BMW SDRIVE23I For Sale

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About Us Contact Us Help Home Manufacturers News Spy Shots Reviews Blogs Gallery Magazine Forum Shop Cars for Sale News Feed | CAR reviewsLong term testsSubscribe to CAR magazine BMW models, news & reviews Rivals Mercedes SLK350 (2008) CAR review Audi TT Roadster 2.0T (2006) CAR review Other models BMW Z4 sDrive35i (2009) CAR review CAR Reviews Click Thumbnails to Enlarge Statistics How much? £28,650 On sale in the UK: Now Engine: 2497cc 6-cyl 24v petrol, 204bhp @ 6400rpm, 184lb ft @ 2750rpm Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Performance: 6.6sec 0-62mph, 151mph, 33mpg, 199g/km CO2 How heavy / made of? 1480kg/steel How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4239/1790/1291 Need to know CAR's rating 4 Handling 3 Performance 3 Usability 5 Feelgood factor 4 Readers' rating 3.5 BMW Z4 sDrive 23i (2009) CAR review By Chris Chilton First Drives 22 June 2009 10:15 BMW's new twin-turbo sDrive35i Z4 has garnered all of the headlines so far, but how does the Z4 at the other end of the price spectrum deliver? BMW claims there are no current plans for a four-cylinder version of the new Z4, so for now this 204bhp 23i version is the entry-level roadster. Read on to find out if it's any good. Z4 sDrive23i? Looks like the password to my online bank account. Yes, it’s a stupid name, but the important bit is the 23 suffix, which signifies the engine under that long bonnet. But in typical BMW style the 23 is misleading and the naturally aspirated straight-six actually displaces not 2.3 litres but 2.5, enough for 204bhp. No turbos, just 204bhp! I’m losing interest. Hang on, this is a BMW engine we’re talking about. The 23i makes up in smoothness and economy (33mpg) what it lacks in punch, and anyway it feels amply quick from the driving seat. Sixty rocks up in 6.6sec and the top speed is only 4mph short of requiring an electronic limiter. The bigger engines go fast for less effort but you can rag the 23i harder because you need to which gets you more involved in the drive. Involved? That wasn’t a word you used in the 35i review, except maybe preceded by ‘un’. If you’re looking for Boxster-style engagement, you won’t find it here. The Z4 feels more like a really well sorted saloon than a sports car. The steering is meaty and accurate but rather dead, the handling is nose led and washes out into understeer at the limit without even a suggestion that you might want to drive it on the throttle. >> Click 'Next' below to read more of our BMW Z4 sDrive 23i first drive 12Next>> Rate this article... 1 2 3 4 5 Average rating: 3.5 (54 votes) Discuss this Add your comment Sign in You must be signed in to submit a comment. BMW Z4 sDrive 23i (2009) CAR review Subject Your comment Please enter a comment Please enter a comment By submitting your comment, you agree to adhere to the CAR Magazine website Terms and Conditions Cancel Subscribe to comments You must be logged in to subscribe to a topic Login or register now resis says RE: BMW Z4 sDrive 23i (2009) CAR review Oh dear more lost comments.... 23 June 2009 13:16 AJReilly says RE: BMW Z4 sDrive 23i (2009) CAR review I thought it was a manta ray in the ouitside lane when i saw it first. To my relief i was not driving underwater. Its a lot bigger all round than the outgoing Z4 isn't it? Maybe this means they'll be able to fit the MV8 in there now! Theres no doubt its a very handsomely proportioned car but i can't help missing the old coupe roof line. 23 June 2009 09:33 Batty says RE: BMW Z4 sDrive 23i (2009) CAR review Show all comments Become a CAR contributor Upload stories, photos or videos direct to the site, or email newsdesk@carmagazine.co.uk. 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Then get in touch now. Upload stories, photos or videos direct to the site Send an e-mail to newsdesk@carmagazine.co.uk Call 01733 468 485 (+ 44 1733 468 485) Terms of use | Privacy policy | Advertise with us | Site map | Resources | About Us | Contact Us | Help © Copyright 2010 Bauer Media Limited - All rights reserved. FHM | Zoo | Empire | MCN | Parker's | Today's Golfer || LOGIN REGISTER NEWSLETTER Home NEWS REVIEWS PRODUCTS COMPARE CARS VIDEOS BUYING USED CARS NEW CARS MOTORSHOWS COMPETITIONS 6 ISSUES FOR £1 Search Car Reviews: You're in - Car Reviews: Car Group Tests BMW Z4 sDrive23i Hard-top brings more refinement to rear-driven roadster’s sporting mix May 2009 The first-generation BMW Z4 is a tough act to follow. With its controversial ‘flame-surfaced’ bodywork, sharp driving dynamics and strong engines, the distinctive