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.

119 Used BMW Z4 cars for sale

BMW Z42016 (16) - 2.0 Z4 SDRIVE20I M SPORT ROADSTER 2d 181 BHP 2-Door

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

BMW Z42013 (13) - 2.0 18i M Sport Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (156 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
84.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

BMW Z42011 (61) - 2.0 20i sDrive Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£7,450

Finance available £144 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Cotswolds Cars and Commercials Ltd

02476936666 *

3.2/5 Stars

BMW Z42009 (09) - 23i sDrive 2dr

Reduced

£8,480

Finance available £167 pm

2.5L
55.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Sherwood Cars and Commercials

01158964486 *

0/5 Stars

BMW Z42011 (11) - 2.5 23i M Sport sDrive Euro 5 2dr

£5,990

Finance available £111 pm

2.5L
122.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Brookway Cars ltd

01515417904 *

3.9/5 Stars

BMW Z42023 - sDrive M40i 2dr Auto

Low Mileage

£39,898

3L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Arnold Clark Manchester Corvette / LUXE

01616967076 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW Z42021 (71) - 2.0 20i M Sport Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (197 ps)

£24,970

2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

BMW Z42007 (56) - 2.5 si Sport Euro 4 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2.5L
107.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Carhoots Ltd

01327220812 *

BMW Z42019 - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

Low Mileage

£25,795

Finance available £509 pm

2L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Carlisle)

01228276722 *

BMW Z42003 (03) - 3.0i 2dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

3L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Venture

01425209878 *

BMW Z42019 - 2.0 20i M Sport Convertible 2dr Petrol Auto sDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (197 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,498

Finance available £536 pm

2L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.9/5 Stars

BMW Z42012 (62) - 2.0 20i M Sport Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual sDrive Euro 5 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

North East Part Exchange Centre Ltd

01916077185 *

BMW Z42021 (71) - sDrive M40i 2dr Auto

£31,990

3L
52.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Listers Boston (BMW)

01205335096 *

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

Reduced

£9,500

Finance available £190 pm

2.5L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Convertible

Classix Carz

01217287137 *

BMW Z42019 (69) - sDrive 30i M Sport 2dr Auto

Low Mileage

£25,900

Finance available £512 pm

2L
42.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Convertible

Ocean Group BMW Paignton

01803225818 *

BMW Z42005 (05) - 2005 2.5i SE 6 CYLINDER CONVERTIBL SILVER FULL SERVICE HISTORY FULL LEATHER 2-Door

Low Mileage

£3,599

Finance available £58 pm

2.5L
104.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

GT Sports & 4x4

01274059833 *

BMW Z42006 (56) - 2.0i SE Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 4 (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£2,995

2L
86.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Spur of Slindon

01243964720 *

BMW Z42025 (74) - M40i 2-Door

£51,000

3L
4.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Listers Kings Lynn (BMW)

01553601557 *

BMW Z42020 - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

Low Mileage

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Convertible

BMW Bavarian

02895908116 *

BMW Z42021 - sDrive 20i M Sport 2dr Auto

£22,949

Finance available £476 pm

2L
65.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Convertible

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

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