Which is the most popular engine in the BMW Z4?

BMW only offered petrol engines with the Z4 and they were all extremely popular. The two most popular are the base sDrive18i and sDrive20i because they were the lowest cost to buy and cheapest to run. However, the M models with the higher-powered engine are also popular among sports car enthusiasts.

Which are the most popular Z4 model variants?

Model variants include the SE, Sport and M Sport. The M Sport models were among the most popular, with faster acceleration and better handling, along with 18-inch wheels, lower sports suspension and sportier interior detailing.

What optional extras should I look out for?

You should look out for the sports seats, which offer better comfort and support. They look cooler, too. There's also an M Sport suspension that offers enhanced handling. You should also keep an eye out for the various wheel designs and go for a used Z4 fitted with the wheels that you like the most.

What is BMW sDrive and xDrive?

With the Z4, all models have the sDrive technology, which refers to two-wheel drive. In this case, the power is supplied to the rear wheels. Other BMW models may contain xDrive, which means four-wheel drive.

Is there a hybrid version of the BMW Z4?

No, BMW hasn't released a hybrid variant of the Z4 yet, and it has only been available in petrol configurations.

Is the BMW Z4 available as an automatic?

Yes, there has been an automatic transmission available and it has been pretty popular. Among used cars, is it possible to find plenty of options with a manual gearbox.

Is there a four-wheel drive version available?

No, all Z4 models have been made with rear-wheel drive, which enhances the handling and the sports-car-like feel. Four-wheel drive would add more weight, which could hinder the car's handling.

144 Used BMW Z4 cars for sale

BMW Z42025 (25) - sDrive M40i 2dr Auto [Tech Pack] Petrol Roadster

£47,000

3L
2.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Vertu BMW Sunderland

01918146399 *

0/5 Stars

BMW Z42020 (70) - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

Low Mileage

£26,990

2L
32.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Listers Boston (BMW)

01205335096 *

BMW Z42006 (56) - 2.5i SE 2dr

£3,295

Finance available £51 pm

2.5L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Top Car Lincoln

01522308129 *

0/5 Stars

BMW Z42012 (12) - 23i sDrive M Sport 2dr

£6,245

Finance available £117 pm

2.5L
118.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

DAMIEN BETTS

01924664730 *

0/5 Stars

BMW Z42024 - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

Reduced

£39,950

2L
7.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Stratstone BMW Milton Keynes

01908104093 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW Z42022 - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

£27,699

Finance available £596 pm

2L
28.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW Z42007 (07) - 3.0 si Sport Coupe 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 4 (265 ps)

Reduced

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

3L
128.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

Ivybridge Trade Centre

01752982776 *

BMW Z42010 (10) - 2.5 23i M Sport sDrive Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

2.5L
91.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Hey Motors Ltd

01706572044 *

BMW Z42019 - 3.0 M40i Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (340 ps)

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

3L
125.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

James Paul Car Sales Ltd

01403331244 *

BMW Z42019 - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

£24,495

2L
48.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Stratstone BMW Tunbridge Wells

01892571854 *

3.9/5 Stars

BMW Z42016 (16) - 2.0 18i sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£10,550

Finance available £213 pm

2L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

BMW Z42012 - 20i sDrive 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Sharon Woodside Motors

02890026919 *

BMW Z42009 (11) - 23i sDrive 2.5 Auto 2-Door

Low Mileage

£6,990

Finance available £134 pm

2.5L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Cars 4 U

01924793286 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW Z42012 (62) - 20i sDrive M Sport 2dr BEAUTIFUL CAR

Low Mileage

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

2L
71.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

BMW Z42013 (63) - 2.0 28i M Sport Auto sDrive Euro 6 2dr

£8,600

Finance available £170 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

SAID MOTORS Limited

02039577471 *

BMW Z42014 (14) - Z4 SDRIVE20I ROADSTER 2-Door

£5,950

Finance available £111 pm

2L
133.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Stephen Hunter Specialist Cars

01292432266 *

BMW Z42014 (14) - 2.0 20i M Sport sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£9,895

2L
77.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Hillington Motor Co Ltd

01414735693 *

BMW Z42022 (22) - sDrive 30i M Sport 2dr Auto

£27,000

Finance available £534 pm

2L
700.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Wheels On Motion Limited

02392004446 *

BMW Z42008 (08) - 2.0i SE Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 4 (150 ps)

Reduced

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

2L
82.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Mountbatten Car Sales

01454800277 *

BMW Z42009 (09) - 2.0i Edition Sport 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

FM Motors

01224039992 *

Why buy a used BMW Z4?

If you're in the market for a car that's stylish, comfortable and highly refined, then a used BMW Z4 is a great choice. With its sleek appearance and impressive performance, the Z4 is a premium sports car through and through. Its high-tech cabin adds to the desirability, while numerous configurations allow every driver to find the model that suits them.

Used BMW Z4 snapshot review

Pros

Rather good looks
High quality cabin
Folding metal roof

Cons

Only three star EuroNCAP rating
High running costs
Small boot with the roof down

Read our BMW Z4 review

BMW Z4 video review

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Used BMW Z4 buying guide

Engines and transmissions

All Z4s have a petrol engine and rear-wheel drive, but there's the option between a manual and an automatic transmission.

Petrol

Newest M40i outputs 335bhp for a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds and a rating of 34.9mpg.
sDrive20i has an output of 194bhp for a 6.4-second 0-60mph time and fuel economy up to 39.8mpg.
sDrive30i boosts this output to 254bhp, reaching 60mpg in 5.2 seconds with fuel economy remaining at 39.8mpg.
Earlier models include the sDrive 18i, which uses a 2.0-litre turbo-four rated at 153bhp for a 0-60mph time of 7.8 seconds, but it is the most economical at 41mpg.
sDrive28i also has a 2.0-litre, but it makes 241bhp, reducing the 0-60mph time to 5.5 seconds, with fuel economy remaining at 41mpg.
sDrive35i uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged motor to deliver 301bhp for a 4.9-second 0-60mph time, with fuel economy down to 31mpg.

Practicality

Although it is a two-seater convertible, the BMW Z4 makes good use of its space and offers a high-tech environment.

Interior space

Low seating position makes room for taller drivers to fit comfortably under the fabric roof.
Front passengers have enough space so that they aren't rubbing shoulders.
The most recent generation has a soft top that can be lowered or raised in 10 seconds.
The previous automatic hard top could be opened and closed in around 20 seconds.

Boot space

281-litre boot remains the same with the roof up or down, and is similar to the Audi TT in size.
Boot is wide enough to hold a couple of suitcases.
Elasticated strap and tether points secure gear.
Ski hatch available between the seats to carry longer items.

Bodystyles

Roadster has been outfitted with a retractable hard top or fabric roof.
Coupé has a fixed roof design, but wasn't available with the latest generation.

Safety

Euro NCAP gave a perfect five-star rating in 2019.
97% score for adult occupant, 91% for vulnerable road users and 87% for child occupant.
Standard kit includes parking sensors, airbags, forward collision warning and cruise control.

Technology

12.0-inch dashboard display replaced older-style gauges.
10.0-inch infotainment system is bright and easy to see, offering voice control for a hands-free experience.
Connectivity provided with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth.

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.

Used BMW Z4 snapshot review

Pros