der Bayerische May/June 2020 - 18

L I F E

W I T H

T H E

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curve. We will still continue to play
with, and gain experience using, the
paddle shifters though. When dailydriving or in heavy traffic, comfort
mode and the automatic transmission
are great. However, Gene always puts
it in Sport mode.
We understand enthusiasts'
emotional need for a manual shifter.
However, time marches on and technology keeps getting better and better.
Just being able to concentrate on the
road ahead is a plus, especially at fast
speeds through curves.

begins to feel lighter. The M235i isn't
as affected by poor road surfaces.
The G29 just hunkers down and feels
more sure-footed. Since all of our
cars are running the latest Michelin
Super Sport tires, I can't attribute this
feel to the tires. I think the additional
weight of the M235i and the G29 add
to the more-settled feeling, however,
both have more torque than the
M Roadster. Power overcomes many
issues! In addition, the heads-up
display makes it easier and safer to
ascertain your speed.

Suspension:
The G29's suspension is very settled,
and it seems to absorb harsh road
conditions very well. To us, it feels
very neutral when driving spiritedly
on fun, curvy roads. The M Roadster
is a bit livelier in this regard.
The M235i is more settled, but not as
settled as the G29. At high speeds,
the M Roadster feels less settled; it is
affected by the road surface more, and

Engine:
The G29 has more horsepower and
torque than the M Roadster and nearly as much horsepower as the M235i.
It feels as though you have to rev the
engine more in the M roadster and
the M235i. The G29 seems to be
more effortless in its power delivery.
It's as if the power is just lurking and
waiting for its chance to burst free.
For those interested in gas mileage,

(Below) Gene and Robin on the Back of The Dragon in the M235i.

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Z 4

the G29 delivers more miles-pergallon in echo or comfort mode.
You pay at the pump for using Sport
and Sport Plus.
Brakes:
The brakes on the M Roadster and
the M235i are both exceptional and
up to the task of meeting the
demands we make during "spirited"
driving. I don't think we have ever
said, "Gee, I wish I had more braking". With all the hard-driving we
have done in the M Roadster, the
front pads and rotors were replaced at
92,000 miles. The rear pads and
rotors were replaced at 102,000
miles. The pads on both the front
and rear still had 5mm of wear left.
The M235i has only 52,000 miles
and hasn't required new pads or
rotors. Time will tell with the G29.
It will be interesting to see with its
heavier weight, automatic transmission, and four driving modes how the
rotors and pads will hold up.

M 4 0 i
Exhaust:
Let's face it, many of us car enthusiasts who like to drive cars as they are
meant to be driven love to hear the
sound of the exhaust as we rip
through the gears. We love to blip the
throttle through tunnels and underpasses. I've felt that the M roadster
could use a more masculine-sounding exhaust. Unfortunately, many of
the solutions I've seen weren't satisfactory. They were too raspy or
resulted in drone in the cockpit.
The Dinan exhaust on the M235i
gives you that addictive sound. The
G29's exhaust is intoxicating with it's
blips and burbles, and even more so
in Sport and Sport Plus modes.
Gearhead heaven!
Cockpit:
The G29 has the most luxurious
cockpit of the three cars. The controls
are logical and within easy reach. The
cupholders are laid out differently
than the other cars and are an
acquired taste. Both the netting
behind the seats and the passthrough opening to the trunk are
convenient. The standard-equipment
mesh windscreen, which can be
easily removed for cleaning, does a
great job of reducing wind noise and
turbulence. The infotainment and
I-drive systems are fairly intuitive.
Our good friend Terrance, who is very
tall, can actually sit in the G29 with
the top up and have room for a racing
helmet. With the top down his lineof-sight isn't over the top of the
windshield as was the case in his
previous Z4 Roadster. We are trying
to convince both him and his wife
Angela that they should get one.
I imagine them in a white G29 with
red interior and black wheels.
Top-down Driving:
The clear winner on this one is the
G29. It is so much quieter at speed in
the cockpit than the M Roadster. You
can more clearly hear the stereo and
more easily carry on a conversation.
In the M Roadster you have to yell to
be heard. When using the M235i in a
ZSCCA event, Robin requires that the

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