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BMW Z4

Z4 M: six throttles, 8000 rpm, and a six-speed manual as the only choice.1

Researched October 28, 2026 from 42 sources

At a glance

0200400
148–382 hpPower
0510
4.2–8.2 s0–100 km/h
0150300
220.5–270 km/hTop speed
0250500
200–500 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,295–1,597 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.241011

Engine
2.0 L I4; 2.2–3.2 L I6; E89/G29 add turbos; Alpina Roadster S: 3.3 L I62349
Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive234
Gearbox
By version: 5/6-speed manual, 5/6/8-speed auto, 6-speed SMG or 7-speed DCT234
Built at
E85/E86 Spartanburg, US; E89 Regensburg, Germany; G29 Magna Steyr Graz, Austria234
Units built
E85/E86: 197,950; E89: 118,444; Alpina Roadster S: 370239

The story

The Z4 replaced the Z3 as an E85 roadster, then gained the E86 coupe. The E89 united both roles with a folding hardtop; the G29 brought back fabric and shared its architecture with the Toyota Supra.234

2002: Paris debut for the E85 roadster20022006: E86 coupe, N52 sixes and Z4 M20062009: E89 combines coupe and roadster20092010: sDrive35is: overboost and 99 specials20102011: Turbo fours replace two straight-sixes20112015: Spa 24 Hours: victory by a lap20152018: G29: soft top and Supra architecture20182025: Edition Handschalter adds a clutch20252026: Final Edition farewell2026 BMW 507: 1956–1959BMW Z1: 1989–1991BMW Z3 (E36/7 / E36/8): 1995–2002BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe (E85 / E86): 2002–2008BMW Z4 (E89): 2009–2016E89BMW Z4 (G29): 2018–2026G29 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2348222324
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1956–1959BMW 507
1989–1991BMW Z1
1995–2002BMW Z3 (E36/7 / E36/8)
2002–2008BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe (E85 / E86)
2009–2016BMW Z4 (E89)
2018–2026BMW Z4 (G29)
2002Paris debut for the E85 roadster
2006E86 coupe, N52 sixes and Z4 M
2009E89 combines coupe and roadster
2010sDrive35is: overboost and 99 specials
2011Turbo fours replace two straight-sixes
2015Spa 24 Hours: victory by a lap
2018G29: soft top and Supra architecture
2025Edition Handschalter adds a clutch
2026Final Edition farewell
  1. 2002

    Paris debut for the E85 roadster

    Anders Warming's E85 roadster replaced the Z3, debuting at the Paris Motor Show as Spartanburg production began.2

  2. 2006

    E86 coupe, N52 sixes and Z4 M

    Thomas Sycha's E86 coupe joined the range. Regular sixes switched from M54 to N52, while the new Z4 M used the S54.2

  3. 2009

    E89 combines coupe and roadster

    Juliane Blasi styled the E89's exterior, Nadya Arnaout its cabin. A folding hardtop combined coupe and roadster; the sDrive23i made 201 hp.3

  4. 2010

    sDrive35is: overboost and 99 specials

    The sDrive35is paired a 7-speed DCT with 500 Nm of overboost; Italy's Mille Miglia edition was limited to 99 cars.35

  5. 2011

    Turbo fours replace two straight-sixes

    The sDrive20i (181 hp) and sDrive28i (241 hp) replaced the six-cylinder sDrive23i and sDrive30i with 2.0 L turbo power.3

  6. 2015

    Spa 24 Hours: victory by a lap

    Marc VDS's Z4 GT3 won with Nick Catsburg, Markus Palttala and Lucas Luhr, completing 536 laps and setting the race's fastest lap.36

  7. 2018

    G29: soft top and Supra architecture

    Calvin Luk's G29 revived the soft top and shared its architecture with the Toyota Supra. The M40i First Edition wore Frozen Orange.4

