2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe

2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - The darling of the 2005 Frankfurt auto show, BMW’s 2-seat Z4 coupe went into production in May 2006. There are two flavors, the 330-hp M and the 255-hp 3.0si. The latter is what we concern ourselves with here. There’s good news on pricing. Unlike Porsche with its Cayman and Boxster twins, BMW does not charge more for its Z4 coupe than its convertible. Prices for the 3.0si coupe start at $40,795, a $2000 savings over the Z4 3.0si ragtop and almost $10,000 less than the base Porsche Cayman.

Under the 3.0si’s immense hood is BMW’s familiar N52 inline-six, of 2996cc displacement, variable intake valve lift, and variable intake and exhaust valve timing. This is from the same engine family as that found in the 3-series sedan, with its novel magnesium-and-aluminum hybrid block casting. The engine makes incredibly smooth power through a slick-shifting six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. We expected our 3080-pound Z4 coupe’s broad torque band and shorter final-drive ratio to equal quick acceleration, but our 3.0si manual ran to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and hit the quarter-mile in 14.0 seconds at 101 mph, no quicker than a 3.0si roadster.

Standard are 17-inch wheels, while 18s come on the Sport package fitted with fatter rear W-rated tires. The road holding, measured at 0.93 g on our skidpad, is in the Crazy Glue class, finessed by precise steering and resolute brakes. The Z4 coupe, as with the roadster, can be a chore to commute in, however, owing to heavy steering and a twitchy tendency to be pulled around by pavement troughs and seams.

Welding a fixed roof to a small convertible deprives it of its most fun feature. The styling, at least, better be a gob-smacker. The Z4’s definitely is.