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.

175 Used BMW Z4 cars for sale

BMW Z42014 (64) - 2.0 Z4 SDRIVE18I ROADSTER 2d 155 BHP CONVERTIBLE 2-Door

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

NTR Cars

01437457001 *

BMW Z42005 - 3.0 Z4 3.0i SE Roadster 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,999

3L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Somerton Car and Van Sales

01963400930 *

3.2/5 Stars

BMW Z42022 (71) - 2.0 20i M Sport Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (197 ps)

Reduced

£29,990

Finance available £596 pm

2L
9.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW Z42023 (23) - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto Petrol Roadster

£33,782

2L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Vertu BMW York

01904237114 *

0/5 Stars

BMW Z42004 (54) - 2.2i SE ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE (ULEZ COMPLIANT) 2-Door

Reduced

£3,495

2.2L
134.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Blackrock Motors

01923927525 *

BMW Z42019 - sDrive 20i M Sport Auto [Plus Pack] 2-Door

£21,697

Finance available £444 pm

2L
54.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW Z42020 - M40i 2-Door

Low Mileage

£35,495

Finance available £709 pm

3L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Riviera Automotive Ltd

01274505967 *

4.4/5 Stars

BMW Z42014 (14) - 2.0 20i M Sport Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Stringers of Petersfield

01730779314 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW Z41999 (87) - 3.2 M ROADSTER 2d 316 BHP 2-Door

Low Mileage

£15,990

3.2L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Swift Cars south Wales Ltd

01495369894 *

0/5 Stars

BMW Z42015 (15) - 2.0 Z4 sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr

Low Mileage

£12,990

2L
46.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

BMW Z42003 (03) - 3.0i 2dr

Low Mileage

£5,999

3L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Venture

01425209878 *

BMW Z42014 (64) - 2.0 28i M Sport Auto sDrive Euro 6 2dr

Low Mileage

£13,295

2L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Hillington Motor Co Ltd

01414730658 *

BMW Z42015 - 2.0 Z4 sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr

Low Mileage

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Hype Motor Park

01285706600 *

BMW Z42004 - 2.2i SE Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 3 (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,000

2.2L
127.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

KC KARS UK

01332418996 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW Z4(73) - Z4 M40i 2-Door

£47,000

3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

John Clark BMW Aberdeen

01224451046 *

BMW Z42021 (21) - 2.0 30i M Sport Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (258 ps)

£26,000

Finance available £490 pm

2L
45.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

BMW Z42009 (09) - 23i sDrive 2dr Auto

Reduced

£7,899

2.5L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Convertible

EMPORIUM AUTO HOUSE LTD

02039092208 *

4.8/5 Stars

BMW Z42008 (08) - 2.0i SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

2L
63.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Dymchurch Car Centre

01303760466 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW Z42008 (08) - 2.0i Sport 2dr

Low Mileage

£5,350

2L
55.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Chartwell Suffolk Ltd

01787326839 *

4.2/5 Stars

BMW Z42023 - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

Low Mileage

£36,490

Finance available £729 pm

2L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Stratstone BMW Derby

01332318252 *

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

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

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

lite-youtube[videoid='RBp-6ccDtwM']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/RBp-6ccDtwM/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='RBp-6ccDtwM']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

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.