Verdict
B
Sports · Germany · 2002-Present
BMW Z4
BMW Z4 — spec data and generation history.
Years
2002-Present
Generations
3
Segment
Sports
BMW's two-seat roadster. E85 Roadster + E86 Coupé (2002–2008), E89 Roadster (2009–2016) with retractable hardtop, G29 Roadster (2018–Present) Toyota Supra cousin.
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2002-2008
E85/E86
→
Z4 M Coupé 3.2 — 343 bhp, 0-62 in 5.0s.
Verdict
A
BHP
343
0–60
5.0 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
22.0 mpg
Used
£8,000-£35,000
- + Z4 M Coupé / Roadster legend
- + S54 inline-six (M)
- − Steering rack issues
- − Soft-top wear
2009-2016
E89
→
sDrive35is — 335 bhp, 0-62 in 4.8s.
Verdict
B
BHP
335
0–60
4.8 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
32.0 mpg
Used
£8,000-£20,000
- + Retractable hardtop
- + M Sport package
- − Heavy with hardtop
- − HPFP failures on N54
2018-Present
G29
→
M40i — 335 bhp, 0-62 in 4.4s.
Verdict
A
BHP
335
0–60
4.4 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
34.0 mpg
Used
£32,000-£55,000
- + Toyota Supra cousin
- + B58 inline-six
- − Run-flat tyres
- − Boot small
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2002-2008 · E85/E86
- Steering rack issues
- Soft-top mechanism wear
- VANOS rattle
2009-2016 · E89
- Retractable hardtop hydraulics
- HPFP failures (N54)
- Run-flat tyres
2018-Present · G29
- B58 oil leaks
- iDrive 7 software
- Soft-top motor
Rivals
Audi TT · Porsche 718 Boxster · Mercedes SLK / SLC · Toyota Supra