BMW Z4 Review 2024

BMW Z4 At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The BMW Z4 looks every bit the sporty roadster and offers the driving characteristics to match. Its return to being a true sports car is a huge improvement over the previous generation.

+Classic roadster looks. Excellent driving dynamics. Great everyday comfort and a practical two-seat interior.

-Neither BMW Z4 model sounds as sporty as it should.

On average it achieves 138% of the official MPG figure

The latest BMW Z4 sees a return to the classic convertible car recipe, with a soft-top, rear-wheel drive and a character that can be composed in town but a proper sports car in the hills. Jointly developed with the Toyota Supra, the Z4 provides fun open-top motoring with the driver engagement and premium quality BMW is known for.

The BMW Z4 has gone through a number of personality changes over the years. First it was a soft-top roadster with controversial styling, then it switched to a folding hard-top to appeal to a wider audience. Now it’s back to more traditional roadster values.

However, with the rise in demand for SUVs instead of sports cars, BMW has trimmed the BMW Z4 range down significantly. 

Today there are just two BMW Z4 models: the Z4 sDrive20i M and Z4 M40i. There are big differences in power and character between them, but both deliver open-top sports car driving that ticks not just the box marked ‘fun’, but also the everyday usability box as well.

Both bigger and lighter than its predecessor, the BMW Z4 looks sleek, low and athletic. BMW has avoided any of the garish grille treatments of its other models and kept the BMW Z4 looking smart and subtle.

Its long bonnet features powerful lines leading to a sharply raked windscreen – just enough to keep the wind out of your hair too much when the top is down. The wheels sit almost in the corners to give it a purposeful look, while at the same time helping to position the car easily on the road.

Updated late in 2022, all models now get the M Sport treatment as standard. On the BMW Z4 20i M Sport, though, that is mainly about appearance, including lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels.

The interior of the BMW Z4 very driver-focused, with a low driving position to make you feel close to the road, high door lines and an infotainment system that is angled towards the driver.

The design is minimalistic, avoiding too many pieces of trim as though to show there is a focus on driving. It’s all well laid-out, with easy-to-use controls, but it’s not short on convenience features.

These include ambient lighting, cupholders and the ability to pair your phone and stream your favourite tunes. There’s even a reasonable amount of storage in the BMW Z4 for a roadster.

It’s disappointing that BMW dropped the BMW Z4 sDrive 30i from the line-up early in 2023 because that was our pick of the range. What remains are models that cater for both ends of the sports car spectrum.

The BMW Z4 sDrive 20i has the ability to provide enjoyable everyday roadster motoring, while the BMW Z4 M40i is great fun in the hands of a keen driver.

Rivals to the BMW Z4 include the Audi TT Roadster and the Mercedes SLC, although the latter is not a match for the qualities of the BMW.

Ask Honest John

How much should an oil change cost?

"BMW have quoted £218 for an oil change on my 2021 BMW Z4. Is this fair or just outrageous?"
Franchised dealers will always be the most expensive option when it comes to routine servicing, particularly for a premium brand. £218 is not cheap, but this is roughly what we would expect to pay at a BMW dealership. If you want to stick with a franchised dealer we would suggest calling a few other BMW dealers for a price to confirm either way. If you car is still in warranty then it makes sense to maintain a full BMW service record, but if this is less of a concern then you could get your car serviced at an independent specialist with the same parts for less money.
Answered by David Ross

Should I used premium petrol in my BMW Z4?

"I drive a BMW Z4 M40i, will I benefit from using premium grade petrol such as Shell V Power?"
Yes, on a highly tuned engine such as this you will most likely notice an increase in performance and response. You should also see a small boost in fuel economy as the engine isn't having to work as hard to get you up to speed. That's not even considering the benefits V Power can have in keeping your fuel system free of carbon deposits.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

My windscreen wipers judder over streaks on the glass. How do I fix the issue?

"I bought a BMW Z4 in June as a demonstrator. It was first registered in March and has done 1500 miles. There's a problem with the windscreen wipers juddering and, in heavy rain, they judder so much that they can't clear the screen. I found traces of black rubbery streaks on the glass. What is the best way of cleaning the screen? BMW doesn't seem to be interested in the problem."
This is very shoddy customer service from the BMW dealer. If I had spent the best part of £40,000 on a sports car then I would expect them to investigate. It reads like the windscreen wipers have become warped - this is common on cars that have been left outside in the hot weather for a long period of time with the wiper blade becoming curved and skipping over the glass. The wiper blades will need to be removed and twisted back into shape or replaced. If the dealer refuses to take this issue seriously, make a complaint to the service manager. Juddering wiper blades are a minor issue, but present serious safety challenges if they are not working as they should. The BMW dealer should really address this.
Answered by Dan Powell

What's the best convertible, in your opinion?

"I'm looking for a convertible for a second car. I already own a 2009 Mazda 2, which is nippy enough for town but lacks acceleration for overtaking and for motorways. My dad likes the Mercedes-Benz SLK two seater convertible, but I'm not sold. I would prefer something like a Z4. Please let me know what your top choice would be."
If you're looking for a two-seater convertible, we'd recommend a Mazda MX-5. They're more fun to drive than the SLK and Z4, and cheaper to run. It's a really good (safe) introduction to rear-wheel-drive cars, too.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a BMW Z4 cost?