  8. 2025

    Edition Handschalter adds a clutch

    The US M40i gained a 6-speed manual through the $3500 Edition Handschalter package, with revised steering, adaptive dampers and anti-roll-bar mounts.7

  9. 2026

    Final Edition farewell

    The Final Edition paired Frozen Matt Black with red stitching. Orders were set for late January, with production due to end in March 2026.8

Every generation

  • BMW 507
    BMW 5071956–1959
  • BMW Z1
    BMW Z11989–1991
  • BMW Z3
    E36/7 / E36/81995–2002
  • BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe
    E85 / E862002–2008
  • BMW Z4
    E892009–2016
  • BMW Z4
    G292018–2026

Power over the years

From 228 hp to 382 hp in 17 years.

0100200300400 2005201020152020 hp 2003 · 228 hp · E85 3.0i (Europe)2005 · 148 hp · E85 2.0i (Europe)2006 · 330 hp · Z4 M (North America)2009 · 255 hp · E89 sDrive30i (N52)2009 · 302 hp · E89 sDrive35i (N54)2010 · 335 hp · E89 sDrive35is2013 · 154 hp · E89 sDrive18i (N20)2019 · 194 hp · G29 sDrive20i2019 · 255 hp · G29 sDrive30i2019 · 335 hp · G29 M40i, launch tune2020 · 382 hp · G29 M40i, higher-output tune 382 hp G29 M40i, higher-output tune 228 hp E85 3.0i (Europe)
234
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2003228E85 3.0i (Europe)
2005148E85 2.0i (Europe)
2006330Z4 M (North America)
2009255E89 sDrive30i (N52)
2009302E89 sDrive35i (N54)
2010335E89 sDrive35is
2013154E89 sDrive18i (N20)
2019194G29 sDrive20i
2019255G29 sDrive30i
2019335G29 M40i, launch tune
2020382G29 M40i, higher-output tune

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • E89 sDrive and M Sport

    Standard

    E89 sDrive and M Sport

    2009–2016

  • Standard

    G29 sDrive20i / sDrive30i / M40i

    2019–2026

  • E86 3.0si Coupe

    Standard

    E86 3.0si Coupe

    2006–2008

    261 hp

    12,819 built

  • Z4 sDrive35is

    Performance

    Z4 sDrive35is

    2010–2016

    335 hp
  • Z4 M Roadster and M Coupe

    Performance

    Z4 M Roadster and M Coupe

    2006–2008

    338 hp
  • E89 Pure design packages

    Special

    E89 Pure design packages

  • Special

    M40i Edition Handschalter (U.S.)

    2025

    382 hp

  • Special

    M40i First Edition (G29)

    2019

    335 hp

  • Limited

    Z4 Final Edition

    2026

  • Alpina Roadster S

    Performance

    Alpina Roadster S

    2003–2005

    296 hp

    370 built

  • Limited

    sDrive35is Mille Miglia

    2010

    335 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • E85: a diagonal front-fender crease carries the BMW badge and side indicator.212
  • E86 coupe: twin roof humps flow into a fastback rear window and integrated spoiler.2
  • E89: an aluminum hardtop made of two folding roof panels.8
  • G29: vertically stacked headlight pairs sit beside a low, wide kidney grille.15

Year by year

  1. 2006 facelift

    Revised front and rear bumpers; xenon cars gain corona rings and taillights gain horizontal light rods.213

  2. 2006 E86 coupe

    A fixed roof with twin humps and a sloping fastback marks the new coupe body.2

  3. 2023 wheels and colors

    New matte-black V-spoke 19-inch wheels have polished rim edges; Thundernight, Portimao Blue and Skyscraper Grey join the palette.16

  4. 2025 M40i manual

    Edition Handschalter adds 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rears, black mirror caps and red brake calipers.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a BMW Z4
    Z4
    Photo of a BMW Z3 Coupe
    BMW Z3 Coupe

    BMW Z3 Coupe

    Look for the Z4 coupe's sloping twin-hump roof; the Z3 coupe carries a bread-van profile.17

