BMW Z4 M40i Owners

[Stone Cold]

Seriously thinking of a two seater before I’m too old and this is currently top of the list. Any owners who could share views/opinions? I would be coming out of a 2019 M4 Comp into the Z4

Cheers SC

[Mr Tidy]

Hopefully some G29 owners will be along, but you may get more responses if you sign up to z4forum and ask the same question.

[JNW1]

Stone Cold said:

Seriously thinking of a two seater before I’m too old and this is currently top of the list. Any owners who could share views/opinions? I would be coming out of a 2019 M4 Comp into the Z4

Cheers SC

I suppose it depends to a large extent on what you want the car to do but, much as I like the B58 engine, I think I'd be tempted to look at something like a Boxster ahead of a Z4 M40i. Each to their own but for me no manual option combined with a kerb weight of 1640kg doesn't really hit the spot for a 2 seater sports car....

[Deep Thought]

Stone Cold said:

Seriously thinking of a two seater before I’m too old and this is currently top of the list. Any owners who could share views/opinions? I would be coming out of a 2019 M4 Comp into the Z4

Cheers SC

Thats going to be quite a change in terms of driver engagement.

I'd honestly say go test drive one and see what you think.

My wife has a 2020 sDrive30i and i've an M2. Still not entirely sure how i feel about the Z4 when i jump in to it from the M2. Definitely a lot more tech, feels much more modern but i'm not sure - personally - if thats a step up.

And whilst the DCT in the M2 isnt perfect, it very much helps bring the car alive compared to the ZF8 in her car / our previous M140i.

Probably a Boxster is going to be more a drivers car, but you're going to pay notably more for a year on year comparable car.

I'd definitely go get an extended test drive.

[halfpenny43]

I have a 2021 Z4 M40i - traded from a 2019 Z4 3.0i sDrive.
Never owned or driven any other BMW so cannot give you the differences between an M4 and Z4 - but my guess is the Z4 will be slower and less agile. It is more of a tourer.

I love the tech, I find it very comfortable and has great luggage space for a seat cab - I drove a couple of weeks ago from my parents in Ipswich back to Amsterdam via the Channel Tunnel and had no complaints at all (roof off all the way). I wish it were a bit noisier from an exhaust perspective but don't find myself needing more power these days.
You don't see them about often either (not sure if thats a positive or a negative !) but I love mine.
People say it's quite an ugly car - but I actually quite like the shape even with the roof up.
The auto-box is ok - not Porsche PDK fast but fast enough (I had 2 Cayman's years ago one manual and one PDK).

As others have said - its not light, and certainly not as sharp as a Boxster GTS or similar.
But for me - I really like it.

[ro250]

halfpenny43 said:

I have a 2021 Z4 M40i - traded from a 2019 Z4 3.0i sDrive.
Never owned or driven any other BMW so cannot give you the differences between an M4 and Z4 - but my guess is the Z4 will be slower and less agile. It is more of a tourer.

I love the tech, I find it very comfortable and has great luggage space for a seat cab - I drove a couple of weeks ago from my parents in Ipswich back to Amsterdam via the Channel Tunnel and had no complaints at all (roof off all the way). I wish it were a bit noisier from an exhaust perspective but don't find myself needing more power these days.
You don't see them about often either (not sure if thats a positive or a negative !) but I love mine.
People say it's quite an ugly car - but I actually quite like the shape even with the roof up.
The auto-box is ok - not Porsche PDK fast but fast enough (I had 2 Cayman's years ago one manual and one PDK).

As others have said - its not light, and certainly not as sharp as a Boxster GTS or similar.
But for me - I really like it.

I've no experience of them other than one parked next to me the other day with the roof left down. I thought it looked very smart. I assume, as it's the B58 engine you could pop an M performance exhaust on it to make it sound better.

[highway]

The Z4 is a tourer. So is a 440 Cab. Same engine and gearbox. Z4 looks better. Doubt if it drives better. And the 440 gives you the option to take dog/kids/friends.
Boxster makes a compelling case for two seats. So do other 2 seaters. I’m not sure what the advantage of Z4 is over 440 cab, save looks.

