BMW Z4 M Roadster: My Take

"While BMW is better than most at employing technology in the service of performance, there's something to be said for getting back to basics, to a car without electric steering, adaptive suspension, active stabilizer bars or that maddening BMW iDrive control system." — Joe Wiesenfelder

There’s nothing like seeing a BMW with a little “M” badge on it pull up. That's when you know it’s more than just a luxury car; it has guts, too. Joe Wiesenfelder recently posted his thoughts on the new Z4 M roadster after a week with a little silver number in his full review on Cars.com. I tackled a red Z4 M on a track a few months back, along with dozens of other new models from various manufacturers.

No car took to the track like the M roadster; it was the only car that wrapped around you naturally. I felt born to drive that car around that track on that day. And drive it I did. Even on the sharpest turns the rear end never came loose. (Well, it’s supposed to swing around at certain points, and it did, but it wasn’t outside my control to straighten back out.) I even took it out on the circuit with the top down. The Z4 M hitting high speeds sans roof is an exhilarating rush and definitely adds to the driving experience.

I have spent plenty of time with the standard Z4, but unlike Joe I felt it was a sporty enough ride, and those shark-like lines made the small car almost menacing-looking. I didn’t really mind the power then, either. With the M’s beefier bodywork and bulging hood you can just tell there’s an added punch before you even hit the gas pedal. After I was done I didn’t think I could ever go back to an un-M Z4.

These are the kinds of cars we writers love to test. They’re fun and precise, and this BMW is also well-crafted. For potential shoppers out there, the $51,300 price tag isn’t completely astronomical. Even though the M is made for going fast, it wouldn’t be bad to live with on a day-to-day basis either. Now I just have to figure out why a car that gets 16/24 mpg city/highway has a gas-guzzler tax, as Joe mentioned. That mileage doesn’t seem so bad for such extreme performance.

Comments

[Jesse Rudavsky]

Don't ask such a dumb question. The car has a gas-guzzler tax because it does just that. That kind of mileage outright SUCKS!!! I think the tax should be more like 10grand!! That would help subsidize hybrids. If some rich sucker can afford a 50k plus car like that, than obviously he or she can afford and extra 10k. Plus who legitimately needs a car that can do upwards of 160mph? I think any car that gets less than 30mpg on the hwy should have a guzzler tax and a large one and any pickup or suv that is not being used for a legitimate business purpose should as well. That way there would be more of an incentive to end this horsepower nonsense and encourage the purchase of much more fuel efficient vehicles. Plus we would also very quickly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and have cleaner air. Also gas would be cheaper since demand would fall.

[carbuzzard.com]

As well as taxing cars and truck that have, in Jesse's opinion, too high of fuel consumption, we should also ban carrying anything on the roof of vehicles, whether skis, mountain bikes, camping gear or especially kayaks. Roof-carried items kill gas mileage, and only someone selfish would do something like that. No one NEEDS to kayak, after all.

[Eric]

OK, unlike the two communists who posted before me, I will make a comment on the car because I actually drove it. And yes, I am proud to be a "rich sucker". I shouldn't have to appologize for being successful

Wow. The M4 roadster rocks. I am trading in my Boxster S. It's a lot of power for such a small car, and it is well balanced. I would recommend it to anyone. For the price it is a good value.

[Wesley Rank]

Hi

I had a Z4 until last month. It was stolen, then recovered. I was able to identify the people who took my pride and joy through the Interwatch Security home protection system.

I was able to download the evidence and present this to the police in Limassol.

I got the car back, but it was in a right mess.

[Tom Briggs]

Didn't know security in Cyprus was that big an issue. The Interwatch system will help you for sure