The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Tight hardtop
- Velvety, responsive engines
- Excellent dual-clutch automatic
- Phenomenal poise, with good ride quality
- Storage bins!
Dislikes
- Tight cabin and low windshield header
- Steering ratio feels too quick
- Unimpressive standard sound system
- Bluetooth is optional
- Pricey
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2010 BMW Z4 has evolved into an exhilarating sports car with a marvelous folding top, but interior space is tight and the price is dear.
The BMW roadster era began again in 1996 with the introduction of the South Carolina-built Z3. That rounded, Miata-esque two-seater evolved into the flame-surfaced Z4 in 2002. Now, the Z4 has been reimagined again, with a more elegant body, a tighter cabin, and much quicker performance. With a base price of $46,000, the Z4 competes against the Audi TT, Porsche Boxster, and Mercedes-Benz SLK, as well as the Infiniti G37 Convertible.
Leaner and yet more voluptuous, the newest BMW Z4 introduced in the 2009 model year and carried over for 2010 is a bit more conservative than before. The hood is long and low, with the short-deck proportions of a classic roadster. The front end's been brought up to speed with the lines of other new BMWs, and the sides have seen their aggressive creases and flares softened. The silhouette flows with far more elegance, seen in smooth, long arcs connecting the hood to the rear fenders. The rear wheel wells are pronounced in their size-and taper toward Porsche Boxster-like tail lamps. The Z4 side view shows a slim bubble when the roof is raised. Relative to the otherwise tight proportions, the long overhangs are more noticeable in back, where the Z4 needs the length for stowing its retractable hardtop. Like the sheetmetal, the cabin has a far richer, more sophisticated feel; it's the most upscale of all its competition. The rakish design divides some controls in a strong, graphic trim panel, and cants them slightly toward the driver. There's more metallic trim and choices of contrasting leather trim, all giving the Z4 a fair whiff of nostalgia among its modern controls. Overall, the look inside is a little more cluttered but much more useful. There's an iDrive controller and an electric parking brake in the center console; the navigation screen, when so equipped, pops up from the top center of the dash.
The 2010 BMW Z4 is offered in two models. The Z4 sDrive30i sports a 255-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six; a 300-horsepower, twin-turbo version of that engine comes in the sDrive35i. The base six has a familiar BMW growl and builds even power up to its 6,000-rpm redline; with a manual shifter, its acceleration and feel are pure classic roadster, not overwhelmingly exotic. The turbo version's more guttural and more of a high-speed hammer, with effortless high-speed passing and strong power for sinewy mountain roads. Both versions have a standard six-speed manual; the base car has an optional automatic with manual shift mode. The 2010 Z4 turbo has an option for BMW's new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which includes steering-wheel paddle shifters so that shifts can be ordered up at the tap of a thumb (for downshifts) or fingertips (upshifts). The dual-clutch gearbox lets drivers choose gears and then reverts to an automatic shift mode, or it can be locked in Manual mode for all-paddle control. The turbo six, with this transmission, is an exhilarating ride; shifts are quick, smooth, and without a jolt, making it easy to keep the power on boil. A 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds is possible (the non-turbo six can manage 5.6 seconds). Top speed with a Sport package can hit 150 mph; it's 130 mph without. Impressive fuel economy comes with any version; the base manual Z4 earns 19/29 mpg fuel economy ratings, and the turbo dual-clutch is rated at 17/24 mpg.
Handling and ride are electronically influenced with the Z4's addition of Driving Dynamics Control. Three modes-Normal, Sport, and Sport+-are programmed into the car's electronic controls for steering feel, automatic-transmission shift speed, and stability control response. In cars equipped with the optional Adaptive M Suspension with Electronic Damping Control (part of the Sport Package), it also controls the suspension damping. With the adaptive suspension, the Z4 is remarkably flexible, soaking up patchy bumps and even coarse, jiggly surfaces but tightening up for the esses and quick maneuvers. The Z4 grips and grins, but the steering does pay a price in feedback: It's a touch too quick, and there's little difference in feel as the Z4 passes over smooth to coarse surfaces. Big, smoothly modulating brakes feel responsive but not touchy, firm but not unyielding.
