Benson, better known to you as shadrach2, sent us these photos of his 2007 BMW Z4. Here is what he had to say:
I spent years without ever succumbing to the lure of the roadster. Growing up on the East Coast will do that to you. Then I moved to California. Roadster weather all the time. First a BMW Z3 2.3. Super fun. What could be better? A pre-owned dakar yellow Z3 3.0, that's what. Fun, fast and loud (the color, not the car). I was set to stay with this guy long term because the Z4 never appealed to me at all. Until that day on the highway when I saw one that made me say "Hmmmm, that's really nice looking." Who'd have thought the refresh of '06 could make that big a difference? Not me, that's for sure. But it did. I was hooked.
A quick call to Ali at Santa Maria BMW and the wheels were set in motion. A 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si. I couldn't get yellow this time, much to my dismay, and so went for Montego Blue. (I like to be seen when I'm in a small car. Those SUVs are on the largish side and the more visible I am, the better.)
Total blast to drive. It's more than "kinda fast" and it handles very well. The one downside is that the ride is pretty stiff. Wouldn't be a problem if California had ever heard of repaving but on our typical battle-scarred roads it can be jarring. The Z3s were more fun in the twisties, interestingly. With their "inferior" rear suspension they made you pay more attention and that added to the fun. Easier to get lift-throttle turn-in as well. The Z4 is far more competent but some of the zip has been lost.
The trunk is huge. It's actually almost identical in dimension to the trunk in the coupe variant, which I hadn't expected initially but the measuring tape doesn't lie. Easy to make a weekend trip for two into the Anderson Valley and Mendocino, complete with camera gear, and then bring home three cases of wine as well.
What else? BMW makes amazingly fuel efficient sixes and the Z4 is no different. Cruises on the highway at 30+ and I average 24 on a daily basis. The exhaust could be a little better. The sound of the S52s in the old M roadsters and M coupes was intoxicating. BMW waved the quiet stick at the Z4 just a bit too vigorously.
I guess the final point is the practicality of the car. If you're a one or two-person family, it covers an awful lot of the day-to-day needs. The rear window is heated glass (and not plastic as in the old Z3s), the top goes up or down in about 10 seconds, and the trunk holds a bunch. It's not chock full of electronics (although it does have some) so there aren't a ton of things to go wrong. Oh, and those wheels are the easiest to clean that I've ever experienced in my life!
Beautiful, fast, fun, and practical. What more do you need?
Thanks for sharing your pictures with us, Benson.
P.S. If you want to participate in the Reader's Long-Term Car segment, click here to read the submission guidelines.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
jriz says:
04:16 PM, 07/ 7/10
I, too, am not a fan of the Z4, but your car looks awesome. The Z4 didn't get the cool colors that the Z3 had, but you managed to come up with a very handsome combination. Well done and nice car.
-Riswick
felonious says:
04:41 PM, 07/ 7/10
Great photos! I agree, good looking car and great color choices.
ocramidajzj says:
05:51 PM, 07/ 7/10
That interior is gorgeous.
zoomzoom22 says:
06:40 PM, 07/ 7/10
There are kinda ugly Z4s and there are good looking ones. This one is definitely a good looking one.
The interior is slick, and I love the wheels.
Nice car!
roadburner says:
07:33 PM, 07/ 7/10
Beautiful car and color combination; I found a pristine Alpine White/Dream Red 3.0si coupe but unfortunately it was fitted with a slushbox. Meh.
Good to see that your car is equipped properly!
lostboyz says:
03:54 AM, 07/ 8/10
great looking car!
I know its a BMW, but I think the wood trim in a car like that is out of place. I generally don't like wood trim at all (real or fake) so maybe its just me.
shadrach2 says:
05:19 AM, 07/ 8/10
Thanks guys - happy to see it strikes a chord! lostboyz: what's amazing about this wood dash piece is that it's so flat and expansive you can stick a portable nav suction dealie on it and have it stick just fine. Gives you access as if it's a built-in. Only car I've ever seen in which that can be done.
yellowmiata says:
06:36 AM, 07/ 8/10
shadrach2 - great writeup! I cross shopped the Z4 with my 370Z and they are still neck and neck!
I'm a bit jealous of your fuel economy - though I've never achieved EPA estimates. A quick question: to achieve mid 20s (city) and low 30s (hwy) what is your driving style? In Texas, I routinely get on FM (Farm to Market) roads where we go from 0 - 60 so I know that WOT decreases any hypermile activity. What about your beautiful Z4 and your driving style? Thanks!
Kevin
lostboyz says:
06:42 AM, 07/ 8/10
@shadrach2
I really do like your car, I have about the same exterior/interior color combo as you do. I just imagine your dash with brushed aluminum or something to that effect would look great. More of a sporty feel rather than a luxury one. I guess its just personal preference.
shadrach2 says:
07:14 AM, 07/ 8/10
@yellowmiata
My regular route is an interesting one. 5 miles of stop and go in town. Then 11 miles of highway. Then 6 miles of very windy road up a largish ridge (several hundred feet of climb) and then down on the other side. So some "not good for MPG" mixed in with the highway. When on a long downhill I'll put it in neutral. And when I'm having fun in the twisty part there's no throttle needed because it's down hill. So that saves on the gas. Other than that - I just try and keep it smooth.
vvk says:
08:37 AM, 07/ 8/10
I drooled all over myself. The car is stunning and the pictures are well done!
Love that interior!
sgude says:
09:37 AM, 07/ 8/10
Lostboyz, maybe it is just you -- that wood with the color of the seats is gorgeous. I know a lot of commenters on this site don't like wood in a car, but when its done right, it is stunning.
One thing about BMW is their sport package wheels are usually gorgeous. From the wheels here to the wheels of the 1998 540i, 2005 325i and 2006 330i, BMW sport package wheels usually don't disappoint.
cr_driver says:
10:06 AM, 07/ 8/10
"I, too, am not a fan of the Z4, but your car looks awesome. The Z4 didn't get the cool colors that the Z3 had, but you managed to come up with a very handsome combination. Well done and nice car."
+100
Thou I am a fan of the NEW Z4, quite astonishing exterior and interior design, especially on the inside.
cello_one says:
11:28 AM, 07/ 8/10
Your Z4 is one nice looking ride. I do prefer the smaller Z3 to the Z4 - but thats it, a preference. Luckily, I have a co-worker with a Z3 who doesn't mind driving to lunch. It gets the 2-seater want out of my system every few weeks. And I have finally accepted the fact I have to hold the drinks and that the BMW controls reflect the - simple is better - philosophy.
ptcdawg says:
03:50 PM, 07/ 8/10
They drive nicely...but the styling leaves me cold. My Father In Law has an early 3.0 Z4...nice car, the radio/nav system went out after warranty coverage....almost 6K to fix. Wow, just WOW
buickboy92 says:
09:25 PM, 07/ 8/10
Amazing photography! and I love the color combination.
shadrach2 says:
06:19 AM, 07/ 9/10
Thanks buickboy92. Photography is one of my serious hobbies.