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

Can electric beat petrol? Alpine A290 meets Mazda MX-5 – car pictures of the week
Mazda MX-5 v Alpine A290
Features

Can electric beat petrol? Alpine A290 meets Mazda MX-5 – car pictures of the week

Alpine’s A290 is under consideration by evo contributor Peter Tomalin as a replacement for his MX-5. A comparison is in order…
19 Sep 2026
McLaren SUV finally confirmed, but its new logo comes first
New McLaren logo
News

McLaren SUV finally confirmed, but its new logo comes first

New investment in McLaren will allow the supercar maker to expand its portfolio, make its own engines, and try to cash in on an SUV. There's even a ne…
22 Sep 2026
Porsche 911 Carrera T review – the ultimate all-round sports car
Porsche 911 Carrera T
Reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera T review – the ultimate all-round sports car

One of a handful of manual sports cars that remain, the Carrera T is also the most 'affordable' way into a manual 911
22 Sep 2026