Item: Used BMW Z4 2019-present review
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

As we mentioned at the start, one of the Z4's closest rivals is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/slc/sports/used-review/n982">Mercedes SLC</a>. It’s another front-engined, rear-wheel drive, two-seat sports car with a premium badge. It too lacks a sense of driving excitement (that also applies to even the quickest SLC, the SLC 43), and&nbsp;the Z4’s fastest variant, the M40i, has a bit more going for it as a fun sports car.&nbsp;

On the other hand, if you want fun, as well as an extremely polished, precise driving experience, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/boxster/sports/used-review/n17940">Porsche 718 Boxster</a> stands tall beside the Z4 and SLC. It’s about as sharp and rewarding as these cars come, although to get a sound like the M40i’s six-cylinder roar you’ll have to pay top dollar and get either the GTS 4.0 or Spyder variant. With their flat-six engines, both cost pretty much double what the M40i tends to go for.

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If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/z4?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;yearFrom=2018">used Z4</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/sports">sports cars</a> mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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What is it like?

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A total of 4542 Z4s are said to have been affected by a recall involving the car’s steering tie rod. It can break in the ‘kink’ groove area of the rod, and to resolve this issue both steering tie rods will need replacing. Fortunately, this can be done free of charge to owners via their local BMW dealer.

The current Z4 was too new to feature in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey-coupes-convertibles-and-sports-cars/n23413">2021 What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, but BMW as a brand did. It placed 13th out of 30 manufacturers featured in the survey, which is quite a praiseworthy ranking.&nbsp;

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey/n20042">What Car? Reliability Survey</a> pages for more information.&nbsp;

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Sports

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Comfortable and plush, a used BMW Z4 makes a great long-distance sports car, and the M40i is&nbsp;a stand-out performer

Used BMW Z4 2019-present review

<h3>MPG</h3>

While the 2.0-litre Z4s lack blistering performance, the benefit is decent fuel economy figures (for a sports car). The 20i is claimed&nbsp;to achieve a 40.4mpg average in M Sport trim, while the figure for the 30i is 39.8mpg. The M40i is, naturally, not as kind to your wallet, though the difference isn't extreme. It claims a 35.8mpg average.&nbsp;

<h3>Road Tax</h3>

Z4 owners will have to pay £155 a year under current VED regulations, and – if the Z4 in question cost over £40,000 when new – an extra £335 per year for years two to five after the car was registered. To find out more about <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs, click here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Insurance and servicing</h3>

Insurance groups are generally high, though not ridiculously high, meaning Z4 models shouldn’t be too difficult to insure. For servicing, BMW offers plans for the Z4 involving payments of £25 per month over 36 months.&nbsp;

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Comfortable and plush, a used BMW Z4 proves a great long-distance sports car with the M40i being a stand-out performer. 


Used prices for the BMW Z4 begin at around £32,000. That’ll get you a 2019 model in 20i form featuring the Sport trim. Most M Sport cars start at around the same price, if not slightly higher. A 30i should only cost you a couple thousand more than a 20i, with M40i versions&nbsp;rising to around £39,000. Expect cheapest 2020 and 2021 cars to set you back upwards of £34,000.&nbsp;

Check the value of a used BMW Z4 with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">What Car? Valuations</a>

Find a used BMW Z4 for sale <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/z4?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;yearFrom=2019">here</a>

Again, if you are attracted to the Z4 as a desirable package – and we don’t blame you if you are – but&nbsp;are not too concerned about the ‘sport’ part of the sports car&nbsp;equation, the 20i and 30i should prove excellent choices. However, for those wanting a fun, engaging, thrilling drive, opting for the M40i is essentially a must.&nbsp;

Of course, it’s more expensive, but the price hike is far from unjustifiable. You’re treated to a substantial increase in performance, handling capability and overall enjoyment, which we’d argue are the cruxes of what makes a sports car so appealing.

Our favourite BMW Z4: M40i&nbsp;

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> Practicality is not essential but nice to have </li></ul>

Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.

The Mazda MX-5 embodies sports-car spirit without wearing an exotic price tag, and has deservedly gained a strong following over the years. Much newer to the scene is the mid-engined Alpine A110. It may carry a name from the past, but this potent, mid-engined sports car was designed with the very latest lightweight thinking.&nbsp;

Rounding off our shortlist, though, is a name that'll be familiar to even those to whom sports cars hold little interest. The Porsche 911 was born an icon in 1964, and the latest generation bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Yet, somehow, it manages to preserve a distinctly civilised character.

On the whole, the Z4 is a solid sports car, although owners will probably have driven&nbsp;them hard from time to time, especially M40i cars. With that in mind, it’s worth checking that&nbsp;the car drives as it should, with all the mechanical parts in working order, and that there’s a good amount of tread on the tyres.

