BMW Z4

BMW Z4 at a glance

The Z4 succeeded the BMW Z3 as the brand's mainstream roadster. All generations have a longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive and two seats. More BMW models are listed in our BMW catalogue, and the related saloon range is covered in our BMW 5 Series section.

BMW Z4 generations

First generation: E85/E86 (2002–2008)

The first Z4 went into production in July 2002 at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. The roadster (E85) was designed by Anders Warming; a coupé (E86) joined in 2006, and the range was facelifted for 2006, launched at the Detroit motor show. The last car left the line in August 2008.

A long, smoothly shaped bonnet with narrow projector headlights and BMW's chrome kidney grille, an aerodynamic bumper with fog lamps and intakes, sculpted flanks and flared wheel arches define the design. At the rear, rounded-rectangular lights and a boot lid shaped into a spoiler with a third brake light complete the look. Ground clearance is a modest 123 mm. The cabin has two comfortable seats with optional electric adjustment, a three-spoke steering wheel with audio buttons, analogue dials in cowls with a trip computer and a fold-away infotainment screen. The boot holds 340 litres — large for the class.

The Z4 shares its front suspension design with the E46 3 Series: MacPherson struts with forged aluminium arms, plus a multi-link rear axle. The body uses high-strength steel and an aluminium bonnet, steering is electrically assisted and all four brakes are discs with ABS.

Gearboxes were five- and six-speed manuals, five- and six-speed automatics and a six-speed SMG automated manual; drive always went to the rear wheels.

Second generation: E89 (2009–2016)

The second Z4 was announced in December 2008, shown at the Detroit motor show in January 2009 and built in Regensburg, Germany, from February 2009 to August 2016. Its exterior was designed by Juliane Blasi and its interior by Nadya Arnaout. The big change was the roof: a two-piece retractable aluminium hardtop that folds electrically in about 20 seconds; from 2011 it could operate at up to 40 km/h. A facelift (LCI) followed in March 2013.

The low, fast silhouette with a long bonnet and rear-set cabin makes the E89 look like a much more exotic car, with sharp headlights, the traditional kidney grille, slim tail lights and a sculpted rear bumper. Ground clearance increased slightly to 130 mm. Inside, the dashboard is angled towards the driver, the higher roof makes the cabin roomier, and leather sports seats with electric adjustment and memory have a coating that reflects sunlight. The multifunction steering wheel has a thick rim, two-tone colour schemes add sportiness and sound insulation improved. The boot holds 335 litres with the roof up and 225 litres with it stowed; run-flat tyres replace the spare wheel.

Gearboxes were a six-speed manual, six- and eight-speed automatics and a seven-speed dual-clutch unit; the sDrive35is came only with the dual-clutch gearbox. Depending on version, 0–100 km/h takes 4.8–6.9 seconds and top speed is 232–250 km/h. The E89 retained MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension, with optional adaptive dampers and variable-ratio steering, and ventilated discs all round.

Third generation: G29 (2018–2026)

The G29 was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 23 August 2018, launched officially at the Paris motor show in October 2018 and went on sale in March 2019. It was developed together with the fifth-generation Toyota Supra on a shared sports-car architecture and built alongside it by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. Production ended in March 2026.

The styling is more aggressive, with a long sculpted bonnet, a wider kidney grille with a mesh pattern, vertically stacked LED headlights, large intakes and a big vent behind each front wheel that guides air past the wheel arch to cool the brakes and reduce drag. The fabric roof opens or closes in 10 seconds at up to 50 km/h. Ground clearance is 117 mm. Inside, the dashboard is angled towards the driver, with a 12.3-inch central display running BMW iDrive 7, a digital instrument cluster on higher versions, a head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, wireless charging and selectable ambient lighting. Sports seats with integrated head restraints have eight-way electric adjustment and heating, and roll-over hoops sit behind them. The boot holds 281 litres, about 50% more than the E89 with its roof stowed.

Engines and transmissions (G29)

All engines use an eight-speed ZF automatic; a six-speed manual was offered on the sDrive20i from July 2019 and later as an option on the M40i. The M40i has an electronically controlled rear differential lock and M Sport brakes with four-piston fixed front calipers. Suspension uses double wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear, with optional electronically controlled dampers and electric power steering with progressive ratio.

Key specifications by generation

Rivals

The Z4's main rivals are the Audi TT Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLC and Porsche 718 Boxster.