BMW Z4
The two-seat roadster is the ultimate car for the driving enthusiast, and the BMW Z4 is one of just a few still offered in the U.S. market. Providing a desirable blend of touring and performance attributes, the Z4 features a sleek design with classic roadster proportions and a power soft top. Its cabin design and interior quality convey a premium message, with high-end materials and stylish seats that provide excellent support and comfort. Two turbocharged engines are available, both offering strong performance that complements the roadster’s excellent handling dynamics. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard; however, the more powerful M40i is also offered with the enjoyment of a six-speed manual gearbox.
Explore the evolution of the BMW Z4
Get our expert take on used BMW Z4 models, or view year-by-year changes.
Third generation BMW Z4
BMW introduced the third-generation Z4 in 2019, following a three-year gap since the previous version had ended production. Not only did the new roadster get fresh, sporty styling, but it also received some significant updates under the skin. With the goal of improving agility and handling, the new Z4 featured a stiffer chassis and an upgraded lightweight suspension. The other major change was the introduction of a power-operated soft top, replacing the folding hard top of the previous generation. Inside, the Z4 had a high-tech vibe, featuring a digital gauge cluster and a fully integrated infotainment display.
When the 2019 Z4 arrived, it came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The following year, BMW added the Z4 M40i with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivering a plentiful 382 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels. In 2025, however, the M40i became available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Model highlights
Power soft top
Manual transmission on M40i (added in 2025)
Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® (added in 2021)
Powerful turbocharged engines
Digital driver display
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2019 - 2016
2026 BMW Z4
Reliability
RepairPal gave the BMW Z4 an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks BMW Z4 13th out of 25 among Luxury Compact Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a BMW Z4 is $583, compared to an average of $546 for Luxury Compact Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, BMW Z4 owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.5 times per year, compared to an average of 1.8 times for Luxury Compact Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 17% for the BMW Z4, compared to an average of 12% for Luxury Compact Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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