The WORST OF TIMES for the SPORTS CAR
A tale of two BMWs shows why they aren’t as popular as they used to be
Is the sports car dead? It’s a fair question to ask. While many scribes are moaning about the demise of the sedan, they still account for 30 percent of the American car market. In reality, it’s the sports car that is truly nearing extinction — at least in the mass market. Sad, I know. But two recent vehicles by the same manufacturer proved why: the BMW Z4 M40i and the BMW X3 M40xi. It may seem strange to think that the two-seat Z4 convertible and the three-row X3 crossover as being competition for each other — until you drive them back-to-back.
“You can get the same level of engagement and driving fun in an X3 or X4 as you can in a Z4; maybe not as much, but pretty close,” said Rebecca Lindland, automotive analyst and founder of automotive consultancy Rebeccadrive.com. “And you have to ask, is it worth it?”
But Lindland says there are other things contributing to the declining interest in sports cars.
“Part of it is expense. A sports car is usually a luxury; it’s usually a second, third or fourth car, and baby boomers are not retiring particularly wealthy. Another thing that comes into it is the safety aspect. Remember, this was the Baby on Board generation.”
Think younger buyers might fancy a sports car? Guess again. She adds that while Generation X may be approaching midlife crisis stage, they married later and don’t have the financial resources to afford that little red sports car.
“And, you know, we want to bring our stuff with us. The idea of going on Sunday drive is not who we are anymore. All of these bring challenges to the sports car world.”
Of course, it’s not as if automakers aren’t trying.
Undoubtedly, the BMW Z4 M40i is a remarkably good sports car. It’s beautiful to behold, a modern iteration of BMW’s classically conservative look updated for a modern world. Measuring 170 inches, it’s 3.3 inches longer, 2.9 inches wider and 0.5 inches taller than the previous generation Z4. More importantly, the M40i badge signifies that under its hood resides a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that generates 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. (For the record, the base Z4’s 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers you to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.)
The result is a 0-60 mph run in a brisk 3.9 seconds, more than quick enough for banishing your fears of growing older. It’s the perfect dance partner to this roadster’s new chassis, which is shared with the new Toyota Supra sports coupe. Its double-joint spring strut front suspension, a new five-link rear suspension and a perfect 50:50 weight distribution make the Z4 car an absolute thrill to drive. Credit is also due to the Adaptive M Sport suspension that rides 10 mm lower and its electronically controlled dampers allow for firm handling, yet provides a comfortable ride.
The instrument panel is typical of modern BMWs, easy to use once you know how, and impeccably assembled. The seats are comfortably firm, and the convertible roof lowers more quickly than just about any other. As you’d expect, the cabin is cozy, and the trunk is large enough to force economical packing when going away on a weekend trip. But there are some frustrating design flubs. The cupholders are inside the center console bin. This means you can put nothing in it, and that you can’t rest your arm on it while enjoying a beverage. Worse, while there is a storage compartment behind the center console, it’s almost impossible to access while using the cupholders and driving. If it seems like a petty complaint, consider this car’s $63,700 base price; this should not be an issue.
And that’s what makes the X3 M40i crossover SUV far more popular.
For starters, the whole cupholder and storage situation is far better thought out. But more importantly, it too has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that generates slightly less horsepower, 355, and the same 369 pound-feet of torque as the Z4, delivering 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, a half a second slower than the Z4. And let’s face it, when was the last time you noticed a half-second difference in speed? Like the roadster, the crossover has an eight-speed automatic transmission. (And like the Z4, the base X3 has a slightly less-powerful 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers you to 60 mph in 6 seconds.)
But the biggest surprise is what the M40i delivers. First introduced for 2018, the M40i is the first performance-oriented X3, and delivers ride and handling that any car enthusiast can appreciate, with the same adept mixture of quick nicely-weighted steering, adept handling, and comfortable ride that makes the Z4 such a delight. Of course, the X3 is heavier, longer and taller, all of which you’ll notice. But it delivers the same end result: almost as much driving thrills at a lower base price: $55,900. And you can bring along your family and/or friends. (Whether this is an advantage is up to you, especially if they criticize your driving.)
Yes, the BMW Z4 is smaller, lighter and perfect for a track day or the occasional twisting country road, if such a place exists near you. But the X3 is a far easier car to live with day-to-day given its utility and driving chops. Considering the X3’s lower starting price, and the realities of modern traffic and highways, it’s not hard to understand why sports cars are such a hard sell these days.
So it’s no surprise that in this battle of the Bimmers, 3 beats 4. Given, the reality of today’s car market, get used to it.