The engine note is gloriously mechanical and hard-edged. The straight-6 is delightful (and addicting) to listen to as it zings to the 6,600 rpm redline. Purists may shun the fact that the 3.0si’s only locally available with a 6-speed automatic, but don’t let that put you off. It’s telepathically responsive, enabling one to extract the most out of the engine. Like all other BMWs, there are ‘Sport’ and ‘Manual’ shift modes, but leaving it in ‘Drive’ during everyday driving will more than suffice. There’s a separate ‘Sport’ button on the center tunnel too—and this remaps the throttle response.
Where the Z4 Coupe really excels is in terms of chassis balance. This is a car that feels like it’s been hardwired into your brain. It makes you instantly feel at home in, talks to you all the time and encourages you to play whenever conditions allow. The ride is surprisingly superb; compliant yet informative with all the unwanted road-chatter filtered out before it reaches your behind. The fixed roof increases the rigidity of the Z4 Coupe over the roadster, and as a consequence, it feels much more stable over corners. It also pays off in safety by offering excellent protection in virtually any kind of accident. If your driving ability’s not as sharp as Robert Kubica though, the Z4 Coupe comes loaded with safety features from DSC to DTC and DBC.
The BMW Z4 Coupe is a hugely engaging and charismatic car as well as being incredibly exploitable and faithful too. It’s arguably the best-handling car BMW makes, which says something, and that alone makes it worth the P 4,720,000 price of admission.
There may be other choices out there both lower and above the Z4 Coupe’s price, but not one stands up to the BMW’s pace, prestige and pedigree. Unarguably this car has that racecar-like feel: raw when its wound out, but relaxed and composed when you’re not in the mood. It puts a smile on your face every time you look at it, and every time you sit in it and every time you fire up that engine and sends the tachometer swinging into the red.
It’s a car you simply get or you don’t get and for those who do, there’s no better sports car.
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| 'Sport' button on the center tunnel remaps the throttle response making it more aggressive. The 6-speed automatic also shifts later. |
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| Having a hatchback rear, the Z4 Coupe can swallow luggage for that weekend getaway. You can't fold the seats though as there is nothing to fold. |
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| Aluminum paddle shifters make for an excellent Robert Kubica impression. Redundant stereo buttons are standard too. |
