It’s hard to believe this Bangle designed Z4 has already been superseded and is already more than 5 years old. Yet, the incredibly phallic shape of the Z4 with it’s ‘flame surfacing’ still looks amazingly fresh even today. It has definitely aged gracefully and now that we’re more accustomed to Bangle’s use of concave and convex lines down the flanks, I have to say that it makes contemporary competitors look a bit stodgy. Chris Bangle must be smiling now that the critics have been silenced. Yet, as much as BMW has been pushing the design envelope, it has always been about the drive. The driving position of the Z4 is classic roadsters, where you sit behind the centre of the wheel base with a seemingly unending bonnet in front of you, an extension of your arms on the till. The fantastically smooth 2.5l inline six is matched well with this chassis and provides more than enough go, while being poised and balanced through the turns. Roadster are about fun and the wind in your hair, but this BMW does refinement and cruising around very well indeed. Even with the roof down at highway speeds, wind buffeting is kept to a minimum and conversation is possible without shouting.
The inside is an inviting place to be, though not exactly sporty. The dash design is clean and simple although it does not reflect the adventurous exterior lines. Instrumentation is basic and works well without the use of the much talked about iDrive system. You sit low in the car and feel snug surrounded by leather. Built quality is exemplary with no creaks creeping into the cabin except over the harshest bumps. It lacks the folding hard top of the latest Z4 but the fabric roof does not take up as much space in the boot and is extremely quick in folding. With the roof up, the cabin is quiet and cosy keeping out the elements well.
This particular 2003 Z4 has done 43,000kms with the owner asking for $36,500. It’s incredible value for such a wonderfully resolved car that still looks fantastic. With most of the sting of depreciation taken out of the initial buying price, the main running cost has already been accounted for. As with all BMWs, make sure to ask for servicing records and have them professionally inspected.
Pros: Aged well, smooth inline six, quick folding roof
Cons: Lacks security of folding hardtops
Via Carsales
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