| Model year | 2009 |
| Make | BMW |
| Model | Z4 |
| Style | S-Drive 35i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) |
| Base MSRP | $52,475 |
| Options on test vehicle | Premium Package ($2,500 --includes power front seats, power lumbar, auto-dimming mirrors, universal garage opener, BMW Assist); Sport Package ($2,300 -- includes adaptive suspension, sport seats); Navigation System ($2,100 -- includes navigation system, iDrive electronics interface); Premium Sound Package ($2,000 -- includes premium hi-fi sound system, in-dash six-CD changer, iPod/USB audio jack); Cold Weather Package ($1,000 -- includes heated steering wheel, heated front seats, retractable headlight washers, trunk pass-through); Satellite Radio ($595); Metallic Paint ($550); Keyless Ignition/Entry ($500). |
| As-tested MSRP | $64,020 |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Inline-6 with twin turbochargers and direct injection |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,979cc (182 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.2:1 |
| Redline (rpm) | 7,000 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 300 @ 5,800 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 300 @ 1,400 |
| Transmission type | 6-speed manual |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I = 4.06; II = 2.40; III = 1.58; IV = 1.19; V = 1.00; VI = 0.87; Final Drive = 3.08 |
| Suspension, front | Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent, multilink, coil springs and stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric power steering with variable-effort maps |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 14.4:1 |
| Tire brand | Bridgestone |
| Tire model | Potenza RE050A |
| Tire type | Summer performance, run-flat |
| Tire size, front | 225/40R18 88W |
| Tire size, rear | 255/35R18 90W |
| Wheel size | 18-by-8 inches front -- 18-by-8.5 inches rear |
| Wheel material | Aluminum alloy |
| Brakes, front | 13.7-inch ventilated discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 12.8-inch ventilated discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 3.6 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 5.2 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 7.7 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 13.4 @ 103.7 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 4.9 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 26 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 106 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 68.9 (67.4 with stability control on) |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.87 (0.86 with stability control on) |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 47.9 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 79.1 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 68.9 |
| Acceleration comments | As with all BMWs using this engine, the Z4 is hard to launch effectively. It wants to boil or bog. Get it right speedwise and there's lots of wheel hop, but it's quick. |
| Braking rating | Excellent |
| Braking comments | Solid, consistent pedal on all stops. Completely confidence-inspiring. |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Will not rotate regardless of throttle/steering inputs -- at the speeds reached on a 100-foot-radius skid pad, anyway. Just manage the understeer. Slalom: Very stable during high-speed transitions. Not sensitive to the bump at cone #3. Good information through controls, but not nimble in this maneuver. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 75.6 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 3.5 mph headwind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 17 city/25 highway |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 19.2 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 14.5 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,450 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,496 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 49/51 (top up); 48/52 (top down) |
| Length (in.) | 166.9 |
| Width (in.) | 70.5 |
| Height (in.) | 50.8 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 98.3 |
| Track, front (in.) | 59.5 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 61.4 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 35.1 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 42.2 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.1 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 53.3 |
| Seating capacity | 2 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 10.9 (6.4 with top down) |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 12 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 4 years/Unlimited miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard dual front with head protection chambers |
| Head airbags | Not available |
| Knee airbags | Dual front |
| Antilock brakes | 4-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Direct tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Not available |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
See which cars and trucks our editors recommend