2004 BMW Z4 2.5i SMG

Paddles, not pedals. That's the way Formula One cars shift gears, and the technology has slowly trickled down to production models. In the ranks of thirty-something thousand dollar sports cars, two players currently offer the option of shifting when you please, while saving your left foot for walking. Audi introduced their Direct Shift Gearbox to the TT 3.2, and BMW brought out their Sequential Manual Gearbox as a mid-model year addition to the 2003 lineup. The roll-out of SMG brings the transmission count to four in the Z4 lineup, out-distancing the engine choices by a factor of two. The $34,295 base roadster gets a 2.5 liter, inline six, rated at 184 hp, 175 lb. ft. of torque. The 2.5 with five speed manual is capable of a 7.1 second, 0-60 time, with a top speed of 146 mph. Dial up the sticker to $41,595, and the engine choice becomes a 3.0 liter six, with 225 hp, and 214 lb. ft. of torque. The 3.0i with six speed manual posts of 0-60 best of 5.9 seconds, and a governed top end of 155 mph. The five and six speed manual gearboxes are standard issue on the 2.5 and 3.0., respectively, and both engines can be had with optional five speed automatic Steptronic or six speed Sequential Manual. My test car was a 2.5i with SMG. BMW's 2.5 is a polished performer, with a wide, well stocked power band. Though the 3.0s' added muscle is enticing, we think most drivers would be very happy to drive the 2.5 and pocket the $7,300 difference.

Page 2: Quad burn

SMG has its roots in racing. This is shifting sans clutch, accomplished in either an automated or manual mode, with normal or sport settings. As a manual, the driver gets from cog to cog by one of two methods. You either access the twin, steering wheel mounted paddles (pull to shift up, push to downshift), or tap the center console mounted lever. Using the sport mode setting and with a little finessing of paddles and throttle, you can run the gearbox rapidly. Every time I am stuck chugging through a major metro area in a manual transmission car, I am reminded of why many city dwellers buy automatics. A regular diet of pumping clutches can get tedious. For that reason, the appeal of SMG is obvious - the fun and control of picking your own gears, without the quad burning workouts. In automated mode, the car does the shifting, but here, the case for SMG become less clear. Selecting sport mode will hold you in gear longer, but the shifts occur with a noticeable lag. By comparison, Audi's twin-clutch DSG is quicker and smoother in auto setting. More importantly, so is BMW's fully automatic Steptronic, and maybe even the manual gearbox, given a coordinated driver. Though the SMG offers the novel, no clutch option, we think most drivers will ultimately be happier with either of BMW's traditional transmission choices. As for me, I'd pick the smooth five-speed stick, take the $1,500 that you'd pay for SMG and buy a different option or two. That sum will get you, for instance, the premium sound system and xenon headlights ($1,575), or almost all of the Navigation system ($1,800, smart but hard to see in some lighting conditions).

Page 3: SMG

The SMG intro appeared as a rolling option at mid year '03. As to other changes for 2004, the steering wheel picked up redundant controls for the sound system. Windshield wipers are now rain sensing and automatic headlight control is also standard. Leather interiors are offered in a new hue - Dream Red/Black - and the Z4 is prepped for a removable hard top, which is also on the option sheet. Elsewise, all with Z4 is status quo. The interior is clean and well appointed. It is also understated, but if you'd like to turn up the visual volume, the two-tone options mix nicely with the brushed metalwork and low-key layout. The trunk is big enough to stand up to a weekend trip or (with top up) a couple of golf bags (you might have to slide the drivers in separately). The convertible top is well lined, fully automatic and has a heated glass backlight. No matter what power train you pick, the platform remains the same and you'll hear no complaints about that. The chassis is stiff, weight balance is 50/50, suspension and steering beautifully dialed in. Ride quality is firm but stops short of harsh, and the brakes just plain stop short. A finely balanced package, in a controversial wrapper. More edgy than pretty, the roadster marries classic sports car dimensions to radical chic sheet metal. Some will love it, some will hate it, no one will be indifferent. More than a year after its début, the Z4's slash cut styling is still inspiring debate, which might be one reason why BMW took the polarizing path in the first place. There's little debate on the basics, though. The Z4 is a finely tuned sports car with a pair of sweet six engines, and the capacity to be as shifty as you wanna be.

Page 4: FAQS

What is SMG's relationship with Formula 1? SMG was pioneered in Formula 1 competition and is predominant in that sport today.Why is SMG popular? It offers a new kind of actively enjoyable driving, and fascinating new things for an enthusiast driver to learn. Plus, there's the fun and control of picking your own gears, without the quad burning workouts. How many transmissions are available in the Z4 lineup? The $34,295 base roadster gets a 2.5 liter, inline six, rated at 184 hp, 175 lb. ft. of torque. The 2.5 with five speed manual is capable of a 7.1 second, 0-60 time, with a top speed of 146 mph. Dial up the sticker to $41,595, and the engine choice becomes a 3.0 liter six, with 225 hp, and 214 lb. ft. of torque. The 3.0i with six speed manual posts of 0-60 best of 5.9 seconds, and a governed top end of 155 mph.

Page 5: Notes

Test Vehicle: 2004 BMW Z4 2.5i SMG MSRP: $33,100 As tested: $45,885Showroom appeal: BMW balance in two seat roadster form Plus: Smooth six, well sorted chassis, styling Minus: SMG shift lag in auto mode, styling The Competition: Nissan 350Z, Porsche Boxster, Audi TT, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Chrysler Crossfire