Used BMW Z4 for sale: everything you need to know
The BMW Z4 has built a reputation for being a sports car with excellent all-round abilities. The latest model shares much with the Toyota GR Supra and while it may not be the fastest or most exciting roadster to drive, it is still a strong alternative to a Porsche 718 Boxster.
Being a ‘proper’ rear-wheel-drive roadster gives the BMW Z4 an advantage over the drop-top Audi TT and it’s much more powerful and premium than a Mazda MX-5. It's also a far better car to drive than the Mercedes SLC.
With just two seats, the BMW Z4 also feels sportier than four-seat convertible rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet or Audi A5 Cabriolet.
If you are interested in buying a BMW Z4, here is all the important information you need to know.
Should you buy a BMW Z4?
The BMW Z4 is a multi-talented all-rounder in the roadster market, offering just enough excitement and usability to appeal to all. For a premium sports car that can be used whatever the weather, the BMW Z4 does make a strong case for itself.
Launched in 2018, the current BMW Z4 was developed as a joint project with Toyota. It shares a large number of parts with the Toyota GR Supra, including engines and the dashboard. To differentiate it from the Supra coupe, the new BMW Z4 is resolutely back to being a roadster with a folding soft-top roof.
All three engines help the BMW Z4 feel quick on the road, with the powerful M40i pushing it into real performance territory. This range-topping model does not command an excessive premium, meaning you should not rule it out when looking to buy a BMW Z4. Although a Porsche 718 Boxster may be more fun, many drivers will appreciate the BMW Z4’s cosseting ride quality.
The BMW Z4 also manages to be surprisingly practical for a two-seat roadster. A 281-litre boot won’t let you carry the kitchen sink, but it will offer enough space for a weekend away. Most importantly, unlike some rivals, dropping the roof on the BMW Z4 does not impact luggage capacity.
Compared to some sports cars, the BMW Z4 manages to avoid feeling claustrophobic on the inside. Driver and passenger should have plenty of room to get comfortable, with lots of storage cubbies and cupholders to stash your stuff. It feels like an upmarket experience, too, aided by the standard leather upholstery and impressive build quality.
BMW has packed the BMW Z4 with the latest technology, including a large multimedia touchscreen and digital dashboard. The latter can be hard to read at times, but we are splitting hairs for what is an impressive and very desirable sports car.
With good looks, decent performance and the all-important folding fabric roof, there is much to like about the BMW Z4. While it might not be the first choice for enthusiasts, where the BMW Z4 delivers is in daily driving without fuss or compromise.
It comes close to matching the Porsche 718 Boxster in terms of driving experience, and is streets ahead of the Audi TT Roadster. Despite sharing many parts with the Toyota GR Supra, the BMW Z4 does more than enough to separate itself from the Japanese coupe, too. If you dream of roofless drives on sunny days, there are many good reasons to buy or lease a BMW Z4.
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What's the best used BMW Z4 model to buy?
That depends entirely on your budget, and expectations. It’s easy just to recommend the range-topping M40i because of its superb 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged engine, particularly as it’s got the firepower to seriously trouble Porsche’s entry-level 718 Boxster that its price roughly matches. It makes a great sound, and looks superb in M specification, too.
That said, you’ll not feel short-changed with the four-cylinder choices, in either sDrive20i form, or sDrive30i form, the choice of either Sport trim of more overt M Sport down to your preference on the differing looks, with a small premium for the popular M Sport versions. All said, though, however tempting the cheaper Z4s might be, the M40i isn’t so expensive as to ignore it, indeed, when compared like-for-like with rivals in relation to power and performance it actually looks like decent value.
Used BMW Z4 fuel economy and performance
The BMW Z4 is available with three different engines. All are petrol, and feature BMW’s TwinPower turbocharging. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard across the board.
Here are the engine options available to order on the BMW Z4.
BMW Z4 sDrive20i: It may be least powerful engine, but the BMW Z4’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder sDrive20i still packs a punch. Delivering 197hp, it can accelerate from 0-62mph in less than seven seconds, and return upwards of 38mpg.
BMW Z4 sDrive30i: The sDrive30i is still a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, but it develops a more substantial 258hp. This results in 0-62mph in less than six seconds, but fuel economy dips slightly to 37.2mpg.
BMW Z4 M40i: The M40i uses a muscular 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, designed to deliver maximum performance. With 340hp, it takes the BMW Z4 into true sports car territory, with the 0-62mph sprint covered in less than five seconds. If you can resist the urge to use all that power, economy of 33.2mpg should be possible.
If you are looking to buy a second-hand BMW Z4, dealers are more likely to have sDrive20i models in stock. They substantially outnumber the sDrive30i, which is harder to find than even the full-fat BMW Z4 M40i on the used market. The overwhelming majority of cars will be in M Sport trim.
What used BMW Z4 trim levels are available?
The BMW Z4 is available with three distinct trim levels, with some available to mix and match with engine options. BMW also offers an extensive options list for those who want extra personalisation.
BMW Z4 Sport: BMW Z4 ownership begins with Sport trim, although it would be unfair to brand this as ‘entry-level’. Features such as leather seats, dual-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen and keyless entry are all included.
BMW Z4 M Sport: The M Sport model adds a different design of 18-inch alloy wheels, along with a more purposeful body kit. M Sport cars also gain upgraded suspension, plus aluminium trim for the interior.
BMW Z4 M40i: As the range-topping performance model, the BMW Z4 M40i packs the most equipment. It boasts 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, an M Sport limited-slip differential and electrically adjustable sports seats.
Used BMW Z4 dimensions and boot size
The BMW Z4’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4324mm
Width: 2024mm
Height: 1304mm
Ground clearance: 117mm
The BMW Z4’s boot space is:
Used BMW Z4 road tax
As this generation of BMW Z4 was launched in 2019, all of the used versions pay the same £180 per year road tax rate. This applies equally to the s20i, s30i and M40i models, which emit between 139- and 165g/km of carbon dioxide emissions depending on which engine you choose.
How much is it to insure a BMW Z4?
As a sporty two-seat roadster, the BMW Z4 sits at the upper end of the insurance group scale. The entry level BMW Z4 sDrive20i Sport version has the lowest rating in insurance group 30 (out of 50), while the same engine in M Sport trim pushes it up to group 31. Cars with the BMW Z4 sDrive30i engine are between group 33 and 34. The high-performance BMW Z4 M40i is in group 37.
