Test drive BMW Z4 E85 2002 - 2006 convertible

Z-wrecking

Two weekends driving the BMW Z4 Coupe and Nissan 350z
 
Why don't we publish comparative tests? Therefore, in particular, that we do not consider it right to impose our opinion, leaving the right to choose for a potential buyer. Honestly talk about a car, express your inevitably subjective opinion, help the reader understand the details - this is, please. And indirectly depriving him of the opportunity to independently decide, albeit guided by emotions, and not just common sense, it seems like to take a piece of freedom from a person. The choice can be incorrect from my point of view, but this is his, not my choice. May the reader forgive me for such a boring start of the story about funny cars, which anyway - I wanted it or not - were nearby, under one heading. If only because the new Bavarian compartment and the restyled son -in -law from Nissan combines the body type, the letter Z in the name, and, most importantly, the sports spirit. But again, the subjective taste is, they differ from each other, like German schnapps from Japanese sake. If you want - try, you want - roll
 
Which kettle is nicer for you?
 
Agree, reader, outwardly cars are not like each other, like an Asian to a European. Both look aggressive, with all their appearance testifying to the remarkable potential, and one and the other distinguishes an impeccable style, but they are different. So it is precisely personal ideas about the beautiful in this case that play a key role.
 
Nissan 350z after restyling gained several new expressive details. On the cross member in the trunk (this is not just a tribute to glorious sports traditions, but the details necessary to strengthen the hardness of the body) now proudly gleams the inscription 350z. It is always visible through the rear window - beautiful, but not too functional, since there is no curtain covering the compartment from prying eyes. In Z4, such a curtain, by the way, is available. Due to the same very useful spacer, the volume of the luggage compartment in Nissan is 235 liters - 50 liters less than in BMW. But in the cabin, there are more places for small luggage than in the Bavarian compartment. Yes, in the end, it is not seedlings to the cottage in such a car, but a golf bag or several packages from a supermarket into the trunk will easily fit.
 
Three hundred and fifty now flaunts a new, more massive front bumper with elongated vertical turns indicators, stylish headlights and fodder lamps on LEDs. In general, the car was noticeably freshening, I would say that its visual perception has improved, design innovations are noticeable, although almost nothing has changed dramatically. Along the way, I note that the Nissan 350z is longer, wider, higher and heavier than the BMW Z4 Coupe. And already due to these differences, he is more friendly to the driver.
 
For example, it is easier to climb into it, more convenient thanks to wider doorways. Inside, you instantly understand that the car is intended for swift driving, but you feel comfort, even the comfort of the salon. Wide chairs, which does not prevent them from having developed side support, are lined with skin and equipped with electric drive. Only height adjustment is mechanical. As you know, finding a convenient and correct landing at the wheel is not difficult, albeit steering column and regulated only in height - but along with the instrument shield, so wells with dials are always before the eyes, the lamb rim cannot block them. And in general, there can be no complaints about the ergonomics of the driver’s place. The central console is replete with buttons and switches, but to understand them and manipulate the necessary in the future - easier than a light.
 
Sportsivity of the model is emphasized not only with metal inserts and perforation on pedals, but also by three purely racing arrow indicators located on top of the central console and deployed towards the driver. This, as expected, is temperature and oil pressure sensors, as well as a voltmeter. It is impossible not to note the fact that the materials of the interior decoration have become better and pleasant to the touch. A high level of comfort, on the other hand, hints at the opportunity not only to rush, headlong, but also measuredly move in the city line. Although the tully of a mechanical 6-speed gearbox on the right on hand provokes a real drive. But, I assure you, reader, this pleasure will not go anywhere, we will have time. In the meantime, we look closely at the BMW - details, I emphasize once again, are of great importance.
 
Z4 is almost the opposite of 350Z. Take a look at them again. If the Nissan coupe is an undisguised aggression, then BMW is pure adrenaline. Z4, of course, is beautiful, I would say, she looks uncompromising and in sporting arrogantly. And the appearance, I hasten to notice, completely reflects the nature of this compartment. One elongated, like the hound, the face is worth it. The prepared driver will immediately say that it is not easy to drive with such a car, it must be able to.
 
You gradually feel his holes, already climbing inside - sitting in Z4 is much more difficult than in Nissan. A wide threshold, a narrow doorway. And in the cabin - without unnecessary sentiments, you find yourself, as if in a racing car. Deliberately rough plastic, a huge metal lining on a dashboard, sharp lines. But the color monitor pops up from the front panel, you put your hands on a puffy, optimal diameter of the steering wheel, use the seats’s electroregies, see the right handle of automatic KP on the right, and you have the idea that the designers have not forgotten about comfort. They did not forget, of course, but - not so much that at least a minute you have left the feeling that you are not in the cockpit.
 
That's what is curious: the BMW coupe is equipped with richer than 350z - it contains, for example, rain and illumination sensors, which Nissan is deprived of, it even has a cruise control system. But the Japanese car is clearly more comfortable, more spacious and functional. Moreover, in it I did not find either ashtray or a glove compartment in front of the passenger. However, in the salon, Z4 felt a lack of compartments - only a case for glasses can be placed between the seats. All the useful space between the backs of the chairs and the trunk wall occupied the CD chamber with 6 discs and the DVD player for the navigation system. Nevertheless, in BMW everything is done correctly - for drive, and not for relaxation. So that you are not distracted, taking out from somewhere on the side a suddenly needed thing - stop and open the trunk. Listen to music or drink - a bottle with a mineral water can be attached at hand - here it is still allowed, but not dream of more, just a drive!
 
