BMW Z4 (2009 – 2016) Review

The second-generation BMW Z4 moved away from the very raw character of the original. This model was more svelte in the way it looked and drove, helped by a folding metal roof that made it quieter and more of a GT than an outright sports car. However, with the bigger engine choices, the BMW Z4 could still take the fight to both the Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman, as well as the Audi TT and another German offering, the Mercedes SLK. Read on for our full BMW Z4 review.

The second-generation BMW Z4 is a very different beast from the original. Where the first BMW Z4 was very much a gruff, up and at ’em sports car, this is a more refined sports car with a broader customer appeal.

Much of the wider appeal for used buyers comes from the folding metal roof, which followed the trend set by the Mercedes SLK.

While some might feel the BMW Z4 had gone soft and grown heavy with this approach, it undoubtedly means it is an easier car to live with day in, day out.

The metal roof makes the BMW Z4 quieter at motorway speeds, so it is better suited to long-distance journeys in the UK, where the weather will not always play ball.

When the sun does poke out, the metal roof drops more quickly than the Mercedes SLK’s and scissors away under the boot panel to leave uncluttered lines, with the characteristic long-bonnet, short-boot looks of the previous BMW Z4.

A downside is the roof and its mechanism take up more space than a fabric hood, so the BMW Z4 has to make do with a 180-litre boot.

This means squashy bags are the order of the day for any sort of weekend away, and access is not brilliant when the roof is lowered.

Still, the BMW Z4’s cabin provides even taller drivers with plenty of space and seat adjustment, while the dash is pleasingly unfussy and stylish.

As well as the excellent driving position, cars with satellite navigation also benefit from BMW’s superb iDrive system, which is one of the easiest infotainment set-ups to operate.

Under the bonnet, the BMW Z4 features some strong engines, including the twin-turbo 2.0-litre petrol in the sDrive18i and 20i models.

For those wanting more speed and growl, the sDrive28i takes the four-cylinder turbo engine to its maximum with 245PS, or you can opt for the six-cylinder 35i with its potent 306PS.

Those looking for the most performance from the BMW Z4 should consider the sDrive35is, which ups the ante to 340PS for 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds. In effect, this is the spiritual successor to the previous BMW Z4M.

Fancy a new BMW Z4? Read our BMW Z4 review here.

With less weight up front than the six-cylinder sDrive35i models, the four-cylinder BMW Z4 models turn into corners with vigour and hold their line tenaciously.

All BMW Z4s come with ESP and the firm’s Dynamic Drive Control, so the driver can choose between Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings.

The Sport+ option increases the threshold at which the ESP will come into play to quell any slip from the wheel, which lets more able drivers enjoy more feel and control while still having the safety net of the car’s electronics on side.

While the pace of the six-cylinder models is impressive, they do feel a little heavier as you position the car into a bend due to the extra weight of the engine. This is only really apparent when pushing towards its limits, so is not an issue in daily driving.

More importantly, the BMW Z4 rides well over bumpy roads, although we’d avoid the M Sport models, as their firmer suspension makes them too harsh. 

A mild refresh for the BMW Z4 in 2013 saw the addition of the 156PS sDrive18i model to the range.

Not only does this offer a more affordable way into ownership, it is also an appealingly fun and frugal sports car.

As there was no diesel-engined version of the BMW Z4 to compete with the Audi TT and Mercedes SLK, the 18i is as cost-effective as the BMW Z4 gets.

From rest to 62mph, the 18i takes 7.9 seconds, so it’s no slouch, without being overly enthusiastic. The engine can sound a little plain at lower revs, but takes on a throatier tenor when pressed harder.

It’s a lot of fun to push this model hard, as you can make the most of the engine’s power while still remaining within safe, legal speeds on twisty roads.

The 20i, 23i, and 28i – with 184PS, 204PS and 245PS respectively – serve up greater performance, with the 20i dispatching 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, the 23i in 6.6 seconds and the 28i in just 5.7 seconds. This makes them more compelling choices for keen drivers.

The rear wheels are more taxed in spirited driving in the 306PS sDrive35i and its potent 35is sibling, which boasts 340PS. Both are quick off the mark, with the 35i recording 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and the 35is managing it in 4.8 seconds.

With six-cylinders and turbocharging, these engines provide more than ample overtaking capability when required.

However, they are also happy cruisers, especially with the standard seven-speed automatic gearbox of the 35is. All other BMW Z4 models have a slick six-speed manual gearbox and the option of the seven-speeder auto.

Every BMW Z4 comes with twin front and side airbags, plus ESP traction control, ABS anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution.

