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BMW Z4 (2009-) May 2009 Class: Sports/convertibles New price: £27,710 - £47,480 Used price: From £10,150 On sale:
Performance:
Ride comfort:
handling:
★★★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
Boot & Storage:
Safety:
★
★★★★
Reliability:
-
Total score:
76%
Well put together. Offers a brilliantly sporty drive. Safe, and easy to use. Expensive to run. Not compatible with child seats in standard form. Awkward boot.
Recommended models in the range
Which? Car Top Choice Model 28i sDrive 2dr Auto New price: £36,090 Used price: £16,895
Fastest Model 35is sDrive 2dr [Nav] DCT New price: £47,480 Used price: -
4.8 secs
0-62mph:
Most Efficient Model 28i sDrive M Sport 2dr [Nav] Auto New price: £41,205 Used price: Combined fuel economy:
41.5 mpg
Cheapest Model to buy new 18i sDrive 2dr New price:
Overview BMW’s second-generation Z4 roadster has, unlike the original model, a folding steel roof. It’s not really an uncompromising sports car in the Porsche Boxster vein, but a more luxurious, refined machine. That said, it’s still got plenty of power and superb driving dynamics. As a driver’s car, the pre-2009 first-series BMW Z4 was a bit of a brute when compared to its main rival, the Mercedes SLK, which was a more cultured, luxurious sports car. The second generation is still fast and fun, but BMW’s engineers have tried to smooth off some of the hard edges of the original Z4, which had a rock-hard ride and a storming power delivery. BMW facelifted the model in 2013, with the most significant changes being revised LED headlights and a new entry-level engine option, the 2.0-litre petrol sDrive18i. Relatively affordable two-seat sports cars include the Audi TT, Porsche Boxster, MercedesBenz SLK and Nissan 370Z. You might also consider saving a lot of money and having almost as much fun in a Mazda MX-5. Read all our sports car reviews The Z4 is great inside, with high quality materials and a sensible layout. It’s safe, too, thanks to effective electronic driver aids like stability control and brake assistance. While it’s not the sportiest of sports cars, it will certainly meet the adrenalin-flowing demands of most buyers. The petrol-only engine range is a good mix of powerplants, and the eight-speed automatic gearbox replacing the DCT automatic is wonderfully responsive. The limited boot space would make a long weekend a tricky exercise, and the noisiness inside the cabin can become wearing on long journeys. Expect to pay for the Z4’s good looks, great driving experience and refined interior - prices begin at around £30,000 and can reach closer to £50,000 if you opt for a highly-specced model. CO2 emissions and average fuel consumption are high, too.
£27,710
Cheapest Model to buy used 23i sDrive 2dr Used price:
£10,150
Cheapest Model to Run (new) 18i sDrive 2dr New price: £27,710 Running costs: £19,890 (3 years/36,000 miles)
Owner’s View Fun to drive. Good folding roof and can put golf clubs and trolley in boot with roof open.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
On the road
How we test
It may not be quite as sharp as a Porsche Boxster to drive, but the Z4 is still mightily quick and lots of fun to pilot.