Prepare to downsize your life if you upgrade to the latest 2010 Z4. BMW's penned a cabin that's not very spacious-in fact, it's just adequate for most adults. The pair of seats now has longer, adjustable bottom cushions, but most passengers still will catch air under their knees. Taller drivers will have to slouch to see stoplights from behind the low windshield header. What it lacks in interior space, it makes up for in storage; there's a small cargo shelf behind the seats, a low cargo net to trap objects nearby, and a center console tray, as well as clamshell door pockets. A cold-weather package adds seatback netting, luggage straps, and a storage box at the bulkhead. Aside from a sharp edge or two, the 2010 Z4 wears quite nice interior trim in aluminum, ash, leather, and metallic-painted plastic, with an extended-leather option that hides the dash, door caps, and visors. The trunk space is big enough for a couple of carry-on suitcases, plus a camera bag or several duffel bags. Assembly quality and finish on TheCarConnection.com's test vehicles are high, and the Z4 has low wind buffeting with the top down and windows raised. With the top up, you can carry on a quiet conversation at 80 mph-which wasn't possible in the previous Z4.
Neither NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) nor the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has crash-tested the latest Z4. The previous Z4 fared rather poorly, but the new version has been reengineered. TheCarConnection.com will update this safety rating when more data is available. Standard safety equipment includes dual front airbags, as well as seat-mounted airbags that inflate to cover the head and thorax. Pop-up roll hoops are built in behind the rear seats and deploy with the airbags in a rollover. The stability control system has a sport-driving mode and simulates a limited-slip differential to help the Z4 corner more effectively. Active cruise control is standard; automatic headlamps are a new option for 2010, but lane-departure systems and a rearview camera are not offered. Compared to the previous Z4, the side windows are 40 percent larger and the back window is 52 percent larger, which means you don't get the visibility issues that make it a pain to drive in the city with the top raised.
The 2010 BMW Z4 is a far more expensive proposition than in the past. The base price is higher than the old Z4 M, at more than $46,000. It has added many standard features, including the folding hardtop, which takes about 20 seconds to lower or raise from a power switch on the console. It folds with surprising finesse-smoothly and quietly, without the unsettling graunching sounds found in other retractable hardtop cars. The available dual-zone climate control goes into a separate mode with the roof open. The standard features list includes dynamic cruise control, HD radio, and xenon headlamps with cornering lamps, but items like satellite radio and a USB port are optional, as are Bluetooth and smartphone integration. The available premium sound system gets 14 speakers and 650 watts, and the base system has 10 speakers and subwoofers, though TheCarConnection.com's editors aren't very impressed with its top-down sound. The optional navigation system includes iDrive, along with an 80-gigabyte hard drive-15 gigs of which are partitioned for personal music storage. The add-on features of the 2010 Z4 can take it from expensive roadster to near-exotic prices; tacking on the Sport Package and Cold Weather Package to the base car pushes its price to the $50,000 mark, while a completely optioned turbo Z4 zips past $70,000.
2010 BMW Z4 Styling
Flame surfacing goes on holiday as the 2010 BMW Z4 smoothes down its ruffled surfaces and grows into its looks.
Leaner and yet more voluptuous, the newest BMW Z4 introduced in the 2009 model year and carried over for 2010 is a bit more conservative than previous car.
Autoblog characterizes the new BMW Z4 as "artfully sculpted," noting it "looks remarkably similar to the Z8," a limited-production BMW from earlier this decade that has become a much-sought-after collector's item. Automobile contends it "looks as if it's finally passed through its awkward adolescence and has filled out into a curvaceous hardtop roadster" with lines that "look similar to those of the BMW 1-series, though some cues carry over from the new 7-series as well." The hood is long and low, with the short-deck proportions of a classic roadster. The front end's been brought up to speed with the lines of other new BMWs, and the sides have seen their aggressive creases and flares softened. The silhouette flows with far more elegance, its smooth, long arcs connecting the hood to the rear fenders. The rear wheel wells are pronounced in their size-and taper toward Porsche Boxster-like tail lamps. The Z4 side view shows a slim bubble when the roof is raised. Cars.com says, "particularly given BMW's penchant for taut, short-overhang profiles," the long overhangs are more noticeable in back, where the Z4 needs the length for stowing its retractable hardtop. Motor Trend reports "BMW has signaled a clear departure from previous Bangle-era cues," and this Z4 is more attractive and "less controversial," remarks Cars.com, "in part because the prior soft-top Z4 was among the most risqué designs of its day."
