2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is First Drive Review

Cars Mania Blog

Auto Car | 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is First Drive Review | BMW has long made machines that embody its “Ultimate Driving Machine” motto, but some of its more recent products have been more emblematic of the company’s other, softer, and less focused tagline, “Joy.” For example, instead of a thrilling, satisfying roadster, the Z4 is a boulevardier more likely to be parked among a sea of beige luxury SUVs at the country club than spotted hustling over mountain passes. Given the brilliance of nearly every other BMW, the unfocused handling of what should be one of the company’s sportiest cars is even more of a bummer.

The clues are there in the folding hardtop, the electric hand brake, the light steering, and so on the Z4 isn’t aimed toward enthusiast drivers. So what’s up with this sDrive35is model? It’s ostensibly the Z4 for those who want an Ultimate Driving Machine, so why throw more thrust 35 hp in this case at a car that already has plenty and not fix the disappointing chassis? To charge more, of course, for what amounts to little more than some standardized options and what an aftermarket tuner could do with an ECU reflash. It’s no coincidence that BMW announced its new 335is in the same time frame as it did the Z4 sDrive35is. That 3-series model and this Z4 are powered by an uprated and upgraded version of the sweet N54 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six. The N54 was good for 300 hp and 300 lb-ft in its previous, more ordinary applications, but all the “aye ess” cars receive software that cranks up the turbo boost, for a total output in the Z4 of 335 hp at 5900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque from 1500 to 4500 rpm. Mash your right foot to the floor, and a computer-controlled overboost function will provide a seven-second gust of 37 additional lb-ft of torque.

If the engine computer is satisfied with turbo temperatures and other vital signs, the incremental torque boost can be accessed over and over again under wide-open throttle. The 335is makes 320 hp, down 15 from the Z4is because of more restrictive airflow, and the 3er gets an upgraded cooling system with an additional radiator and cooling ducts; this modification isn’t found on the roadster because BMW admits it doesn’t expect many owners to track their Z4s. The new seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual (abbreviated DCT by BMW) is the only transmission offered on the Z4 sDrive35is.