Lease a BMW Z4 Roadster from only £473.88 per month plus VAT

Lease a BMW Z4 Roadster from only £473.88 per month plus VAT.

The BMW Z4 looks amazing, drives like a proper sports car and makes you feel special every time you get in it which is why WhatCar has named it their Open-top Car of the Year 2010.

BMW have made some changes to the Z4 to make it more appealing to those considering a Porsche Boxter or Mercedes SLK.  The main difference from the previous model is the introduction of a metal folding roof which makes the car much quieter on motorways and also improves security too.

Three straight-six petrol engines make up the range for now. The 23i has a 201bhp 2.5-litre unit, the 30i a 255bhp 3.0-litre unit, and the 35i has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre unit with 302bhp.  Each come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The 23i and 30i can be specified with a six-speed automatic, while the 35i is available with a seven-speed semi-auto ‘box.

Thanks to responsive steering and minimal roll on corners, the Z4 is great fun to drive on open and twisting roads and like all BMW’s, it is rear-wheel drive, but even with the more powerful engines, it feels composed and reassuring.  There are huge amounts of grip and the electronic stability control rarely has to intervene, even in extremely wet conditions.  Compared to the previous Z4, the ride is more forgiving over rough and bumpy roads, and helped further by the Drive Dynamic Control system.  Standard on all models, this allows the driver to alter the throttle and steering response as well as the gear change times (on automatics) between normal, sport or sport+ settings.  Economy is a reasonable 31mpg to 33mpg which is good considering the performance offered.

Compared to the previous Z4, the new model has a wider cabin with increased headroom which is very noticeable, especially with both a driver and passenger.  The standard seats offer good long distance comfort while the optional sports seats give more side support.  With the roof down, buffeting is pleasingly minimal, even at higher speeds and is helped by the optional wind deflector that sits between the headrests. The roof itself is very slick and folds up or down at the touch of a button taking just 20 seconds.  Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, xenon headlamps, dual-zone climate control and a CD player with an auxiliary input socket so you can connect your iPod.

The BMW Z4 oozes class and all the engines deliver an impressive performance and good fuel economy for a sports car.  The biggest improvement is the refinemment and ride comfort which makes the Z4 a coupe convertible that is easy to live with everyday.

BMW

BMW Z4 Roadster