- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
180kW, 350Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 6.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2013 BMW Z4 28i – Quick drive review
The car: BMW Z4 sDrive 28i
Price: From $89,900 plus on-road costs
Vitals: 2.0-litre turbo 4cyl, 180kW/350Nm, 7-spd auto, RWD, 6.8L/100km
What is it?
It’s the middle child in the facelifted Z4 roadster range with the high-output turbocharged 2.0-litre four cylinder engine.
What does it say about me?
That you’re after style more than outright performance or practicality.
Who else is buying it?
Loyal BMW owners or those who can’t stretch another $12k for a base-model Porsche Boxster.
What colours does it come in?
There are four non metallics - white, black, red and grey - and seven metallics, including the Valencia Orange on our test car which must be optioned with the Design Pure Traction package that includes Alcantara seat trim and orange dash inserts. And if you want the Melbourne Red, it only comes with the M Sport package and 18-inch alloys.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
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Australian sprinter Michelle Jenneke; great looks and athletic ability but quite not the class of the field. Also likes to jiggle over rough roads and shake its booty when pushed hard.
Why would I buy it?
Because it carries that classic long nose/short rear proportions of iconic sports cars, has the security of a folding hard top and is both reasonably powerful and efficient at the same time.
Why wouldn’t I buy it?
Because it doesn’t drive as well as the Boxster.
Will it let me down?
Not likely, the current E89 Z4 has been around since 2009 and this facelift brings only mild updates. The 2.0-litre turbo engine and eight-speed automatic are also used in a wide range of BMW models, so they should be well sorted.
Does it cost too much?
Depends on how much you value style, performance and the BMW badge, as there are cheaper convertibles. But, against its direct rivals like the Mercedes SLK and Porsche Boxster, the Z4 is ahead on price and equipment.
Will I get a deal?
Open-top sports cars are a small slice of the market and sales are driven purely by emotion. The dealers know that, so they’ll try hard to keep you on the hook - particularly heading into the warmer months. No harm in haggling though.
Is it safe?
It comes with dual front and side airbags, high-strength roll-over bars and a suite of electronic acronyms like ABS (anti-lock brakes), DSC (stability control), DTC (traction control) and CBC (cornering brake control). This latest generation has yet to rated for crash safety by NCAP.
Will it get me noticed?
By the simple fact that any drop-top sportscar exposes you to the elements, fellow drivers can’t help but look at who’s behind the wheel. Our Z4’s bright Valencia Orange paint amplified its head-turning ability.
How’s the cabin ambience?
As mentioned previously, the Valencia paint brings the Pure Traction Design package to the cabin which is just as bright. The overall cabin design has an element of retro cool styling with its low-slung seating position, three rotary dials for the ventilation system and asymmetrical contours in the centre console and passenger side of the dash. Storage, as you’d expect in a two-seater, is compromised with small flip-out door pockets and the cup holders are housed inside the console.
What’s the stereo like?
Surprisingly good with BMW cramming 11 speakers, powered by a 245W amplifier, into the tight confines of the cockpit. It also has Bluetooth streaming for audio and phone, internet connectivity, 12Gb hard drive and 3D sat nav.
Does it go?
It’s certainly no slouch, with 180kW and 350Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. BMW claims it can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.5sec.
Does it like corners?
This mid-spec 28i is actually the sweetest of the three Z4 models when pushed hard; it has enough poke at high revs to be seriously swift without torching the rear tyres and the front-end is lighter than the range-topping six-cylinder turbo. The electric steering is sharp but feels a tad too artificial in its weighting.
What about bumps?
Rough roads are not its forte. Even with the adaptive dampers set to comfort mode, the Z4 jiggles over the smallest corrugations and it can easily be unsettled by mid-corner bumps.
What about service stations?
Like all turbo engines, it uses more fuel the harder you drive it. But with the 28i you actually get your cake and eat it too as there is no penalty in fuel consumption despite its more powerful output, with BMW claiming it has the same 6.8L/100km as the base-model 135kW 20i model.
Would you buy one?
The Z4 28i would certainly be near the top of my shopping list if I was looking for a two-seater convertible; it has a great mix of equipment and performance for the money and the engine and gearbox are nicely matched for both comfortable cruising and enthuastic driving.
What else should I consider?
The Z4 has only a few true rivals; the Porsche Boxster, Mercedes SLK and Nissan 370Z Roadster. If you can stretch your budget, the Boxster is still the pick of the bunch.
The Spin
‘‘It’s hard to improve on perfection, but with additional features and better value, the BMW Z4 now becomes an even more attractive proposition’’
The Translation
We nailed its design first time around, but needed to add some more gear to keep its sales ticking along