Performance
Performance
★★★★★
The latest model to endure our rigorous lab test is the 20i sDrive automatic, with a 181bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol engine. While there’s enough power to comfortably cope with all manners of driving, from motorway blasts to back-lane driving, the Z4 package is capable of coping with far more power. While it does lack a bit of sport-car acceleration, the engine is smooth with hardly any vibrations or hum from the engine. We think the 28i sDrive, with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder 245bhp engine, provides a more useable level of power without becoming horrendously expensive to run. Again, the engine is smooth, and the extra 50bhp+ helps the car to accelerate much faster than the 20i. Those wanting a bit more power may want to consider the sDrive35i - with a 3.0-litre twinturbocharged six-cylinder 306bhp engine under the bonnet, it’s no surprise this engine offers outstanding performance. The maximum torque (pulling power) figure of 400Nm is available just above idling speed all the way up to 5,000rpm - so whichever gear you’re in, there’s always more than enough of power on tap. In fact, there are few petrol engines on sale right now that offer quite as much flexibility. We’ve also tried out the range-topping sDrive35is, which has even more power (340bhp) and more of a focus on out-and-out driving performance. It’s amazingly rapid, and the highrevving engine provides massive amounts of grunt and a fantastic soundtrack too. We’ve also spent some time driving the entry-level sDrive18i model, with a more modest 156bhp from the four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol unit. While it feels punchy and responsive low down in the rev range, it becomes legless beyond 5,000rpm - disappointing for sports car that should be enjoyable to trash when you feel like it. The seven-speed double clutch semi-automatic gearbox we tested in 2009 has now been replaced. Some critics might say the paddle system (push either paddle to change down, pull to go up, rather than left for down and right for up) is counter-intuitive but we felt that most people would get used to it fairly quickly. If you want to, you can set the system to auto mode and it does the work itself - very effectively, as it happens. The eight-speed automatic that replaced it is far better, though. The shifts are quick and jerk free in both full- or semi-automatic mode. More importantly, there is no delay in the gear changes from the driver touching the shifter paddles behind the wheel and the car moving to the next gear. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Acceleration (37-62mph) 4.2 secs 3.2 secs 2.7 secs
Ride comfort
Rating
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
★★★★
Compared to the previous Z4, the chassis on this car has been designed more with comfort in mind, and the springs and dampers are well balanced. We tried the optional adaptive sports suspension, which can be set to ‘sport’ or ‘normal’ modes. In normal, bumps are well absorbed. In sport, the ride is stiffer and you feel bumps a little more - but it’s still comfortable enough, and not as hard-riding as many sports cars. That said, sudden rough bumps can be felt clearly in the car, with a bit of rumble transmitted through the chassis, especially if you hit a rough surface mid-corner. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★
We use the sophisticated electronic timing equipment to record standing-start and in-gear acceleration, and repeat each test several times. Ride comfort
Ride comfort is assessed by our laboratory experts who have driven hundreds of thousands of miles in a myriad of different models.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
On the road continued...
How we test Handling
★★★★★
Handling
A little bit of understeer means that the Z4 helps less experienced drivers, although this means it’s slightly less agile than it could be. However, the steering is direct and precise. The Servotronic power steering system adjusts the level of support depending on speed and the driving situation. That means manoeuvring is easy, with only light touches needed, whereas the steering gets heavier on the motorway to increase sensitivity. The system works well, reacting quickly and conveying good road contact. The Z4 negotiates rutted roads well, and there’s little need for steering adjustment if you’re driving along battered bit of tarmac. It performed well in our avoidance tests, remaining stable thanks to the fast-reacting stability control system (which cuts in whenever the rear end starts to slide wide in fast corners). Despite the Z4’s hefty slug of power, the standard traction control system prevents any signs of wheelspin effectively, even on wet roads. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
★★★★★
The average braking distance from 62mph to a standstill is 35m in all three models we’ve tested. The Z4’s brakes react very quickly and boast plenty of feel in the pedal. Braking distance (62-0mph) 35.5m 35.4m 35.0m
Cruising in a high gear with the roof up, the Z4 is relaxed by sports car standards. Wind is the main noise in the cabin at high speeds. But if you step on the accelerator pedal, a fulsome engine note is transmitted inside, which can become wearing. Drop the roof on a sunny day, though, and you’ll really appreciate the great exhaust note. Cruising noise 71dB 71dB 71dB
The Which? Car braking test measures stopping distance from 62-0mph and is repeated ten times in quick succession to highlight any brake fade issues. Refinement and noise
Rating
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
★★★★
Refinement and noise
Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Brakes
Rating
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Brakes
Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
On-the-limit handling is explored well away from public roads to ensure a fair test. Our obstacle avoidance test is one of the harshest tests in the industry..
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★
The Which? Car experts use a decibel meter to record interior sound levels at common UK motorway speeds, and combine this with subjective assessments to arrive at an overall score.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
On the road continued...
