2003 BMW Z4 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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When BMW launched the Z4 in 2003 as a replacement for its outgoing Z3 line of sports roadsters, reactions were - to say the least - mixed. While the car initially appeared like a classic roadster (especially from the front), a closer inspection revealed cut lines on a car that some described as "goofy looking" and others found "hip."
Hipness won out, as BMW has made only minor cosmetic changes to the vehicle in the ensuing model years. Or perhaps it was performance that won out: no matter what they think of the car's looks, most drivers love the smooth handling of the Z4 and often resort to the word "fun" when describing how the 2002 model drives.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2003 BMW Z4
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by Carlos V
Jan 09, 2025
I’ve owned a few convertibles, and the Z4 is my favorite! Lots of power, features, and style. Jan 09, 2025
by Timothy James S
Feb 13, 2024
It’s a great and fun car. I previously owned a 2008 Z3 and it was a blast. I would compare it to the Mazda Miata or other roadster type cars.Feb 13, 2024
by Guido M
Oct 24, 2023
Having a great time with it, flawless, like a new car.
Just sad I have to park it for the winter soon.Oct 24, 2023
User rating:
by Carlos V
Jan 09, 2025
I’ve owned a few convertibles, and the Z4 is my favorite! Lots of power, features, and style. Jan 09, 2025
by Timothy James S
Feb 13, 2024
It’s a great and fun car. I previously owned a 2008 Z3 and it was a blast. I would compare it to the Mazda Miata or other roadster type cars.Feb 13, 2024
by Guido M
Oct 24, 2023
Having a great time with it, flawless, like a new car.
Just sad I have to park it for the winter soon.Oct 24, 2023
by Anonymous
Aug 27, 2023
Love the Z4, manual is much fun to drive. This 20 year old car runs and handles like new! Aug 27, 2023
by Robert L
Nov 14, 2021
Just picked up a 2003 BMW 2.5i Z4 from Indiana and drove it back to Salem MA. I drove it over 800 miles back home. Its a little cream puff with only 29,000 miles. It drives like a dream and transmissions pulls hard. Everything is in like new condition. From the seats to all the equipment. Ever thing works as intended. There is a high pitched sounds when stepping on the excelerator pedal and it only have one key...other than that, this car is flawless. At this point in time, the Z4 is cheaper to purchase used than the Mazda MX5 or Miata.Nov 14, 2021
by Brad P
Oct 21, 2021
I expected much more refinement from a BMW. Oct 21, 2021
by Matt C
Sep 14, 2021
Great vehicle. Very fun and exciting to drive, especially with the manual transmission. Its small and zips around the road. Rides real smooth and handles like a dream. Quick to accelerate, but not a lot of power on the top end. The interior is nice and simple. You have what you need with out the cluster of all the extra crap you never use. I like that it has lots of speakers and an Aux input for Bluetooth connectivity. High quality leather seats and polymer components, like the dash, are holding up almost flawlessly after 18 years. And the exterior paint looks new! This car does it for me. Its a piece of art. Sep 14, 2021
by Kyle M
Apr 05, 2014
This car has been a staple of weekend day trips. Everything about driving this car is fun, sporty and reliable for cornering at high speeds. My only gripe would be the cost of owning such a vehicle but in my eyes its far worth it..Apr 05, 2014
by Dennis M
Mar 18, 2014
I have had this car for seven years. This is longer than any other car I have owned. It is reliable, fast, fun to drive and gets 27 mpg on the highway. Get one now while you can still enjoy it.Mar 18, 2014
by john w
Feb 11, 2014
This is a fun car to drive, it handles well in corners , and accelerates on the on ramps
a fine machine that roars down the road to a certain degree it reminds me of the American made Cheverolet corvette a fantastic driving experince..with a larger front disc brake than the rear for a better braking performance experience.....Feb 11, 2014
by Anonymous
Jun 24, 2012
Our Z4 is beautiful to look at, great to drive, but our move to Florida will make it impossible to enjoy. We only put 12,400 miles on this almost new machine.........and really do not want to part with it.Jun 24, 2012
by Alex C
Oct 31, 2011
Awesome car overall. No problems at 80k!
Handles like it's on rails and it's very quick!
No repairs except for scheduled oil changes.
I get up to 30 mpg's on the highway which is great for a sports car!
Interior is awesome and the fit and finish is great. Seats feel great too.
