2006-12-18 01:27:47Mike O’Lee
BMW Z4 M Coupe
BMW Z4 M Coupe
There is only one word can describe the feeling of driving this beautiful car:
Nirvana.
But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let me describe the feeling of sitting inside of this brand new M Coupe before I describe the driving experience.
The interior and the exterior of this car are probably designed by 2 different teams with 2 completely opposite philosophies. The exterior is sharp and modern, based on the controversial “Flame Language”, there are curves and creases abound. It is like a 3 legged cat, you don’t want to, but cannot take your eyes away from it.
The interior is a complete polar opposite, it’s classy yet understated. The dashboard is straight forward without any gimmick, decorated by a beautiful satin finished wood panel. The M-Sport seats tightly wrap around the driver’s body, it has the right supports in all the right places. Reach out from the seat, a thick rimmed, small diameter steering wheel is right there where it should be. Drop the right hand off the wheel, the shifter is right there waiting for it. This is the best designed interior ever. The driver sits low, close to the ground, almost on top of the rear axle. The pedals are arranged perfectly for heel-and-toe.
Driving this car is not for the faint of heart. First of all, this coupe weighs only 3303 lbs and the 3.2L straight six engine produces 330 horsepower. With this lethal combination of light weight and high power, every input is magnified. Listening to the glorious engine music while the tachometer needle climbing towards the 8000 rpm redline was an intoxicating experience. The brakes are wonderfully responsive, brings the car down with authority.
Going through high speed corners, the car just hunker down and fly through them without drama. When push to the limit, the car will under-steer, but no worries, a stab on the gas will bring the rear end right out. Now, this is fun. Every entry calls for a heel-and-toe down shift, every corner exist begs for a wide open throttle, this M Coupe will take you as fast as your heart dares. When a straight appears, hammer the throttle to the floor and feel the car punch through the air like a jet plane. This car begs for a hooligan style of driving.
As a daily driver, this car has a huge trunk to swallow golf bags and occasional Costco runs. Some might feel the car’s set up is too stiff as an everyday driver, but it’s a small price for such a performance.
There is only one word can describe the feeling of driving this beautiful car:
Nirvana.
But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let me describe the feeling of sitting inside of this brand new M Coupe before I describe the driving experience.
The interior and the exterior of this car are probably designed by 2 different teams with 2 completely opposite philosophies. The exterior is sharp and modern, based on the controversial “Flame Language”, there are curves and creases abound. It is like a 3 legged cat, you don’t want to, but cannot take your eyes away from it.
The interior is a complete polar opposite, it’s classy yet understated. The dashboard is straight forward without any gimmick, decorated by a beautiful satin finished wood panel. The M-Sport seats tightly wrap around the driver’s body, it has the right supports in all the right places. Reach out from the seat, a thick rimmed, small diameter steering wheel is right there where it should be. Drop the right hand off the wheel, the shifter is right there waiting for it. This is the best designed interior ever. The driver sits low, close to the ground, almost on top of the rear axle. The pedals are arranged perfectly for heel-and-toe.
Driving this car is not for the faint of heart. First of all, this coupe weighs only 3303 lbs and the 3.2L straight six engine produces 330 horsepower. With this lethal combination of light weight and high power, every input is magnified. Listening to the glorious engine music while the tachometer needle climbing towards the 8000 rpm redline was an intoxicating experience. The brakes are wonderfully responsive, brings the car down with authority.
Going through high speed corners, the car just hunker down and fly through them without drama. When push to the limit, the car will under-steer, but no worries, a stab on the gas will bring the rear end right out. Now, this is fun. Every entry calls for a heel-and-toe down shift, every corner exist begs for a wide open throttle, this M Coupe will take you as fast as your heart dares. When a straight appears, hammer the throttle to the floor and feel the car punch through the air like a jet plane. This car begs for a hooligan style of driving.
As a daily driver, this car has a huge trunk to swallow golf bags and occasional Costco runs. Some might feel the car’s set up is too stiff as an everyday driver, but it’s a small price for such a performance.