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Hi folks, if you recall I posted (on the nerdsracing yahoo group) about a charity event that allows you to test drive BMWs and put miles on the cars for charity (a breast cancer foundation). Well, I attended this event in my area recently and drove a few cars that I didn't have time to drive last year.

First car up... The new Z4:

I drove the last year of the Z3 previously and now this year they had a Z4 with a manual tranny available this year. I believe it was the standard Z4 with 5sp manual... I forget the stats offhand but still has the sweet sounding VANOS inline6. In comparison to the prior Z3, the Z4 had grip...grip... Plus some more grip. The lengthened wheelbase and stiffened chassis is VERY noticeable. Cornering was nice and flat in comparison and the car felt much more stable and planted. The Z3 in comparison felt much more nimble but almost to the point of being flighty.

The DSC wasn't very intrusive as it was with the Z3 so I did manage some throttle-on over steer on a cloverleaf even with it on. I'm not sure if the car has electronic throttle control but it had very quick response to throttle application. I guess you can part of this to the close spaced and short gearing. It makes keeping the roadster within the VANOS powerband very easy. It didn't have the tire-shredding turbocharged torque nor the eagerness to make you want to rev like my car (Eclipse Turbo) nor the "hold onto your horses" sensation but it still had plenty of power... Very German, spirited, strong, and refined. Part of the reason is that I can definitely tell that BMW was trying to add as much refinement as possible to the car.

Refinements like the clutch felt like an air pillow. It was softer than any clutch I've ever used... It nearly sucked itself in. I'm not sure about durability but from how 1st is geared, launching might be an exercise in high-revving tire-smoking clutch obliteration.

Steering was wonderfully tight, sharp, and precise with plenty of sensitivity through the wheel... Very nice feedback. I only wish my car had this kind of sensitivity and feedback. However, like most production cars... There is a tendency toward understeer when pushed... It took some doing to get oversteer and also the tires on the car felt like it was holding the car back a tad. Turn in was not as crisp as I would have liked but I have a feeling I can blame that mostly on factory equipment and the tires.

Brakes did well to haul the car down from highway speeds quite nicely. Didn't have much time to experience any fade. They did the job quite nicely but I did have some difficulty in rev-matching for heel-toe downshifts smoothly as I'm unused to a "short" brake pedal. However, again feedback from the brakes was good and stopping power was excellent though could be improved with better pads.

I drove with the top down (automatic top was nice and quick) and wind buffeting wasn't that bad in comparison to the Z3. The seat were very well bolstered but as with most leather seats, I slid a tad in them. The seating position is nice and low while still high enough to have excellent vision. HVAC control were again typical BMW, pretty easy to use but I do still prefer the dinosaur style dial controls for everything.

Overall, I'd say I've changed my initial position on the car... It is a valid contender for the market segment, but I'd definitely like to see a 6sp standard (for highway) as well as more power. Still not in love with the looks of the car either. Personally, not my choice but still a very well-mannered car and would prolly be pretty darn fun on an autoX course or track day.

Second up, the 330i 5sp auto:

I drove the prior 325i last year but I really don't remember too much other than liking the IS300 a whole lot more. I comparison the extra power of the 330 is very welcome. That extra grunt and the sport shift mode works nicely. It didn't allow me to bounce off the limiter without shifting but did hold the gear if I asked it to.

Again steering was very nice and communicative. The brakes were a whole lot better on the current 330i than the previous 325i I drove. Very comparable to the 2001 IS300 in stopping power and feedback. The car wasn't nearly as grippy as the Z4, but it seemed fairly nimble.

I didn't really get a chance to push it into DSC since I was stuck behind trucks... trucks... and more trucks, but again a very well-mannered car. I'd compare it to a smaller & more nimble Maxima/Altima V6.

The seats were kinda hard as are most Bimmer seats but not as nearly well bolstered as the Z4s. Seating position was a bit high for my tastes. A tad higher than my old Neon Sport but still giving you plenty of road vision and support.

I wouldn't mistake it for a "light" car like a Civic or other sport compact but it's footwork was quite solid and quick. Similar understeer and push characteristics as most factory RWDs exhibit, plenty of grip for a sedan.

Power was great... Lots of it and plenty of rev-range to keep it going. Better power delivery than the Z4 despite the auto! The rev range and powerband was different but you could definitely feel the extra horses that BMW added to the latest 330. 240+ felt torquey and smooth with a strong pull to the redline. Very good bottom end as well. Nearly as much hp as the old E36 M3? I have no doubt about it though it's not the same kind of car for sure.

---- That's the first 2 parts... Will write more later.

bmwusa.com/ | Z4 Roadster | 330i

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