  • Photo of a BMW Z4
    Z4
    Photo of a Toyota Supra
    Toyota Supra

    Toyota Supra

    The related Supra is a coupe; the G29 Z4 has a folding soft top.421

  • Photo of a BMW Z4
    Z4
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz SLK
    Mercedes-Benz SLK

    Mercedes-Benz SLK

    G29's rising side crease recalls the SLK, but its BMW kidney grille and vertically stacked headlight pairs identify the Z4.1521

Against its rivals

  • Chevrolet Corvette (2008)

    Z4 vs Chevrolet Corvette (2008)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    Z413.5 s
    Chevrolet Corvette (2008)12.6 s
    11
  • Audi TTS (2009)

    Z4 vs Audi TTS (2009)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    Z413.5 s
    Audi TTS (2009)14.2 s
    11
  • Porsche Boxster S (2009)

    Z4 vs Porsche Boxster S (2009)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    Z413.5 s
    Porsche Boxster S (2009)12.9 s
    11
  • Porsche 718 Boxster (2019)

    Z4 vs Porsche 718 Boxster (2019)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    Z413.8 s
    Porsche 718 Boxster (2019)13 s
    21

Prices

Value today $5.3K–$24.5K3031

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $5,250–$24,500 2006 · $40,795 · US base, 3.0si Coupe2009 · $52,475 · US base, sDrive35i2009 · $65,345 · US as tested, sDrive35i2019 · $50,695 · US base, sDrive30i2019 · $63,545 · US as tested, sDrive30i2025 · $67,625 · US base, M40i2025 · $77,650 · US M40i tested; $3500 manual pkg 2003 · £26,655.00 · UK 2.5i base, 2003; approx. USD at $1.63/GBP 2025 · $90,965 · 2007 M Coupe, 27,050 km; EUR x1.13 approx., Munich 20252025 · $58,478 · 2007 M Roadster, 38,871 km; EUR x1.13 approx., Munich 20252025 · $50,000 · 2007 M Coupe, BaT2025 · $64,017 · 2025 M40i 6-speed, 3,300 miles, BaT2025 · $27,300 · 2019 sDrive30i, 40k miles, BaT2026 · $5,250 · 2003 3.0i, 111k miles; power top disconnected, BaT2026 · $24,500 · 2015 sDrive35is, 29k miles; minor damage, BaT2026 · $25,500 · 2020 M40i M Sport, 94k miles, BaT2026 · $39,000 · 2016 sDrive35is M Sport, 7k miles, BaT2026 · $16,000 · 2014 sDrive28i 6-speed, 55k miles, BaT2026 · $66,500 · 2007 M Coupe, 5k miles, BaT2026 · $9,400 · 2005 2.5i roadster, 84k miles, BaT $91.0K Munich 2025, 2025
27111217213031323336373839404142
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2003Launch price$43,448UK 2.5i base, 2003; approx. USD at $1.63/GBP
2006Price when new$40,795US base, 3.0si Coupe
2009Price when new$52,475US base, sDrive35i
2009Price when new$65,345US as tested, sDrive35i
2019Price when new$50,695US base, sDrive30i
2019Price when new$63,545US as tested, sDrive30i
2025Price when new$67,625US base, M40i
2025Price when new$77,650US M40i tested; $3500 manual pkg
2025Auction sale$90,9652007 M Coupe, 27,050 km; EUR x1.13 approx., Munich 2025
2025Auction sale$58,4782007 M Roadster, 38,871 km; EUR x1.13 approx., Munich 2025
2025Auction sale$50,0002007 M Coupe, BaT
2025Auction sale$64,0172025 M40i 6-speed, 3,300 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$27,3002019 sDrive30i, 40k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,2502003 3.0i, 111k miles; power top disconnected, BaT
2026Auction sale$24,5002015 sDrive35is, 29k miles; minor damage, BaT
2026Auction sale$25,5002020 M40i M Sport, 94k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$39,0002016 sDrive35is M Sport, 7k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,0002014 sDrive28i 6-speed, 55k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$66,5002007 M Coupe, 5k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$9,4002005 2.5i roadster, 84k miles, BaT
2026Value today$5,250–$24,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A world-record roof in under 10 seconds”
    • “The title Palttala couldn't share”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 42 sources
  1. BMW Z4 M Coupe (2006 - 2008) review: a forgotten M car for £15k | evo evo.co.uk
  2. BMW Z4 (E85) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. BMW Z4 (E89) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. BMW Z4 (G29) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. La BMW Z4 sDrive35is Edizione Limitata Mille Miglia 2010 press.bmwgroup.com
