New BMW Z4 Roadster Review
Introducing the all-new BMW Z4 Roadster. Not many cars make you stop, look and say I want one, but the Z4 Roadster certainly pushes all the right buttons, sweeping lines, striking design and a choice of responsive engines all contribute to give a stunning two seater roadster. The old Z4 was a looker but BMW have taken the best bits and made them better, the interior on the new Z4 is just as finely crafted as the exterior and with that long bonnet and the seats so close to the floor, combined with the rear wheel drive you will never feel more at one with road ahead as you do with the Z4 Roadster.
All BMW Z4 Roadsters are fitted with Dynamic stability control plus as standard, DSC + comprises - anti lock braking system (ABS), automatic stability control (ASC+T), brake drying, brake fade compensation, brake pre tensioning, cornering brake control (CBC), dynamic brake control (DBC), dynamic traction control (DTC), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), engine drag torque control (MSR), hill start assist and soft stop.
Entry level on the Z4 Roadster is the 2.0i, powered by a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder in-line, light alloy petrol engine with four valve valvetronic engine management, the 2.0i develops 150 hp through a six speed manual transmission giving a top speed of 137 mph. Standard features on the 2.0i include 16" cross spoke alloy wheels (style 104), BMW Z link suspension, disc brakes all round with inner vented discs on the front, electric power steering with servotronic, front and rear anti roll bars, a Thatcham 1 alarm system with remote control and engine immobiliser, driver and front passenger front side airbags, brake force display, halogen headlights, run flat tyres with tyre puncture warning system (TPWS), side impact protection, manually adjusted sports seats, single oval exhaust tail pipe, electrically adjustable, aspheric, tinted door mirrors in body colour, black headlight housings, chrome kidney grille with black vertical slats, manually operated, lined soft top with heated glass rear windscreen, automatic air conditioning, aluminium door sill finishers with BMW design, electric windows, silk graphite interior trim, three spoke sports steering wheel and a BMW business radio / single CD with MP3 CD playback compatibility.
The Z4 Roadster 2.0i SE is the next specification level in the roadster range and has heated exterior mirrors, heated windscreen washer jets, front fog lights, fully automatic lined soft top with heated rear windscreen and an on board computer that indicates average speed, fuel consumption, range and outside temperature display all fitted in addition or replacement to the standard equipment on the 2.0i Roadster.
Next up is the Z4 Roadster 2.5i SE, standard equipment on this vehicle is the same as the 2.0i SE although it is powered by a 2.5 litre, six cylinder in-line engine with valvetronic II technology developing 177 hp through the six speed manual box, giving you a top speed of 142 mph or 140 mph if you choose the option of the automatic gearbox, you also get twin round exhaust tail pipes on this model.
The 2.5si SE has the same powerhouse as the 2.5i SE with chromeline inner door grab handles, chromeline steering wheel spider, chromeline gear knob spider, chromeline roll over hoops, chromeline seat belt guide loops, inner vented front and rear disc brakes, sport mode driving dynamics control, gear lever knob, handbrake lever and gaiters in leather, three spoke sports steering wheel in leather and an auto dimming rear view mirror all in addition or replacement to the equipment fitted as standard to the 2.5i SE Roadster.
The largest engine in the Z4 Roadster range is the 3.0 litre, six cylinder in-line engine with valvetronic II technology that powers the 3.0si SE, this unit pumps out 265 hp giving a top speed of 155 mph. Standard equipment on this vehicle in addition or replacement to the specification of the 2.5si SE includes 17" star spoke alloy wheels (style200), armrest on the transmission tunnel, matt chrome headlight housings, headlight wash system, brushed aluminium interior trim, electric seat adjustment with driver memory, the distinctive BMW kidney grille with matt silk graphite vertical slats, rain sensor with auto headlight activation, an interior lights package, Oregon leather upholstery and metallic paint.
All Z4 Roadster models can be up rated to the sport level of trim with 18" M double spoke alloy wheels (style787) active sport leather / fibre material upholstery (Oregon leather on the 3.0si Sport), brushed aluminium interior trim, gear lever knob and handbrake lever and gaiters in leather, M sports seats, M sport suspension and an M leather three spoke steering wheel all in addition or replacement to their respective SE Roadster models.
Like the looks of the BMW Z4 Roadster, why not check out the Audi TT, the Nissan 350Z, the Chrysler Crossfire, the BMW 3 Series Convertible or the Audi A4 Cabriolet.
Finance your new BMW Z4 Roadster on a PCP car loan work out your monthly payments using our Car Finance Payment Calculator.