SECONDLY .........
the handling is a disappointment, and I'm no racing driver. I must be mistaken but I thought it was being marketed as a 'sportscar' but I suppose that the fact you get a 'sports' button kind -of says it all .....

BMW have lost their way on this one. I'm going public -to me it's a disappointment to drive. I don't know how they've got the balls to put this out. The ride is too hard and the seats to uncomfortable to be a tourer BUT the handling is too unpleasurable, lacking in road-feel to be a sports car. Had I known this before I'd purchased, I would have cancelled.

It disappoints me to make these comments.

However, it does get the looks, it's so quick. I'll probably grow to like it and keep it. My mum likes it !

I saw it too.

I must say that even though it's an extremely competent auto, it lacks the soul or character of a real sports car. To me, it looks as if BWM did a Jag (the new model - cannot think of the name).

No doubt, the bimmer will be a hit for the boulevard cruisers, but for the few diehards, it's a letdown.

In my opinion, and in this market segment, the new Aston Martins are the way to go.

It's sort of difficult to explain, but the Z8 just doesn't have it. Too antiseptic? Not involving the driver enough? Relying on the electronic doo-dhads too much? Not enough imperfections? Not built by hand enough? Not loud enough? Too civilized?

It's like the Japanese sports cars (twin turbo Supra, as an example) - very quick, very reliable, very proper, but someone forgot to install personality.

I also think the front end style is a bit unco-ordinated with the rest - is the bumper that's mounted too high? I am not sure, but it seems to be at odds with the rest of the panels.