Jeremy Clarkson Drives & Likes the New, Softer BMW Z4

Jeremy Clarkson once mentioned something about BMW’s first generation iDrive system and it’s internal navigation only seemed to go the direction of Poland. Yes the man ripe with analogies that only seem to serve his purposes equal parts humor and horror. Yet there are still times when he manages to be a true motoring journalists. Case in point, his latest review of the BMW Z4 35i:

“To a racing driver, who is used to slick tyres and fish-sharp reflexes, it’s wallowy and slithery and horrid. But to me it’s brilliant. Mostly because you can drive for more than 10 minutes without your head coming off.

I also liked the styling, the ride — provided you stay out of the sport settings — the engine’s urgency, the fluidity of the responses and the elegance of the interior…

..I’ve thought quite hard about this and can confidently say that the Z4, with its folding metal roof and softer feel, is now the best of the medium-sized sports cars. Certainly, I prefer it to the Boxster and the Mercedes SLK.

However, if it’s a real driving experience you want, forget the ultimate driving machine. Because, as I now realise, it isn’t.

Interesting and provocative words that seem somewhat in line with other reviews. We’ll add our own voice to the chorus in a few weeks when we get the Z4 35i in the BimmerFile garage. And yes, we’ve talked to all the right people and manages to make it a manual. Stay tuned…