01 · Überblick
The first BMW with electric power steering
The Z4 replaced the Z3 in 2002. It is larger and more comfortable than its predecessor — hence the jump from 3 to 4 in the name. The design was created under Chris Bangle; the angular, opposing surfaces of the Flame Surfacing met with noticeably more approval here than on the contemporary 7 Series.
The car was not built in Germany, but by the BMW US Manufacturing Company in Greer, South Carolina. To limit weight, BMW used high-strength steels and an aluminium bonnet. A technically notable detail is one that the brand later adopted across the board: the Z4 was the first BMW with electrically assisted power steering, which only draws energy while steering.
The chassis carries over the MacPherson front axle from the Z3, while a multi-link setup works at the rear. The roof got a heated glass rear window.
After strong initial years, sales dropped noticeably from 2004. BMW responded in spring 2006 with a comprehensive facelift — new aprons, new headlights, tail lights with LED elements — and with the E86 Coupé.
02 · Historie
Six years, two body styles
From the show debut in Paris to the last car from Greer.
- 2002 Official show presentation at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris. In October the car comes to the American market.
- 2003 Market launch in Germany in March. From July, Alpina builds the Roadster S with 3,346 cc and 300 PS.
- 2004 Sales drop noticeably. BMW decides on a comprehensive facelift.
- 2005 The E86 Coupé is presented at the IAA.
- 2006 In spring the revised Z4 appears: new aprons, new headlights, tail lights with LED elements. At the same time the Z4 M arrives with the S54 from the M3.
- 2008 Production ends in September. The successor is the E89 with a folding roof.
03 · Modellübersicht
The engine options
Nine variants in six years, plus the Alpina Roadster S. The 2006 facelift brought entirely new six-cylinders from the N52 family.
Quelle: Werks- und Literaturangaben · geprüft
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 2.0i | N46B20 | 1.995 cm³ | 150 PS (110 kW) | 04/2005–09/2008, Roadster |
| Z4 2.2i | M54B22 | 2.171 cm³ | 170 PS (125 kW) | 09/2003–05/2005, Roadster |
| Z4 2.5i (M54) | M54B25 | 2.494 cm³ | 192 PS (141 kW) | 02/2003–01/2006, Roadster |
| Z4 2.5i (N52) | N52B25 | 2.497 cm³ | 177 PS (130 kW) | 01/2006–09/2008, Roadster |
| Z4 2.5si | N52B25 | 2.497 cm³ | 218 PS (160 kW) | 01/2006–09/2008, Roadster |
| Z4 3.0i | M54B30 | 2.979 cm³ | 231 PS (170 kW) | 12/2002–12/2005, Roadster |
| Z4 3.0si | N52B30 | 2.996 cm³ | 265 PS (195 kW) | 2006–2008, Roadster and Coupé |
| Z4 M | S54B32 | 3.246 cm³ | 343 PS (252 kW) | 2006–2008, Roadster and Coupé |
| Alpina Roadster S | Alpina E5/2 | 3.346 cm³ | 300 PS (221 kW) | 07/2003–12/2005 |
04 · Karosserievarianten
Karosserievarianten
Roadster (E85)
The base body from 2002. Fabric roof with heated glass rear window, high-strength steels in the structure, aluminium bonnet.
Coupé (E86)
From 2006, presented at the IAA 2005. Fixed roof and hatchback with tailgate. It was only offered in the more powerful 3.0si and Z4 M trim levels.
05 · Motoren
From the N46 to the S54
The Z4 covers an unusually wide range: from the 150 PS four-cylinder to the 343 PS inline six-cylinder from the M3.
S54B32 · 3.246 cm³ · 343 PS — Z4 M geprüft
The inline six-cylinder from the M3 of the E46 model line, unchanged in displacement and output: 343 PS at 7,900 rpm and 365 Nm at 4,900. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h, with up to 275 km/h available for an extra charge. Visually, the Z4 M differs through modified aprons, a slightly contoured bonnet and four tailpipes. A sequential gearbox, as the other M models had, was not available for the Z4 M — only the manual gearbox.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Bauart | Inline six-cylinder S54, four valves per cylinder |
| Hubraum | 3.246 cm³ |
| Leistung | 252 kW (343 PS) at 7,900/min |
| Drehmoment | 365 Nm at 4,900/min |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,0 s |
| Höchstgeschwindigkeit | 250 km/h limited, up to 275 km/h available for an extra charge |
| Leergewicht | 1,485 kg Roadster, 1,495 kg Coupé |
| Verbrauch | 12,1 l/100 km |
| Getriebe | manual gearbox only, no SMG |
Data table Wikipedia DE on the BMW Z4 (E85/E86)
N52B30 · 2.996 cm³ · 265 PS — Z4 3.0si geprüft
The strongest non-M engine, introduced with the 2006 facelift. 265 PS at 6,600 rpm, 315 Nm already at 2,750. The N52 was BMW's first series-production six-cylinder with a magnesium-aluminium composite crankcase.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.996 cm³ |
| Leistung | 195 kW (265 PS) at 6,600/min |
| Drehmoment | 315 Nm at 2,750/min |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,7 s |
| Leergewicht | 1.385 kg |
Data table Wikipedia DE on the BMW Z4
M54B30 · 2.979 cm³ · 231 PS — Z4 3.0i geprüft
The top engine of the first series until the end of 2005. 231 PS, 300 Nm at 3,500 rpm, 250 km/h. The M54 is considered the more robust of the two six-cylinder generations in the Z4.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.979 cm³ |
| Leistung | 170 kW (231 PS) at 5,900/min |
| Drehmoment | 300 Nm at 3,500/min |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,9 s |
| Höchstgeschwindigkeit | 250 km/h |
| Leergewicht | 1.365 kg |
Data table Wikipedia DE on the BMW Z4
Alpina E5/2 · 3,346 cc · 300 PS — Alpina Roadster S geprüft
Alpina built the Roadster S from July 2003 to December 2005: 3,346 cc, 300 PS at 6,300 rpm, 362 Nm at 4,800. At 1,395 kg it is lighter than the later Z4 M and, at 265 to 270 km/h, faster — however, the design is that of a touring car, not a trackday car.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 3.346 cm³ |
| Leistung | 221 kW (300 PS) at 6,300/min |
| Drehmoment | 362 Nm at 4,800/min |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,3 s |
| Höchstgeschwindigkeit | 265 or 270 km/h |
| Leergewicht | 1.395 kg |
| Bauzeit | 07/2003–12/2005 |
Data table Wikipedia DE on the BMW Z4, Alpina 3.3 row
06 · Schwachstellen
Reliability & Weak Points
- The electric power steering is the Z4’s typical issue. Failures affect the steering rack together with the motor; replacement is expensive and cannot be substituted with a repair.
- For the S54 in the Z4 M, the same points apply as for the M3 E46: connecting rod bearing shells, VANOS and oil supply under lateral acceleration. Service records are not a mere formality here.
- The N52 from 2006 has a known issue with the crankcase ventilation and the valve cover gasket. The smell of oil in the engine bay is an indicator.
- Rust is not a widespread issue on the Z4, but it does occur at the rear wheel arches and the exhaust tips.
- The roof mechanism and the hydraulics of the electric roof are a wear point. Have it opened and closed several times before purchase.
07 · Technik
Electric power steering for the first time
Lightweight construction in moderation
Fahrwerk
2006 facelift
No factory motorsport
Technische Daten — Achsübersetzungen & Getriebe
- Body styles
- Roadster (E85) and Coupé (E86)
- Manufacturing location
- Greer, South Carolina, USA
- Steering
- electrically assisted power steering, a first for BMW
- Front axle
- MacPherson struts (design from the Z3)
- Rear axle
- multi-link axle
- Body materials
- high-strength steels, aluminium bonnet
- Roof
- fabric with heated glass rear window
- Kerb weight
- 1,295 kg (2.0i) to 1,495 kg (Z4 M Coupé)
- Entry-level price
- 29,900 euros
- Euro NCAP 2004
- four stars occupant protection (31 points), two stars pedestrian protection (13 points)
08 · M GmbH
The Z4 M — M3 technology in the Roadster
From 2006, the Z4 M was available as a Roadster and as a Coupé. The engine is the S54B32 from the M3 of the E46 model line, unchanged with 343 PS at 7,900 rpm. The car can be identified by its modified aprons, a slightly contoured bonnet and four tailpipes.
A special feature that buyers appreciate today: there was no sequential gearbox for the Z4 M. While the M3 E46 was predominantly sold as an SMG, every Z4 M is a manual. At 1,495 kilograms, the Coupé weighs ten kilograms more than the Roadster.
09 · Kaufberatung
What matters: steering, roof, engine choice
The Z4 is still an affordable car today. This is precisely why the question of whether the expensive components are intact matters — not the condition of the paint.
Check the steering both stationary and while driving: noises, uneven assistance or a warning light point to the steering rack.
Fully open and close the roof several times. For the Coupé, instead check the tailgate seal and the boot for moisture.
Choose the engine consciously: the M54 is considered the more robust six-cylinder, the N52 the more modern and economical one.
For the Z4 M, request the service records for the connecting rod bearings and VANOS. Without proof, the repair should be factored into the price.
Check rear wheel arches and exhaust tips for rust.
For the Z4 the simple rule applies: a well-maintained 3.0i beats a neglected Z4 M. The M is the more interesting car — but only with history.
10 · Die Konkurrenz
The Competition
Porsche Boxster (987)
From 2004, mid-engine instead of front-engine, resulting in more balanced handling. The direct rival in price and ambition.
Mercedes-Benz SLK (R171)
From 2004 with a folding roof — exactly the solution BMW only adopted with the successor E89. More comfortable, less sporty.
Audi TT Roadster (8J)
From 2007, front-wheel drive or quattro, four-cylinder or V6. The design-driven offering of the class — and the car that took buyers away from the Z4.
11 · Galerie
Bilder
Roadster and Coupé, before and after the facelift — plus the Z4 M.
12 · Quellen
Belege & Literatur
The primary source for production periods, engine codes and performance figures is the data table of the German-language Wikipedia on the Z4 (E85/E86). Image sources and licenses are from Wikimedia Commons.