Re: thoughts of the upcoming bmw Z4 coupe?
I find the BMW Z cars confusing. The standard models are too soft, and the M models too hard (riding, edgy, etc.). They don't seem to find the sweet middle spot that Porsche has found for the Boxter and Cayman (both standard and S versions). Of course, Audi makes the same mistakes with the sedan-based TT, which will always come short in the pure sport department no matter how striking the styling.
I'm not a ragtop guy, preferring coupes. The packaging of the Z coupes, and competing models like the Crossfire, Audi TT, Cayman, 350Z and RX8 all fit my desires for a one-car solution that offers a real sport (vs. hot hatch or sedan) experience with a bit of room for elbows and cargo. The very next size up, say Infiniti G35 and Acura RSX, with their rear seats, are just a bit too big for what I want, and the next size down, say Honda S2000 or Solstice, are just too small (both interior and cargo).
While we can debate the Z's styling (I like it, but don't love it), I do think that BMW has been making some missteps lately: the fidgety electric steering, and thumpy/uncommunicative run-flat tires both diminish the clarity of response that have made the marquee so successful over the last 35 years. Luckily, the smart shopper can spec most models without these annoyances.