BMW Z4 review – a modern take on the classic sports car formula

Verdict - Is the BMW Z4 a good car?

The BMW Z4 follows the classic sports car formula: it’s a two-seater convertible with a big engine up front and rear-wheel drive. It’s not an ultra-sharp driver’s car but a model that offers buyers stylish, roof-down fun with plenty of creature comforts, and it’s part of a dying breed with very few affordable sports cars left on sale. It’s a shame, however, that the facelifted version has crept up in price without making the Z4 more enjoyable to drive, or giving its interior tech a major overhaul. A special M40i ‘Handschalter Pack’ added a manual and some other tweaks in mid-2024 to send the Z4 off in style.

BMW Z4 makes, models and alternatives

The BMW Z4 is a roadster that’s been in the brand’s repertoire since the early 2000s. Now it’s in its third iteration, and has been developed alongside the Toyota Supra sports car. There aren’t many sports cars or convertibles left on the market, but the Z4 is one of the few left with upmarket appeal and now there’s even the option of a manual gearbox.

Rivals may be few and far between, but include the Porsche 718 Boxster, Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster, Alpine A110 or Ford Mustang, which can also be had as a convertible. Sadly the Audi TT coupe and convertible models were discontinued and aren’t expected to be replaced. While the BMW Z4 is a premium model in a different price bracket, there’s also the Mazda MX-5 which offers top-down thrills at a fraction of the price. 

The best convertible cars on sale 2024

The classic sports car layout, with the engine at the front and rear-wheel drive, means the Z4 has a bit of an old-school feel to the way it drives but that’s something many people will love. It reminds us of classics like the Jaguar E-Type – especially with the range-topping engine, which is a smooth and powerful six-cylinder petrol. A mid-life facelift ushered in a mesh grille, new colours and wheel designs, but only those in the know are likely to spot the changes.

That range-topping version is called the Z4 M40i and has 335bhp, so it’s very quick: 0-62mph takes just 4.5 seconds, which is the same as a Porsche 718 Boxster S. It doesn’t feel as agile or as involving in corners as the Porsche; the BMW feels heavier and less sharp. It is, however, great fun to cruise along on a scenic route with the wind in your hair. Launched in mid-2024, there’s also a ‘Handschalter Pack’ for this engine that adds a manual gearbox, chassis tweaks and unique Frozen Deep Green paintwork to appeal to enthusiasts and give the Z4 a final swansong before it’s retired.

You might also consider the BMW Z4 alongside a nearly-new Audi TT Roadster or a BMW 4 Series Convertible but it’s less practical than those cars and, especially in top-spec form, quicker and more rewarding to drive. The Z4 occupies a middle ground aimed at those who want a car that’s good to drive but one that still comes with comfortable seats, a relatively smooth ride and a well-finished interior.

20

Previously you could buy the Z4 with a 255bhp four-cylinder engine in the sDrive30i model, but this has now been discontinued. For the facelift, there’s still a 197bhp version called the sDrive20i or the top-rung M40i. While the sDrive20i isn’t as quick as the M version, nor is the engine as exciting, we actually found it more fun to drive in some respects, because the engine in the nose of the car weighs less, boosting agility.

The smaller engines are also more economical, with the potential for around 41mpg compared to just 36mpg for the flagship. There were rumours that an even more powerful Z4 M would join the range above the M40i, bringing even more power and improved performance, but as BMW concentrates on high-performance models like the BMW M2, this never came to fruition for the slow-selling Z4.

Overall, the latest BMW Z4 is exactly what you'd expect a Z4 to be. Its maker proclaims it as the sportiest, most driver-focused Z4 yet, and that's certainly the case. However, the world has moved on since the Z4's old-fashioned roadster recipe was first published, and greater driving excitement is delivered by its lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder rivals.

20

Ultimately, it seems the Z4 is living in the past. While many will applaud the way it treads such a familiar sports car path, it doesn't have the sense of occasion you'll find in the retro-flavoured Ford Mustang. It falls into the category of 'sporty all-rounder', rather than being the ultra-sharp Boxster-beater some had been hoping for. At least in sDrive20i guise it's cheaper and more precise to drive, making the cheapest BMW Z4 also feel the most relevant to today's drivers.