Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

BMW Z4 sDrive 35i

Cool autumn breezes replace the smells of summer but running top-down is still an option in the Z4

BMW Z4 sDrive 35i

Barbecues, bonfires, freshly mown grass… The smells of summer are just memories now, replaced by cool autumn breezes. But although temperatures are tumbling I can’t see myself hiding away under the Z4’s hard-top for a while yet. There’s no need to. Sat low in the cabin with the side windows up, you’re sufficiently sheltered to be able to continue enjoying driving with nothing but sky above your head. The only catch is that, unlike some rivals, you can’t open or close the Z4’s roof on the move. It sounds such a small thing, but those 20 seconds at each end of a journey seem to take forever when you’re sat with your finger on the button while the roof does its stuff. Thankfully you can speed things along at the start of your journey by opening the roof via the remote as you approach. Looks kinda cool, too – unless you walk too quickly and arrive at the driver’s door when there’s still ten seconds to go…

Running Costs

Date acquiredJune 2009
Total mileage7735
Costs this month£0
Mileage this month1517
MPG this month24.7
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best electric cars – these EVs deserve the attention of car enthusiasts
Best electric cars
Best cars

Best electric cars – these EVs deserve the attention of car enthusiasts

There's a huge variety of electric cars on sale in 2026, and we've picked the best of the breed for those looking for performance
3 Sep 2026
Hyundai i30 N (2017 - 2024) review – the bargain Civic Type R rival
Hyundai i30 N
In-depth reviews

Hyundai i30 N (2017 - 2024) review – the bargain Civic Type R rival

Hyundai knocked it out of the park at the first time of asking with the i30 N. It’s not perfect, it’s one of the most rounded and rewarding hot hatche…
4 Sep 2026
Bristol Fighter review – Britain’s troubled 210mph answer to the Ferrari 599
Bristol Fighter
Reviews

Bristol Fighter review – Britain’s troubled 210mph answer to the Ferrari 599

The 200mph British supercar with gullwing doors and an 8-litre V10 was conceived to challenge accepted supercar norms, and now it's made an unexpected…
2 Sep 2026