Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

BMW Z4 review

BMW’s Z4 front-engined, rear-drive sports car is an old-school delight, although keen drivers will favour a Porsche Boxster

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Price
£45,075 to £63,335
  • Modern styling
  • Powerful engines
  • High quality feel
  • Could be more exciting
  • No manual gearbox
  • No folding hard-top
Find your BMW Z4
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

The BMW Z4 has been a great success for the company over three generations, and while the previous model felt a bit more like a boulevard cruiser with its folding hard-top, the latest version has reverted to a traditional canvas soft-top. It’s a format that suits the Z4 which is quite old-school in its execution, featuring a big engine up front under that long bonnet, rear-wheel drive and a two-seat only cockpit. It works here as well as it ever has, with plenty of power and impressive road manners to back up its sporty style.

Advertisement - Article continues below

That said it’s still quite a heavy machine, and it’s not as light on its feet as a Porsche 718 Boxster or Alpine A110. We'd go for one of the two four-cylinder models, as they feel more agile and fun to drive. All versions can put a smile on your face, but some buyers will miss the option of a manual gearbox and better steering feel. Build quality and specification are hard to fault, and as sports cars go, it’s relatively practical too.

The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel-drive, two-seater convertible sports car with a traditional fabric folding roof, a range of powerful engines up front, and a reasonably sized boot at the rear. There’s no coupe version, although if you desperately want a fixed roof there are plenty of alternatives – including BMW's very own 2 Series. Of course, you can buy a removable hard-top for the Z4 at extra cost.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

There are three trim levels: Z4 Sport, Z4 M Sport and Z4 M40i. The first two are available with a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder engines as the Z4 sDrive20i and Z4 sDrive30i, making 194bhp and 254bhp respectively. The Z4 M40i is the sportiest version, and has a 3.0-litre 335bhp six-cylinder engine that’s good for a 0-62mph time of just over 4.5 seconds. All three engines are available with an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best sports cars to buy

All Z4 variants are well equipped, as befits their prestigious image. Z4 Sport models get 18-inch alloys, an impressive Live Cockpit Professional infotainment system with smartphone connectivity (but no Android Auto), heated seats, two-zone climate control, cruise control and LED headlights. Next up is the Z4 M Sport, which gets different 18-inch alloys, Shadowline exterior trim and M Sport bodystyling, plus M Sport suspension settings and an M Sport-branded steering wheel.

The range-topping M40i adds even more kit, with 19-inch alloys, adaptive suspension and an M Sport differential, as well as bodystyling and interior upgrades including electric seat adjustment.

The Z4 takes on quite a few interesting rivals, although not all of them are roadsters. At the more driver-focused end there’s the Porsche 718 Boxster S/Cayman S and Alpine A110, while it’s most obvious direct competitors are the Audi TT Roadster and Mercedes SLC (formerly SLK). The latter is getting rather old, and so is another potential contender in the shape of the Nissan 370Z. Finally, there’s the Toyota Supra, which actually shares its running gear with the Z4, but is only sold as a coupe.

There have been ‘Z Car’ roadsters in the BMW line-up since the late 1980s when the Z1 arrived with its strangely configured retracting doors. That was followed by the Z3 from 1995 to 2002, while the first model badged Z4 arrived in 2002.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    sDrive 20i Sport 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £39,255

Most Economical

  • Name
    sDrive 20i Sport 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £39,255

Fastest

  • Name
    sDrive M40i 2dr Auto [Black Pack]
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £48,250
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Z4

Best convertibles and cabriolets to buy 2024
Best convertibles - header image
Best cars & vans
19 Feb 2024

Best convertibles and cabriolets to buy 2024

Love the feeling of the wind in your hair while driving? These are the best convertible cars for the job
New BMW Z4 M40i manual aims to keep the purists happy
BMW Z4 manual - front
News
31 Jan 2024

New BMW Z4 M40i manual aims to keep the purists happy

The range-topping BMW Z4 finally gets a manual gearbox as part of the ‘Handschalter Pack’
Future classics 2024: car investments that could make you money
Best future classics - header image
Best cars & vans
3 Jan 2024

Future classics 2024: car investments that could make you money

Identifying future classic cars is a tricky but potentially lucrative business, here are our future classic recommendations
New BMW Z4 M40i 2023 facelift review
BMW Z4 M40i - front
Road tests
5 Jun 2023