However, this did not help the car to any better than a three-star rating from Euro NCAP.

Safety tech such as automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist were never offered, and so held back the BMW Z4’s score in crash testing.

There are no official tow capacity ratings for the BMW Z4.

With the folding metal roof in the raised position, the BMW Z4 is as quiet and capable of comfortable long drives as any of its key coupe rivals.

It’s more refined than the Audi TT coupe, and easily on a par with the Mercedes SLK.

There is some rumble audible from the wide tyres fitted as standard to all BMW Z4 models, which vary in width depending on which engine you choose.

Even so, the BMW Z4 is surprisingly hushed for this type of car, and suffers very little wind noise at higher speeds.

Dropping the roof is done via the touch of a button and can be completed in 22 seconds. This is not nearly as quick as the previous BMW Z4’s fabric roof would stow away.

However, the greater weather protection and security of the retractable hard-top compensate for this. You can also operate the folding metal roof at speeds of up to 25mph, so there is no need to pull over to lower it or raise it.

Pop it down and the BMW Z4 delivers the same open-air benefits as any of its rivals, without too much wind buffeting at higher speeds, as the driver and passenger sit low and snug in the supportive seats.

An optional Comfort Package included a wind deflector, as well as active cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and additional storage with two cupholders and nets in the footwells.

This added storage is welcome, as the BMW Z4’s boot offers only 180 litres of space with the roof stowed away, which is less than most rivals’.

Roof up, there’s a 310-litre capacity, and you could add an optional load-through facility to carry longer items such as golf clubs or skis.

Space inside the cabin is good for both the driver and passenger. The driver has height and reach adjustment in the steering column to help tailor the driving position, but only the 35i models have standard electric seat adjustment.

This is worth noting, as the manual seat adjustment is awkward to use. If you share the car with a partner, it is well worth tracking down a model with optional electric operation.

On the BMW Z4 sDrive18i, cloth seats were standard rather than leather upholstery. However, the 18i does come with air-conditioning, as well as four airbags for safety. DAB digital radio also became standard in 2013.

Regardless of what upholstery you sit on, the BMW Z4’s interior is very driver-focused with regard to its layout.

The main dials are clear and simple, while the ventilation and stereo controls are also unfussy and simple to navigate.

The easy to use iDrive controller sits behind the gear lever (on cars fitted with the Media Package). This includes satellite navigation and uprated Bluetooth and voice control.

There are plenty of touches in the BMW Z4 that impart a genuine sense of quality.

All of the controls work with precision and BMW’s usual solid action.

The excellent iDrive system was standard on the more expensive versions of the BMW Z4, and an option on the lower models.

It uses the familiar iDrive controller and clear, crisp screen mounted on the top of the dash, so it’s easy to read while driving.

You might be surprised to learn that a BMW Z4 of this generation could be parked outside your house for as little as £7000, if you go for an early model with around 75,000 miles under its wheels.

That gets you a car with the 2.0-litre engine, while the more potent 3.0-litre variants start from £11,000.

Look for an eight-year-old BMW Z4 and you will pay around £17,000 for a 2.0-litre car, and £19,000 for one with the bigger motor.

Pick the BMW Z4 in sDrive18i form with the 2.0-litre engine and it offers claimed official fuel economy of 41.5mpg, although you can expect a figure in the high 30s in normal driving.

The 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre engines offer 35mpg and 30mpg officially, and get close to those numbers in regular use.

For road tax, emissions of 159g/km for the 2.0-litre model mean an annual payment of £240 at the time of writing. For the more powerful engines, this rises to £365 per year.

Insurance for any sports car will always be pricey, and this is underlined by the BMW Z4. The least powerful cars sit in group 33, and this rises to group 43 (out of 50) for the most potent models.

Servicing should be simple and similar in cost to a BMW 3 Series saloon as the engines and running gear are much the same.

The standard BMW Z4 has 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, air-conditioning and a leather-covered steering wheel, but cloth seats.

To gain leather upholstery, you had to move to the BMW Z4 sDrive30i model, which also has automatic headlights and wipers.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35i adds aluminium interior trim, electric seat adjustment and chrome door sill trims.

The BMW Z4 M Sport versions come with M aerodynamic body styling, 18-inch M light alloy wheels, Anthracite headlining, an M leather gearknob and M designation door sills.

For added support there are Sport seats, featuring part electric adjustment, and leather upholstery as standard.

Adaptive M Sport suspension is standard for the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, giving a 10mm lower ride height than the standard car. It also comes with variable damper control.