If you follow automotive news closely, you already would know that the BMW Z4 will be discontinued next year, and there is no replacement model coming!
That means, 2025 model year is the last time you’ll be able to buy a brand new, two-seat, BMW roadster with a proper combustion engine – a future roadster will likely be fully electric.
To give the “Z” car a deserving sendoff, BMW is offering the 2025 Z4 with a manual gearbox. This transmission is only available with the more powerful M40i model – which features an inline six cylinder motor – making it all the more special!
But, not every car is better with the manual; there have been examples in the past where the car was better with the automatic or dual clutch gearbox. But, how is this Z4 manual? Keep reading.
Styling: Let’s discuss style for starters! When this third-generation model of the Z4 first showed up in 2019, I wasn’t crazy about the design. However, with time, I’ve really grown to like the look of these, especially if they’re specced in vibrant colours (please do not order one in black, or grey, or silver, or white. Be creative with the colour palette).
I think, as time goes by, people will appreciate the design of this Z4. It’ll age better than you!
Interior: Same goes for the interior. While it has digital screens for the instrument cluster and the infotainment system, they don’t seem to overpower the interior – unlike many new vehicles. As a result, you get a classically elegant interior, where you feel at home as soon as you get inside.
The fit and finish is excellent, and there are enough cubby holes and pockets for you to stash things – because, in reality, most of us are carrying more than we need to!
Only thing I wish it had was ventilated seats – would be nice to have cool air on your back on a really hot day; but that’s just nitpicking really. Otherwise, its seats are very comfortable.
The best thing about the interior of my test car, was the gear lever between the seats!
Powertrain: Under the hood of the Z4 M40i is the familiar 3.0L inline-six cylinder motor – with a twin-scroll turbocharger – that is found in many other BMW models.
In this application, it produces 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to only the rear wheels via either a ZF eight-speed automatic, or a ZF six-speed manual gearbox – as the one in my tester. Worth noting, BMW designed unique shift linkages for this transmission, to improve feel; in other words, this is not just an off-the-shelf part!
Performance: The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes about 4.1 seconds (if you know what you’re doing with a manual gearbox). Is the automatic equipped Z4 quicker? Yes, of course it is (by three-tenths of a second); but driving in the real world, you’ll never notice the difference – plus with the manual having six ratios, rather than eight for the auto, you get to enjoy the pull in each gear just a little bit longer – which is something I really like.
Driving Dynamics: If you’re a keen driver, you will really like this Z4 with the manual transmission. The joy of rowing through a “H” pattern box, in a car with a powerful combustion engine, is a pleasure that everyone should experience. However, not all manual gearboxes are excellent, and while the shift into second gear can be a bit notchy – just put it down as part of this analogue experience. Overall, this transmission is a joy to use, and would be my pick for this vehicle.
The transmission isn’t the only thing that’s good about the Z4, it’s a thrill all round! Staring with the ride, despite being a two-seat roadster, it rides bumps and cracks quite well. So, it’s not punishing to drive, even on less than perfect tarmac.
Then there’s the steering. Despite having an electric (rather than an electronic) rack, you get good feedback through the rim of the wheel, which makes it easier to place the car into corners, and also knowing where the limits of adhesion are – I was never left surprised in the middle of a corner, because of a lack of communication. Compared to its corporate twin, the Toyota GR Supra, the BMW Z4 M40i gets stiffer anti-roll bars, and unique calibration for the steering and dampers – and this is what really helps with the way this car feels and behaves!
Then, there’s the engine. Not only is the B58 motor very smooth, its power delivery is savage! If there’s any turbo lag, I never came across it – it just responded and shot me down the road every time I twitched my toe!
Add it all up, and you’ve got a car that’s a total package, from a driving point of view.
This car isn’t for everybody, those who are just obsessed with numbers are going to miss the point of this vehicle. That’s OK, they’re missing out!
Those who recognize the qualities that make for a great roadster, will surely appreciate this vehicle.
Fuel Economy: On the highway, on a steady cruise, you’ll see 9.0 L/100 km. In the city, that’ll rise to about 13.0 L/100 km. Call it, an average of roughly 11.0 L/100 km. That’s not bad for something that’s this much fun to drive.
Price: Well… it’s not exactly cheap! The 2025 BMW Z4 M40i starts from around $85,254. My tester, with the “Handschalter” manual gearbox, and a few more optional extras, came to around $98,580. That puts it in the same price bracket as the Chevrolet Corvette Stringray C8 Convertible – which is a much more powerful and faster machine – but you don’t get to use a clutch pedal in the American brute!
Verdict: If you’re someone who likes to get up early, just to go for a drive on twisty roads – with a blast down the highway, you will love this Z4 with the manual gearbox.
Sure, it’s pricey, but cars like these are a dying breed, and while it might not seem like today, but in the not too distant future, this stick-shift Z4 will be seen as a collectible classic, which could even result in appreciated values.