  6. Emotional maiden win for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS | GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS gt-world-challenge-europe.com
  7. Tested: 2025 BMW Z4 Manual Is a Clutch Addition caranddriver.com
  8. The BMW Z4 Final Edition. An exclusive take on the iconic roadster. press.bmwgroup.com
  9. 2004 Alpina Roadster: BMW of North America – The Ultimate Driving Museum theultimatedrivingmuseum.org
  10. The new BMW Z4 press.bmwgroup.com
  11. Tested: 2009 Performance Convertible Comparison caranddriver.com
  12. The New BMW Z4 press.bmwgroup.com
  13. The new BMW Z4 Roadster and Z4 M Roadster press.bmwgroup.com
  14. Used BMW Z4 (Mk2, 2009-2016) review and buyers' guide | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. The all-new BMW Z4. press.bmwgroup.com
  16. Pure driving pleasure, new updates: the BMW Z4 for model year 2023. press.bmwgroup.com
  17. 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe caranddriver.com
  18. New high-performance Roadster extends the BMW Z4 family. press.bmwgroup.com
  19. Exclusive aesthetics:The BMW Z4 in Pure Fusion Design. press.bmwgroup.com
  20. The BMW Z4 M40i First Edition. press.bmwgroup.com
  21. 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i vs. 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster – Convertibles Compared caranddriver.com
  22. BMW 507 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. BMW Z1 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. BMW Z3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. The Wunder Women behind the BMW Z4 | THE DRIVE HIVE | Sime Motors Singapore sdmotors.sg
  26. One-Off BMW Zagato Coupe Stuns At The BMW Museum bmwblog.com
  27. BMW Z4 GTE bmwgroup-classic.com
  28. A Look Back: Turner Motorsport Wins 2014 IMSA GTD Championship - BimmerLife bimmerlife.com
  29. The Gran Turismo 7 February Update: Three New Cars and Three Race Events! - NEWS - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  30. No Reserve: 2003 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0i for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,250 on August 5, 2026 (Lot #256,097) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 29k-Mile 2015 BMW Z4 sDrive35is for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $24,500 on August 11, 2026 (Lot #257,251) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupé | Munich 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  33. 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster | Munich 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  34. Z4 (E85/E86) – MY2003-2008 – Carsniffer carsniffer.com
  35. Buying a used BMW Z4 (2009-2016) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  36. No Reserve: 2005 BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,400 on May 14, 2026 (Lot #242,542) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 5k-Mile 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $66,500 on June 17, 2026 (Lot #248,113) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 2020 BMW Z4 M40i M Sport for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $24,000 on September 11, 2026 (Lot #262,791) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. 7k-Mile 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is M Sport for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $39,000 on August 8, 2026 (Lot #256,614) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,000 on July 6, 2026 (Lot #251,025) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. 2025 BMW Z4 M40i 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $64,017 on August 30, 2025 (Lot #207,722) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  42. 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $27,300 on July 18, 2025 (Lot #200,972) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • press.bmwgroup.com
  • gt-world-challenge-europe.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • theultimatedrivingmuseum.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • sdmotors.sg
  • bmwblog.com
  • bmwgroup-classic.com
  • bimmerlife.com
  • gran-turismo.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • rmsothebys.com

Photo credits

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