roadster was an instant hit with UK buyers when it went on sale in 2003.Six years have passed since then, and the sporty drop-top sector has moved on. Owners now demand cruising comfort and practicality, as well as performance and driving fun. As a result the all-new Z4 has grown, and gained a fashionable folding metal roof as it aims to challenge the Mercedes SLK.Despite these changes, the newcomer clearly takes its cues from the original car. The sharp creases and bold angles have been softened and straightened, but the Z4 is still an eye-catching design. At the front there’s a gaping version of the firm’s trademark double kidney grille and stylish swept-back headlamps, while the rear lights have more than a hint of 6-Series. If you want to turn heads, the BMW is the pick of our trio – whether the hood is up or down, it looks striking.Settle into the driver’s seat, and it’s clear the German firm’s designers have been working just as hard to bring the cabin up to scratch. The dashboard gets a smart silver finish, while the uncluttered layout of our entry-level test car makes it easy to get comfortable. Look closely and you’ll spot plenty of neat details – including classy alloy-rimmed heating controls. There’s plenty of space, too, with lots of leg, shoulder and headroom. You’ll also find a decent amount of stowage, although we think BMW is being a bit cheeky charging an extra £155 for a couple of storage nets, cup-holders and a lidded cubby between the driver and passenger.One lid that comes as standard is the Z4’s new folding metal roof. It’s made of lightweight aluminium, and BMW claims it’s only 30kg heavier than the fabric hood fitted to its predecessor. The pay-off for the increase in weight is a boost in refinement – the noise level inside at 70mph is the same as in the SLK, at 70dB. The hard-top does eat into luggage capacity, though, and when it’s folded the available space shrinks from 310 litres to a cramped 180 litres. However, dropping the roof is a straightforward process. Press the button on the centre console, and the electrically powered two-piece hood is neatly stowed away in 21 seconds.On the move buffeting is kept to a minimum, although at higher speeds you’ll welcome the addition of the optional £205 wind deflector that fits between the two roll hoops. There are no complaints about the Z4’s performance. Even though it has the smallest capacity and least power in this test, the BMW’s 201bhp 2.5-litre engine delivers strong acceleration. It propelled the Z4 from 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds, matching the Mercedes and trailing the Porsche by only four-tenths. Out on the road, the BMW feels every bit as potent as its rivals. Better still, the straight-six unit is exceptionally smooth and delivers a characterful exhaust note. Point the long nose into a corner, and it’s obvious that BMW’s engineers have used the SLK as a dynamic benchmark. The previous Z4’s hard ride has been banished and the new car copes well with poor road surfaces.All models get the firm’s Dynamic Drive Control system, which provides Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings which fine-tune the steering and throttle responses. Our car also had the optional £930 Adaptive M Sport suspension set-up, which includes the same three options for the damper settings. Even with this kit, though, the Z4 can’t match the sharp responses or agility of the Boxster. It generates lots of grip, the steering is direct and body control excellent, but it lacks the ultimate involvement of a true sports car.The Z4’s trump card is its price. At £28,650, it undercuts the SLK and Porsche by £3,640 and £5,054 respectively. Will this prove decisive – and hand victory to the BMW? BACK TO TOP What Next COMPARE CAR LOANS COMPARE CAR INSURANCE For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift! Next > 0 Comment Be the first to comment on this article You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join. Email: Password: Sponsored Results More BMW Z4 SDRIVE23I articles Car ReviewsFirst Drives: BMW Z4 sDrive23i Social Bookmarks Link to this article: For more details about purchasing this feature and/or images for editorial usage, please contact the Dennis Syndication team on pictures@dennis.co.uk Email a Friend Print this Full Car Reviews Photography - Advertisement - Sponsored Results Facts and Figures Open Table DETAILS Chart position:2nd WHY? BMW’s roadster gets folding hard-top and greater refinement. Does this help push it to the top of the class? AT A GLANCE: * Price: £28,650* Engine: 2.5-litre 6cyl, 201bhp* 0-60mph: 6.4 seconds* AE