BMW Z4 sDrive23i

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What is it?

This is the second drive of BMW's new sports car we've done in quick succession, but there's a reason for that: this time we've got behind the wheel of the base-spec sDrive23i version, complete with a manual gearbox and no iDrive in sight. We also took it across some of the kind of badly paved, local council-funded roads UK owners could expect to encounter on a day-to-day basis; no comfort-enhancing, carefully chosen EU-funded silky smooth tarmac here. So, this is a more 'realistic' look at what faces the majority of Z4 buyers once they're handed the keys.

Is it any good?

You know what, it is. It's very good indeed, and that's because BMW has got the fundamentals right. It's done so with a lot of help from Joe Public, and in particular Joe SLK and his wife Jane TT, because BMW conducted extensive research into what buyers of cars like this want.

Apparently, they want a soft, cosseting ride; a roomy, light interior; looks that are more classically beautiful and a hard top. And what do you know? BMW has given them all those things - and then some. The last Z4 looked a little 'challenging,' shall we say, and had a rock hard ride to accommodate sharp handling dynamics. This time around, it's smoother on the backside, but thankfully it still handles like a sharp rear-drive coupé should thanks to weighty, accurate steering and loads of front-end grip.

The engine, a 201bhp six-cylinder unit, initially feels a little lacking in the pulling power department (it has 184lb.ft), though in fairness we'd just stepped out of the mighty twin-turbo sDrive35i when we first drove it. But spend a little time with it and what quickly becomes clear is that the thing likes to be revved - and when you do, the rewards are plentiful. It has a muted, throaty note, and in the upper echelons of the rev range it's responsive and, in fact, quite rapid; its 6.6-second 0-62mph tells a tale.

Should I call the bank manager?

Apart from a few anomalies, like charging the outrageous sum of £205 for a tiny optional plastic wind deflector, BMW has equipped the Z4 quite generously. A basic car on standard springs and dampers will set you back £28,645, and for that you get alloys, Xenon headlamps, a decent CD player and dual-zone climate control. That's not too bad - it undercuts the four-cylinder Mercedes SLK 200K by about a grand - but in reality you'll want to add leather, and we'd also highly recommend the active M Sport suspension, which as well as lowering the car allows you to change between softer and harder settings depending on your mood; it works well, too. Still, you're only just on the wrong side of £30k with those things, which isn't too bad for a car so very complete as this one (well, as complete as a roadster can be).

It's also reasonable to run, boasting combined economy of 33.2mpg and emissions of 199g/km thanks to EfficientDynamics measures like electric power steering that only becomes active when the wheel is turned, thus saving fuel.

Summary

It was a worry when, just before the Z4's launch, BMW product managers were talking about making it appeal to more people, because usually that means compromise, and compromise can make things neither nothing nor something. However, the new Beemer has actually improved on its forebear in every way, and even in basic form it's simultaneously a very effective day-to-day drive and a stimulating weekend play trinket; it trounces the SLK in every way. Now, if only we could get an sDrive23d out of Bavaria - 50mpg-plus and all that torque... yes please.

Mark Nichol