BMW Z4 sDrive35is 3.0 M Sport Review: For the brave

What we like:

Explosive acceleration

intoxicating exhaust note and that Valencia Orange paint!

What we dislike:

Lack of a mechanical LSD to keep the rear in check.

Even in ‘Sport’ mode and all electronic nannies on, the Z4 still gets quite squirmy in the bends. Less experienced drivers would find it quite unnerving when you feel the rear end shift for the first time. Even though BMW has tried to electronically dupe themselves out of a mechanical LSD, the Z4 will do well with one. We wouldn’t recommend anyone to go anywhere near the ‘Sport+’ mode on public roads lest you want to be a tree ornament before X’mas.

Steering isn’t quite as accurate nor as fast as we’d like in a performance car which makes placing the car perfectly on corner entry that much more challenging. That aside, the feel wasn’t too bad for an electric rack.

Despite a claimed consumption of 11km/L, the Z4 does get quite thirsty when driven with aplomb. With our heavy foot, we barely made 200 km on our first tank from its 55 litre capacity.

Unlike most hard top cabriolets, the Z4 allows roof operation up to speeds of 40kmh which is rather useful when caught in a sudden downpour.

Driven fast, this flagship BMW Z4 is a car that demands nothing short of 100% concentration from its driver. But given time and practice, one will learn to relish the excitement offered by this roadster.

In the end, what’s the point of a sports car if you don’t feel like David (& Goliath) every time you step out of it?

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline