With the Wind in Your Hair BMW Z4 and Saab 9-3 Make Argument for Convertible Driving by Karl Ferguson The top down in your convertible, the open road ahead of you, the wind in your hair and the sun glinting off your cool eyewearóit sounds like the makings of a Hollywood movie, the kind that starts with a sweeping shot across the Nevada desert as the hero heads to Las Vegas in a great-looking convertible to take on the system and win. But hold that thought. The convertible phenomenonónot to mention the roadster phenomenonóis alive and well, and you donít need a desert setting to enjoy one. Virtually every major car manufacturer in the United States offers at least one soft-top vehicle, and BMW and Saab are no exceptions. After all, a soft-top should be the kind of car that peels back the years and makes the weariest of drivers feel young againówho wouldnít want one? The BMW Z4 roadster and the slightly newer Saab 9-3 convertible are not direct competitors in the classic sense, but they illustrate the philosophical difference some manufacturers have when it comes to soft-tops. Theyíre not that far apart on price either, with the base 2.5-liter Z4 retailing for $34,300 and the base Saab 9-3 Linear starting at $37,100. Traditionally a roadster is expected to be differentóserious, not softóand the Z4 doesnít disappoint in that department. It follows the time-honored tradition of having just two seats, but thatís where tradition ends. The long nose, the now familiar ìflame surfacingî courtesy of BMWís chief designer Chris Bangle, the flared nostrils and the truncated rear end make for a distinctive package. It is, quite simply, a great-looking car. Although it may not be to everyoneís liking, thereís no denying that it makes a statement, and who wants to drive a roadster if it doesnít say something about personality? Not that the lime-yellow color (think fluorescent Kermit green) of Saabís new 9-3 convertible test car could exactly be called traditional either. Itís very un-Saab like, and I couldnít help but think about the gun-metal gray that I favored in this conservative yet stylish car maker. The 9-3 is a handsome car nonetheless, and despite having four seats, it looks every bit as inviting as the Z4. The Saab 9-3 does offer a modicum of practicality, but it shouldnít be dismissed as simply a boulevard cruiser. Forget everything you have heard about Saab soft-tops and shake, rattle and roll. Yes, taking the roof off does cause convertibles to become less rigid, which can lead to roller-coaster-type driving experiences. Saab knows this all too well and subsequently decided that the only way to fix the problem would be to design its new convertible from the ground up and in parallel with the 9-3 sedan model. The end result, says Saab, is that the new model is three times as stiff as the model it replacesóand this shows. Putting the 9-3 through its paces, the car feels stable and taught. A tight corner or a bumpy road only confirms that this car is years ahead of its predecessor. Thatís not to say you donít know itís a convertible, with the occasional odd squeak making its way into the cabin, but with the fully lined roof up, the gap between this car and its hard-top cousin is not that noticeable. In addition, handling is good. The front-wheel drive is predictable but hangs on resolutely during twisty turns. At its limits, the carís understeering is the order of the day, but ease off the gas and the 9-3 tucks its nose in compliantly. The steering is heavy on first acquaintance, and some will find the large steering wheel less than ideal for hard driving, but it still communicates plenty of feedback to the driver. Itís a far cry from the flat-surface cruising that one might have previously expectedónot that cruising wonít instantly become a favorite pastime with the 9-3. Ironically flat roads are exactly what most drivers will seek out in the Z4. The ride quality is more than ìsportyîóitís downright hard and bumpy. At low speeds, the 16-inch wheels thump through pot holes, tramline easily on uneven tarmac, and generally transmit every nuance to the driver. Itís bone jarring, and given the state of Washington, D.C., roads, itís less than desirable. Undoubtedly the situation is made all the worse with the use of run-flat tires and their very stiff sidewalls, which add to the firmness of the ride. Of course, no one expects to be molly-coddled in a roadster, but they donít expect a jarring ride into the office either. Find the right road, however, and the BMW begins to make sense. The Z4ís finely tuned chassis ensures a sophisticated handling package. Punt it through the corners and even the most hardened of souls will feel a grin start to spread across their face. BMWís sophisticated traction control and an array of electronic safety gadgetry wonít exactly take you by the seat your pants, but the Z4 is still good fun and thatís what counts. On the inside, the fun theme continues. Drivers sit low behind a nicely retro three-spoke steering wheel. The seating position is racing style, legs and arms fully extended and ready for action. The brushed aluminum of the cabin is cool to the touch and easy on the eye. Itís juxtaposed nicely against the bright red leather of the test car. Dials and instruments are finely detailed, and secondary controls are minimalist yet straightforward. And thereís not a computer screen to be seen, unlike other BMW models. The Saabís cabin is equally intimate. The leather-clad seats are some of the best I have ever experienced. Regardless of body shape, they fit like a glove. Saabís large dials and unique ergonomics work well, and the quirky elements that make Saab special, such as the centrally mounted ignition, are also included. And the 150-watt CD audio is perfect for long road trips. Intimacy is a word that backseat passengers are likely to become familiar with. The rear only seats two, and although headroom (no pun intended) is generous, legroom is at a bit of a premium. The fit and finish in the cabin is generally good, but I was a bit dismayed at how ìplastickyî some of the materials feltónot that there are likely to be any breakages, but the materials are just not up to the standard you might expect in this price bracket. Issues of practicality aside, whatís under the hood could well be a deciding factor for any purchaser. Start the engine and the sound of BMWís inline 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine comes to life. Itís not quite as melodious as the 3.0-liter version, but it still aurally excites. The Z4 develops a fairly modest 184 horsepower, putting this to good use with a healthy 175 pound-feet of torque on tap at a very accessible 3,500 rpm. The Z4ís engine also likes to be worked and revs happily past the 5,500 rpm mark accompanied by an equally desirable exhaust note. The 3.0-litre BMW six-cylinder version certainly delivers more power, but when you consider the weightónot to mention the price differenceóthe 2.5 should not be overlooked. After all, a zero to 60 mph time of seven seconds is pretty good, although itís clearly not as quick as some of its contemporaries. Itís also reasonably frugal in the fuel department. In comparison, the Saab 9-3 is unlikely to set any speed records, but neither does it embarrass itselfóor you. By adding steel to increase the carís rigidity and packing in hydraulics to lift the roof, you inevitably add weight, which tends to impact performance. The 2.0-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine produces 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm, which is certainly adequate, but for those looking for more, thereís always the Aero model that, using the same engine, produces 210 horsepower. And you can expect the zero to 60 mph time to be managed in eight seconds. Of course, maximizing performance potential is dependant on the transmission, and unfortunately BMWís five-speed manual is only average. The clutch is adequately weighted and the gear stick shifts well enough, but I was just expecting the ride to be a bit slicker between gears. Itís best to avoid having to find the reverse in a hurry, especially with a truck bearing down on you during a difficult three-point turn, because it takes some wrestling of the gearbox to find it. There are no such quibbles with the five-speed automatic transmission of the Saab test car, which did an excellent job of making the most of the 9-3ís powerful engine. Thereís also a pseudo-manual option for those who like to change gears themselves. Dropping the convertibleís roof in either car is as simple as touching a button. In the Saab, you can even do it even while on the move, which was previously a strict no-no with convertibles. BMW claims the Z4 has the quickest fully automatic roof in the business, although arguably the Honda S2000 could also make that claim even though it requires manual unlatching. Buffeting for both the Saab and BMW is kept well under control, and wind deflectors are available. I n just about every respect, the BMW is a classy package, as youíd expect. Top-quality materials, cleverly designed storage spaces, a great stereo, a spacious trunk and excellent levels of safety all add to the impression that this BMW is something special. Similarly (and color issues aside), the Saab 9-3 is one attractive car and offers a very convincing argument for the benefits of open-top motoring. Fit and finish favors the BMW, but ride quality goes to the Saab. Regardless of which vehicle might prove more desirable, letís just say that the long, flat straights of the Nevada desert and the wind blowing through your hair are a mighty powerful persuader on the merits of soft-top motoring. Karl Ferguson is the automotive reviewer for The Washington Diplomat.