The BMW Z4 is a breath of rarified fresh air. It’s a convertible&nbsp;two-seat <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/sports">sports car</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;rear-wheel drive&nbsp;and few&nbsp;recent rivals to speak of. What about the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/slc/sports/used-review/n982">Mercedes SLC</a>? Axed in 2020, we’re afraid. With that in mind, the Z4 deserves a look, especially now there are quite a few used examples out there.&nbsp;

Under the bonnet, you get one of two 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines&nbsp;or a 3.0-litre six-cylinder. All three are petrol. With the 2.0-litre options, you have the choice of either 194bhp (badged 20i)&nbsp;or 255bhp (30i). The 3.0-litre – badged M40i – gets a hefty 335bhp.&nbsp;

If you're a sports car enthusiast, we’d definitely recommend the M40i. It’s a much stronger and more exhilarating engine than both the 2.0-litres. The four-cylinders are better suited to buyers looking for&nbsp;the looks, luxury and style of the Z4, but are not particularly seeking a thrilling driving experience.&nbsp;

There are two trim levels. Entry-level cars will be Sport models, and equipment levels are generous straight off the bat. Buyers can expect 18in alloy wheels, two-zone air-conditioning, cruise control, heated M Sport seats, front and rear parking sensors and automatic LED headlights and wipers.&nbsp;

The top trim, M Sport, adds a sharper-looking body kit, gloss black accents and an M Sport leather steering wheel, plus firmer M Sport suspension and beefier M Sport brakes (on the 30i).&nbsp;

It's worth noting that the more powerful M40i version is treated to some extras on top of those two trims. They include&nbsp;lightweight 19in alloy wheels, electrically adjustable seats with lumbar support&nbsp;and driver memory settings, but the real highlights are its Adaptive M suspension and M Sport differential. These last two help to make the M40i feel more involving to drive than lesser models.&nbsp;

Speaking of the Z4’s driving experience, how is it? Well, as we’ve touched on, the 20i and 30i probably won’t do it for enthusiasts. Both 2.0-litres are quite lacklustre in acceleration and sound. The eight-speed automatic gearbox they're paired with isn’t all that sporty (there's no manual option)&nbsp;and the grabby brakes aren't helpful&nbsp;in stop-start traffic or for fast road driving.&nbsp;

The M40i&nbsp;is a hoot, though. The 335bhp 3.0-litre straight six responds excellently, pulling hard from low in the rev range. It sounds much more invigorating than the four-cylinder engines, with a smooth, free-revving nature that suits the M40i’s more focused demeanour.&nbsp;

What’s more, the M40i’s eight-speed auto is impressively snappy. Beefier and more feelsome M Sport brakes give you&nbsp;more confidence when taking on country roads, while the bespoke, electronically controlled limited-slip differential helps put down the power successfully on the way out of corners.

Interior-wise, the Z4 is stellar. As with&nbsp;BMWs of the Eighties and Nineties, the whole dashboard is angled towards you, creating a driver-focused environment that's backed up by a purposeful, low-slung seating position. Everything is impeccably finished, from the stitching on the leather seats to the sections of chrome and piano-black trims.&nbsp;

The good news continues with the infotainment. BMW’s iDrive system is without a doubt the best on the market. It’s responsive, intuitive to use and easy to operate on the move thanks to the rotary controller on the centre console. All versions come with sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB radio and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;smartphone mirroring (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> isn't available).&nbsp;

Passenger space is good for a car of the Z4’s size, although it’s the boot that impresses the most. Not only is it larger than that of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/sports/used-review/n17563">Audi TT Roadster</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/boxster/sports/used-review/n17940">Porsche 718 Boxster</a>, but its size remains unchanged whether the roof is open or closed. That means it'll take your golf clubs easily, or, as our tests proved, five carry-on suitcases (the same number as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/used-review/n23128">Volkswagen Golf</a>).

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/z4?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;yearFrom=2018">used Z4</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/sports">sports cars</a> mentioned here, head over to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"> Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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Used BMW Z4 2019-present review review

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Again, if you are attracted to the Z4 as a desirable package – and we don’t blame you if you are – but are not too concerned about the ‘sport’ part of the sports car equation, the 20i and 30i should prove excellent choices. However, for those wanting a fun, engaging, thrilling drive, opting for the M40i is essentially a must. ,Of course, it’s more expensive, but the price hike is far from unjustifiable. You’re treated to a substantial increase in performance, handling capability and overall enjoyment, which we’d argue are the cruxes of what makes a sports car so appealing.,Our favourite BMW Z4: M40i Page 4 of 5

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Used BMW Z4 2019-present review review

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