economy: 31.3mpg* Official CO2: 199g/km - Advertisement - Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | SitemapOur Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Help Sign In New User? Sign Up Yahoo! Search Web Search Yahoo! Cars Search Yahoo! Cars Photos Search Yahoo! Cars New & Used if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['mlYRQFf4eEI-']='&U=13lrklo53%2fN%3dmlYRQFf4eEI-%2fC%3d200101456.201965577.203250011.200060250%2fD%3dN%2fB%3d200784459%2fV%3d1'; HomeBuy New & UsedNewsReviewsFeaturesPhotosVideoMotor ShowsParis Motor Show 2010British Motor Shows 2010Geneva Motor Show 2010Detroit Auto Show 2010LA Auto Show 2009Tokyo Motor Show 2009Frankfurt Motor Show 2009GreenFirst DrivesGeneral ReviewsTwin TestsLong TermWomen´s ReviewsVan Reviews if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['oFYRQFf4eEI-']='&U=12ad5r708%2fN%3doFYRQFf4eEI-%2fC%3d-1%2fD%3dMH%2fB%3d-1%2fV%3d0'; Show more Photos Related Content » BMW Z4 sDrive35is» BMW Z4 Photos : Bmw Z4 BMW Z4 sDrive23i Expert Rating: What is it?This is the second drive of BMW's new sports car we've done in quick succession, but there's a reason for that: this time we've got behind the wheel of the base-spec sDrive23i version, complete with a manual gearbox and no iDrive in sight. We also took it across some of the kind of badly paved, local council-funded roads UK owners could expect to encounter on a day-to-day basis; no comfort-enhancing, carefully chosen EU-funded silky smooth tarmac here. So, this is a more 'realistic' look at what faces the majority of Z4 buyers once they're handed the keys.Is it any good?You know what, it is. It's very good indeed, and that's because BMW has got the fundamentals right. It's done so with a lot of help from Joe Public, and in particular Joe SLK and his wife Jane TT, because BMW conducted extensive research into what buyers of cars like this want. Apparently, they want a soft, cosseting ride; a roomy, light interior; looks that are more classically beautiful and a hard top. And what do you know? BMW has given them all those things - and then some. The last Z4 looked a little 'challenging,' shall we say, and had a rock hard ride to accommodate sharp handling dynamics. This time around, it's smoother on the backside, but thankfully it still handles like a sharp rear-drive coupé should thanks to weighty, accurate steering and loads of front-end grip. The engine, a 201bhp six-cylinder unit, initially feels a little lacking in the pulling power department (it has 184lb.ft), though in fairness we'd just stepped out of the mighty twin-turbo sDrive35i when we first drove it. But spend a little time with it and what quickly becomes clear is that the thing likes to be revved - and when you do, the rewards are plentiful. It has a muted, throaty note, and in the upper echelons of the rev range it's responsive and, in fact, quite rapid; its 6.6-second 0-62mph tells a tale.Should I call the bank manager?Apart from a few anomalies, like charging the outrageous sum of £205 for a tiny optional plastic wind deflector, BMW has equipped the Z4 quite generously. A basic car on standard springs and dampers will set you back £28,645, and for that you get alloys, Xenon headlamps, a decent CD player and dual-zone climate control. That's not too bad - it undercuts the four-cylinder Mercedes SLK 200K by about a grand - but in reality you'll want to add leather, and we'd also highly recommend the active M Sport suspension, which as well as lowering the car allows you to change between softer and harder settings depending on your mood; it works well, too. Still, you're only just on the wrong side of £30k with those things, which isn't too bad for a car so very complete as this one (well, as complete as a roadster can be).It's also reasonable to run, boasting combined economy of 33.2mpg and emissions of 199g/km thanks to EfficientDynamics measures like electric power steering that only becomes active when the wheel is turned, thus saving fuel.Summary It was a worry when, just before the Z4's launch, BMW product managers were talking about making it appeal to more people, because usually that means compromise, and compromise can make things neither nothing nor something. However, the new Beemer has actually improved on its forebear in every way, and even in basic form it's simultaneously a very effective day-to-day drive and a stimulating weekend play trinket; it trounces the SLK in every way. Now, if only we could get an sDrive23d out of Bavaria - 50mpg-plus and all that torque... yes please.Mark Nichol Buzz up! 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