BMW Z4 2019 review - Faster, Stiffer, Better?

[@PranavShroti]

Tom you are doing a fantastic job... your honesty reflects in your work... great review again...

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Pranav! I appreciate that!

[@tomforbes3422]

Nice job Tom, it's easy to see when you're having a bit of fun with it!

[@chasingcars]

Thanks Tom - hard not to have fun in a car like this

[@peterscheffer4521]

Nice review. Thank you. I have the previous model 35is with 218.000km on the clock. Still getting used to the looks of the latest model. Comparing it to the MX-5 is of course possible but totally different cars. Z4 is a luxury powerful roadster. The MX-5 is a very light non-luxury roadster. And are you north of 6ft tall, you can forget the MX-5. But....the MX-5 is just fun, whereas the Z4 is serious.

[@donaldmacintyre436]

Stunning car. Better looking than previous models although the San Francisco red is more attractive. Easily better than the MX5

[@abshassan]

Love your work Tom, Been there since you had less than 1k subs, Killing it brother. Keep up the good work.

[@chasingcars]

Abs, I appreciate you being with us on this journey! Thank you!

[@RainThefoxOfficial]

Great review as always! Will get the mx5 instead of this though, Z4 is very good but too expensive.

[@coopsnz1]

$4000 lct / $4000 tariffs on a basic z420 is the reason

[@jasonchongym123]

So in conclusion would u get the mx5 or the z4??? Is the z4 worth the 3 or 4 mx5 s ?

[@53glowe]

Great review Tom...yep, you're a 'stick shift' guy and there's nothing wrong with that at all. Interesting, the in-car camera was picking up a lot of noise to the point where your commentary was competing. Rag tops nearly all have this issue...shame really given the price. How does the noise compare between the Mazda and Beemer you think?

[@hill2button]

Nice review, but it's a bit of a shame that you don't answer you initial question: how does it compare to an MX5? Is it worth the extra money? And why/why not.

[@vignesh69841]

Looks awesome!

[@johanvancauwenberghe7265]

Do not compare a bmw roadster with an mx5 toy please.

[@chasingcars]

Shame for the BMW that the MX-5 is better to drive!

[@nikolasmoljanovic2884]

MX5 has a width of 1.735mm, it just looks lame in person. This Z4 has nice width which gives presence on the road. It doesn't look small.

[@johnduffy500i]

I still think the Z8 was a prettier car!

[@chasingcars]

It was, I agree!

[@MaZEEZaM]

Yes, I agree its the nicest version yet but I prefer it in Gun Metal Grey. Darn expensive though and the interior is not at all practical storage wise. I love Tan, or ivory white leather, NOT a fan of bright red or similar.

[@simonmamo4177]

New z4 does not come with bright red interior. It comes in magma red vernasca leather.

[@bakwon3790]

It’s arguably ridiculous to compare Z4 with MX-5 other than the fact that MX-5 has such a long history. I drive a 2018 MX-5 RF and love every minute of it. I did have a BMW 528i years ago which was the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Realistically, budget wise the MX-5 is more fitting for my pocket. Money aside, as a BMW fan, would I prefer a Z4 over the MX-5? It would be a tough choice simply because it’s a shame to drive a roadster without a manual transmission. The MX-5 manual transmission is so smooth and effortless that shifting gear is half the fun! BMW should have an option for a manual transmission for the Z4. Just my opinion.

[@chasingcars]

Your comment literally justifies that the comparison is not ridiculous

[@bsebesty]

@@chasingcars Exactly! :.-) Good point on the manual transmission fun, though!

[@grjlynch]

I have had the 35iS and an MX5 RF before my M40i. I understand why you compare the Z4 and MX5, but I really think they are so so different that it’s not that valid to compare them. A better comparison would be the Boxter/BoxterS, Audi TT and the now defunct SLK which are all in the same price range and (arguably) ethos. Having said all of that, I do think if you are looking for pure ‘fun’ it’s really hard to beat the MX5, and as you said it’s also a third of the price!

[@Tracertme]

It's a nice rounded car but not as pretty as an E89 when parked next to each other... on its own or in other company its fine... given there aren't many E89 and G29 on the road it won't really happen. As for mazda comparison, not really comparable and would be unfair to the MX-5. Talking about car value based on price is to simple... they both go from A to B with top down, but I would take the BMW every day of the week in every context. Is the MX-5 a good car, definitely...

[@AndyC3.0]

The fact that you're comparing a Mazda MX-5 to a BMW Z4 is absolutely ridiculous. I have a BMW Z3 3.0 and a Z4 3.0 si Coupe I haven't met a Mazda MX5 that can keep up yet, in the corners or in the straightaways.