[Deep Thought]

highway said:

The Z4 is a tourer. So is a 440 Cab. Same engine and gearbox. Z4 looks better. Doubt if it drives better. And the 440 gives you the option to take dog/kids/friends.
Boxster makes a compelling case for two seats. So do other 2 seaters. I’m not sure what the advantage of Z4 is over 440 cab, save looks.

Its down to looks and overall size and one being a two seater. There are people who will want a two seater convertible.

My wife would simply not have a four seater convertible about her. Hates them.

[JNW1]

Deep Thought said:

highway said:

The Z4 is a tourer. So is a 440 Cab. Same engine and gearbox. Z4 looks better. Doubt if it drives better. And the 440 gives you the option to take dog/kids/friends.
Boxster makes a compelling case for two seats. So do other 2 seaters. I’m not sure what the advantage of Z4 is over 440 cab, save looks.

Its down to looks and overall size and one being a two seater. There are people who will want a two seater convertible.

My wife would simply not have a four seater convertible about her. Hates them.

Personally I always think if you're going to have a convertible it's better to get one that was designed that way rather from the outset. I'm never convinced about a drop-top that started life as a fixed head and which the manufacturer then decided to take a tin-opener to!

[highway]

4 series cab was designed as such. The cab was planned from pre design stage, as all 3/4 series cab variants have been for years. I prefer 2 seat cabs to 4 seat versions but after years of running 2 cars, I’ve been running a 440 cab ad my one and only.
Considering the z4 is mostly used for gentle bimbling, I’d suggest the 440 can do just the same. Obviously without the looks.
I’m
Impressed with how rattle and shake free the car is. It’s quick as well. Actually, I don’t think it’s the same power train- 440 has some hybrid system which tops up the power- it can’t run on battery alone though.

[JNW1]

highway said:

4 series cab was designed as such. The cab was planned from pre design stage, as all 3/4 series cab variants have been for years.

The current 4-series cabriolet - like all the 3/4 series cabriolets that have preceded it - is a convertible version of the coupe (so it has the fixed roof removed and girders and cross bracing installed to try to preserve rigidity). To me at least that doesn't make it a car designed from the outset as a convertible in the same way as (say) a Boxster is.

However, that certainly doesn't mean the 4-series cabriolet is a bad car (far from it) and it clearly hits the spot for many - it's just that at almost 1.9 tonnes in M440i form it isn't my idea of a sports car!

[highway]

At 1860kg gross, the Z4 isn’t much lighter. I know what you are getting at re design. But the Boxster was designed not to have a roof. Many 4 seat cabs were always planned from the off to work without a roof. A Boxster would be reinforced in the same way as another cab.
As said. I do take your point though.

[Jason2000]

Went from a 2019 M4 competion to Z4 M40i last October.
Absolutely loved the M4, absolutely love the Z4.

I had been hankering after a convertible for a while having had a couple of S2000's and an MX5 in the past. My M4 was in for a service, dealership had the Z4 on display and I thought it looked fantastic. Seems I am in the minority with that opinion.

Do I miss the M4? Well yes. Do I regret making the change to the Z4, not at all, especially with all the good weather we are having lately.

Being the M40i model it has the fantastic B58 engine, plenty of power when required, have never felt the need for any more. Its just a different type of car.

BMW stop making the Z4 in 2025 I believe and I honestly think that I will replace my current one with a run out one, I think they are that good.

Anything specific you want to ask, just give me a shout.

[JNW1]

highway said:

At 1860kg gross, the Z4 isn’t much lighter.

You're quoting the permitted load figure for the Z4 whereas I was looking at the EU unladen weight for both cars per the BMW website. On that basis the like for like figures are 1640kg for the Z4 M40i and 1890kg for the M440i convertible and that's a difference of 250kg (or 15%); I'd say that's significant as it's the equivalent of carrying at least a couple of passengers all the time!

As a drop-top personally I'd take the Z4 over the 4-series although I do accept it's a different scenario if you need to carry more than one passenger regularly and often. But, as I said earlier, even at 1640kg I don't consider the Z4 a lightweight in sports car terms; it's still tubby compared to something like a Boxster - and is around 50% heavier than an MX5 - and that does make a difference when you want to have a bit of fun on a twisty, undulating, road....

