BMW Z4 M40i (2019) Review
BMW鈥檚 sole roadster has been substantially improved making it a decent alternative to the Porsche 718 Boxster in M40i outfit. There were many things to like about BMW鈥檚 last Z4 for it had a pleasingly laid-back profile and shark-eyed face. Best of all, it provided an open-top driving experience for just two. A classic roadster, to sum things up. However, there were some downsides. And some serious ones, like a retractable hard-top that hopelessly compromised on boot space and an excessively long snout which took away some driving agility. Which was why BMW wasted no time in attempting to rectify these problems with the all-new model, driven here for the first time after having made its world premiere in the US a few months ago. The biggest change carried out in the G29-coded Z4 is the switch from the E89 predecessor鈥檚 folding tin-top to the classic soft-top, which not only saves weight but foregoes all the space-eating complex components of its opposing type. And the best part in the new Z4 is that the cargo area has been totally unaffected by the presence of the new roof, even when tucked away on a sunny day.
Don鈥檛 be surprised to see today鈥檚 4 Series Convertible being the last Bimmer to use a metal-folding roof, although this hasn鈥檛 been confirmed yet for the all-new model due by the decade鈥檚 end. BMW鈥檚 only roadster looks both athletic and stylish without really losing much on the visual appeal of its forebear. Go into details and it could be a mixed bag of likes and dislikes. Although the rear lamps and M-specific wheels look cool, the front lights lack the elegance of yore. And while it鈥檚 claimed that the new mesh-style vents up front is a fresh take on the brand鈥檚 kidney-grille, we found it a bit stale. Of course, a radiator cover is there for a purpose, but it lacks the classy appeal of BMW鈥檚 usual design. Jump into the cabin, though, and there鈥檚 much to like about it. The overall build quality is wonderfully solid, the materials feel properly upmarket and all the latest in BMW鈥檚 digital stuff is there like those for the instrument panel and infotainment display. The seats, too, offer good levels of support and comfort.
BMW鈥檚 claims of improved rigidity can also be felt on the move. There鈥檚 virtually no scuttle shake when driving roof-up and external noise suppression is highly commendable by standards of roadsters. After some time skimming through the rural parts of Portugal, you could easily mistake the Z4 as a normal coupe. It鈥檚 billed as the range-topping model because a full-on M variant is allegedly not in the pipeline, although lesser variants powered by 258hp and 197hp 2.0-litre turbocharged fours have been confirmed by BMW for the 30i and 20i respectively. Even so, the M40i is a nice fit in the Z4 for its offers plenty of power for the enthusiast. Switch the di rigueur drive mode selector to Sport and the exhaust makes some popping noises. After many years of oblivion, BMW is finally giving its latest cars some aural thrills. Because the front end is now shorter, the Z4 is once and for all agile to drive. You know exactly where each corner of the nose is on the road and the car tackles corners with ease.
Initially, the (fat-to-hold) steering may feel a little slow upon turn-in but displays enough precision once you build up pace from the sumptuously powered turbo sixer. There鈥檚 a good chance that the 20i and 30i should handle with more litheness due to a less heavy front end, but we didn鈥檛 get a chance to sample either of them yet. Then there鈥檚 the ride. At hardly any point did the Z4 prove to be uncomfortable. In fact, bump absorption is sufficient and the noise generated by the low-profile tyres isn鈥檛 that much. Overall, the fine chassis-tuning and stiff body makes the Z4 a roadster a force to be reckoned with. For the first time, it comes very close to the Porsche 718 Boxster for composure, if not exactly for sheer driving pleasure. An Audi TT Roadster or the soon-to-die Mercedes-Benz SLC isn鈥檛 probably a match for the Z4 here. Okay, it might not sound fair to bring the Mazda MX-5 into perspective here since it has been developed with lightweight and cost-effectiveness in mind. But for a million baht more or so, the Z4 is light years ahead in terms solidity, refinement, quality and road manners. Taking the current market into consideration, the Z4 should cost around four million baht in entry-level form when Thai sales before mid-2019. Sure, the 20i is probably all you need, but BMW Thailand is planning official sales of the M40i for around two million baht more. What BMW has created here is a roadster that鈥檚 been vastly improved over the previous generation. It shows, explaining why Toyota is the using this platform for its pending Supra. And due to an agreement, the Z4 is said to come only in roadster form. Even so, Thai enthusiasts of the Z4 shouldn鈥檛 come away disappointed even if roof-down experience may be a rare occasion. In a nutshell, the Z4 is one of a thoroughly developed roadster of modern times.