Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame has written a review of the new BMW Z4 M Coupe in his latest column published in Britain’s Sunday Times. Clarkson is critical of the car’s appearance, which he say “appears to have been styled by someone who wasn’t concentrating.” He says the rear of the car is “just plain, like a supermarket checkout girl.” He’s also critical of the car’s ultra-stiff ride. “The traction control light flickers constantly, suggesting that the suspension is so stiff the rear wheels are actually airborne half the time. So it lurches and pitches and is generally pretty horrid,” he adds. “It’s probably the first disappointing BMW M car I’ve ever driven.” Instead of buying a Z4 M, Clarkson suggests an alternative. “If you want this sort of car, the Porsche Gayman is an obvious rival,” he writes. “It goes harder but is deeply embarrassing to be seen in. So what I’d do is buy the soft-top Z4 M instead. “
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09/05, 11:48 PM
posted by:
Turbo Moe
LOL, gotta love that guy.
09/05, 11:51 PM
posted by:
Kinno
The Porsche Gayman?
lol… for f’s sakes…
…hahaha…
09/06, 12:13 AM
posted by:
Dave
CAR magazine made that “Porsche Gayman” joke a year ago. JC needs new writers.
09/06, 12:17 AM
posted by:
Anonymous
Gotta say it… Top Gear still rocks.
09/06, 12:17 AM
posted by:
The Stig
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/816/porschegayman1dh.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5837/****sbuyporsches8jm.jpg
09/06, 12:30 AM
posted by:
Twilight Zone
Why does anyone read/listen to this idiot?
Methinks his latent homosexuality is showing.
09/06, 12:34 AM
posted by:
Stuart
And what’s wrong with latent homosexuality? Eh Twilight wanker?
09/06, 12:35 AM
posted by:
e30e
Every magazine already said this, good job Jeremy your subscription to motor trend and car and driver came in 3 months late!
09/06, 12:35 AM
posted by:
Ronso
oh my…. porsche gayman? sounds funny for a moment then slowly fades away as the bmw Z4 coupe blows past the porsche!
09/06, 12:39 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
Sounds to me like he nailed it.
09/06, 12:42 AM
posted by:
anon
nailed it… on the Head? lol
09/06, 12:43 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
Yeah… the Ricardo Head!
09/06, 12:43 AM
posted by:
Wally Bag Of Donuts
hmmm…a cayman…or a z4 m???
09/06, 12:45 AM
posted by:
Eduardo
You know… even though the max handling is a tad softer, the Boxster S is my choice.
09/06, 1:29 AM
posted by:
Dr*Manhattan
Don’t get me wrong — I truly enjoy Clarkson, and Top Gear — but wouldn’t the ultra-stiff suspension that he writes about in the Z4 M Coupe also be present in the Z4 M Roadster?
09/06, 2:18 AM
posted by:
TheAvocado
Actually, the coupe would probably have a stiffer body with the enclosed roof. It doesn’t make the suspension stiffer, per say, but would make the body/suspension interaction feel stiffer.
09/06, 3:28 AM
posted by:
Don
I had an idea the Z4 was overrated.
09/06, 4:18 AM
posted by:
Niall Polley
Jeremy is a funny guy, but not all that knowledgable when it comes to cars. He used to write a column for a magazine called Performance Car which focussed on how little he knew about cars, and how he wasn’t much good behind the wheel.
He is very entertaining, and I love his show, but you would be wise to enjoy the footage and the jokes and then draw your own conclusions. A funny soundbite does not an informed opinion make.
In this case his comments about the suspension are probably right, even the 3.0 roadster is horribly stiff. I often use one in the UAE and after a long trip on our super-flat, newly-tarmacced roads, I’ll get out with a bruised spine that leaves me hobbling all evening. I have developed a very high awareness for the spacing of white lines in order to avoid the kick in the arse that you get every time you cross them while changing lanes.
As far as styling is concerned this is entirely subjective, and to me the car is very handsome, nicely agressive and I love that long bonnet. It seems strange to criticise the car for being plain and then favour the featureless, super-smooth and surely far more plain Cayman.
How is plain a criticism of styling anyway? Some of the most attractive cars ever are the plainest, consider the Jaguar C, D & E-Types. Porsche 550 Speedster and the Range Rover: all plain designs with simple lines and no attention-grabbing features, all stunning.
09/06, 4:28 AM
posted by:
not required
how come the porsche “gayman” that beats the Z4m performance wise on nearly every magazine comparision between these two cars be gay?
09/06, 4:56 AM
posted by:
Carl Jones
It’s kind of old news…
09/06, 7:03 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
When he said it, I asssssuuuuume he didn’t make it as an original comment, but referred to it as it is known in motoring media… You see, referring to media comments is often as funny as being original yourselves…
09/06, 7:17 AM
posted by:
Anonymous
In side view that Z4 coupe looks completely wrong, appears like it needs a much longer wheelbase. In convertable form it looks great though.
09/06, 7:37 AM
posted by:
Renton - Team America
The cayman may be better, but the ///M Coupe is considerably less $$ than the Cayman S.
The regular Cayman which is priced closer to the ///M Coupe is considerably slower.
I happen to think the BMW is a very good looking car.
Clarkson is a pompous douche most of the time and he abhors motorcycles, so he must be retarded.
09/06, 7:57 AM
posted by:
Someone
Who gives a **** what that prick thinks anyway? What a dolt.
09/06, 8:05 AM
posted by:
Betty Swollocks
Please I’ve been calling it the Porsche Gayman on this site since it was launched. Clarkson you are ot original and it wasn’t clever even when i said it
09/06, 8:07 AM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
Most of you look on being gay as negative. Funny I don’t see it that way. You are all backward looking loser homophobes. Get back to hicktown Mississippi or wherever your bible group meets
09/06, 10:03 AM
posted by:
Undecided
The Stig has to give the final verdict on this.
09/06, 12:13 PM
posted by:
teknomusik
Are we here to discuss Cars or one’s sexuality?
09/06, 1:09 PM
posted by:
MeMeMe
Yes
09/06, 2:48 PM
posted by:
David
On different topic. ” I have always been a Bmw fanatic”
I just viewed the new three coupe in the “flesh” the other day and think it is as boring as hell. No style nothing to it. Bring back the e46 rather. The 5 looks more exciting. I think the only Beemer left is going to be the new X5. Bmw have killed themselves. Look at all the new Merc shapes and Audi. What are you doing BMW? ….trying to commit suicide. I think i will have to look at the Porsche boxter or Cayman next seeing as though Bm has lost the plot. Very sad about this
09/06, 3:01 PM
posted by:
The Stig
I don’t care much for either. Therefore, I’m *behind* Clarkson on this one.
09/06, 3:01 PM
posted by:
The Stig
I don’t care much for either. Therefore, I’m *behind* Clarkson on this one.
09/06, 3:52 PM
posted by:
Mike
Clarkson is losing it…
09/06, 7:42 PM
posted by:
Tim
Yeah screw this guy, the Cayman is F***in’ sick.
09/06, 7:43 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
I consider a Por**** BOXter a poor mens Porsche.
09/06, 10:13 PM
posted by:
minduza
I like BMW much better thean cayman (looks), dont about the ride. Sometimes clarkson reviews worthless
09/10, 10:05 PM
posted by:
Jon Luc
Of course Jeremy Clarkson knows about the inner workings of the Gayman.
09/30, 9:10 PM
posted by:
J.A.N.E.
Bimmer,What do you call a Club Sport Porsche?What are you saying?You want ruffles and lace on your product?I rip off the lace..A Club Sport Porsche does not have a factory radio.Why?The primary focus is on engine sound.