Overview
All sports cars come with a fun-loving attitude standard but the 2025 BMW Z4 goes a step further with a soft-top layout that lets you bask in the sun while you zip down the roads that you drive for pleasure. The little roadster isn’t as focused on the ability to devour twisty tarmac as rivals such as the Porsche 718 Boxster or the Toyota Supra—the latter of which shares the Z4’s BMW-based mechanicals. But the Z4 is nonetheless plenty lively, and it moves along eagerly with either of its engine options.
A 255-hp turbocharged four-cylinder is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. For those wanting maximum power, there’s a ferocious 382-hp turbocharged inline-six which can, for the first time, be optioned with a new six-speed manual transmission that adds an extra dimension of driver involvement. Inside, you’ll find a premium cabin with high-quality materials, a 10.3-inch infotainment display, and plenty of space for two adults.
What you might not expect from a car this size is practicality but the Z4 offers a relatively large trunk for a small roadster; it swallowed three carry-on suitcases in our testing. All the better for justifying this stylish, convertible sports car as your daily driver.
What’s New for 2025?
If you were hoping the six-speed manual transmission from the Z4’s mechanical twin, the Toyota Supra, would be added to the lineup this year we have good news: the M40i can now be optioned with the stick. It’s part of a new Handschalter package (which means “hand shift” in German) that costs $3500 but adds the manual transmission as well as performance-enhancing parts such as stiffer anti-roll bars and a set of more aggressive wheels and tires. BMW has also tweaked the adaptive suspension settings for cars with the stick and says the steering has been re-tuned to improve road feel.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2025 BMW Z4 is expected to start around $55,000 and go up to $71,500 depending on the trim and options.
sDrive30i
$55,000Â (est)
M40i
$68,000Â (est)
M40i Handschalter
$71,500Â (est)
At its base price, the Z4 sDrive30i is a reasonable value. It costs considerably less than its main rival, the Porsche 718 Boxster, and it offers more than enough performance for most buyers. We’d also suggest the Dynamic Handling package, which adds larger M Sport brakes and its M Sport differential for additional traction. Your new Z4 sDrive30i still won’t accelerate like the much more powerful M40i, but it’ll be quick enough to be fun.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The sDrive30i is powered by the brand’s excellent turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which makes plenty of torque and feels stronger than its 255 horsepower. For more grunt, the M40i model gets a 382-hp turbocharged inline-six. It’s incredibly smooth, refined, and ferocious when provoked. The Z4 comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual modes. Paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel are also standard.
The eight-speed is one of the best automatics around with sharp responses, snappy shifts, and smooth operation. The more powerful six-cylinder model can now be ordered with the Handschalter (“hand shift” in German) package which adds a six-speed manual, stiffer anti-roll bars, a retuned adaptive suspension system, and special, larger wheels and tires. When the road zigs, the Z4 is willing, but it lacks the locked-on feel of the 718 or the nervous aggression of the Supra.
0–60-MPH Times
In our testing, the sDrive30i model accelerated to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. That’s peppy, but still a bit slower than a 718 Boxster. The automatic M40i model turned up the juice considerably with a zero-to-60-mph time of just 3.5 seconds. BMW says the M40i with the six-speed manual can hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, but we expect to beat that number when we get a chance to test it ourselves.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Given its strong performance, it may surprise you that the Z4 is one of the most fuel-efficient sports cars in its class. The fuel economy of the Z4 sDrive30i is rated by the EPA to be 25 mpg city and 32 mpg on the highway. With its much higher horsepower, the fuel economy of the Z4 M40i is slightly lower at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the M40i model far exceeded its rating and delivered an impressive 37 mpg. For more information about the Z4’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
As is the case with current BMWs, the Z4 has a very high-quality interior. In fact, it may have the best interior in this class. It features luxe materials, exceptional panel fitment, and excellent control placement. Its seats are comfortable with sizable bolsters to hold you in place when you’re enjoying the Z4’s dynamics. There is also more room inside than you might expect, even for those taller than six feet. Its well-insulated cloth roof seals tightly.
When the top is up, the BMW’s interior is impressively quiet, with so little wind or road noise it almost feels like a coupe. With the push of a button, it folds away in a few seconds. A wind blocker is standard to keep buffeting to a minimum with the top down and it works well even at high speeds. Interior stowage is also generous. There are several storage bins around the Z4’s cabin, including one in the center console and a felt-lined cubby to the left of the steering wheel.
