MotorMouths

The new BMW Z4 sDrive35is has as tongue-twisting a name as you’ll find in the U.S. auto market. The top-dog version of the Z4 retractable-hardtop roadster is a pleasure to drive on the street or the track — just don’t expect that experience to come cheap.

BMW has delivered a four-cylinder engine that checks pretty much all the boxes. Of course, this is all a giant “so what?” if the whole car doesn’t work coherently. Fortunately, we can make a case that the sDrive28i is the best Z4 on the market.

The Z4—rescued from its stylistic weirdness two years ago with a much-needed redesign—is a hugely entertaining car, a silver-footed roadster with surprising amounts of grip, balance and responsiveness.

Sleek styling, a high-class interior and plenty of performance combine to make the 2012 BMW Z4 a highly desirable roadster. Its new base engine for this year makes it even better.

While there’s a lot to like about the performance, comfort and amenities of the Z4, its price starts on the high side and quickly escalates as you add options.

In the 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i, you’re getting a slightly quicker, more fuel-efficient and ever-so-slightly more exciting two-seat sports car. Not a bad deal, right?

If you happen to be seeking a fence straddler that provides classic roadster proportions and seating position without classic roadster punishment, then BMW already has your car in the Z4 sDrive281.

While the abstrusely named Z4 sDrive28i is less powerful than its six-cylinder predecessor, I’m not missing those two extra chambers one bit.

The Z4 is great to look at, and seriously fast, but it just costs too much. Half a hundred grand is a lot of money for a roadster, no matter how good it is.