The BMW Z4 was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2002 as the Bavarian carmaker’s replacement for its previous rear-drive, two-seater convertible offering: the Z3. The Z4 was welcomed as a more competent performer than the Z3 and has been a popular choice in the convertible sports car category ever since. It has, in fact, only seen two generations in almost 15 years of production, the second of which (with retractable hard top roof) came out in 2009. Over 100,000 Z4s have been sold in total. 2016 will likely be the last of the second generation Z4 (internally known as the E89), before it is replaced by an all-new third generation model.
Rumors and tidbits of legitimate information have been circling for months around BMW’s collaboration with Toyota on an upcoming Supra sports car. Details are still murky at best, but BMW will sell a version of the Toyota/BMW as the Z4, and both it and the Toyota will likely be powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. That car is still in development, so for 2016 the Z4 will remain an E89, and its final year is as much a stopgap model as anything. As such, the 2016 BMW Z4 is largely the same as the year before, and even the prices remain the same.
There are, however, a few cosmetic changes to note, showing that BMW hasn’t completely forgotten about the E89 until the new Z4 is finally ready. Probably the most exciting new change is the availability of Estoril Blue paint for the Z4. One of BMWs very best shades, it’s been shining on M3s for years but has been absent from many other models in BMW’s range (including the Z4) until now. Crimson Red is also no longer an available color, and sports seats are now standard on all models.
The BMW Z4 is still available in three trims. sDrive28i is equipped with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine with a single turbocharger that makes 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Like all Z4s, it is available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission. 0-60 for this 3,086 pound car comes in 5.5 seconds. Next up is the sDrive35i, which adds 18’’ alloy wheels (up from the 28i’s 17’’) and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-6 with an even 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes at 5.0 seconds despite the car weighing 300 lb more than the 28i. Third up in the Z4 range is the sDrive35is. It adds Adaptive M Sport suspension, a rear bumper insert with a diffuser panel, special floor mats, sports exhaust, tighter steering, and a better audio system. It has the same twin-turbo 6-cylinder as the regular 35i, but power is boosted to 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 correspondingly drops to 4.6 seconds. Like pretty much all German cars, all versions of the Z4 have the same electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The base sDrive28i will manage 22 mpg city/34 mpg highway (33 with the automatic), while the sDrive35i and sDrive 35is will both do 17/24.
Although the Z4 is a sports car, it’s also a BMW, so there are plenty of amenities. This includes the power retractable hardtop roof that, while not exactly sporting, does make the car more livable and folds all by itself in 19 seconds. As for the interior, it features memory seat adjustment, a heated steering wheel, a wind deflector to reduce noise when the top is down, dual zone climate control, a heated rear window, a rain sensor with automatic headlight activation, and all of the multimedia and infotainment familiar to anyone who’s been in a BMW recently.
One difference from the rest of the BMW range is that instead of pressing a ribbed section on the door handle to lock the car, on the Z4 you press an area below the key insert. A big interior package in 2016 worth nothing is the Ivory White Burnt Sienna package, which adds an anthracite headliner, white and black Nappa leather upholstery and wood trim. One doesn’t typically buy a two-seater for safety features, but the Z4 is a solid car with more than enough electronic aids looking out for you, including cornering brake control, brake assist, dynamic brake control, hill-start assist (35i and 35is only) and the rollover protection system.
The next Z4 will be a radically different car, so 2016 is important for this second generation as the last car that can trace its roots back to the original design in 2002. It’s not going out with a bang, but it still remains a neat, attractive, and fun offering in the sports car segment.
I purchased a used good condition bmw z4 2016. the underbelly of the front bumber has some scratches and scruffs. This is not visable as I said it is on the underbelly. What would be the best way to take care of this? thank you
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.9 · Front brake width: 0.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brake width: 0.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Dash trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.08
Engine
Alternator: 170 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: hard top
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 11
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.7 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.8 · Rear brake width: 0.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Dash trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.56
Engine
Alternator: 170 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 10
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 14
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.7 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.8 · Rear brake width: 0.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Dash trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.56
Engine
Alternator: 170 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 10
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: hard top
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: battery disconnect
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent