The BMW Z4: A Good or Bad Car? In fact, the BMW Z4 is a great vehicle. Its average ranking speaks more to the caliber of its luxury sports car competitors than it does to any significant flaws. The Z4 rides well and maneuvers through turns with agility.
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BMW Z4
Punchy acceleration and an energizing exhaust sound are provided by the standard 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine.
Although the Z4 boasts incredibly agile handling, the ride is constantly tight and rough.
The powered soft top may be opened and closed while traveling at speeds of up to 31 mph in just 11 seconds.
Although the iDrive infotainment system takes some getting used to, with practice it becomes simple to use.
After a three-year absence, the BMW Z4 roadster is back with a soft top, a livelier personality, modern sophisticated safety systems, and better fuel efficiency.
With its standard 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Z4 offers quick acceleration and energizing exhaust noise.
With a speed of up to 31 mph, the motorized soft top can open and close in just 11 seconds.
The iDrive control scheme is challenging to learn but becomes intuitive with practice.
It is compatible with Apple CarPlay, although after the first year, a subscription is needed. For 2020, a 3.0 liter six-cylinder turbo is new.
The cloth top of the first version Z4 was replaced with a retractable hardtop for the second generation.
Although the handling is competent and safe, it lacks the satisfying tactile feedback and thrill potential that a driving enthusiast seeks.
Even for people of ordinary girth, the bowstring-taut ride can be nearly unpleasant at times, and the cabin, despite being beautifully constructed, is a tight fit.
Antilock brakes, braking assist, electronic stability control, and rollover protection via roll bars behind the head restraints are all included in the standard safety equipment.
With significantly larger internal space and a choice of two six-cylinder engines, the Z4 debuted in 2003.
The Z4 kept the rough ride of the outgoing vehicle despite being nearly incomparably better than the Z3 (which it replaced).
Additionally, it lacks agility in part due to the inaccurate and non-linear steering.
The M coupe and roadster use a 3.2-liter engine that is even more potent and produces 330 hp, making both of the available 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines strong.
Overall Reliability Scores: How Reliable Is The BMW Z4?
Overall, the BMW Z4 is quite reliable with a reliability score of 76.55. The exact rankings of this car in relation to various other cars are shown in the chart below, however as a point of reference, the average overall rating is 57.
This information is based on a combination of looking at the cost and frequency of maintenance, warranty coverage, and long-term reliability by looking at how long these vehicles are normally kept on the road. Remember that not just compact or subcompact vehicles in the BMW Z4’s class are included in this comparison; all automobiles are.
You may notice that these numbers differ significantly from those in J.D. Power or Consumer Reports. Most publications look at complaints made to the dealership within the first few months of ownership (like JD Power) or solicit biased feedback from owners regarding longer-term cycles of their new cars. Instead, this study examines data from wholesale auctions and repair businesses on actual repair prices and frequency.
Very unique vehicle; not for everyone
Driving a vehicle with superb handling is a lot of pleasure. When driving aggressively, you can sense the balance and poise because the weight distribution is extraordinarily close to 50/50 and the chassis is incredibly stiff. If you want it to slide, it slides; if you want it to stick to the road, it sticks to the road. changes course almost instinctively. You feel in complete control and that you belong in the car, and vice versa. The only drawback is the lack of a limited slip differential, which can be adapted with little difficulty.
With excellent torque and power distribution, smoothness, and one of the greatest soundtracks available, the 3.0L (Si) engine is a true jewel. It is enjoyable to rev it all the way up.
Style is always subjective, but it stands out from the majority of sport coupes in my opinion because to its traditional old-school proportions. Even though the car is 12 years old, I frequently receive stares from other drivers.
I think the interior design is fantastic. Even if you are over 6 feet tall, there is more than enough room for your legs and head, but since the cabin is small, there is not much place for additional items (other than the passengers). Additionally, larger drivers may find the bucket seats a little too snug. The materials’ quality varies, with good leather and soft plastics in some places and less-than-ideal hard plastics in others. For its class, Trunk is surprisingly big.
The manual gearbox is a little clumsy and demands a firm touch, but once you get used to it, it works perfectly. in particular during quick, high-revving gear changes.
Here’s the car’s Achilles’ heel: the uncomfortable ride. There’s no other way to put it. Even for a sports car, the suspension is extremely rigid. On smooth roads, it’s great, but on anything less than excellent pavement or asphalt, the ride is practically intolerable. Being “sporty” or having a “sports vehicle” is not an acceptable defense because many other sports cars from the same era had incredible handling and plush suspension, like the Porsche Cayman/Boxster, Mazda RX8, Mazda Miata, Toyota GT86, and many more.
The BMW Z4 coupe 3.0si would be a near match for the ideal sports car if it weren’t for the suspension’s excessive firmness.
Although it still has a lot to offer and is a superb automobile, it is not for everyone. It may not have sold much when it was new, which makes it even more unique and rare today.
Cargo, Comfort, and the Interior
The Z4 boasts a very high-quality cabin, just like all current BMWs. In this class, it might even have the nicest interior. It has high-end materials, superb panel fitting, and well-placed controls. Large bolsters on its seats keep you firmly in place while you appreciate the Z4’s dynamism. Even for people who are taller than six feet, there is more space inside than you may anticipate. Its textile roof is thickly insulated and tightly sealed. The BMW’s interior is remarkably silent with the top up, with so little wind or road noise that it almost seems like a Grand Touring coupe. It unfolds in a matter of seconds with the push of a button. When the top is down and the vehicle is moving quickly, a wind blocker is usually used to minimize wind buffeting. Stowage space inside is also pretty roomy. The Z4’s interior has various storage compartments, including one in the center console and one with a felt interior to the left of the steering wheel. Furthermore, there are two sizable cupholders up front and a netted shelf behind the seats. The Z4’s trunk only has 10 cubic feet of space, but it can fit two people’s worth of stuff for a short weekend road trip.
Which BMW Z4 engine is the best?
The 3.0 litre twin-turbo straight-six installed in the Z4 M40i is now the most potent engine available. The Z4 will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 4.5 seconds thanks to the same engine that the M240i uses to great effect. It also emits an appropriately rorty roar. The Porsche Boxster will lose points in this category to the Z4, which sounds more exciting.
Naturally, the four-cylinder alternatives aren’t nearly as exciting, but even the sDrive20i’s performance is quick, managing 0-62 mph in 6.6 seconds. That time is decreased to 5.4 seconds when using the sDrive30i.
Is the BMW Z4 quick?
An eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport and Manual modes is standard on every 2022 Z4. Additionally standard are steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. That’s accurate: For the first time, a typical manual transmission with a clutch pedal is not an option for the BMW Z4. You won’t overlook it. One of the greatest automatics available, the eight-speed has quick reflexes, quick shifts, and smooth running. The outstanding 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the manufacturer, which produces 255 horsepower and lots of torque, powers the sDrive30i. This model accelerated to 60 mph in our tests in 5.1 seconds. That is swift, but a Porsche Boxster, which is still offered with a manual transmission, is a little slower. The M40i variant comes with a 382-hp twin-turbocharged inline-six for extra power. It transforms the Z4 into a lightning-quick sports car with a zero-to-60-mph time of just 3.8 seconds. It is very tuned and smooth. That outperforms the 350-hp Porsche Boxster S in speed.
Toyota Supra vs. BMW Z4: Which is superior?
Duncan Brady, an online associate editor, drove the Supra through a winding loop while a windmill farm outside Tehachapi, California, kept watch over them. Although he acknowledged that “most of the time” it’s not that noticeable, he believed it seemed “marginally less powerful than the Z4 at full throttle.” The Supra’s sound, in his opinion, was distinctive for a Toyota. You may immediately hear loud pops and snaps coming from the exhaust when Sport mode is activated. When Sport mode is engaged, the booming sound is audible even inside the Supra’s interior.
The Supra is noisy over rough pavement despite having a hard top, with a lot of tire noise entering the cabin. The infotainment screen and the dashboard of the Toyota were both prone to creaking during our test rides. Brady observed, “Pretty horrible rattle with the music up and the bass slamming hard.”
If you can get past it, driving a Supra is enjoyable. The two-seater exhibits decent engine push and is equally at home on a winding route as it is on the interstate. Sport mode makes the transmission’s tune sportier, ensuring that it shifts swiftly and at the appropriate times, much like it does with the exhaust. Once you’re moving, acceleration is powerful despite some turbo lag. Press the gas when traveling at a high speed, and the Supra will downshift fast and deliver; the torque doesn’t appear to end.
The steering of the Supra is balanced and offers superb road feel. Although it feels secure and has superb traction, there were a few times when its tail slipped to produce a lively drive.
Both vehicles reached 60 mph in 3.9 seconds during our testing, despite the Z4 having a somewhat stronger feel than the Supra. Even while accelerating to its top speed, the Z4 manages to cover the quarter mile in 12.4 seconds at 112.0 mph as opposed to the Supra’s 12.5 seconds at 111.2 mph. In practice, both times seem the same.
Despite having more power, the Bavarian is not much faster than the Japanese since it is 259 pounds heavier. With its top down, the Z4 M40i offers a different experience in the real world. With a little more push and more responsive steering, the Z4 handles better than the Supra. When using Sport Plus mode, the ride is also sportier—possibly too sporty. However, the Z4 feels more balanced in Sport mode.
Brady praised the Z4’s engine, saying it “feels exceptional.” Better than the metallic rash I usually associate with BMW inline-sixes, the throttle response is excellent. The Z4 doesn’t have the same snaps and pops as the Toyota, despite the engine’s pleasant sound. The Z4 distinguished itself from the Supra by stopping from 60 mph in 101 feet as opposed to the latter’s 106 feet. The BMW demonstrated a better brake pedal feel than its Japanese rival even on our test loop. Despite the BMW’s soft top, we didn’t hear as much tire noise as we did in the Supra, which makes us wonder why Toyota didn’t put more money into NVH.
What kind of engine powers a BMW Z4?
There are two different engine options for the Z4 Roadster. The 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine that powers the Z4 sDrive30i produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder BMW M TwinPower Turbo engine in the Z4 M40i produces an astounding 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque.