Test drive BMW Z4 E85 2002 - 2006 convertible

All photos of the BMW Z4 E85 2002 - 2006

State of soul

Such cars always attract attention, standing out with an extraordinary appearance and a hoarse engine roar. The predecessors of modern relatives - sports cars for road racing had a characteristic layout and appearance. A long hood was covered by a powerful (usually multi -cylinder in line) motor. Classic rear -wheel drive layout. Large wheels with effective brake mechanisms. Short overhangs. In a cramped booth, immediately behind the engine compartment - a driver and a mechanic. Even the side doors and a soft folding roof were rather an exception. Only a narrow windshield shield protected the crew at high speeds and in bad weather.
Over time, the classrooms lost their sports purposes and migrated into an elite category - cars for wealthy fans eager to enjoy driving and amuse driver's ambitions.

High fashion traditions are not interrupted. New models of eminent firms successfully combine classic proportions, sophisticated design and high technologies. Each family model is an event even for the countries of the traditional habitat of these cars, and even more so for Russia.
Acquaintance with the new BMW relatives coincided with the start of its sales here in May 2003. The most powerful version of Z4 3.0i sport was provided to our disposal.
There was already some idea of \u200b\u200bZ4, which came to replace Z3 in 2002, but full -time acquaintance exceeded all expectations. In various angles, the car looks a little differently-it is aggressive and dull, then adamantly and powerful, then harmoniously and elegant. The design work is so perfect that in the restrained color scheme of coloring there is no need for bright tones. Everything, up to the smallest detail - concisely, thought out, stylishly. The cabin is equipped with the most modern ideas about comfort. Electric drives will help to choose the optimal landing at the wheel: back and forth, up and down. What preference do you prefer the angle of inclination of the pillow, back? For the five closest riders to the car, the procedure is performed once and is entered into memory.

The trunk by the standards of cars of this type is quite large - 240 liters with a folded roof and 260 - with raised. The absence of a spare wheel and any repair supplies in the form of a sealant, a jack and a balloon key affected. The air pressure in the tires is controlled by the RUN-Flat signal system, and a special configuration of the sidewalls allows you to drive up to 150 km even with tightness.
Having tested the work of a soft folding roof, we decide to make the first part of the trip in the option of a convertible. In the conditions of a sluggish city stream, this is not so comfortable, but you can enjoy the admiring-vague views of not only the owners of homegrown tuning, but also cool foreign cars. The tightness of the streets is not his element, although competitive attempts by lovers of traffic lights are stopped jokingly - eccentrics!

Much more pleasure, as, however, and understanding of the character of Z4, delivered riding along the suburban highway and highway tracks. But before sharing the impressions of the car control and analyze its behavior on the road, a few words about the design.
The corner hardness of the body (with twisting) is increased 2.5 times compared to the precursor of Z3. For controllability, this is a tangible plus. The role of electronics has become even more significant. A 24-valve engine with adjustable phases, the DDC system of dynamic engine control system (it is turned on the Sport button on the central console) was added to the improved DME system (electronic engine control). The dynamic control of the DSC exchange rate stability added braking control at the SVS turns. The version of the DTC antibux system has been improved, which can be activated by pressing the button on the central console. And finally, the control of the steering wheel power amplifier is Servotronics. Coordinates the work of these managers a powerful on -board computer. He also is responsible for the sequence and speed of the frontal and lateral airbags, depending on the nature of the collision. Control signals are transmitted via highly rental fiber -optic cables.

But back to the road. The accelerated and brake dynamics will not leave indifferent even a sophisticated driver. The engine easily provides an improper, but very intense set of speed with impeccable operation of the gearbox and clear tracking the throttle of the throttle. On a flat coating, thanks to the magnificent lines of tire properties, a car, as if on rails, prescribes a set trajectory without the slightest hint of slipping. The side overloads increase so much that the fixing capabilities of solid leather seats are not enough. On a sharp press of the Z4 throttle pedal, it responds with an imperious short -term impetus in any gear: they say, there is a reserve of traction! At the same time, the drives of the drive wheels do not arise, since electronics intervene in the case. The more incompetent the pace of movement, the more noticeable the preventive-controling actions of electronic systems. The result is a certain sensation of impunity and the lack of tension when passing maximum turns.

The brake characteristics can be called impeccable. High efficiency and the ability to precisely dose slowdown allow you to instantly extinguish speed, approaching a dangerous turn. But even with excessively fast input, smart electronics will help to slow down without serious consequences already in a bend.
Pressing the button - and the car changes character, moving on to the sport mode. The force on the steering wheel increases, the reactions become more acute not only in steep turns, but also on almost direct. However, the settings of the steering electrical power of the steering wheel remain insufficiently informative and it becomes problematic to maintain the planned smooth trajectory in maximum turns. The response to the throttle pedal is made faster and more energetic, but at the same time the transition from one transmission to another is smoother. On the roads of the landfill, they experimented with the DTC button. Its activation allows a short -term slipping of the drive wheels, so when a turning with a thrust is created, an illusion of light skidding is created.

A little unpleasant for the sports version of Z4 Russian asphalt. A short -flowing suspension reacts very nervously to the longitudinal irregularities of the coating, causing a sharp trajectory scan.
You can state the fact: in the new BMW Z4 family, the concept of maximum pleasure, maximum capabilities, and the maximum security is successfully implemented.

The interior is more comfortable than sports-abstract.

Sliding in the bend is controlled by electronics.

Even BMW has stretch marks between cups of shock absorbers.

SUMMARY
BMW Z4 3.0i
+ Excellent dynamics, good handling, attractive appearance, exclusive, moderate fuel consumption.
A hard short -flowing suspension is not for Russian roads.