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10/05/2002 - Z4 Ride and Drive Comments By: Robert Stradford I had a chance to test drive the Z4 in NJ. I currently own a 2001 M Coupe, and am not a BMW employee (don't ask how I got in to the ride and drive; I want to do more). This isn't a paid announcement, and not all my cars are BMWs. Design. The car looks great on the road, very sophisticated design that makes you want to look at details while you take the whole picture in. It's one of those cars you look at very intently, it just captures your attention. Front end is especially impressive, great presence and aggression without being over the top. The sides and rear take a little more time to absorb, but to me at least really became very sensuous at the end of the day. A matter of taste of course, but design is not as polarizing as the 7, and really has no weak areas. It just looks different, but still looks like a Bimmer. Top goes up and down very quickly (it rained for most of the day, so we drove top up) and is very nicely lined on the inside. Interior is a home run. Seats are finally real BWM seats versus the shallow versions in Z3, they're also very effective during hard driving. Dash design is very simple, clean and elegant. Even down to the dual cupholders at opposite ends of the dash, just extremely well executed. Glove box is tiny, but then again lower airbags a smart trade off. Stereo is first class...finally. Trunk is appreciably bigger and more useable than on Z3 roadster. (Continued)

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