Bavarian mechanism
 
Yes, before starting on Z4, you should not immediately put a disk with your beloved Aria. Feel a barely noticeable trembling on idle and first enjoy the sound of the motor and a perfectly configured exhaust system during the first acceleration. You will not regret!
 
You do not even press the accelerator on the pedal, and the compartment is already rushing into the distance of a bright one. And then the car seems to switch to you, and the provocations begin - they say, do you want to hear a real sports roar? And so that the surrounding landscape merges into one colorful tape? Just drown the pedal to the floor, do not hesitate - and the excellently configured Tiptronic will immediately understand you, and the compartment will finally show what it is capable of. And it is capable, as you guess, for a lot. It is important that its capabilities are in full agreement with common sense and driver’s skills.
 
For its part, the car will help you with everything that it has. The suspensions are dentisting, transmitting the body to the body every uneven asphalt, but they allow you to feel the Z4 as the right hand, and ensure resistance at high speeds. The standardly installed stabilization system, coupled with all other electronic controllers, is ready to adjust errors, but it is tuned in such a way that the driver has the opportunity to afford certain liberties. For example, a small skid of the rear axle - get fun, but remember that you need a lightning -fast reaction, and even the electronics counts on it. Indeed, thanks to the constructive features (the center of gravity is located inside the wheeled base), the sliding on the Z4 is very dangerous. A little late with adjustment, twisted the steering wheel - you will immediately get a turn. Although with an activated stabilization system, most likely, it is not a reversal, but some unthinkable curve - the electronics is quite boldly chopping off the supply of fuel and slows down one or more wheels. In general, it will chat. But to expect that in any situation you can get rid of little blood, relying on DSC, in no case can not be. Against the laws of physics, as well as against frank provocation, any computer program is powerless.
 
In order for the driver to prevent emergency situations, Z4 was laid by transparent steering and magnificent brakes. After all, in an amazingly way, the speed in Z4 is practically not felt. The body is literally pressed to the road, and all that you hear is the binding sound of a power unit. It is especially pleasant that the car accelerates excellent from the bottom, although the potential of the famous in -line Bavarian six is \u200b\u200brevealed after 3,500 rpm. In a word, the drive in the BMW Z4 is more than enough.
 
Japanese speed
 
The foregoing does not mean at all that the Nissan 350Z fades against the background of BMW. And in this car, each press on the accelerator pedal leads to a soft stick to the back of the seat. After the update, the 3.5-liter V6 gives out all 300 hp. The person who is not prepared for this reserve of power and torque (353 Nm) is at first scared, but somehow quickly gets used to it. And it may already seem to him that the car is standing when the speedometer shooter freezes at a mark of 100.
 
However, I am somewhat hyperbolize. Because they will not let noise be forgotten about the movement. In the 350z salon, it is clearly not as quiet as in the Z4 salon. And the matter is not at all in the voice of the motor - in my opinion, it is not missing, and at speeds up to 4,500 are not heard at all. But inside the rustle of tires, and the knock of pebbles on the bottom, and other extraneous sounds easily penetrate inside. Of course, they can be drowned with a good Bose musical system, but your will, and noise insulation could be thicker.
 
This is perhaps the only complaint in terms of comfort. And in 350z - tough, but not like in BMW. At the same time, there are simply no body rolls, the transmission of the manual transmission switch with amazing clarity. But the 3.5-liter V6 Nissan is quite smooth, which is why the acceleration, although fast, but without particularly bright bursts. If you add to this a more than calm sound of the exhaust system, then comparisons with a computer racing simulator involuntarily arise. The landscape outside the windows moves faster, but you practically do not feel it. That is why a stupid question arises in my head: and that all this is going on so slowly today? However, it is a pleasure to overtake the quiet -classes - he turned the steering wheel a little, and was already rebuilt, slipping into a barely noticeable lumen between the cars. The passenger sitting on the right does not even have time to get over. And with a quick ride, a smug growl of the power unit is also manifested - nice!
 
350z as a whole - no less uncompromising car, which also makes quite high demands on the wheel sitting. You should not relax, especially if you want to disable the ESP stabilization system. By the way, she does not allow such liberties as DSC on BMW, and at the first signs of slipping or drift, she comes into work. But in the sliding of the Nissan 350z, according to my observations, we are more predicting. What is explained, inter alia, a slightly different layout - a rather heavy V6 loads the front wheels stronger, and no less transparent and acute steering, allow you to quickly adjust the trajectory of movement. It is important, again, not to twist the steering wheel, otherwise it can seriously unwind. Fortunately, the brake mechanisms of Brembo are so effective and competently configured that with emergency braking, the car rises like a dug. By the way, during the tests neither I nor my passenger, never dared to ride 350z not fastened. What saved us from cones with sharp braking.
 
The choice is yours
 
Having caught my breath from the dough and putting my thoughts in order, I came to a simple conclusion - both cars are magnificent. If you can immediately go to the BMW Z4 on the racing highway, then the Nissan 350z gives the impression of a more cozy car that is perfect for further refinement. Both emergents - have a cocky character and are able to give true pleasure from driving. The matter, as they say, in the nuances, which I tried to tell about. It remains to mention prices. Sellers ask for $ 66,640 for the Nissan 350Z in the top version, and 59 100 euros for the BMW Z4 3.0SIA.
 
Text: Andrey Osipov
 

Source: "Automobile Izvestia"