New BMW Z4 M40i 2023 facelift review

Has BMW perfected the modern roadster with the Z4?
Used BMW Z4 (Mk2, 2009-2016) review
Used BMW Z4 Mk2 - front
Used car tests
21 Apr 2023

Used BMW Z4 (Mk2, 2009-2016) review

A full used buyer’s guide on the BMW Z4 covering the Z4 Mk2 (2009-2016)
New BMW Z4 facelift now on sale from £43,795
BMW Z4 2022 facelift
News
9 Nov 2022

New BMW Z4 facelift now on sale from £43,795

BMW’s two-seater sports car has received a mild tweak for 2022
New BMW Z4 M40i 2019 review
BMW Z4 M40i - front
Road tests
10 May 2019

New BMW Z4 M40i 2019 review

How does the range-topping BMW Z4 M40i cabriolet cope with British roads?
New BMW Z4 sDrive20i M Sport 2019 review
BMW Z4 - front tracking
Road tests
20 Mar 2019

New BMW Z4 sDrive20i M Sport 2019 review

The BMW Z4 sDrive20i is the entry point into the new Z4 range, but does its cheaper price tag mean losing out on any of the fun?
Prices and specifications released for new 2019 BMW Z4
BMW Z4 - Paris - Front
News
13 Mar 2019

Prices and specifications released for new 2019 BMW Z4

Prices for the 2019 BMW Z4 roadster start at £36,990 and is available to buy from BMW dealerships now
New BMW Z4 2019 review
BMW Z4 - front
Road tests
7 Nov 2018

New BMW Z4 2019 review

Can the all-new BMW Z4 roadster offer Porsche 718 Boxster thrills? We find out…
BMW Z4 (2009-2016) review
In-depth reviews
24 Oct 2016

BMW Z4 (2009-2016) review

The BMW Z4 blended an upmarket image with wind-in-the-hair roadster thrills
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW Z4 sDrive35is
New BMW Z4 front tracking
Road tests
22 Apr 2013

BMW Z4 sDrive35is

We drive the facelifted BMW Z4 in its most potent guise. Can it still compete with the class-best?
BMW and Toyota team up for new sports car
Toyota BMW agreement
News
25 Jan 2013

BMW and Toyota team up for new sports car

BMW and Toyota have announced plans to co-develop a new sports car, fuel cells, lightweight tech and more
BMW Z4 vs rivals
BMW Z4 vs rivals
Car group tests
22 Feb 2012

BMW Z4 vs rivals

Is the new turbo BMW Z4 the best choice for top-down fun? We test it against its rivals from Audi and Nissan
BMW Z4 20i
BMW Z4 20i front cornering
Road tests
12 Dec 2011

BMW Z4 20i

The Z4 roadster is now available with an entry-level four-cylinder engine. We drive it…
BMW Z4 sDrive28i
BMW Z4 sDrive28i front tracking
Road tests
31 Aug 2011

BMW Z4 sDrive28i

Roadster gets efficient new four-cylinder turbo, but is it as much fun as other models?
BMW Z4 M Coupe
BMW Z4
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

BMW Z4 M Coupe

It may be fast and have a superb engine, but the BMW Z4 M Coupe isn't a winner.
BMW Z4
BMW Z4
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

BMW Z4

BMW facelited the Z4 for 2006, but fans of the two-seat roadster should not worry.
BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si SE
Road tests
12 Jul 2006

BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si SE

With sharper responses and a more controlled feel in corners, BMW's Z4 Coupé hand­les better than the Roadster
BMW Z4 Coupe M
Road tests
24 May 2006

BMW Z4 Coupe M

It didn't seem so long ago that car manufacturers were telling everyone the small coupé was dead. Ford pulled the plug on the Puma and Cougar, while V…
BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si Sport
Front view of BMW Z4 3.0si Sport
Road tests
17 May 2006

BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si Sport

It's the cheaper alternative to the M Roadster, but does the new BMW Z4 feel like second best?
BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5si Sport
Front view of BMW Z4 Sport
Road tests
15 Mar 2006

BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5si Sport

New BMW M Roadster out of your price range? Take a look at the company's latest offering - the Z4 Sport.
BMW Z4 Roadster M
Road tests
22 Feb 2006

BMW Z4 Roadster M

It's been a long time coming, but BMW has finally let its famed M Division loose on the Z4, and the results are spectacular. Not only does the car loo…