2003-2006 BMW Z4 3.0i

Pros :
- Look-at-me styling.
- Award-winning BMW in-line six engines.
- Larger, more luxurious interior.
- Quick tonneau top operation.
- Larger trunk.

Cons :
- Too heavy to throw around at will.
- Exterior design may induce vomit for some people.
- Now even more expensive.
- Slow steering feel.
- Lots of faster and cheaper competitors.

Interior :

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Press Coverage :
As important as styling is for a roadster, the Z4 is a purebred BMW, and accordingly, the driving experience is its ultimate selling point. The new roadster rides on a new chassis adapted from the current 3 Series, and that means struts in the front and a multilink rear suspension (in lieu of the Z3's semitrailing arms). Of course, rigidity is always an issue for an open-top car, and BMW's engineers took a number of measures to ensure that the Z4 would be stiffer than its predecessor. Among these is a pair of Y-shaped engine-bearing chassis rails that forms a side sill and half of the central driveshaft tunnel. They are similar in concept to what's used in the Z8, though steel, rather than aluminum, is used in this application. And as on the M3, there are front and rear underbody thrust plates and reinforcing braces between the strut towers and the cowl area. The result is a car that is over 100 percent more structurally rigid than the Z3 roadster, according to BMW, and indeed, top up or down, we detected no cowl shake during our initial drive.
BMW says that the base Z4 suspension has been tuned for a firm ride that permits little to no body roll during cornering. We spent all of our time in a roadster equipped with the Sport Package, which prescribes stiffer springs, more firmly tuned shock absorbers and a 0.6-inch lowered ride height. Depending on the engine choice, the package comes with either 17-inch wheels with W-rated 225/45R17 tires, or 18-inch wheels with W-rated 225/40 rubber in front and 255/35 contact patches in the rear. Also included is the Dynamic Driving Control feature previously seen only in the M3 and M5. When activated by a "Sport" button on the console, it affords increased steering effort (less power assist), quicker throttle response and, in automatic-equipped Z4s, a more aggressive shift program.
As we learned, South Carolina is a state crisscrossed by straight roads, and aside from a few high-speed sweeping turns, we had little opportunity to evaluate the Z4's handling at anything resembling the limits. Certainly, we were impressed by its stability and flat body attitude as we prodded the throttle around said turns, but we'll reserve final comment until we conduct a full road test. We did, however, have plenty of time to consider ride quality, which although not as forgiving as that of a 3 Series', was nonetheless commendable for a sports car with a short wheelbase. After driving 300 miles, we arrived at our destination still relatively comfortable and wouldn't have minded driving further if given the chance. The Z4 should make a fine companion for commuters, though nonenthusiasts who regularly drive on crumbling pavement will probably be happier without the 18-inch tires and sport suspension calibrations.
The Z4 is the first BMW-branded vehicle with an electric power steering system. The 3.0-liter inline six that turns out 225 hp at 5,900 rpm and 214 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm features double VANOS continuously variable valve timing for the intake and exhaust valves, and thusly equipped offer broad spreads of usable power dispensed in an extraordinarily smooth manner. Braking is typically a strength for BMWs, and to keep the Z4 stopping short among luxury roadsters, the company has fitted all roadsters with larger-diameter rear discs, 11 inches on the 2.5i and 11.8 inches on the 3.0i. The 3.0i discs are ventilated as well. Buyers will have several transmission options this year. The 2.5i model's standard five-speed manual is a carryover, as is the five-speed automatic with Steptronic automanual functionality - this one is optional on all Z4s. Standard on 3.0i models is a new six-speed manual transmission. More interesting is the availability of a Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) for all Z4s starting in April 2003. Already offered on the M3, the SMG is a true six-speed manual transmission (no torque converter), with an electronically controlled clutch (no clutch pedal in the driver footwell), that offers authentic automatic and manual shift modes.
Inside, the Z4 retains a simple driver-oriented design, though its shapely one-piece dash and minimum of center stack controls definitely give it a more upscale feel. Better interior materials help, too - no longer must buyers pay extra for an "aluminum look" interior; rather, genuine brushed aluminum trim is included in roadsters with a leather interior (standard fare on 3.0s, optional on 2.5s). Laterally bolstered sport seats are standard on all Z4s, and we found them supportive enough for long-distance travel. New this year are adjustable headrests and tilt and telescoping adjustment for the steering wheel. As we drove, most of the controls were within easy reach, including the window buttons, which BMW has thoughtfully relocated to the driver door as opposed to the center console.
Should you have to put the top up while driving your Z4, you'll find that it's much less of a hassle than in the Z3. For starters, every top includes a wide expanse of defrostable rear glass - blind spots are minimal with top up and a clear rearward view replaces the mottled plastic. A manually operated top is standard - it has a single release point (instead of two latches) which, along with effort-reducing gas struts, should make it a one-hand procedure to raise or lower the top. Note that this top becomes its own integrated tonneau cover when folded, eliminating the need to get out and snap on a cover that would otherwise eat up valuable trunk space. The optional automatic top makes things even easier: just hold down the button and the transition is made within seconds - seven seconds to drop, according to BMW, but that doesn't include lowering the windows.
The 3.0i model adds 17-inch wheels with W-rated 225/45R17 rubber, leather upholstery, a center armrest, aluminum interior trim, the Carver audio system, cruise control and heated mirrors. Options for all Z4s include bi-HID headlights, seat heaters, power seats, automatic climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, a DVD-based navigation system that pops out of the top of the dash and adjusts for viewing angle, Sycamore wood interior trim and map pockets. Besides the usual black and beige leather interior ensembles, BMW will offer an option for red starting with December 2002 production - we viewed an early example and found it striking, along the lines of an Audi TT interior. Soft tops will be available in black, gray or beige, depending on which interior-exterior color combination you choose. Initially, the company will offer the Z4 in black, silver, Maldives Blue and Sterling Gray exterior paint, with additional colors being phased in starting in December.
All Z4s benefit from a number of safety upgrades - smarter front airbags (in terms of deployment), active knee protection for driver and passenger, more astute side-impact sensors, a passenger airbag deactivation switch and child-seat anchor points for the passenger seat. Rollover protection is also provided in the form of roll hoops and a reinforced windshield frame. Managing many of these safety features is something BMW calls ISIS (Intelligent Safety and Information System), which makes use of more sensors than before to evaluate and address accident situations.
As in the Z3, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is part of the safety package, but the system has been modified for greater flexibility in the Z4. A quick press of the DSC button on the dash activates a Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) program that allows more wheel spin at lower speeds (the system may selectively brake individual wheels but will not cut engine power) while maintaining full DSC benefits during high-speed cornering. Holding down the DSC button for at least three seconds shuts off stability control completely.
Adaptive brake lights also make an appearance on the Z4 (the 7 Series and X5 are the only other BMWs that have these). Under harder braking, the brake lights illuminate with greater intensity as a warning to motorists behind you.
Edmunds.com

