German Car Forum

Today I had the opportunity to try out both Audi TT Roadster (4-cylinders, Quattro, 200hp/280nm, DSG) and BMW new Z4 Roadster sDrive23 (6-cylinders, RWD and 204hp/250nm, Manual).

I like the TT ,both exterior and interior. Engine sound is really nice but the engine doesn’t feel lively, not engaging enough for me. Unfortunaly its the same engine you find in the Scirrocco that I want to buy some day. For me you defintely need to let somone chip the engine for you.
The seats in Audi TT are very nice, you sit good and comfortable and the interior has a good quality feel.
My opinion regarding DSG/SMG is always changing but today I preferred manual gearbox.
Its more engaging to explore a car if it comes with a manual gearbox.
Audi TT looks good, no doubt but I miss the Roadster feel which lead me to another car, the new BMW Z4.

You read all the reviews telling you the new Z4 has become more mature and comfortable. I can agree with this, my first encounter with the new Z4, just by sitting inside the car, you felt the car has grown up and become more roomier but lost some of it’s sporty appeal.

When I drove the previous generation Z4 Coupé 3.0si I fell in love instantly. You sit low, you see a long front end with no end in sight. You sit tight and the Roadster feeling is fantastic.

So can the new Z4 match the old Z4?
I was pleasant surprised by the new Z4. The Roadster feel is absolutly there, once again you see the long front end with no end in sight. You sit low and steering and gearbox is wonderful. The Roadster feel is still there. It feels special with a small Roadster but the Audi TT can’t match the new Z4 in terms of Roadster feel.

The Z4 came with manual gearbox and in space grey and with 17” wheels. Not my color choice and bigger wheels are needed. EDC suspension with three different settings, normal, sport and sport+ mode.
In normal the car reminds me of my own car, the steering is light and very useful for citydriving or when you need to park the car.
According to BMW, when you choose sport , the chassi lowers 10 mm and throttle and steering become better. In sport+ DSC is deactivated.
I didn’t notice any changes in throttle response but the steering is improved. The steering become meater/heavier and more accurate. If it was for me to decide I would always use sport mode, suits the new Z4 and me much more.
Even in sportmode the car feels more comfortable than previous Z4.

The new Z4 has one major disadvantage and its the 100 -150 kg extra weight over other Roadsters in this segment. If the new Z4 came with a fixed roof or a cloth roof it would be closer to the competition in terms of handling and agility. It would make the fantastic Z4 even more fantastic.

Even 30 minutes after I return the Z4 to the dealer, I felt excited, happy and positive that the Z4 once again succeed to impress me. The new Z4 is still a fun car to drive.

Great review(much better than mine)
Looks to me that you had a über nice day out in the sun with
the roof down...
Very good pics too Andreas
Thanks for sharing!

&
Sweet interior on the TT btw
But it has to get the S-line or RS styling =D

Thanks, great read!

Very honest and informative! Thanks Just me!

Great quick review, much appreciated!

The TT looks sweet, shame about the basic rims/colour on the Z4

I was reading today a TT 2.0 TFSI vs Z4 sdrive 23 comparison in Greek "4 Wheels" magazine...

eBook

The testers said that they prefered the TT overall cause it felt more complete overall and solid on the road as the combination engine-gearbox-awd is second to none for the segment.

TT feels like a normal car to drive, lets say A3. BMW is doing a better job making the car feel more special to drive than other models from BMW. A Roadster shall make the driver feel more special and giving you a different driving experience and thats what BMW are doing better than Audi.

Nice test Andreas! Good read. With a bit of luck, I'll be driving a Z4 35i with DCT next week

One thing came to my mind today.
Why do you have the keep the button pushed down for the Cabrio roof to work?
You cant stand outside the car and see the lovely work.

It was the same for both cars. I would have prefer with just one quick push on the button and then let go and let the car do the work.

Nice review! I was overly impressed by the Z4 as well and I have never been a Z roadster type of guy.

I'm not alone thinking the TT feels like normal car, let's say A3 to drive. I read a carreview about Audi TT and the reviewer felt the same as me.