2003-2008 BMW Z4: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2003-2008 BMW Z4 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Exterior finish
- Steering/handling
- Acceleration
Cons
- Cargo room
- Noise
- Ride
Vehicle Highlights
BMW redesigned and renamed its premium two-seat sports car for 2003, making it slightly longer and wider, but with carried-over engines. Like the outgoing Z3, the Z4 was built in South Carolina. Unlike the Z3, it did not offer a coupe companion to the convertible body style. Standard features included a manual soft top with heated glass rear window, run-flat tires, antilock four-wheel disc brakes, and an antiskid system. A power soft top was available. Rivals included the Audi TT, Honda S2000, Mazda Miata, and Porsche Boxster. Two inline six-cylinder engines returned with unchanged power. The 2.5i used a 2.5-liter, while the 3.0i held a 3.0-liter engine. Higher performance M versions were not included. The Z4 2.5i came with a five-speed manual transmission, while the 3.0i used a six-speed manual. Both could have an optional five-speed automatic with a manual shift gate. A six-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) became available in midyear. Shifting via steering-wheel "paddles," the computer-controlled SMG had no clutch pedal and could be set to shift like a conventional automatic.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Z4 3.0i w/manual transmission Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 10 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 0 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 51 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2003-2008 BMW Z4. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2003-2008 BMW Z4.
Year to Year Changes
2004 BMW Z Series:
Little was new for the 2004 model year. The 2.5i rolled on 16-inch wheels, while the 3.0i held 17-inch rubber. An optional Sport Package included a sport suspension, plus increased wheel size to 17 inches on the 2.5i, or 18 inches on the 3.0i. It also added a Dynamic Driving Control console button that quickened throttle action and reduced power-steering assist. Leather upholstery was standard in the 3.0i and optional for the 2.5i. Xenon headlamps were optional on both models. A removable hardtop and a wind deflector were dealer-installed options.
2005 BMW Z Series:
Although the Sequential Manual Gearbox remained available on the 3.0i, it was dropped for the 2.5i. Options this year included heated seats, a navigation system, and BMW Assist emergency and concierge service. Chrysler's Crossfire roadster was a new competitor.
2006 BMW Z Series:
More powerful engines, freshened styling, and midyear introduction of a hatchback coupe mark 2006 for BMW's two-seaters. All Z4s have an inline 6-cyl engine. The 215-hp 3.0i replaces the 184-hp 2.5i as the base convertible. New for '06 is the 255-hp 3.0si in convertible and coupe form.
2007 BMW Z Series:
Z4 carries over unchanged.
2008 BMW Z Series:
Z4 carries over unchanged.
Our road test for the 2003-2008 BMW Z4 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2003-2008 BMW Z4 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2003-2008 BMW Z4 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Performance is a plus with either model. The Z4 2.5i is no slouch, able to accelerate to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds with a manual transmission. The Z4 3.0i is quicker yet: 5.8 seconds with manual shift. Both manual transmissions are smooth and easy to shift, though some testers would prefer a firmer, more mechanical feel. The automatic transmission is quick to downshift and supplies plenty of passing punch, even in the 2.5i. Some testers have branded the throttle as too sensitive in the Dynamic Driving Control's sport setting. With a manual transmission, test 2.5i models have averaged 20.8 to 25.7 mpg. Test 3.0i models managed 20.9 to 22.9 mpg. Both engines require premium-grade fuel. Ride quality is appropriately firm. Some testers say 18-inch tires in the 3.0i's Sport Package make the ride too jarring on all but smooth pavement. Others have found that the Z4's tail rebounds over dips more than expected. Body rigidity is outstanding for a convertible. Steering/handling is where the Z4 excels: Agile, grippy, and nearly flat in corners, the Z4 defines driving fun. Standard traction/skid control adds a measure of security. Steering is quick, predictable, and nicely weighted, though straightline tracking is compromised by the widest tires following road grooves. Some testers believe the "driving dynamics" sport setting imparts an artificially heavy feel. Braking is short and stable. Wind and road noises are typical of a top-down convertible, but with its top raised, the Z4 2.5i is impressively quiet for a sports car. However, 17- and 18-inch tires can annoy with slap and rumble--especially the 18s. Gauges are well-positioned, but audio-system readouts wash away in direct sunlight and headlamp controls are hidden by the steering wheel. Top-notch interior materials are assembled with care. Aluminum dashboard trim, standard on the 3.0i and optional for the 2.5i, is especially stylish. Spacious for all but the most robust occupants, the Z4 has a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes to benefit driver positioning. Some testers wanted more lower-back support. Top-down visibility is good, except for interference from the roll bars. Like most convertibles, top-up visibility to the rear is poor. A low stance means difficult entry/exit with the top up. For a two-passenger sports car, trunk space isn't bad. It holds several gym duffels or two rolling carry-on bags. BMW says two golf bags fit inside. Interior storage is minimal, however.
Value for the Money
Ranking as a Recommended pick, any Z4 provides an excellent balance of performance, refinement, and driving excitement. Against prime competitors, the 2.5i cost as much when new as a Honda S2000, but is less powerful, while the 3.0i is by any measure a credible alternative to the comparably-priced Porsche Boxster.