[B1ggest]

I currently have a 2023 Z4 M40i

I've had (in order going backwards) 992GTS, M2, TTRS, 991.2GTS, M4

Difficult to compare, its different, loving the roof down, everything seems faster and more theatrical with it down. Its also no slouch.

[Stone Cold]

Thanks all for the responses, definitely given me food for thought. I think I’ll test drive one when next in for Service, which will be Dec so if I like it at that time of year then……

[Earthdweller]

Deep Thought said:

Thats going to be quite a change in terms of driver engagement.

I'd honestly say go test drive one and see what you think.

My wife has a 2020 sDrive30i and i've an M2. Still not entirely sure how i feel about the Z4 when i jump in to it from the M2. Definitely a lot more tech, feels much more modern but i'm not sure - personally - if thats a step up.

And whilst the DCT in the M2 isnt perfect, it very much helps bring the car alive compared to the ZF8 in her car / our previous M140i.

Probably a Boxster is going to be more a drivers car, but you're going to pay notably more for a year on year comparable car.

I'd definitely go get an extended test drive.

Interesting

I was in a Z4 M40i last week belonging to a friend of mine

I’m really not sure how I feel about it tbf

It felt huge, very comfortable but almost claustrophobic in the cabin and a massive tech fest … and blisteringly quick without doubt

But … I was strangely glad to get back in my E85 which felt so much more “sporty and raw”and connected to me ., much smaller and whilst not as cosseting or comfortable, to me much more of a driver’s car

Not sure that’s a rational view nor whether it’s clouded by 7 years of E85 ownership

But i didn’t feel shortchanged or lacking getting back in a 17 year old roadster afterwards

[Deep Thought]

Earthdweller said:

Interesting

I was in a Z4 M40i last week belonging to a friend of mine

I’m really not sure how I feel about it tbf

It felt huge, very comfortable but almost claustrophobic in the cabin and a massive tech fest … and blisteringly quick without doubt

But … I was strangely glad to get back in my E85 which felt so much more “sporty and raw”and connected to me ., much smaller and whilst not as cosseting or comfortable, to me much more of a driver’s car

Not sure that’s a rational view nor whether it’s clouded by 7 years of E85 ownership

But i didn’t feel shortchanged or lacking getting back in a 17 year old roadster afterwards

Yes, they've definitely lost something along the way.

I'd never have changed my E86 to one.

Sadly my E86 went to its new home a few days before my wife got her G29. I'd have loved to had a few side by side comparison pics. I'm sure the E86 would have looked tiny and low by comparison.

Edited by Deep Thought on Friday 14th July 13:48

[Mr Whippy]

E85 Z4M also worth a try?

[va1o]

I had a launch G29 Z4 M40i back in 2019 and kept it for 12,000 miles. It was a very likeable car and enjoyable to drive, particularly during summer months with the roof down. It had a slightly relaxed character compared to the M240i Convertible I had directly before, but I'm pretty sure the Z4 was still faster. It's probably more baby Grand Tourer rather than out and out sports car. At the time a friend had an F83 M4 which seemed a much livelier car but wasn't as comfortable as the Z4 and always felt on edge.

I replaced it with an 840d xDrive Coupe as I'd always originally wanted the 8-series but couldn't afford until they had a bit of depreciation. I've now subsequently replaced that car with an 840i Convertible, which reminds me a lot of the Z4 since it's the same RWD setup with the B58 engine and ZF8 box. Although it's carrying a fair bit of extra weight the two cars are quite similar in character and lovely just to cruise round in with the roof down.

In terms of other comparable cars, I tried the new G22 M440i when that came out and it felt seriously rapid and handled like it was on rails, I guess to be expected with it's extra power and xDrive setup. It probably bridges the gap between the Z4 M40i and M4 and would be worth a look. The previous generation F33 440i on the other hand with the lower power B58 and RWD setup is softer than the Z4. I've also been out as a passenger in a new Supra with the B58 which seemed louder and more sporty than the Z4 but obviously can't be had as a roadster.

Hope that helps a little! Tbh they're all great cars and you can't go wrong with anything that uses the B58