Like the sheetmetal, the cabin has a far richer, more sophisticated feel; it's the most upscale of all its competition. Automobile declares, "the interior appears to have moved decidedly more upscale." The rakish design divides some controls in a strong, graphic trim panel, and cants them slightly toward the driver. Autoblog reports "the speedometer and tachometer take center stage, with fuel and oil temperature gauges set immediately below." Motor Trend admires the "fresh new interior" and dash that "now features large, sweeping, hockey stick-style curves and asymmetrical vents." There's more metallic trim and choices of contrasting leather trim, all giving the Z4 a fair whiff of nostalgia among its modern controls. When outfitted with the optional navigation system and iDrive combination, the BMW Z4 gets an "8.8-in. screen [that] pops up out of the dash as needed to control the audio and navigation functions," says Motor Trend. Overall, the look inside is a little more cluttered but much more useful.
2010 BMW Z4 Performance
A pair of powerful six-cylinders and an incredible new automatic transmission give the 2010 BMW Z4 a serious performance punch.
The 2010 BMW Z4 is offered in two models. The Z4 sDrive30i sports a 255-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six; a 300-horsepower, twin-turbo version of that engine comes in the sDrive35i. Cars.com reports the "sDrive30i's 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine makes 255 horsepower and 220 pounds-feet of torque," while the sDrive35i gets "a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 300 hp and 300 pounds-feet of torque." The twin-turbo's extra 45 horses and significant 80 pound-feet of torque are appealing on paper, but Edmunds says you really can't go wrong with either of the 2010 BMW Z4's "excellent powertrains." TheCarConnection.com's editors feel the base six has a familiar BMW growl and builds even power up to its 6,000-rpm redline; with a manual shifter, its acceleration and feel are pure classic roadster, not overwhelmingly exotic. The turbo version's more guttural and more of a high-speed hammer, with effortless high-speed passing and strong power for sinewy mountain roads.
Both versions have a standard six-speed manual; Cars.com notes "BMW says the manual shifter has the shortest throws of any stick shift it makes." The base car has an optional automatic with manual shift mode. The 2010 Z4 turbo has an option for BMW's new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which includes steering-wheel paddle shifters so that shifts can be ordered up at the tap of a thumb (for downshifts) or fingertips (upshifts). The dual-clutch gearbox lets drivers choose gears and then reverts to an automatic shift mode, or it can be locked in Manual mode for all-paddle control. Car and Driver says that this automatic, which offers seven gears, "is the first application of a double-clutch gearbox in a BMW outside of the M3," and they note that "all the gear ratios except for second are the same" between the two vehicles.
The turbo six with the dual-clutch transmission is an exhilarating ride; shifts are quick, smooth, and without a jolt, making it easy to keep the power at a boil. Jalopnik raves that at "any gear, any speed, the new Z4 has huge amounts of shove, culminating in a still impressive top end rush." A 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds is possible (the non-turbo six can manage 5.6 seconds). Top speed with a Sport package can hit 150 mph; it's 130 mph without.
Impressive fuel economy comes with any version; the base manual Z4 earns 19/29 mpg fuel economy ratings, and the turbo dual-clutch is rated at 17/24 mpg.
