Name: BMW Z4 Review
Item: BMW Z4
Author: Gumtree.com

The BMW Z4 is approaching its 20th birthday, having arrived on the scene in 2002 as a sports convertible targeting people who love to drive. It was – and remains – a hit. When the second generation brought in a folding hard-top in a bid to woo a wider market, although it was good for keeping you warm and dry, the weight compromised the handling for some, robbing the Z4 of much of its magic. Luckily, the third generation saw the car pivot back to what made it special in the first place, with a fabric hood, low centre of gravity and a punchy range of engines to tap into the romance of the road.

Visit the BMW Z4 model page to check out available cars and learn more.

What we think about the BMW Z4

The Z4 is a stylish and comfortable roadster that’s one of the more practical vehicles in its class.

Pros

Dashing looks

Comfortable ride

More practical than its rivals

Cons

–

Handling is better on some rivals

–

Dull-sounding 2.0-litre petrol engines

–

Some competitors offer more fun factor

The latest version of the Z4 was launched in 2018 and is available only as a soft-top. There are three trim levels to choose from: the Sport, M Sport and M40i, with the latter the sportiest of the three. The previous generation, unveiled back in 2009, offered a retractable hard-top, and a 2013 facelift brought a new engine along with various cosmetic changes.

Driving performance of the Bmw Z4

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

Looking at the BMW Z4, you’d think it must be a hoot to drive, an impractical mean machine made for flinging around country roads on a summer’s day. Looks can be deceptive though. This is one of the most highly refined convertibles out there – quiet, composed and comfortable. Whether this is what you’re looking for from a convertible is the question. For those hankering for more excitement behind the wheel, the top-of-the-range M40i jumps forward briskly from low revs, with a sweeter engine note, snappy eight-speed gearbox and beefier brakes.

Safety and reliability of the Bmw Z4

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

The BMW Z4 was awarded the full five stars from Euro NCAP thanks to its host of safety features. There are dual front and side airbags, stability controls, and the Driving Assistant package, which includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and rear collision warning. There’s also a high-res reversing camera which displays on the huge touchscreen. You won’t find Isofix child seat anchor points here, but the Z4 is overall pretty safety-conscious for a convertible, with a good reputation for reliability.

Under the bonnet of the Bmw Z4

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The punchiest option on offer is the 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder, available in the M40i model. It will take you from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds, with a suitably lively soundtrack. Stepping down to the four-cylinder engines, you’ll still find a great deal of punch. The 30i coaxes an impressive 255 brake horsepower from a 2.0-litre engine, and even the entry-level 20i delivers 194 bhp. Some sportscar enthusiasts might find these smaller engines lack the zing and the noise of rivals such as the Audi TT.

What you'll find in the Bmw Z4

Our Design Rating8 / 10

While it’s unmistakably a Beemer, sporting those ever-expanding signature kidney grilles, the Z4 pushes the boat out on the design front. The flat body and curvy back end break the BMW mould, and the exterior is sculpted with all kinds of subtle details, such as the scooped-out sides and the way the spoiler integrates into the back end. When the latest incarnation came out, the Z4’s exterior designer Calvin Luk talked of a “new design language,” which is apparent in features such as the stacked reinterpretation of the classic double-round headlights.

Comfort and interiors in the Bmw Z4

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

Nobody expects to find a lot of space in a convertible, but as they go, the Z4 is surprisingly roomy. Tall drivers and passengers will appreciate the ample headroom, while there’s cleverly compartmentalised storage space and a decent-sized boot. BMW might just have squared the circle by creating a pretty spacious convertible, and along with the exterior looks, this will be a major selling point for the Z4. The daring design of the outside is less apparent in the interior – it feels more like a standard BMW, but the rhomboid pattern of the dash layout and the gorgeous seats win some extra points.

What features you'll find in the Bmw Z4

Our Features Rating8 / 10

To compete with its rivals in the high-end drop-top market, the Z4 needed to be impressively specced out. The entry-level 20i comes with dual 10.25-inch screens, full Vernasca leather trim and heated, power-adjustable front seats with memory function. There’s also a 10-speaker, 205W stereo, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control. Stepping up to the 30i adds a fair whack to the price tag but adds M Sport brakes, Adaptive M Suspension and adaptive LED headlights. Buyers with money to burn can avail themselves of all kinds of options such as an interior ambient lighting package and embroidered seatbelts.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Bmw Z4

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

The range of petrol engines on offer with the Z4 will deliver between 33.2 and 40.4 mpg, with the M40i unsurprisingly the thirstiest. People don’t tend to buy roadsters for their fuel economy, but these numbers are pretty frugal for a car of this kind. As with the space inside, the Z4 is in some ways a roadster for people with one eye on the practicalities, offering up some impressive number on this front.

Running costs of the Bmw Z4

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

BMW’s three-year warranty is off the pace of its rivals these days, though the German marque would tell you people aren’t clamouring for any longer. The various models sit in insurance groups in the 30s, and servicing costs are similarly competitive with its rivals.

Our verdict of the Bmw Z4

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

The BMW Z4 is a boldly designed roadster with a grown-up feel and a surprisingly spacious interior.

BMW Z4 Review