There’s also a netted shelf behind the seats and two big cupholders up front. At 10 cubic feet, the trunk of the Z4 isn’t huge, but it’ll swallow luggage for two for a quick weekend road trip.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A large 10.3-inch touchscreen is standard along with navigation and complimentary Apple CarPlay integration; Android Auto capability is not available. BMW’s iDrive infotainment system has sharp graphics is relatively easy to use. The system can also be controlled intuitively with a knob and buttons on the Z4’s console or with voice commands. A USB port and Bluetooth streaming audio are also standard, although you must pay extra for SiriusXM satellite radio.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Forward collision warning and daytime pedestrian detection with city braking are standard, as is BMW’s lane-departure warning system. Other driver-assistance features are available as options on both Z4 models. That list of available systems includes active cruise control, active blind-spot detection, rear-collision protection, and rear cross-traffic alert. For more information about the Z4’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision detection with pedestrian detection
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Available blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BMW’s warranty is average for the segment; however, its complimentary scheduled maintenance coverage is a standout. Such a program is not offered by the Nissan Z, and Chevrolet only covers the first maintenance visit for Corvette owners.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
2023 BMW Z4 M40i
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door convertible
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $66,295/$73,370
Options: Premium package – remote start, parking assistant, head-up display, $1350; Black Alcantara/Vernasca leather interior, $1250; Shadowline trim package – adaptive LED headlights, extended Shadowline trim, black mirror caps, $950; Harman/Kardon surround sound, $875; driving assistance package – lane departure warning, blind spot detection, active driving assistant, $700; Thundernight Metallic paint, $650; 19-inch double-spoke Cerium Grey wheels, $600; wireless charging, $500; BMW M 50 Years emblems, $200
ENGINE
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2998 cm3
Power: 382 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Super Sport
F: 255/35ZR-19 (96Y) Extra Load ★
R: 275/35/ZR-19 (100Y) Extra Load ★
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 97.2 in
Length: 170.7 in
Width: 73.4 in
Height: 51.4 in
Passenger Volume: 52 ft3
Trunk Volume: 10 ft3
Curb Weight: 3636 lb
C/DÂ TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.5 sec
100 mph: 8.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.0 sec @ 116 mph
130 mph: 15.4 sec
150 mph: 22.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 152 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 149 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 299 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.00 g
C/DÂ FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 24 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 37 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 26/23/31 mpg
2025 BMW Z4 Dials ‘M’ for Manual
- BMW will offer the 2025 Z4 roadster with a six-speed manual transmission
- The stick-shift option is a $3,500 upgrade that also includes more robust suspension hardware and staggered wheels and tires
- The manual transmission is only offered with the six-cylinder M40i model, and yes, you can still get an automatic if you wish
Fans of the manual transmission, rejoice: The BMW Z4 roadster adds a new six-speed stick-shift option to its roster for 2025. Available exclusively on the more powerful Z4 M40i trim, the new DIY gearbox — or “Handschalter” option, per Ze Germans — is part of a $3,500 package that includes a number of other meaningful upgrades, all designed to make BMW’s little droptop more engaging to drive.
The addition of a manual transmission isn’t too much of a surprise, considering the BMW Z4’s fraternal twin, the Toyota GR Supra, added a six-speed stick to its roster in 2023. That said, BMW says the Z4’s six-speed — which is sourced from ZF — has undergone significant engineering to make it feel like the company’s other manuals.
In addition to the six-speed gearbox, the Z4 M40i borrows the more robust rear-axle assembly from the BMW M240i coupe. This improves the Z4’s rear-end torque-vectoring characteristics and comes with a unique (read: stiffer) adaptive damper tune. The manual M40i also rides on a staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheel setup — shod in 255/35R19 and 285/30R20 tires, respectively — and has a weightier steering feel.
It’ll be a few months before BMW flips Liberty Magazine the keys to a manual Z4, but I had a chance to drive a prototype of the six-speed M40i last fall, and wow, these changes really make a difference. The added engagement of the manual transmission alone heightens the Z4’s driving experience, and BMW’s right: The stick shift does feel like what you’ll find in an M2, M3 or M4. Combined with the extra grip from the larger rear tires, improved steering and sharper suspension reflexes, the manual Z4 does have a more enthusiastic edge. The M40i 6MT simply feels more eager and playful than other Z4s.
BMW will still sell the Z4 M40i with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but it won’t come with the manual car’s chassis tweaks. Even so, the automatic Z4 will continue to be the quicker of the two roadsters, able to accelerate to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, compared to 4.2 seconds with the six-speed stick. There are no power differences between the two M40i variants, however; BMW’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six produces 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with either transmission.
Manual cars will come with black exterior trim and red brake calipers, and you’ll also be able to pick from one of two Handschalter-exclusive colors: San Remo Green and Frozen Deep Green. (In addition to all the others, natch.)
Full 2025 model year Z4 pricing will be available soon, but we don’t expect it to change too much from the 2024 model’s $54,595 MSRP, which includes a $995 destination charge. The more powerful Z4 M40i currently starts at $67,295 including destination, and adding the Handschalter pack would theoretically raise that price to $70,795. Again, official pricing is coming soon. The manual Z4 M40i will be sold globally, and production kicks off in March.
Liberty Magazine says
A slick manual transmission and nice suspension upgrades are good ways for BMW to breathe new life into its often-overlooked two-seat roadster.
2025 BMW Z4 M40i YouTube Videos