[@chasingcars]

I think I’ve explained myself well enough. You take the basic recipe - short, small, light, RWD, open top, a formula the MX-5 has always dominated. Then, you add big power. Does it work out? Mostly. There’s a reason the Z4 doesn’t exactly have a storied past, though, and that’s because BMW haven’t really been able to capture many people’s imaginations with the previous Z4s. It’s certainly not because of ‘keeping up in the corners or straightaways’. It is about how the car engages its driver. Maybe this version will change that.

[@bsebesty]

@@chasingcars Fully agree with this view. The only area where the MX5 has a deficiency is the setting comfort for taller drivers. The Z4 is more plush, more comfy, but in a 2-seat roadster You are looking for the driving experience, all the sensory experience: wind, grip, noise ... etc. I am seriously wondering how much more even the M40i can give in this department against the current MX5 (other than enough legroom. (I am even discouraged by the artificial speaker generated engine noises in the BMW ... a shame they need to revert to that.) I think Z4 to MX5 is the very best comparison to do here! (Next step up on the ladder would be the new Porsche 718 Spyder! :-))

[@alexger85]

Three times as much as an MX5?! Here in Germany the Z4 M40 is 'only' two times the price of a top spec MX5. Must be that Australian luxury car tax :-/

[@chasingcars]

Partially yes - but the 20i and 30i qualify for a ‘fuel efficient’ luxury tax threshold of $75k, so LCT isn’t a huge component of the 20i, in particular. It’s just a little overpriced at the bottom end of the range. The LCT is definitely giving the 30i and M40i a whack.

[@coopsnz1]

Yep $4000 tariffs / $4000 luxury car tax . Mx5 doesn't have tariffs or luxury car tax slugged on it

[@captaindasbomb6862]

Bring back the hard top option Pleaseeeeeeee

[@chasingcars]

Soft top for me, but I can appreciate the benefits of a proper roof

[@hardcorehouse]

Hard top increases weight and reduces important trunk space. Soft top all the way; I found a color that works.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great video Tom as always! Z4 seems to be expensive but glad they exist - base with a manual transmission would be fun but my budget would always go for the 1.5 MX5 manual for soft top fun. Looking forward to your take on the Supra when released here.

[@chasingcars]

A world where there are several little RWD roadsters is a world I like!

[@bosse641]

Sure looks good. But, no stick, no buy.

[@chasingcars]

They’re saying the 20i will be available with a manual in Europe... doubt it will come here but we can hope

[@cyrilmatthew2995]

hi hi hi ...Toyota Supra in BMW clothing ...

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, probably the other way around - BMW are supplying Toyota - but there’s no denying the two cars are highly related

[@lukelawrence6007]

The Toyota supras twin

[@chasingcars]

Sure is.

[@sjcap4233]

I think the Supra looks better.

[@JimboJones99]

It's a shame it has no panoramic sunroof. No sale.

[@chasingcars]

It’s a convertible, the open roof is the panoramic sunroof

[@chasingcars]

Just kidding of course, but I don’t think they could manage to get a sunroof into a cloth top

[@coopsnz1]

Mx5 doesn't have 5% tariffs or 33% luxury car tax slugged on it = Basic z420i would cost $77000aud + orc

[@chasingcars]

That is the market we live in.

[@coopsnz1]

@@chasingcars Liberal party abolished 5% tariffs on Asian and American cars even a mazda 2 is $1000 cheaper than 6 yrs ago

[@soniafrancescutto2285]

*

[@sjcap4233]

Probably a very good car but no way is it cooler than the Original Z3 that is a classic, this Z4 is ugly I think.

[@howardkahn717]

this guy has his cost of this car all wrong, it does not cost 125,000.00, try just under 70,000.00 dollars........you can not trust much of what this guy says

[@chasingcars]

Hi Howard. You may note next time that we are based in Australia, and therefore the pricing from your market is not relevant to us

[@howardkahn717]

no, please reread the reviewers statement on the cars cost 125,000 and the 70,000 cost in America.....

[@coopsnz1]

@@howardkahn717 taxed $40000 in Australia z4 m140

[@viswanathkarthikbasavaraju4785]

I am frist view &frist like

[@chasingcars]

Hey, thanks!

[@danielrenault]

Darn you, you beat me by 16 seconds

[@chasingcars]

There’s always next time. Gotta smash that push notification!

[@francones1340]

Fiat 124 spider 😡