How we test Cabin and controls
★★★★★
Cabin and controls
Workmanship inside the Z4 is top-notch. The standard leather seats can be upgraded to include a leather dash. Operating the Z4’s interior controls is easy to get used to, and the pedals and steering wheel are really well-positioned. The automatic gear shift paddles move with the wheel, so you can change cogs while turning if necessary. As for the manual gearbox, the lever is well sited. Without the optional keyless entry, starting up is a bit awkward. A remote control has to be slotted in, and then a start button (located nowhere near the slot) has to be pressed. The dials are all easy to see, with the fuel consumption display replaced by an oil temperature gauge (you can still see your economy figures if you want, by using the on-board computer). The air-con controls are simple, and the revised BMW iDrive operating system is an improvement on previous versions, making the sat-nav easy enough to work. Light and rain sensors for the headlamps and wipers are standard, and the electric windows need just a fingertip touch to operate. The car’s audio system offers a great sound, and the optional cruise control is comfortable to use from a lever below the indicator stalk. On the downside, there’s no water temperature display or an indicator to show you that the lights are turned on. The glove box is small, and there’s a lack or sensible-sized storage. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Rating
Visibility and parking
★★★★
Visibility is not the Z4’s strongest suit, although it is much improved compared to the previous model due to additional side windows and narrower C-pillars. The low-slung body means you get a good front and rear view of the ground, and the mirrors have aspherical glass to reduce the size of the blind spot. However, the long bonnet means the front end is hard to judge, and the rollover bars reduce the view to the rear. The field of vision in the interior mirror is merely sufficient. Seeing other traffic around you can be tricky because you sit so low down. Luckily, the Z4 has good Xenon lights as standard. There’s an optional high beam assist feature that dips automatically if there is oncoming traffic or if the ambient light is bright enough. The Z4 is easy to move in tight spaces, thanks to a small 11-metre turning circle. Front and rear parking sensors are optional. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Turning circle 10.9m 10.9m 10.9m
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★
We penalise cars with difficult controls, and we look for things like backlit light switches and easy-to-use heating and ventilation adjustments. Visibility and parking
Visibility is a major issue for motorists today, so each car gets a 360-degree swivel view test to reproduce the driver’s eye view and any obscured areas.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
Comfort and practicality
How we test
You don’t buy a sports car for its practicality - and sure enough, the Z4 doesn’t rate very highly in this department.
Getting in and out
Getting in and out
★★★★
With such a low body and seat position, getting in and out of the Z4 is unsurprisingly a little tricky. When the hard top is closed, it’s particularly awkward as the roofline gets in the way, requiring some real contortion skills to avoid bumping your head. When it’s open, though, it’s far easier. The remote control for the doors also operates the roof, but a keyless version that unlocks the doors as you approach (as long as you have the fob in your pocket) is available. The doors won’t swing shut on a hill, thanks to strong arresters, but the doors are a rather long - so you won’t be able to open them wide in a tight parking space. If the doors are locked by remote, a passenger left in the car cannot open them from inside. A final helpful feature is that the headlights remain on for a while after you get out - to help you avoid stumbling up the garden path when it’s dark. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Seat space and comfort
Seat space and comfort
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★
★★
The stiffly-padded optional sports seats in our test car offered great comfort with a wellshaped backrest. As standard, the Z4’s seats have electrically-adjustable lumbar support, and you can also tweak the tilt and height of both the driver and passenger seats. Electrically-adjusted side bolsters that can be made to fit almost any body type are also an option. Six-footers will fit comfortably in the front, although the interior is a little narrow - it can feel a little cramped with the roof up. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
We take measurements all around the driver and passenger’s door apertures and note the height of the seat, door sills and step down onto the car floor. The best cars don’t require too much bending or stretching to get in and out.
Rating
★★ ★★ ★★★
We assess seat comfort subjectively, using our road testers’ expert knowledge and experience from thousands of different cars. And we measure the head-, legand elbowroom on offer in every seat, to see how well the car caters for people of all shapes and sizes.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
Comfort and practicality continued...
