First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 grows up at cost of its groove

[DFW Auto Club]

Filed under: Convertibles (http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/), Coupes (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), BMW (http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/), First Drive (http://www.autoblog.com/category/driving/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_20_opta.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-z4-first-drive/2008126/)
2009 BMW Z4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The all-new 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster is the eagerly anticipated replacement to both the Z4 Convertible and Z4 Coupe. Adding to this pressure, the two-seater is also tasked with satisfying the enthusiasts who enjoyed the high-performance M variants, both of which are discontinued - at least for the moment. Autoblog just spent a long day behind the wheel of the multi-role Z4, dissecting the Roadster's styling, ergonomics, chassis, powerplant and handling. How does the Z4 masquerade as four different models? Is it a credible replacement for one, or all? Most importantly, will the Z4 appease the enthusiast? Find out after the jump.


Gallery: 2009 BMW Z4 - First Drive (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-z4-first-drive/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_21_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-z4-first-drive/2008127/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_28_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-z4-first-drive/2008109/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_27_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-z4-first-drive/2008078/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_16_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-z4-first-drive/2008122/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_10_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-z4-first-drive/2008088/)

Photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc
Continue reading First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 grows up at cost of its groove (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/first-drive-2009-bmw-z4-grows-up-at-cost-of-its-groove/)

First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 grows up at cost of its groove (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/first-drive-2009-bmw-z4-grows-up-at-cost-of-its-groove/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 13 May 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).



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[snowball]

I saw the new Z4 at Classic BMW - it is awesome! So glad they leave the damn stupid fog-lights off the M car now. Front fog-lights are a monument to stupidity!

All the idiots running around with fog lights on on clear days/nights is a tragedy. Daytime lights are only for my great grandma who always left her lights on so she didn't have to remember to turn them on at dusk. Makes one think ya' forgot to turn 'em off, ya' dummy...... :D :laugh:

[jragan]

I saw the new Z4 at Classic BMW - it is awesome! So glad they leave the damn stupid fog-lights off the M car now. Front fog-lights are a monument to stupidity!

All the idiots running around with fog lights on on clear days/nights is a tragedy. Daytime lights are only for my great grandma who always left her lights on so she didn't have to remember to turn them on at dusk. Makes one think ya' forgot to turn 'em off, ya' dummy...... :D :laugh:
WTF are you talking about? There are no fogs on the previous gen E85/86 M coupe.

And the new Zed isn't awesome...It's a SC430 replacement in almost every way. There is no "sport" in the equation any more.

[snowball]

WTF are you talking about? There are no fogs on the previous gen E85/86 M coupe.

And the new Zed isn't awesome...It's a SC430 replacement in almost every way. There is no "sport" in the equation any more.

1. There are M's out there with fog lights, as well as a lot of other BMWs - I wasn't talking specifically about the E85/86.
2. Completely disagree....I think the new Z4 is very awesome looking. :thumbsup2: I won't buy one cause it's too damn small for me. The 3.5's preformance is not bad though. It's looks are very good.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Some strokes of a genius...
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu83/snowball_orig/Z4.jpg http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu83/snowball_orig/Z4_1.jpg

u4nRZJVEQz4 RVfbZ4kWoZw

[RaceMX-M3]

Wow, looks like the best bmw coupe I've seen. :thumbsup2: I have fog lights on my M3 and I like them. :eviltongue:

[snowball]

Wow, looks like the best bmw coupe I've seen. :thumbsup2: I have fog lights on my M3 and I like them. :eviltongue:

Front foglights are useless! They also take up air intake space. :laugh: