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2009 BMW Z4: First Drive

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günter macbeetle, codename: chrystlubitshi
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
i am skipping reading/responding to all comments to say (probably 'once again'(hopefully..?)) i want the shooting brake z3 M-coupe styling again... and this engine would just make it better... please? should i win the lottery this week........ i'll share it with a few of my fellow jalops (as many of them as i could buy... we can share time on them ... honestly.. i'll offer very fair rates!!1!!)
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DoctorNine
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
I like the exterior design except for the incorporation of the central brake light under the rear window, instead of along the trunk lip, where it should be. I hate the stupid S-drive moniker. Never have badges that advertise a product as standard. And in any case, there are so many electronic crap gizmos and 'options' in the passenger compartment, that I could very easily develop an allergy to them, and go into anaphylactic shock. In fact I think I may already have, just by looking at the photos. Roadsters are all about simplicity and restraint, and lightness. This... this is something else. This is a middle class theme park ride, designed for all the kids that grew up thinking that they needed a BMW, if they were going to lounge about the beaches with all the other star-bellied-sneetches. What has happened to the BMW? The X6, and now this? No. No no no. Lightness. Simplicity. Go back into the classroom and study some more, then get back to me.
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Cognitive Friction
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
it drove more like...a slightly slower TVR Sagaris

Finally, a driving reference everyday Joes can relate to
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Unregular
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
i've got a Power Bulge of my own!!!!!!

can someone please verify... when we talk about a car's "weight" - we're talking curb weight, yeah?
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pauljones
05/07/09

@Unregular: Stuffed socks don't count. :p
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Unregular
05/07/09

@pauljones: Bulge deflated.

curb weight?
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pauljones
05/07/09

@Unregular: 3241.4 lbs.
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Unregular
05/07/09

@pauljones: no i'm asking!

when it's said that this car "weighs 3,450 Lbs" - that's curb weight, right?
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pauljones
05/07/09

@Unregular: Oh. Yes.

I do wonder, though, whether or not that includes a full tank of gas, or if the concept of objective standards of measurement has simply been ignored hitherto in the world of automotive journalism.
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Wes Siler
05/07/09

@pauljones: lacking a full-size vehicle scale that I can easily carry with me on a plane, I rely on manufacturer's quoted curb weights.
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EtrnL_Frost
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
As a former BMW fanboy here too, I'm disappointed with the new z4. The headlights are less remarkable, in my opinion, much less unique. The badging is horrendous (yay... s-drive. Whatever) as now the naming system is screwed up forever.... and it's also suffering the bloat.

So, what you say about the engine sounds good, I won't lie. How is it in the corners though? Is it as responsive as the old M? Is it softer?

I REALLY wanted a used z4 m coupe as my car, but all this crap about the x6, x1, and now even this new z4. Bah!

MAybe if the z2 does come out, that will be salvation. Doubt it, but whatev.
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Wes Siler
05/07/09

@EtrnL_Frost: It handles as well as the old Z4 M, very responsive, very communicative, lots of fun.
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Boosted Lego Wagon
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
A very attractive, stylish sporty coupe.

Unfortunately:
-I go to a barber and not a hairstylist
-I use soap, not gel/wash/spray/bodybutter
-I don't wear cologne, even the type with panthers in it
-I don't get pedicures or manicures, I have scissors
-I don't go to tanning salons, I go outdoors
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pauljones
05/07/09

@boosted-lego-wagon -> now boosted to 350hp:

-Sweeney Todd would approve

-Real men don't use soap, they use acidic substances

-Scent of a man, oh yeah!

-Real men use steel files

-Real men tan the outdoors, not vice-versa.

/Wow, that was wrong on so many levels...
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Rock517
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
The "S-Drive" moniker is pointless and the "S-Drive 35i" badge on the side is ugly. I know their X-Drives are AWD, but there's no need to label their REGULAR drive cars.
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combat chuck
05/07/09

@Rock517: So, you're saying the custom "CRAP Edition" badges on my Hyundai are redundant?
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Rock517
05/07/09

@combat chuck: Hmm, those might actually be worthwhile... lol
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Wes Siler
05/07/09

@Rock517: Yeah, they're trying to sell RWD as a feature in a world of Quattro, 4Matic, AWD, etc. I admire their thinking, but the badges would be unnecessary if every BMW was still RWD.
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engineerd
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
If only I had twice as much money to spend, I could have had a Z4M. Instead, I got a Mustang and my father-in-law lets me park it in his driveway.
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Captain Slow and his Flying Washing Machine
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
If it were any girlier it would leak oil once a month for a week straight. But then it would be a Chrysler Crossfire.
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FЯeeMan
05/07/09

@Captain Slow and his Flying Washing Machine: I LOLed! If I could that I'd not heart clicked you, I'd do so now, but Nibbles has deemed that we're no longer to know hearty status, so this will have to do.
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FЯeeMan
05/07/09

@BdЯett AЯco: stupid preview button eating server hamsters!

