BMW Z4 2019 Review - Australia

The BMW Z4 has never been a lustful, cult-followed car for its Bavarian maker. Well, certainly not in the same way as the Boxster or Cayman is for Porsche.

If we’re honest, the long-standing German roadster has shared a closer affinity with those who groom hair for a living than outright enthusiasts. However, all that is set to change with the all-new, third-generation two-seat drop-top.

Available in Australian showrooms from this month, the 2019 BMW Z4 is priced between $85,000 for the base four-cylinder and $125,000 for the turbo-six flagship.

Penned by Australian designer Calvin Luk, the Z4 upholds long-snout stubby-tail proportions, 50:50 weight distribution and a rear-wheel drive layout.

The folding metal roof of its predecessor has been eschewed for a new soft-top that helps lower the car’s centre of gravity.

BMW is at pains to point out the new roadster is in fact faster in the benchmark Nurburgring test than some of its other dedicated sports cars; it beat the BMW M2 around the German track by three seconds.

Claims of added dynamism are supported by the fact the new BWM Z4 is a freshly-anointed cousin with the forthcoming Toyota Supra. The fine print suggests the partnership is very much a corporate one, however, with the engine, gearbox and chassis all developed and signed off by BMW.

The 2019 Z4 range is underpinned by two four-cylinder models -- the $84,900 Z4 20i and $104,900 Z4 30i -- and topped by the all-conquering straight turbo-six flagship, the $124,900 Z4 40i.

In entry form the Z4 boasts 18-inch wheels with run-flat tyres, keyless entry and start, Vernasca leather upholstery, auto-dimming mirrors, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, 10-speaker sound system, digital radio, LED headlights and wireless phone charging.

Our full pricing story has the rundown on what the higher specification models feature in addition to 20i.

Standard technology features across the range include 12.3-inch customisable instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment screen with iDrive rotary controller, head-up display, wireless phone charging, real time traffic information, reversing camera and parking sensors.

BMW Australia needs to be admonished for charging a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay beyond the first 12 months of ownership, however. It is simply ludicrous, no matter which way the PR spin unfurls, to charge customers for a service that is free on a $15,000 city-car. Anyhoo.

Safety is well sorted in the roadster, from fixed rollover safety bars to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning, reversing assistant and a full complement of airbags.

The Z4’s broader dimensions reflect the fact it is 85mm longer than its predecessor, yet 26mm shorter in the wheelbase. The front and rear tracks have extended 98mm and 57mm respectively.

Convertibles have an unapologetically narrow-minded focus on fun, so we are pleasantly surprised upon popping the boot to learn the Z4’s rear can squeeze a couple of overnight bags with ease, measuring 281 litres – a 50 per cent increase on the predecessor.

There is more delight when entering its cabin, with a mix of thought-out storage spaces, bottle holders, open cubbies and room for taller occupants to make themselves comfortable.

The driving position is typically well resolved, low-slung within the cockpit to deliver a real car-driver feel, yet within key eye-shot of the front and rear vistas, the latter aided by practical side mirrors and a 360-degree camera.

Criticism of BMW’s cabin presentation has begun to wane in the past 18 months on the back of swish new displays, and the Z4 only reinforces positive thoughts.

The dashboard, seats and door trims are draped in quality materials, while the immersive centre screen and driver instrument clusters look good and are easy to use.

With the roof on, the Z4 is quiet and refined, blocking out road and wind noise and offering enough practicality to do justice as a solo daily driver.

Dropping the roof is performed at the push of a button. It takes 10 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h – ditto when stowing it back in place.

With the top dropped, the cabin is still well protected from wind, with mild buffering only becoming a factor above 80km/h.

BMW is offering three different drivetrain options for its new roadster: two turbo-fours and the flagship turbo-six.

All Z4 variants include BMW’s latest-generation variable sport steering and are suspended by a newly-designed double-joint spring-strut front and five-link rear arrangement.

The BMW Z4 M40i includes an electronically-operated limited-slip M Sport Differential as standard (optional on the sDrive30i).

In honesty, the middling and flagship engines both deserve their place in the line-up, but the entry model 20i four-pot only feels validated by its cheaper $85,000 price tag.

Producing 145kW and 320Nm, the four-pot performs admirably in daily duty but feels languid under heavier acceleration – with a slightly slower transition to 100km/h than its 6.6-second claim suggests.

The mid-range four-cylinder sDrive30i, with 190kW/400Nm, feels immediately more energetic – reflecting a 5.4-second 0-100km/h claim. During harder acceleration and between corners, the mid-spec engine easily has the measure of the entry model and it feels more lively and engaging – like a sports car should.

Our first Aussie foray in the six-pot is limited to greasy backroads in speed limit-mad Victoria, so we can’t say definitively whether it will match or beat a Porsche Boxster, but initial suspicions suggest not.

It feels like a classic BMW, working smoothly with the eight-speed automatic to harness low-down torque yet rev freely into the rev range.

Sound is likewise more motivating on a spirited drive, especially when you work higher into the rev range to really exploit the 250kW/500Nm outputs on offer.

Whereas the mid-engined Porker bristles through twisty turns, inspiring confidence and settling into a rhythm, the Z4 doesn’t manage directional changes as convincingly. The initial turn-in of the steering feels a tad tardy, and the body doesn’t settle as quickly through corners.

With more wheel time, it is possible to glean more feeling with the BMW, however, which begs an interesting head to head showdown with the Boxster.

The Z4 is also blighted by a harsher ride than many of its contemporaries: the rear jiggles over B-grade surfaces and, teamed with the initial immediacy of the steering, it feels as though the Z4 is never truly settled.

That said, there is a feeling of surety on greasy roads made available by the Z4’s quick-witted stability control suite, which keeps safety in check.

Each car we sampled at launch was fitted with adaptive dampers and 19-inch wheels, so we’ll reserve judgement on the performance of the standard springs in entry-level models.

There’s no doubting BMW’s claims the Z4 is a sportier, more focussed offering than the two generations before it. And it does so while being better resolved, with more technology and comfort than in the past.

The test for the Z4 is its price beyond the entry variant and whether this new pitch can strikes a chord with buyers outside the car’s devoted audience.

How much does the 2018 BMW Z4 cost?
Price: $84,900 (sDrive20i), $104,900 (sDrive30i), $124,900 (M40i), plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-petrol
Output: 145kW/320Nm, 190kW/400Nm, 250kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.5-6.5-7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 148-149-169g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: TBA