The BMW Z models are a line of roadsters manufactured by German automaker BMW. The Z stands for Zukunft (German for future),[1] and has been produced in four different series with six generations consisting of roadster, coupé, sports car, and concept variants.
The introduction of the M Coupé and M Roadster in the Z3 line marked the first of the Z series to have a high-performance BMW M variant. The first generation Z4 also continued to offer M Coupé and M Roadster variants. The current Z4 (G29) uses BMW's (B58B30) inline-six, its platform is the basis for the current Toyota Supra.[2]
The G29 Z4 is the third and current generation Z4 and was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on 23 August 2018.[23] It reuses the soft-top convertible roof found on the E85 Z4 instead of a retractable hardtop which now takes 10 seconds for operation. The G29 Z4 shares its platform with the J29 Toyota Supra and is manufactured in the same plant in Austria.[24]
The G29-generation BMW Z4 hasn’t set the world alight since its launch in 2018, either in terms of sales or reputation as a sports car for keen drivers. In terms of usability, comfort and refinement, however, it’s been a quietly impressive convertible, with a muscular but easy-going character. For 2023, it’s been given a very light facelift. Has it also evolved into a sharper driver’s car? We’ve revisited the Z4 to find out.
Changes for 2023 are subtle: the hexagonal pattern within the grille is peppered with horizontal floating inserts (with a shinier, 3D effect on the M40i), and flanked by new air intakes and redesigned fog lights in the front bumper. There’s a little more gloss-black trim at the rear too, but it’s a light-touch on the visual update side.
As before, the Z4 is offered with two engines: 2-litre four-cylinder turbo, or 3-litre straight-six turbo, tested here in the range-topping BMW Z4 M40i. In 2018, there were two 2-litre variants with different levels of power, the 20i and 30i, and multiple trim levels, but the UK range has since been streamlined. There are now just two Z4 variants: the 194bhp 20i M Sport, and the 335bhp M40i. As before, both use an eight-speed torque converter auto gearbox.
The 20i starts at £44,490 at the time of writing (October 2023), compared with around £37k back in 2019. The M40i costs £56,475. Its most natural sparring partner, the Porsche 718 Boxster, starts at £53,800 and its platform-sharing fixed-head coupe twin, the Toyota GR Supra, from £50,545 in 254bhp 2-litre guise.
That contributes to the Z4’s impressive refinement, roof up or down. Previous experience in the pre-facelift Z4 says that even at autobahn cruising speeds with the roof open, there’s very little buffeting. The standard-fit (and collapsible) wind deflector bridging the two rollover buttresses does a very good job.
The roof itself whirs open and shut rapidly while the car’s travelling at speeds of up to around 30mph; handy if you’re caught in a cloudburst. Roof-up refinement is impressive, too. There’s a bit of road noise from the broad tyres (grippy Michelin Pilot Super Sports in this case), but that’s to be expected, and otherwise the Z4’s cabin is a relatively serene capsule at speed. Aside from being able to position the driver’s seat commendably, floor-scuddingly low if you want to, the Z4’s interior feels as much like that of a saloon as a sports car: lots of kit, lots of places to put things, big dash, big screens.
Today, it’s kind of been left in a class on its own. The Mercedes SLC has gone, the Audi TT Roadster is about to cruise into retirement. Maybe there’ll be a new era of electric two-seater convertibles in the mould of the MG Cyberster but until then the Porsche 718 Boxster is its closest on-paper rival. The Mazda MX-5 is more affordable (and fun) but less potent, less roomy and a car from the class below.
In reality, the £56,475 Z4 M40i is never going to be as fun as a Boxster to drive (despite insiders stating that the Porsche was the Z4’s dynamic benchmark in development) but its strengths are in different areas. The M40i engine is more enjoyable company than the flat-four in base-level Boxsters (and you have to pay £75k for a Boxster with a six-cylinder engine, the – admittedly brilliant – GTS 4.0).
The pre-facelift Z4 is a car I remember fondly, but more for its easy-going nature and enjoyable engine than for memories of thrilling drives. On the basis of a brief test in this 2023 model, that’s still the case post-facelift.