Handling and ride are electronically influenced with the Z4's addition of Driving Dynamics Control. Three modes-Normal, Sport, and Sport+-are programmed into the car's electronic controls for steering feel, automatic-transmission shift speed, and stability control response. In cars equipped with the optional Adaptive M Suspension with Electronic Damping Control (part of the Sport Package), it also controls the suspension damping. With the adaptive suspension, the Z4 is remarkably flexible, soaking up patchy bumps and even coarse, jiggly surfaces but tightening up for the esses and quick maneuvers. Jalopnik compares the current BMW Z4 to the outgoing Z4 M by commenting that "where the Z4 M was a one-trick pony-great at corners, but harsh everywhere else-the new car is at least as capable without sacrificing a smooth ride." Motor Trend reviewers credit the smooth ride to the optional "Adaptive M Suspension with Electronic Dampening Control," which is reportedly "so fast in changing compression and rebound on the shock absorbers that input, say a pothole, from the front suspension can be processed and adjustments can be made before the rear wheels reach the pothole."
The Z4 grips and induces grins, but the steering does pay a price in feedback: It's a touch too quick, and there's little difference in feel as the Z4 passes over smooth to coarse surfaces. Edmunds reports that the "electric power steering is uncharacteristically numb for a BMW," while Autoblog similarly deems steering as "uncharacteristically light and numb for a BMW." Car and Driver contends "the Z4 moves sharply along twisty roads, but the steering feel and the extreme rearward driving position make for a personality that is more deliberate than darty."
When it's time to put an end to the fun, the Z4's big, smoothly modulating brakes feel responsive but not touchy, firm but not unyielding. Car and Driver says the BMW Z4's brakes are "prone to fade after repeated hard stops, despite relatively large 13.7-inch discs in front and 11.8-inch discs in the rear."
2010 BMW Z4 Comfort & Quality
The 2010 BMW Z4 has more space and storage than before-it's still a little tight-and a much richer interior.
Prepare to downsize your life if you upgrade to the latest 2010 Z4. BMW's penned a cabin that's not very spacious-in fact, it's just adequate for most adults.
It is larger than before, however. Cars.com reviewers find that the "two-seat interior offers noticeably more headroom and legroom than before," with Motor Trend measuring "0.2 in. more headroom, 0.79 in. more shoulder room and 1.69 in. more elbowroom." It may not sound like much, but Car and Driver says that the "roomier, more comfortable interior" helps make the BMW Z4 "an everyday-capable roadster." The 2010 BMW Z4's interior size is generous enough that one Autoblog reviewer claims his "six-foot two-inch frame fit comfortably" inside the cockpit, which offers legroom that is "nearly identical to the Porsche Boxster, but the Z4 offers a bit more shoulder room." Taller drivers will have to slouch to see stoplights from behind the low windshield header. Car and Driver observes "the standard leather seats are treated with the hot-pants-friendly Sun Reflective Technology (also applied to the steering wheel), which keeps the surfaces cool to cut back on any skin scorching on a hot day."
What it lacks in interior space, it makes up for in storage. Cars.com observes that, compared to the previous BMW Z4, there are "more storage options-albeit few compared to a conventional luxury sedan or coupe." There's a small cargo shelf behind the seats, a low cargo net to trap objects nearby, a center console tray, and clamshell door pockets. A cold-weather package packs on seatback netting, luggage straps, and a storage box at the bulkhead. Edmunds adds that interior storage includes a "small storage area behind the seats that works well for purses or backpacks as well as a moderately sized pass-through" into the trunk. The trunk space is big enough for a couple of carry-on suitcases, plus a camera bag or several duffel bags, but as Edmunds notes, trunk size drops from "a respectable 11 cubic feet with the top up" to just "6 with the top down." Jalopnik calls the six cubic feet "still-very-useful," though.
Aside from a sharp edge or two, the 2010 Z4 wears quite nice interior trim in aluminum, ash, leather and metallic-painted plastic, with an extended-leather option that hides the dash, door caps, and visors. Assembly quality and finish on TheCarConnection.com's test vehicles are high. Edmunds raves that the "cabin is...more elegant than it used to be, with better materials and greater attention to detail." Jalopnik reports "the fit and finish and quality of materials is far beyond that of the old Z4" and is now "on par with the 3- and 5-Series." The Z4 also has low wind buffeting with the top down and windows raised. With the top up, you can carry on a quiet conversation at 80 mph-which wasn't possible in the previous Z4. Jalopnik says it has "all the refinement of a coupe-conversation is easy even close to the vehicle's top speed-without the traditional downsides of a folding hard top." Car and Driver believes "BMW's claim that the aluminum roof is quieter than a softtop," while Autoblog states that, "even with all of the windows down, and without a wind blocker between the seats, air management is acceptable."