A few slip-ups here. The first part of the steering's movement is slow-witted and vague, which makes this wide car feel even wider and sometimes hard to place accurately. Also, if the driving seat is set low as befits a sporting drive, shorter people can't see the bottom part of the minor dials. Otherwise the Z4 is easy to drive: both manual gearchanges are very smooth and easy, and the switchgear is simple and logical to use with nothing remotely like an iDrive system to learn - the Z4 isn't complex enough to need one. Dynamic Drive Control, which sharpens steering and throttle response, is standard in the UK. With it switched off, the steering is light and easy; switch it on and there's more heft to the helm. Electrically assisted power steering systems are lighter than hydraulic ones and save on fuel, but can lack feedback. Not so much with the Z4's, though, which is one of the best electric systems on the market. Why just three stars? The Z4 is almost great fun, thanks to its powerful engine, excellent chassis balance, rear-wheel drive and strong roadholding, but the steering responds too slowly from straight-ahead to make it a really precise, invigorating drive. Once the Z4 is turned into a bend the steering sharpens up and with DDC engaged, it becomes much heavier - that contrast can be unsettling. The Z4 is most rewarding on tight, twisty roads where you're hauling it round bend after bend, rather than gently deflecting it off course.
Channel 4 UK

As the months roll on, most staffers have gone from loathing to accepting to admiring our One-Year Test Z4's complex shape and detailing. The same can't be said for the sequential manual gearbox. Comments like "What a difference one wrongly checked box makes on the order sheet" and "It feels like a middle-school science project" fill the logbook. Editorial Assistant Brian Vance reports the Bimmer wasn't happy driving uphill in stop-and-go traffic. After a spell, the car began lurching, as the clutch pack was slipping (and smelling). A warning beep sounded from the dash--curiously with no accompanying idiot light--so Vance parked it for a cooldown. After a few hours, the problem disappeared. If only the Z4 were equipped with the M3's wonderfully adjustable SMG. Otherwise, the Zed's chassis and suspension are unflappable, the 3.0-liter's song is sweet, and the interior has proven comfortable for long drives. It's a great ride--once in high gear.
Motor Trend

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History:
1996-2002 BMW Z3 Roadster 3.0i
2,979 cc / 225 hp / 214 lb-ft / 2910-2998 lbs / 0-60 mph 6.0 sec.