What Does Consumer Reports Think About The New BMW Z4?

[cawimmer430]

This can't be good. 



What Does Consumer Reports Think About The New BMW Z4?

The shift in consumer tastes, and particular, an insatiable appetite for crossovers of all sorts and kinds, has made it harder for manufacturers to justify the costs associated with the development of new sports cars, but BMW decided that it would be a good time to offer yet another Z4, after a 2-year hiatus.

Co-developed alongside the new Toyota Supra, the third iteration of the Z4 roadster entered production last year going up against cars such as the Porsche 718 Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLC. On this side of the pond, it comes in two versions, the sDrive30i and sDrive M40i, with an MSRP of $49,700 and $63,700, respectively.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1FVQ49MazE

The lesser model packs a 2.0-liter turbo-four, delivering 255 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels, via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Nought to 60 mph (0-96 km/h) takes 5.2 seconds and top speed is capped at 155 mph (250 km/h).

Technicalities aside, the Z4 sDrive30i's engine makes it quick and steady, Consumer Reports noted in their review, with good power delivery for everyday driving. The transmission is very responsive and refined, as long as you don't put it in Sport, as revving higher makes it snappy. Through corners, the car is very nimble, with little body roll, and occupants will be secured in by the supportive seats.

The interior feels nicely put together, with responsive and easy to use infotainment system, standard dual-zone climate control and the overall build quality expected from a premium automaker. Getting stuff like heated seats and steering wheel, Track Handling, M Sport and Driving Assistance packages, Vernasca leather upholstery and others requires spending more.

Now, would you want a Z4 in your life or should you perhaps go for something else? The reviewer's feedback should help you decide if the German roadster deserves your attention, as not everything is flawless, and the steering feedback is, sadly, one of the drawbacks.



Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2019/10/what-does-consumer-reports-think-about-the-new-bmw-z4/

[MX793]

I would point out that CR's recommended/not-recommended lists are based on submitted customer surveys and consumer data, not their opinions.  When a car gets "panned" by CR's ratings, that's because it was panned by the people who own them and reported problems to CR.

These ratings are distinct from their "reviews", which are like any other road tester's review in that they will evaluate comfort, performance, etc.  They have given positive reviews for driving experience to cars that otherwise rate poorly in their consumer surveys for reliability or quality.

[2o6]

People who hate on CR have never read their articles. CR is arguably the most objective review mag out there.

[Laconian]

They don't have the 20-point "Gotta Have It" item in their scoring rubric (used to tip the scales in favor of the car company with the biggest ad spend).

[Soup DeVille]

People who hate on CR have never read their articles. CR is arguably the most objective review mag out there.

That they are. I used to argue the other magazines had better writers. I don't think that's been true for about 15 years now.

[2o6]

I think a lot of other reviewers harp hard on the "driving" aspect, but "good driving" can be subjective in certain aspects. Also, the driving ability of said reviewers can be straight up bad.


If you only read auto magazines, you'd think any mid 2000's Toyota was literally trying to kill its driver with how badly it drove, according to said reviewers.

Having owned a few of them, they're not that damn bad.

[12,000 RPM]

Wimmer, have you ever read a CR review?

[cawimmer430]

Wimmer, have you ever read a CR review?

Did you see the —-> <—-?

It was a snide remark.