Ranking as a Recommended pick, any Z4 provides an excellent balance of performance, refinement, and driving excitement. Against prime competitors, the 2.5i cost as much when new as a Honda S2000, but is less powerful, while the 3.0i is by any measure a credible alternative to the comparably-priced Porsche Boxster.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Z4 3.0i w/manual transmission Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 10 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 0 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 51 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation BMW Z Series includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation BMW Z Series .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Battery:
The battery may die overnight if the key is left in the ignition on vehicles with electronic immobilizer system. (2004-06)
Battery:
If a batter charger is connected directly to the battery, it can trigger a trouble code on cars with the intelligent battery sensor. Battery chargers should be connected to the terminal under the hood, not the battery itself. (2003-05)
Electrical problem:
Due to a bad sensor, an erroneous low oil warning was coming on when the key was turned off and the company was replacing the sensor only if a customer complained. (2003)
Engine knock:
Engine may run rough and trigger the check engine light due to defective ignition coils. Only BRMEI coils, not Bosch, were affected. (2003)
Keyless entry:
The remote keyless entry may not unlock the doors and is usually due to lack of use of the key, particularly the spare key, as the battery is recharged by the vehicle. (2003-05)
None:
There was a service campaign to repair the telematics control unit (TCU) because it would go into the wrong mode at below freezing (32 degrees F) resulting in no telematics and possible battery discharge. (2004)
Oil leak:
Oil may leak from the cylinder head and/or valve cover gasket into the #2 spark plug well due to porosity in the M54 engine head casting requiring replacement (2003)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $890 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $2,195 |
| Brakes | $945 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $760 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $5,325 |
| Exhaust System | $925 |
| Radiator | $965 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $3,600 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $665 |
Our price chart for this generation BMW Z Series details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Z4 3.0i Roadster | $34,000-36,000 | $31,600-33,500 | $24,100-25,600 |
| Z4 3.0si Coupe | $36,000-38,000 | $33,500-35,300 | $25,600-27,000 |
| Z4 3.0si Roadster | $38,000-40,000 | $35,300-37,200 | $27,000-28,400 |
| Z4 M Coupe | $43,000-45,000 | $40,400-42,300 | $31,400-32,900 |
| Z4 M Roadster | $45,000-47,500 | $42,300-44,700 | $32,900-34,700 |
| 2007 | |||
| Z4 3.0i Roadster | $29,000-31,000 | $27,000-28,800 | $20,000-21,400 |
| Z4 3.0si Coupe | $30,000-32,000 | $27,900-29,800 | $21,000-22,400 |
| Z4 3.0si Roadster | $32,000-34,000 | $29,800-31,600 | $22,400-23,800 |
| Z4 M Coupe | $37,000-39,000 | $34,400-36,300 | $26,300-27,700 |
| Z4 M Roadster | $39,000-41,000 | $36,300-38,100 | $28,100-29,500 |
| 2006 | |||
| Z4 3.0Si Coupe | $26,000-27,500 | $24,200-25,600 | $17,200-18,200 |
| Z4 3.0Si Roadster | $27,500-29,200 | $25,600-27,200 | $18,400-19,600 |
| Z4 3.0i Roadster | $25,500-27,200 | $23,700-25,300 | $16,800-18,000 |
| Z4 M Coupe | $32,500-34,000 | $30,200-31,600 | $22,800-23,800 |
| Z4 M Roadster | $34,000-35,500 | $31,600-33,000 | $24,100-25,200 |
| 2005 | |||
| Z4 2.5i | $20,000-21,500 | $18,400-19,800 | $13,000-14,000 |
| Z4 3.0i | $22,500-24,000 | $20,700-22,100 | $14,600-15,600 |
| 2004 | |||
| Z4 2.5i | $17,000-18,500 | $15,600-17,000 | $10,900-11,800 |
| Z4 3.0i | $19,000-20,500 | $17,500-18,900 | $12,400-13,300 |
| 2003 | |||
| Z4 2.5i | $14,500-15,700 | $13,200-14,300 | $9,000-9,700 |
| Z4 3.0i | $16,500-18,000 | $15,000-16,400 | $10,600-11,500 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation BMW Z Series include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 98.2 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 161.1 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.1 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 50.1 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2932 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 9.5 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 2 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.3 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.0 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
BMW has offered two inline six-cylinder engines for the Z4. In the 2.5i, a 2.5-liter engine produces 184 horsepower, while the 3.0i holds a 3.0-liter six that makes 255 horsepower. Four transmissions have been available: a standard five-speed manual for the 2.5i (six-speed for the 3.0i), optional five-speed automatic for both, or a six-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox that combines the merits of a manual and automatic, and has no clutch pedal. For 2006, the 215-hp 3.0i replaces the 184-hp 2.5i as the base convertible. New for '06 is the 255-hp 3.0si in convertible and coupe form.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I6 | 2.5 / 152 | 184-215 | 175-185 | 5-speed manual: 20/28 6-speed manual: 20/30 6-speed automatic: 21/29 |
5-speed manual: 25.7 6-speed manual: -- 6-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I6 | 3.0 / 183 | 255 | 220 | 6-speed manual: 20/30 6-speed automatic: 21/29 |
6-speed manual: 22.9 6-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I6 | 3.2 / 198 | 330 | 262 | 6-speed manual: 16/24 | 6-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation BMW Z Series include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2004 2004 Z4 3.0i w/manual transmission |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2003-2008 BMW Z4 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2003:
In the event of a crash on some cars, airbag deployment may not occur.
2003-04:
Under certain environmental conditions, vapor lock in fuel pump could occur, causing engine to stall and be unable to restart for 15-20 minutes.
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