‘You can pack enough for a 2-week hotel stay in the South of France’
Temperatures are rising, and summer vibes are taking over. This calls for an open car, even if a convertible isn’t always a complete joy in really high temperatures. Fortunately, the BMW Z4 of the E89 generation offers a solution, armed against any weather with its steel folding roof. We’ll discover whether this works in practice based on 26 user experiences.
The second-generation BMW Z4 has big shoes to fill. Its predecessor, the E85 for connoisseurs, is well on its way to becoming a classic. User experiences with this model are also predominantly positive, both in terms of driving and technical quality. Can its successor, launched in 2009, fill those big shoes?
E89 is less sporty
The first thing that stands out when we go through the reviews is the difference in driving experience. Especially the less powerfully motorized versions do not excel in sportiness. “This is a real touring car,” writes the owner of a 2014 Z4 sDrive20i. “Many friends ask how fast it goes. This is nice with this car, but in my opinion subordinate. The car comes into its own better as a mileage eater and road trip machine than as a screamer. Comfort and relaxed driving are the strongest points of this car.” The owner of an sDrive 18i: “The comfort is still fine. The Z4 is of course stiffer than my previous 3-series but again smoother than the rather stiff Peugeot RCZ that I had before.”
As the engine power increases, the Z4 increasingly transforms into a sports car. “The comfort of the Z4 is surprisingly good,” begins the owner of a Z4 sDrive 23i. “Of course, it is a sports car and not a Citroën, but it is not really uncomfortable. Long distances are also a pleasure!” That changes with the push of a button. “If you put it in ‘Sport’ or ‘Sport-plus’, the car really changes. The throttle response is then much more direct and the automatic transmission shifts a lot faster and at higher revs.”
‘Thoroughbred sports car’
That effect turns out to be even greater if the engine becomes a 340 hp six-cylinder. “Just ‘drive’ and ‘comfort’ turn the Z4 into a burly cruiser. Comfortable and stepping on the gas pedal deeply to pick up speed. Shifting is smooth. The revs hardly exceed 2500,” describes an owner the soothing experience in his Z4 sDrive 35iS. Until he activates the sport mode. “The gearbox immediately shifts back two gears. The chassis becomes ‘hard’. Stepping on the gas gives you a kick in the butt. The overboost gives 500Nm and the Z4 screams to 7000 rpm, rattling through the gears, while the 255/30R19 rear wheels desperately seek traction. What a beast …”
A second Z4 35i driver endorses this experience. “In the Sport mode, the adaptive chassis changes from fairly comfortable to downright hard. Steering becomes a lot heavier and the throttle response a lot more violent. If you then put that wonderful automatic gearbox with double clutch in the ‘S’ position, it eagerly steps down a gear and shifts, at full throttle, only above 7000 rpm to the next gear. With a beautiful roar from the double exhaust, it lets the whole environment know: thoroughbred sports car!”
Folding roof convenience
The BMW Z4 is therefore slightly more ‘gran tourer’ than its predecessor, but what if you actually go on grande tours? In that case, count on a modest luggage space. “The BMW Z4 is equipped with a hardtop,” confirms a Z4 18i driver somewhat superfluously. “You lose a considerable amount of luggage space with it, but under the folded roof there is still room for a hard Samsonite suitcase of 80 cm. This then fits in the width, and then there is still room for a large weekend bag.” Could be worse!
A Z4 35i driver approaches it differently. “It is true that the moment you open the roof, there is very little luggage space left. But what is rarely reported is that with the roof closed you have a surprisingly large amount of loading space. You can easily pack enough for two weeks in a hotel in the South of France.” The method? “You then drive there with the roof closed. Upon arrival, you unpack your car and can enjoy all the benefits that a convertible can offer you with the roof open.” Not a perfect solution for die-hard convertible drivers, but it works. Another driver also uses his Z4 in this way: “Luggage space with closed roof is quite large, a weekend away is no problem. Drive there closed and open the roof there.”
In practice, few drivers are bothered by the limited trunk space, more often they stumble over the poor space for loose items in the cabin. A cup holder is also sorely missed. It seems as if the option list could have offered solace, a stroke of luck for the owner of a Z4 sDrive 23i: “Fortunately, my Z4 is equipped with the optional ‘storage package’, which provides extra possibilities to store small things (maps, flashlight, iPods, etc.).” And with that iPod reference, you immediately realize how long this car has been around.
The Z4 with closed folding roof turns out to be a comfortable companion, but certainly not whisper-quiet. “Closed, the car drives like a somewhat noisy coupe,” writes an owner about his Z4 35i. Relativizing: “In contrast to the fabric roof convertibles that will still take their toll on your hearing.”
E89 technically quite good
Also on a technical level, the E89 Z4 has to compete against its quite reliable predecessor. The conclusion with that model was: it is an older car with accompanying ailments, but actually it is quite good. Based on experiences of users who drive their ‘new’ Z4 longer, the E89 also proves to be a predominantly reliable companion. Problems with the folding roof also do not seem to occur structurally.
That doesn’t mean it always goes well, the following driver had bad luck twice. “Meanwhile, a rear light unit has been replaced (break in printed circuit board), costs €433.” The roof also did not show its best side: “Incoming rainwater had corroded the electric motor, causing alarms to constantly appear on the on-board computer. The roof still worked (but occasionally not), Because I wanted it to be reliable, I still had it repaired. I could pay €1,452 for this.” In addition, he reports slight noises from the differential around 50,000 kilometers, which according to his BMW specialist is a product feature.
Speaking of leakage: a Z4 sDrive18i driver reports water in the footwell, which turns out to be condensation from the air conditioning system. Also, the valve cover and associated gasket have been replaced due to leakage. The owner of a six-cylinder Z4 35i had to deal with leakage in another place: the injectors, which probably caused a strong gasoline smell. The delivering dealer replaced them under warranty, after which the problem no longer occurred. The owner of a four-cylinder also had to deal with a recalcitrant injector. After replacing it, the car runs like the proverbial charm again.
Not only the roof of this BMW Z4 is hard, but also technically it is difficult to poke a hole in it. Nevertheless, it remains a car with complex technology that deserves good maintenance. Therefore, the conclusion of a Z4 sDrive 20i driver seems very realistic. “This is not a cheap car. Neither in purchase nor in maintenance. For someone with a few pennies to spend on a hobby, the return is great: smiles per mile are gigantic.”