BMW Z4 35i ROADSTER

What’s not to like about experiencing the dog days of summer when behind the wheel of BMW’s 2009 Z4 sDrive 35i retractable hardtop convertible?

There is something to be said for experience. BMW has been manufacturing two-seat roadsters for almost 80 years – and it shows.

This latest incarnation is Exhibit A. It shares the characteristics of its ancestors – long bonnet, setback greenhouse, front engine rear-wheel-drive configuration, and two seats positioned close to the rear axle – but this version delivers on the Ultimate

Driving Machine promise of the 21st Century.

The ’09 Z4 has a two-piece, electro-hydraulically operated retractable hardtop roof that can be lowered and raised in less than 20 seconds. It is also the first roadster to be offered with adaptive M Sport suspension. This system lowers the Z4’s ride height and comes with electronically-controlled dampers that offer three different configurations from normal to Sport+, letting the driver fine-tune the car’s setup. This allows the Z4 to morph between comfortable yet sporty cruiser to outright performance car with the press of a button.

My tester came equipped with a 3.0-liter, DOHC twin-turbocharged V6 engine that powers its way from 0 to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds before topping out at an electronically-controlled 155 mph. It avoids gas-guzzler territory with an EPA rating of 17 mpg city, 25 highway.

The engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox.

The Z4 is quick, tight, athletic and performance-minded, yet at the same time it spoils passengers with an abundance of head and leg room, increased visibility, and loads of creature comforts usually unbecoming of a two-seat roadster.

BMW’s iDrive makes its first appearance on a Z4 for 2009. This optional navigation system features a hard disc drive capable of 12-gig audio file storage, iPod and USB adapters, and a premium sound package with six-disc CD changer.

The hardtop minimizes road noise and enabled the crystal-clear playing of tracks from my iPod playlist such as Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” and Metro Station’s “Shake It.”

Yes, my teenage daughter is doing her best to keep my baby boomer musical taste relevant.

While the trunk, I’m sad to say, did not pass the all-important golf bag test, I’m happy to report that there is more than enough room to accommodate weekend luggage.

And the interior has enough cubbyholes to make the Z4 pack-rat functional.

Aesthetics are an important part of the Z4 package. Deep Sea Blue Metallic paint graced the sheet metal, which was stretched in curvaceous, eye-appealing ways. Ivory white Nappa leather covered interior seats and was contrast against Anthracite trim. Eighteen-inch wheels weren’t hard on the eyes, either.

Safety enhancements include dynamic stability and cruise controls, dynamic traction control, keyless entry and security systems, dual airbag restraint system, rollover protection system, rain sensor windshield wipers, Xenon adaptive headlights and vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power steering.

Short of an Aston Martin, one would be hard-pressed to do better than the BMW Z4. For the price of the Aston, you could purchase three Z4s and still have enough cabbage left over for a Kia Spectra.

Hard to beat a deal like that, huh?