Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW Z4 sDrive 35i

A short spell with the Nissan 370Z highlighted the BMW Z4's high standard of cabin construction

Having spent ten days with Henry’s 370Z recently, it was great to get back into the Z4’s cabin. The Nissan’s interior may not be low rent, but the BM’s is in another league. It’s far more elegant for a start, from the sweeping lines of the dash to the asymmetric door pulls (the passenger has fewer switches in their armrest, so they get a bigger handle), and the fit and finish are impeccable, as you’d expect. Meanwhile, the driving position can be tailored perfectly to your requirements (the lack of reach adjustment for the 370Z’s wheel just drove me nuts), and absolutely everything you press, pull, push or turn is wonderfully tactile – even flicking the lights to full-beam is a pleasure.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Perhaps the only thing I missed from the 370Z’s cabin was the silver button marked ‘S-mode’, but the Z4 even has an answer to that: perfectly positioned pedals that make heel ‘n’ toeing a more intuitive activity than in any other car I can think of. Maybe BMW has got it all covered after all…

Running Costs

Date acquiredJune 2009
Total mileage10,714
Costs this month£9.99 (oil)
Mileage this month1821
MPG this month27.1
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Jaguar F-Pace SVR long term test – more efficient than a diesel Discovery
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Long term tests

Jaguar F-Pace SVR long term test – more efficient than a diesel Discovery

A stint in a diesel-engined Discovery that resulted in only 30mpg has convinced me the F-Pace SVR is impressively frugal
8 Apr 2026
The classic Porsche 911 is overhyped, according to the man dedicated to perfecting it
Jan Kalmar
Features

The classic Porsche 911 is overhyped, according to the man dedicated to perfecting it

Kalmar Automotive's mission is to create the perfect Porsches for 'nerds' and push the limits, making 911s into everything from rally cars to hypercar…
6 Apr 2026
Best Japanese cars – performance icons from GR Yaris to NSX-R
Best Japanese cars
Best cars

Best Japanese cars – performance icons from GR Yaris to NSX-R

The Japanese have produced some of the most compelling performance cars we've ever tested, from hot hatches and rally cars to full-on supercars
7 Apr 2026