2004 BMW Z4 3.0i Road Test

The Stuff of Dreams

"You believe you're touching it, but in reality, it touches you" reads the esoteric statement used by BMW to describe the

A sunny fall afternoon spent in the cockpit of the 3.0-liter, I-6 powered Z4 changed my perspective of the little BMW roadster. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

relationship between man and machine, when the machine is the 2004 Z4. Normally, I'm less a fan of the esoteric point of view than the empirical one, but a single sunny fall afternoon spent in the cockpit of a 3.0-liter, I-6 powered Z4 revolutionized my perspective. Of course the sun's warmth blasting the cool misty air, for a change, contributed to the euphoria, but only in a supporting role. The true emotional stimulus was the soft-top Z4 and its 225 horsepower drivetrain.

I remember when roadster fans came close to elation when BMW unveiled the 1996 Z3, which was the first BMW roadster to be sold in North America since the 1959 507. I was among those salivating over the Z3's long hood and sensuous lines. After seven years of Z3 success BMW replaced the tight little roadster with the

Little on the 2004 Z4 has changed from previous models, apart from rain sensing windshield wipers and steering wheel audio controls. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

larger, more sophisticated Z4 last year. The design, however, is contentious, due mainly to the vision of Chris Bangle, Director of BMW Group Design. For me, the Bangle-jury is still out on this one, and the verdict isn't expected anytime soon.

This year's Z4 has changed very little from its 2003 predecessor, apart from rain sensing windshield wipers and steering wheel audio controls, along with several new colors and wheel packages. I especially love the Z4's even longer hood and wheelbase, and its decidedly stubby trunk. Unfortunately, the one place where the Bangle design concept fails to prove itself attractive is in the area of the Z4's convex to concave, scalloped side panels, featuring dramatic asymmetrical creases. Some like it, I don't.