Am I the only one not digging the new Z4?

[RossBMWZseries]

I like the rear of the new Z4 as well as the interior. Everything else is just a big NO. I can't accept the look of the headlights, the side profile of the car no longer seems to sit the driver in the back of the car with the long hood in front of it. It looks like a Mercedez. The curves aren't sexy anymore. I refuse to believe this is a biased opinion as I own a E85 Z4, I'm just having a hard time liking this thing. Anyone with me?

[E90PAT]

im right there with you

[The HACK]

I'm okay with it. Not okay enough to want to buy a new one, but it doesn't bother me. In fact, it is one of the more "unique" looking BMWs to come from BMW Design Studios in a long, LONG time. The last generation of BMWs not only has returned to the old "same sausage, different length" design philosophy, but it's gone to the extremes of "same sausage like what EVERYONE ELSE is making" school of design. The latest 3, 4, and 5 series, if you just take away the badge and the grill, looks like everyone else's product. Impossible to distinguish the BMW from a Lexus, Chevy, or a Honda. There's nothing distinctive with BMW's design philosophy anymore, it wasn't like the 70s, 80s, 90s, even early 2000s where a cursory glance, you know it's a BMW.

At least the new Z4 has some unique lines, not the bland "I might as well drive a Camry, because 90% of the populace won't be able to tell what it is" designs that BMW has been producing lately.

[MinneapolisJeff]

I haven't seen the official released version yet

[Huz-Z]

From a performance perspective, preliminary reviews indicate that regardless of styling, this car will be a serious performer and seems to address all the complaints about the outgoing E89 platform.

Pics here:

https://g29.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1525864

[bgeorge0049]

I am actually a big fan of what I have read and seen about the car so far. I'll reserve total judgement on the styling until the actual reveal next week when we get to see the cameras pan around it, etc. Right now, we just get to see the CGI photos and heavily photoshopped images for press use.

[WickedNy]

Next coupe for me will either be the supra or used cayman not thrilled about what's to be expected. I will however reserve judgment till I see one in person

[kaybat]

no manual i heard. :-(

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by kaybat

no manual i heard. :-(

[3798j]

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/08/13/...#slide-7396591
Autoblog posted these shots yesterday.

[Andyh1]

It doesn't move me, my Z4M will be around for a long time.

[KevinM]

I'm not digging the lack of a manual transmission, the lack of an announced M version and the lack of a coupe (at least yet). And with the Supra sharing the plate, a coupe probably won't come at all...

[3798j]

Leaked photos shown by Autoweek.
https://autoweek.com/article/pebble-...le-beach-debut

[Steeler]

I like the flanks.
Front and rear treatments too Hondaish.

No manual, no bueno

[HTM101]

This look-a-like is available for $5-7k these days.
http://www.jbcarpages.com/toyota/cam.../picture59.php

[racerbruce]

The only missing element is Batman and Robin jumping in the seats....reflect back to the design elements of the Z8....classic, timeless lines, just like the beloved Z4 platform.

The iconic kidney grille has been lost and replaced with the cow-catcher look that is prevalent in the Lexus and Toyota brands.

From a performance perspective, it may out-perform the Z4M, but the visceral driver input via a 6 speed manual is entirely lost in a paddle shifted experience which our Subaru Outback has.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

From a performance perspective, it may out-perform the Z4M, but the visceral driver input via a 6 speed manual is entirely lost in a paddle shifted experience which our Subaru Outback has.

I agree. But the problem with the manual box car is that nobody is buying them these days. Reminds me of a good story. My wife and I had one car for eight years from 1989 to 1997: an '89 VW Golf Wolfsburg with a 5 speed manual. So we can both drive stick well enough. The rarity of this skill was amply demonstrated when a couple of years back, my wife's work colleague took ill at the office (bad flu, all well after a few days at home) and somebody was needed to drive his prized Porsche 911 back to his house. Not a single one of the big burly F150 / Ram driving engineers at her company could manage it - but they were all shocked and more than a little red-faced when the wife piped up and said "sure, hand me the keys".



And by the way, am I correct in thinking that the European version of the G29 will have manual shifts available, or did I dream that I read that somewhere?

[GuidoK]

As for the design I'm not really into the headlights (I prefer bmw's classic double headlight arrangement) but for the rest its ok I think.
Not having a manual available (at least in the higher models I presume) is a big fail and a sign that bmw has lost its way with what is a 'real drivers car'.
Porsche gets it now and sells the manual as an extra on some models at least. Clever thinking but they are the master of marketing.

[Huz-Z]

This report says that some of the 4 cylinder cars will have a manual gearbox:

https://www.bmwblog.com/2017/05/23/2...anual-gearbox/

But its not clear if that is for all production with the smaller engines, or just cars destined for Europe / outside North America.

[Big boi m5]

I like it but it doesn't look 'new' or refreshing. In fact side by side with an e85 and e89 in new condition I doubt my car ignorant wife would be able to pick out which was designed for 2019 release.

I prefer the e89 in style, has the classic BMW roadster lines similiar to how the 911 shares its looks with its predecessors while being very different in size and shape.

With the exception of the headlights the e85 and the Z8 both maintain this style and like the 911 I think it's just a classic beautiful look.

This new car is more or less a reaction to the Bangle era of pushing the design too far. Now its safe and right in line with the rest of the market.

People hated the bangle era so this new design is seen as a safe return to form by the Roundel for example.

To me the new designs look like Jeep and it looks very very meh. The whole 'angry' and aggressive look being used by the Econo car companies makes the casual car buyer believe that a Nissan Maxima with an upgraded engine is a sports car because it has the word 'sporty' in the marketing.

As for the new Z4 concept I thought it looked good. The production model, like I said, basically confirms ill be getting an e85 or 89 and not dropping $65k on a new model.

[RossBMWZseries]

You guys have some valid points. I won't make my opinion official until the release next week or maybe when I see it on the road. Still don't like the thing though....

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by SleepingBMW

As for the new Z4 concept I thought it looked good. The production model, like I said, basically confirms ill be getting an e85 or 89 and not dropping $65k on a new model.

Consider that in Canada, BMW typically prices their cars at a significantly steeper price, even if the exchange rate between the Canadian and US dollars were the same. (Clearly, being known around the world as the polite country isn't good when it comes to big-ticket purchases). Factor in the fact that the Canadian dollar typically runs at between 75 and 85 cents US, and it becomes apparent that BMW is unlikely to sell very many G29s in Canada unless its one mother-****** of a sports car. Or - they decide to stop screwing Canadians, just because they can.