31.4mpg. High insurance and tax costs will also help to make this a car that is fairly expensive to keep on the road.
One positive aspect of the Z4 is that its desirability means that cars that are well looked after and regularly serviced should hold their value quite well. The Z4 is supplied with a three year roadside breakdown assistance policy and a three year unlimited mileage warranty.
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