<3 for Cap'n Slow and his Aerial Clothes Washing Device parade!
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Cosmo_Kramer
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
Wes' BMW Lunch included

- BMW M-logo Food Container, injection-molded resealable with edge surfacing
- BMW Food Container PDA with iDrive, containing electronic owner's manual
- BMW logo collapsible polycarbonate beer stein
- 6oz Kammerer's Designer Sauerkraut
- Kaiser roll
- Braunschweiger Liverwurst 2oz
- Weinbrand Kirschen chocolate brandy beans (2)
- Goose Island Summertime - Kölsch (1L)
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combat chuck
05/07/09

@Cosmo_Kramer: And a set of ultra light carbon fiber utensils?
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Mobius
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
So did you test the "Handicapped parking", "Double parking" and "Inconsiderate driving" options? Heard they were very self-explanatory and effective?
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combat chuck
05/07/09

@Mobius_1: There's a big button in the middle of the steering wheel. When you park, just press the button, and the car automatically adjusts its position so it's straddling two spaces diagonally.
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Number_Six
05/07/09

@Mobius_1: @combat chuck: It's called Asshat-tronic and it is one of the few standard features offered.
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Mobius
05/07/09

@Numero_seis: BMW Z4 assDrive35iDiot
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pauljones
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
Cool fact: The new Z4 was designed by a woman, both interior and exterior.
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Graverobber
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
I agree with you Wes that the last generation Z4 M Coupe was a great drive. It felt a lot more solid than the drop top, and the hatch-back fixed a lot of what was wrong with the convertible's styling.

I'm disappointed that this one weighs so much, and that complicated roof mechanism seems like a warranty claim just waiting to happen. Still, it's a lot less scratch than a Cayman S, and the top does go down, so maybe, just maybe. . .
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FЯeeMan
05/07/09

@Graverobber: The top on a Boxter goes down. Just sayin'...
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Wes Siler
05/07/09

@Graverobber: It really doesn't way that much, only 200lbs more than the old coupe. That's pretty good considering it's much larger inside and has the folding top.
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Jo Schmo
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
This thing is alot like Carrot Top, all muscley and edgy but ugly as, well Carrot Top.
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pauljones
05/07/09

@Jo Schmo Especial: Actually, I kind of like it.

It's almost as if it is the end result if the original second-gen Firebird design had continued to evolve all these years. The grill resembles the old Pontiac split-grill on the 70-73 models, the headlights look like they could have evolved out of the 77/78 models, the tail lights could have evolved from the 70-73 models. Finally, the entire shape is just eerily reminiscent of the second-gen Firebird long-hood, short-deck, and curved roof.

It's like a modern second-gen from BMW. I like it.
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Jo Schmo
05/07/09

@pauljones: It looks OK from the side but I have just never liked the Z4. Loved the Z3 from the day it came out. That said, this one does lay down some impressive numbers.
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pauljones
05/07/09

@Jo Schmo Especial: Agreed. Wes looks much better from every angle.

/I know, Wes, I'm going straight to hell for that...
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Pessimippopotamus
05/07/09

@pauljones: That is the oddest rational for a car I've ever read. Certainly the most inventive.

And I'm going to ask you to lay off the crackpipe.
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pauljones
05/07/09

@Pessimipposaurus: As soon as you pry it out of my stoned, dead hands. :)
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Ray Wert
05/07/09

In reply to 2009 BMW Z4: First Drive
My mom hates the hard-top. In fact, she hates it so much she's going to keep her current 2008 Z4.
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Bumblebee
05/07/09

@Ray Wert: To be clear, your mom drives a cooler car than you, editor-in-chief of Jalopnik.com?

Were you saying that you don't even have a car right now?
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dwegmull comments for the purpose of obscurity
05/07/09

@Bumblebee: So does this means Ray drove his mom's car to his high school reunion?
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BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ
05/07/09

@Roy Wort: And I thought Roy Wort was a thing, typo Stig, but now it let´s uss know it has a mom.
Happy Mother´s day to your mom on sunday.
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philipmein
05/07/09

@Ray Wert: I didn't know your mom was a hairdresser.
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Ray Wert
05/07/09

@philipmein: Might as well be given how much time she spends in hair salons.
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leavethegun-takethecannoli
05/07/09

@Ray Wert: Is her 2008 a coupe or a convertible?

I would assume it is a convertible because you stated she hates the hard-top.
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