The fun factor is the reason you buy these cars. Lots of looks, lots of grip
and plenty of power with the low weight of the car. Oct 31, 2011
by Matt M
Sep 29, 2010
I love this car. Performance is great, its a canyon carver so the suspension is alittle
hard, but there is no body roll in the turns. Brakes are where you need them and
the steering is exact, almost toy like. Some my like that feel and others don't. You
sit low to the ground for that roadster feel and the body lines are to die for. its
gets about 21 city and 29 highway so not to bad, for a sports car. Oil changes can
be expensive, but changed only after every 10k miles. I always but 91, alittle more
expensive but worth it. Fun to drive? Hell to the yesSep 29, 2010
by Brad C
Sep 23, 2009
Performance is good for a 225hp inline 6, brakes well no fading. No issues with build quality, so far. Convertible top opens in 10 seconds! 26 MPG average, (using mid-grade gas) with 65K miles on it. So far only cost of maintanence has been oil changes and one set of new tires. Got rid of the run-flats, better & quieter ride now. Sexy good looks! Many compliments on it. It's my daily driver, very fun to drive. Except in snow or ice you should leave it home. Mine has the step-tronic trans but next one will be a manual. Sep 23, 2009
by Danny C
Sep 08, 2009
performance is quite good dont have to rev hard plenty of torque from the striaght six.
Build quality is typically BMW.
i might be bias about the styling but i think it is more curvy than the new model.
mpg fantastic if you dont have a lead foot.
fantastic when the sun is shining.Sep 08, 2009
by Tripp A
Aug 03, 2008
I just got this car today and wow!!! It handles flawlessly; the manumatic transmission is on the spot, versus others that have a sometimes one or two second delay whilst shifting. It drives like my dad's jaguar, yet still holds the beautiful performance of a sports roadster. As far as looks go, it's a stunner, clean, fresh, and unscathed. Unlike other comparable roadsters which appear to have been sculpted out of aluminum, the broad, elegant lines suggest it was hewn or cut out like a gem.Aug 03, 2008
by Paul B
Jul 06, 2008
A great roof down, wind-in-your-hair motor. Very quick, handles like a dream and has head turning looks. If you can live with the firm ride on a day-to-day basis as well as the lack of rear seats then it is a cracker to own.Jul 06, 2008
by Lesley O
Jul 04, 2008
This is a stunning vehicle. Agile, good looking, fastJul 04, 2008
by Mary K
Jun 09, 2008
Great cure for midlife crisis. Built for handling and surprisingly comfortable, too. If you're going to allow yourself one extravagance, this is a good one.Jun 09, 2008
by Harvey P
Apr 22, 2008
A great car to have at your disposal -- providing you don't want to haul more than one other person. Not only sporty and good-looking -- it has adequate trunk room too.Apr 22, 2008
by Micah D
Apr 15, 2008
It's been a long time since I've had a car I really and truly loved. I've heard a few complaints about the body styling compared to the Z3 but honestly I really like the lines on this thing. It's a beast. The inline six purrs and and hums, pulling you through traffic effortlessly. I test drove a lot of convertibles before settling on this one including the Honda S2000, Porsche Boxster, Mazda Miata (mx-speed edition), Nissan 350z, and the Pontiac Solstice. Of the ones I drove, this is the one I could really see as a capable daily driver with plenty of ability to have fun when the mood strikes me. The auto drops in about 6 or 7 seconds, plenty of time to go topless at a stoplight. For sheer driving excitement and engagement I'd say the Porsche beats it. When you're driving the boxster that's what you're doing. You're DRIVING it. I definitely recommend changing away from the stock run flat tires as they will seriously dampen your enthusiasm for the car, but with good tires, this thing will move. When I test drove this car, I got it up on the highway and there was no discernable difference in the handling of the car or in engine noise between 40 and 100 mph. I think that was what originally sold me on it.Apr 15, 2008
by Stuart R
Mar 17, 2008
Not as good a driving experience as the Lotus but much more comfortable.Mar 17, 2008
by Han W
Mar 15, 2008
I was only half-hearted when I saw this car, as I really wanted something with four seats. But one test drive later and I was 'I have got to get me one of these!'... so I did. Nimble handling and with enough power to leave most traffic behind and I am now hooked to al fresco motoring.Mar 15, 2008
by Jeremy W
Jan 27, 2008
Wow. This is one of the most fun cars to drive. I'm not sure how an extended road trip would go in it, but for doing the daily commute or even a short road trip it would be awesome.Jan 27, 2008
by Fiorucci P
Jan 14, 2008
wonderful car, great experience, good motors, amazing sound and looks just wonderful...Jan 14, 2008
by Eric T
Jan 05, 2008
After 4 years I still love the Z! As with all convertibles, there is now some road noise from the top. It has been a great autocross competitor and with the BF Goodrich racing tires it really sticks to the autocross course.Jan 05, 2008
by Phil A
Dec 16, 2007
Its a sharp looking vehicle. But designed for the ladies. Not enough power. Performance is not that great.Dec 16, 2007
2003 BMW Z4 Pricing
Original MSRP
$33,795 to $40,945Price range
$9,339 to $10,062Average price on CG
$9,927YoY price change
$9,790 to $9,927Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Roof
Convertible roof: power
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: vinyl
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Carver · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Roof
Convertible roof: power
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
