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2005 BMW Z4 Review
Smooth and sensuous.
2005 Z4 Review Summary & Specifications
The BMW Z4 Roadster succeeds as a replacement for the Z3 with room to spare. Its styling is controversial, but that's a buyer's call to make; like it or not, it's dramatic. The 2.5-liter engine is supremely sweet and fast enough to be worthy of the rest of the car's good qualities, in particular handling, ride and brakes. The 3.0-liter engine offers the power a performance-minded buyer would need, along with a six-speed gearbox. The power soft top makes the Z4 totally comfortable and civilized. At a base retail price of $34,300 with leatherette interior and simple manual top with one-handed release, an entry-level Z4 is an affordable and excellent BMW sports car with all the BMW engineering strengths.New Car Test Drive correspondent Sam Moses reports from the Columbia River Gorge.
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| Vehicle Category | Sports Cars |
| Editor | Sam Moses |
| Model Lineup | BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5i ($34,300); Z4 Roadster 3.0i ($41,300) |
| Engines (standard) | 2.5-liter inline-6 |
| Engines (optional) | 2.5-liter VVT 24-valve inline-6; 3.0-liter VVT 24-valve inline-6 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed manual; 6-speed manual; 5-speed Steptronic automatic; 6-speed SMG |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | advanced front and side airbags with passenger deactivation switch; active knee protection; run-flat tires; ABS with Dynamic Brake Control; Dynamic Stability Control; rollover protection bars |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | South Carolina |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-334-4BMW |
| Manufacturer URL | www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 34300 |
| Model Tested MSRP | BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5i ($34,300) |
| Standard Equipment | leatherette upholstery; 16-inch alloy wheels; halogen headlights; power windows, door locks and mirrors; ABS with Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Stability Control; sound system with in-dash CD player |
| Destination Charge | 695 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Premium Package ($3,200) includes fully automatic power top, automatic climate control, eight-way power driver's seat, on-board computer, BMW Assist; Sport Package ($1,300) includes 17-inch wheels, sport suspension; heated seats ($500); premium sound system ($875); hardtop prep ($75) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 40945 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 184 @ 6000 |
| Torque | 175 @ 3500 |
| Fuel Economy | 20/28 |
| Wheelbase | 98.2 |
| Length/Width/Height | 161.1/70.1/51.1 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 32.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.3/NA/42.0 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Trunk Volume | 9.2 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | struts, coil springs, twin-tube gas shock absorbers, antiroll bar |
| Rear Suspension | multi-link, coil springs, twin-tube shock absorbers, antiroll bar |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 2932 |
| Stock Tires | 225/45WR17 run-flat |
| Brakes Front/Rear | disc/disc, vented in front, with ABS with Dynamic Brake Control and electronic brake proportioning |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.5 |
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