Mercedes Throttle

Mercedes Throttle

2011 BMW Z4

The latest Bmw Z4 starts with its retractable hardtop, which, like the Mercedes SLK, makes the Z4 a more versatile, all-weather choice. Inside, the 2011 BMW Z4 offers more room than its competitors, impressive rearward visibility and a luxurious, nicely styled ambiance. On the road, the Z4's superb ride quality sops up bumps like a much larger, more expensive convertible along the lines of Mercedes' SL. In fact, the Z4 often feels like it belongs to that bigger, more refined class of luxury roadsters.

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BMW Z4 (2011)

BMW Z4 (2011)

2010 Detroit Auto Show: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive 35is

Set to makes its world debut in Detroit next month at the North American International Auto Show, BMW's latest take on the Z4 Roadster promises to be one of the quickest and best handling sports cars ever produced by the German automaker.

On sale here in the spring, the new range-topping sDrive 35is may not be a full "M-spec" alternative, but it does raise the Z4's total performance potential by adding a serious dollop of power and an extra measure of agility to the existing sDrive 35i mix. A higher-capacity induction system and additional boost for its twin-turbochargers raises the output of BMW's 3.5-liter direct-injected inline-six from 300 to 337 horsepower. The engine's impressive torque number gets a similar bump, going from 300 lb-ft at 1,400-5,000 rpm to 332 lb-ft between 1,500-4,500 revs and adding a computer-controlled overboost function that allows it to develop 369 lb-ft of peak twist for a short period of time under full-throttle acceleration. Even the exhaust system has been modified to give it a uniquely throaty low-range rumble.
The hotter engine is teamed with a specially programmed version of BMW's paddle-shifted seven-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) that sends power to the rear wheels. Together, that combo will reportedly drop the 0-60 mph time from 5.0 seconds in an sDrive 35i to just 4.7 ticks in the 35is and raise its electronically-limited top speed from 150 to 155 mph. To complement the extra underhood firepower, the sDrive 35is also comes standard with a suitably tweaked Adaptive M Suspension package that lowers ride height by 10mm without impacting ride compliance.

In addition to its special five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels -- and 19-inchers are optional -- the exterior of the new Z4 sDrive 35is is distinguished by matte-aluminum trim accents in each front outer air intake and a functional body color-and-black rear diffuser. Inside, deeply bolstered sport seats are covered in new Kansas Walnut leather and it gets a thick-rimmed M Sport steering wheel, special grey-faced instruments, a driver's footrest and a host of other M-style trim elements that befit its primo status in the Z4 hierarchy. No word as yet on pricing, but a $55,000-$60,000 window seems likely.

Things That Turn Your Smile Up-side Down

The sDrive35is is available only with BMW's seven-speed double-clutch transmission. The same Getrag-engineered unit offered as optional equipment for the M3. Here, it features a dual-mass flywheel to handle the increased power. It is spectacularly good, providing rapid and seamless shifts that fully justify BMW's decision not to offer the Z4 sDrive35is with a traditional six-speed manual gearbox as on the Z4 sDrive30i and Z4 sDrive35i. The programming is also unique to the model. Gear changes can be effected either via the console selector or steering wheel-mounted paddles. Launch control is part of the package, as well.
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Cheap, Reliable, Good-Looking Car?

I'm asking this for a friend.

She wants to buy a used car, and she's on a real budget. I'd say no more than like $4000 at the very most.

Really more than anything the car needs to be reliable, and have a good throttle.

RWD or FWD does not matter. Brand does not matter either, as long as it's not an expensive brand to repair (like Mercedes or Lexus). Safety is not an important.

Can be a sedan, sports car, or even a wagon.

try TATA Nano. But it is yet to come in the market. It is the cheapest car of the world.

Mercedes throttle body rewire