BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 sDrive35i 2dr

For It’s hard to figure out which is more exciting – the eye-widening acceleration that this models twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine delivers or the brutal noise it makes.

Against The 35i’s price tag puts it in Porsche Boxster territory, and it doesn’t come with much more standard kit than less powerful Z4s.

What Car? says

2 out of 5 stars

This flagship model offers stunning straight-line pace, but it will be expensive to run and the entry-level 23i makes a better all-round proposition.

Key facts

0–60mph: 5.2 secs
Top speed: 155 mph
Average mpg: 30.1
Tank range: 364 miles

See all running costs

Features

See all equipment

Size

See all measurements schematic

View the whole BMW Z4 Roadster range

Cheaper

Roadster 2.0 sDrive20i 2dr
£29,480
Roadster 2.0 sDrive20i M Sport 2dr
£32,645
Roadster 2.0 sDrive28i 2dr
£33,645
Roadster 2.0 sDrive28i M Sport 2dr
£36,810
Roadster 3.0 sDrive35i 2dr
£39,450
Roadster 3.0 sDrive35i M Sport 2dr
£42,385
Roadster 3.0 sDrive35iS DCT 2dr
£45,330

More expensive

Roadster 2.0 sDrive20i 2dr
£29,480
Roadster 2.0 sDrive20i M Sport 2dr
£32,645
Roadster 2.0 sDrive28i 2dr
£33,645
Roadster 2.0 sDrive28i M Sport 2dr
£36,810
Roadster 3.0 sDrive35i 2dr
£39,450
Roadster 3.0 sDrive35i M Sport 2dr
£42,385
Roadster 3.0 sDrive35iS DCT 2dr
£45,330

The BMW Z4 Roadster full review Read in full

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Flexible turbocharged engines
Ride & Handling
4 out of 5 stars
Great fun and surprisingly comfortable
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Hard-top keeps out most noise
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Four-cylinder versions affordable to run
Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Feels like a quality product
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Lots to protect you and your belongings
Behind The Wheel
4 out of 5 stars
Comfortable and clear
Space & Practicality
3 out of 5 stars
Compromised boot with the hood down
Equipment
5 out of 5 stars
Lots of kit as standard

Watch video See all

Or view…

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

Gone are the days when you had to choose between soft- and hard-top versions of the Z4. There’s now a single model that serves as both thanks to a folding metal roof which disappears into the boot in around 20 seconds.

Instead, buyers can concentrate on which of the three petrol engines they want. We reckon the 181bhp 20i is the pick of the range, because it’s the cheapest version of the Z4 to buy and run, yet offers strong and flexible performance.

If you want more performance there’s a 242bhp 28i version, which uses the same turbocharged 2.0-litre engine as the 20i version only in a higher state of tune. It’s quite a bit more expensive, though.

There are also two six-cylinder versions – the 302bhp 35i and the 335bhp 35is – but if you can afford to buy and run one of these there are better options than a Z4, such as the Porsche Boxster.