How we test Boot and storage
★
Boot and storage
Boot capacity of 250 litres is pretty generous for a two-seat roadster, but it shrinks to 150 when you put the roof down. The shape of the boot entry isn’t very uniform and the threshold is high, so it’s tricky to load - and especially difficult when the the roof is lowered. One neat feature is that the handle is intergrated into the BMW badge, which swivels and can be used to open the bootlid. The boot is not at all flexible (although a through-load facility is optional), and small items cannot be secured as a luggage net is not provided. The two elastic straps on the boot floor aren’t very useful. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Boot space (seats up/down) 250 litres / 250 litres 250 litres / 250 litres 250 litres / litres
Heating and ventilation
Rating
★ ★ ★★
Heating and ventilation
★★★★
The powerful heater warms the inside of the Z4 quickly. On full blast, it keeps the interior toasty, and the standard automatic air-con regulates the temperature really well - a ‘convertible’ feature allows it to adapt to different driving speeds when you have the roof down. The dual-zone system means the driver and passenger can each set their own temperature. Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Carmakers give official stats for boot space, but our tests are more realistic. We load the boot up with measuring blocks only as far as the rear window line, so that luggage is well secured and won’t obscure rear visibility. We repeat the test with the rear seats up, and folded down (where possible).
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★
Feel sorry for the tester who has to warm each car up from a frosty -10 degrees in our climate chamber. Starting with a cold engine, we measure how long it takes to warm up the front and rear of the cabin. Diesel cars usually take longer. We also check the effectiveness of air conditioning, where fitted.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
Running costs and depreciation
How we test
Don’t expect to run the Z4 on a shoestring: it’s costly to buy and run.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption In our test of the sDrive35i auto, we averaged a fuel economy figure of just 30mpg - pretty thirsty but not exactly a huge surprise. The smaller-engined sDrive28i managed 39.8mpg compared to the claimed 41.5mpg, while the sDrive20i only managed 37.7mpg despite having the same claimed figure . The entry-level sDrive18i, which is a lower power output of the 2.0-litre petrol unit, also claims to retrun 41.5mpg, too.
Petrol (combined mpg, claimed)
30.1 mpg - 41.5 mpg
Diesel (combined mpg, claimed)
-
Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Urban (claimed/measured) 30.1 mpg/27.4 mpg 31.7 mpg/32.8 mpg 22.4 mpg/20.8 mpg
Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Extra urban (claimed/measured) 53.3 mpg/45.6 mpg 50.4 mpg/45.6 mpg 40.9 mpg/40.9 mpg
Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Motorway (measured) 33.2 mpg 35.3 mpg 29.4 mpg
Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Combined (claimed/measured) 41.5 mpg/37.7 mpg 41.5 mpg/39.8 mpg 31.4 mpg/30.1 mpg
We test fuel economy under strict lab conditions – using realistic test cycles – to reveal the facts behind the figures. Our figures rarely match manufacturer claims as, unlike the official mpg test, we measure economy with both a hot and cold engine, and on the motorway.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
Running costs and depreciation continued...
How we test Emissions
Emissions We measured CO2 emissions of 225g/km in the sDrive35i, higher than BMW’s claimed 210g/ km figure. Four-cylinder sDrive18i, sDrive20i and sDrive28i models are a little cheaper to keep on the road thanks to their 159g/km CO2 figure.
Petrol (CO2, claimed)
159g per km - 219g per km
Diesel (CO2, claimed)
-
Model tested petrol 2.0 20i (181bhp) automatic 2-dr (2014) petrol 2.0 28i (245bhp) manual 2-door (2012) petrol 3.0 35i (306bhp) DCT automatic 2dr (2009)
Emissions (claimed/measured) 159g per km/207g per km 159g per km/194g per km 210g per km/225g per km
While testing fuel economy, we also collect exhaust gases to enable us to measure the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted. We also check whether particulate filters are effective at removing sooty emissions from diesel engines. Safety
Safety and security There’s a reassuring amount of safety kit in the Z4. Dynamic stability protection and brake assist are standard, as are run-flat tyres and a tyre pressure monitoring. The car also gets front and side airbags including head protection. The integrated head restraints are sufficient for occupants up to 1.90m tall (6ft 3ins). There are seat belt reminders for both seats. Parents take note: Isofix child seat mounts and airbag deactivation is not standard. The force of an airbag can potentially kill a child, so we cannot overstate how important it is to check that you’ve added this optional extra if you’re ever planning on carrying infants or young children in the Z4. The largely smooth front end should mean that injuries to pedestrians are minimised in the event of a crash. This is our video of the obstacle avoidance test carried out on the 2009 BMW Z4. Please enable JavaScript to access this content.