2010 BMW Z4 Safety
TheCarConnection.com rates the 2010 BMW Z4 highly for safety based on standard safety features, but crash-test data is unavailable.
Neither NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) nor the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has crash-tested the latest Z4. The previous Z4 fared rather poorly, but the new version has been reengineered. TheCarConnection.com will update this safety rating when more data is available.
Standard safety equipment includes dual front airbags, along with seat-mounted airbags that inflate to cover the head and thorax. Edmunds points out the folding hardtop roof "incorporates a support system that helps protect occupants in case of a rollover accident."
The stability control system has a sport-driving mode and simulates a limited-slip differential to help the Z4 corner more effectively. Motor Trend notes the Z4 incorporates a "Brake Drying function, Brake Standby and Brake StartOff," all controlled by "BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, which can be completely disabled, a development enthusiasts will surely appreciate."
Active cruise control is standard; automatic headlamps are a new option for 2010, but lane-departure systems and a rearview camera are not offered.
Compared to the previous Z4, the side windows are 40 percent larger and the back window is 52 percent larger, which means you don't get the visibility issues that make it a pain to drive in the city with the top raised. Jalopnik reports that the driver's "vision is excellent with no oversize blind spots," in large part "thanks to tiny rear 3/4 windows that retract into the car's body instead of the doors." Motor Trend figures "all-around visibility is up 14 percent over the outgoing model, with 40-percent larger side windows and 52-percent more see-through area out the glass rear window."
2010 BMW Z4 Features
The 2010 BMW Z4 skips some rather obvious luxury features on its standard-equipment list, and options and packages turbocharge the Z4's price.
The 2010 BMW Z4 is a far more expensive proposition than in the past. The base price is higher than the old Z4 M, at more than $46,000.
It adds many standard features, including the folding hardtop, which takes about 20 seconds to lower or raise from a power switch on the console. It folds with surprising finesse-smoothly and quietly, without the unsettling graunching sounds found in other retractable hardtop cars. The available dual-zone climate control goes into a separate mode with the roof open. Aside from that common quibble, reviewers tend to focus on the new hardtop. Cars.com notes the "two-piece aluminum hardtop power-retracts in just 20 seconds; many hardtop convertibles take 25 seconds or more."
The standard features list includes dynamic cruise control, HD radio, and xenon headlamps with cornering lamps. Edmunds confirms standard equipment includes "a CD audio system with satellite radio preparation and an auxiliary input jack, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dynamic cruise control and rain-sensing wipers." Edmunds adds the "sDrive35i adds niceties like leather seating, automatic climate control and aluminum interior trim" to the mix.
Items like satellite radio and a USB port are optional, as are Bluetooth, smartphone integration, and interior trim choices. Car and Driver recommends the "Extended Leather package that covers most of the interior in cowhide." Cars.com reports "other options include...dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats and a heated steering wheel."
The optional navigation system includes iDrive, along with an 80-gigabyte hard drive-15 gigs of which are partitioned for personal music storage. Edmunds has some good news: The iDrive system on the BMW Z4 "benefits from the substantial revisions that BMW has applied for '09" and is "much easier to use than before."
Motor Trend reports "14-speaker, 650-watt stereo comes with an auxiliary input jack," in case you don't want to fool around with the hard drive's music-storage capability. The available premium sound system gets 14 speakers and 650 watts, and the base system has 10 speakers and subwoofers, though TheCarConnection's editors aren't very impressed with its top-down sound.
The add-on features of the 2010 Z4 can take it from expensive roadster to near-exotic prices; packing on the Sport Package and Cold Weather Package to the base car pushes its price to the $50,000 mark, while a completely optioned turbo Z4 zips past $70,000.
