Hard Core Z4

The new BMW Z4 M Coupe may lack the refinement of the Porsche Cayman, but it does offer high performance at a lower price

by Thane Peterson

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Flame surface styling, speed, and handling

The Bad: Flame surface styling, road noise, poor visibility, rough ride

The Bottom Line: A real driver's car, but it's no Porsche Cayman

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UP FRONT.

The arrival of BMW's new Z4 Coupe has been much anticipated by driving enthusiasts. That's largely because adding a hard top to a roadster like the Z4 detracts a bit from the car's sex appeal during summer driving, but adds to the rigidity of the car's frame, which improves handling. Enthusiasts are also eager to see whether the Z4 Coupe can match Porsche's new Cayman Coupe, a hardtop based on the Porsche Boxster that has earned raves from critics, including yours truly (see BusinessWeek.com, 5/17/06, "Grand Cayman").

Like the Cayman, the Z4 Coupe is an old-fashioned European sports car with a lot of new technology packed into it. Both cars are small, light, rear-wheel-drive two-seaters with 6-cylinder engines, rather than the more muscular V8 in a Corvette (see BusinessWeek.com, 7/6/06, "The No-Sweat 'Vette") and Corvette Z06 (see BusinessWeek.com, 11/9/05, "Corvette Z06: Fast Wheels for Strong Hearts").

The high-performance M version of the Z4 Coupe that I test drove is powered by a 330-horsepower inline six-cylinder aluminum block engine (vs. 295 horsepower for the Cayman S). The Z4 is only 161 inches long, almost a foot shorter than the Cayman, but weighs 3,108 lbs., 154 lbs. more than the Cayman.

On paper, the performance of the BMW and Porsche are similar. With a six-speed stick shift like the one on my test Z4, they'll both jump from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds. They both do a quarter mile in about 13 seconds. The Z4 doesn't match the Porsche's phenomenally efficient braking, but it comes close. From 60 mph, the Z4 comes to a complete stop in 122 feet, vs. 116 feet for the Porsche. The Cayman has slightly more luggage space, but both have enough for a weekend jaunt for two if both pack light.

For now, the Cayman is J.D. Power's top-ranked model in the premium sporty compact segment, both in terms of initial quality and overall appeal. The Z4 Coupe is too new to have a rating, or much of a sales record, for that matter. But as brands, Porsche and BMW both have enviable four-star J.D. Power overall quality ratings.

There are two big differences between the two cars. First, the BMW's flame-surface exterior styling is pretty radical. While the Porsche's lines are curvy and uncomplicated, the Z4 Coupe has distinctive indentations built into its doors and the infamous "Bangle Butt" (after Chris Bangle, BMW's controversial chief designer) that's common on new Bimmers these days.

The rear of the Z4 is high and square and ends so abruptly it almost looks as if the back of the car has been sheared off. While many traditionalists openly voiced their disapproval of Bangle's new look when it was introduced in 2003 on the BMW 5 Series, sales have remained strong.

I like the Z4's styling, though the little ducktail at the base of the rear window is a bit precious for my taste. I just wonder if the flame-surface look is going to seem dated in a few years.

The other big difference is that the Z4 costs less. The Z4 Coupe starts at $40,795 for the regular model and $50,995 (including a $1,000 gas guzzler tax) for the speedier Z4 M. So, the top-of-the-line Z4 M Coupe goes for nearly nine grand less than the Porsche Cayman S, which starts at $59,695. And there's a very long list of expensive options on the Cayman that can really jack up the price.

The Z4 M Coupe, by contrast, comes well-loaded with much of the same standard gear you'll find on BMW's speedy M3 sedan, including the engine, brakes, suspension, and steering system. The only available transmission on the Z4 M Coupe is a six-speed manual. You can't get it with an automatic transmission.