Euro NCAP score
We rate cars for safety using Euro NCAP crash test scores (where available), alongside our own comprehensive safety checklist. Uniquely, we also feed in results from our accident avoidance test – after all, it’s far better to steer around a crash than rely on the airbags... Security
Security scores come from the security experts at Thatcham, who break into hundreds of cars each year. Most modern cars are very difficult to drive away, but are still too easy to steal from.
No results available.
Which? safety rating The Z4 scored a good rating for its ability to prevent whiplash. It’s also hard to steal, earning a five-star ‘theft of’ rating, and four stars for ‘theft from’ meaning it’s pretty well-protected against break-ins. Active (crash avoidance) Passive (crash safety) Child Pedestrian
65% 81% 65%
Security Theft of car:
Theft from car:
★★★★★
★★★★
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
Which? Car Survey results
About our survey
The Which? Car Survey is the UK’s most robust reliability and owner satisfaction survey. In 2015, drivers told us about 58,000 cars, covering more than 484 million miles in the previous 12 months (that’s equivalent to driving to the moon and back a hundred times). This unique feedback allows us to rate satisfaction and reliability for hundreds of new and used cars. Note: Star ratings below are from 1-5 (1 is very poor and 5 is very good). Percentages shown under ‘Most common faults’ indicate the proportion of owners reporting each problem in the past 12 months.
Brand
Sample size: 3,170 people
BMW ratings Overall owner satisfaction for this brand Brand reliability Dealer Sales Service Dealer Servicing & repair
Model: BMW Z4 (2009-)
Sample size: 38 people
Overall owner satisfaction for this range
Ease of driving Comfort Dash layout and controls Practicality Value for money Running costs In-car technology -
Everyone who takes part in the Which? Car survey tells us about their car and the dealers who sell and service it. We analyse this feedback across all cars to give top-level satisfaction ratings for each brand, including the brand’s reliability record over the last eight years. All star ratings are out of five. Model ownership ratings
★★★★ ★★★
Ownership ratings Driving enjoyment
83%
Brand ratings
These show how owners score this car in 12 different areas, from performance to heating. Owners’ ratings are subjective – so may differ from Which? Car test scores – but they give a good idea of what the car is like to live with. Where relevant, cars are scored against other cars in the same class (e.g. for space).
80%
★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ -
Owner’s View Power when you need it, docility and the ability to drive around town without problems.
Owner’s View The build quality is extremely reassuring and it feels well made. The way the hard top folds down into the rear boot space is great engineering and fabulous to watch.
Which? Car review
BMW Z4 (2009-) Sports/convertibles
Which? Car Survey results continued...
About our survey Reliability ratings
Reliability ratings
-
Overall Reliability Petrol cars
Reliability
Breakdowns Average annual repair cost Diesel cars
Reliability
Breakdowns Average annual repair cost All cars
Reliability
Breakdowns Average annual repair cost
Up to 3 years old
4-8 years old
- - - - - - - - -
-
We split reliability into breakdowns (including failure to start), faults (where parts need replacing) and problems (minor issues e.g. squeaks and loose trim). Where the car has been on sale for some time, and we have numerous survey responses from owners, we also split scores by the age of car and fuel type. Star ratings are out of five – the more stars, the more reliable the car. Most common faults
Breakdowns: Percentage of cars suffering a breakdown in last 12 months Average annual repair cost: Average annual cost of repairs (not servicing), in past 12 months
Most common faults
Up to 3 years old
-
-
-
4-8 years old
-
-
- - -
- - - -
Failure rate: The proportion of owners reporting this problem in the last year
Want to know what’s most likely to go wrong as the car gets older? These are the five most common faults reported by owners, grouped by age into new, recent and older cars. A score of 40% means four out of 10 owners reported problems with that part of the car over the previous 12 months. Engine electrics and non-engine electrics (e.g. windows, stereo) cause more headaches than mechanical parts in most modern cars.
