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2008
BMW Z4

Starts at:
$36,700
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Roadster 3.0i
    Starts at
    $36,700
    19 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe 3.0si
    Starts at
    $40,700
    19 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Roadster 3.0si
    Starts at
    $42,700
    19 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4 2008 BMW Z4

Notable features

Roadster or two-seat coupe
215- or 255-hp engine, 330-hp engine in Z4 M
Six-speed manual or automatic
Manual or powered fabric top on roadster
High-performance M version
New gray paint for 2008
Powered fabric top on Z4 M

The good & the bad

The good

Handling and stability
Ride comfort on smooth surfaces
Quietness
Seat comfort and support
Fully automatic optional top

The bad

Ride comfort on rough surfaces
Difficult entry and exit
Cargo space
Electric power steering
Three-star side-impact rating

Expert 2008 BMW Z4 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Kelsey Mays
Full article
our expert's take

Like Stacy’s mom, BMW’s Z4 has still got it going on. Munich’s two-seat runabout hard-top or soft-top convertible remains a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts in a way some of its quicker, fresher competitors do not. Throw in decent reliability and gas mileage, and it’s easy to see why it’s been a Cars.com Best Bet for two years running. A replacement is on its way soon, but if you can tolerate the current generation’s styling — sorry, I really can’t — it’s worth a look.

My review focuses on the two-seater Z4 coupe. Little has changed for 2008, so it still comes in one trim, the 255-horsepower 3.0si. The roadster comes as an entry-level 215-hp 3.0i or a beefier 3.0si, and both body styles offer a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. An extra $9,700 over the price of the 3.0si will put you in the scintillating Z4 M, also available as a coupe or roadster; it’s covered separately in Cars.com’s Research section. Click here to compare all Z4 variants.

Still Unique
The coupe looks sharp from certain angles, and it’s different enough from the roadster to draw attention. We shot a video of the car in a park south of our downtown Chicago offices, and a Nissan 350Z owner riding by on his bike stopped to admire the car’s slung-back stance. I tried to argue otherwise: I find the well-packaged rear pleasing enough, but the long nose and awkward cut lines look like a cubist rendition of the earlier Z3. Bicycle Man would have none of it.

The BMW Z4 has been around since late 2002, a product of BMW chief designer Chris Bangle’s so-called “visual energy” approach. For 2006, the automaker tempered the Z4’s look to what you see today, with a wider grille and reshaped fog lights. The coupe arrived the same year, but it’s still relatively rare: In its first 13 months on the market, the roadster outsold it at a ratio of 7 to 1.

The roadster comes standard with a manual top. A power-operated top is optional. Seventeen-inch alloy wheel and tires are standard on all models; 18-inchers come with the optional Sport Package. City drivers should note the Z4’s alley-friendly turning circle of 32.2 feet, which beats competitors like the 350Z, Audi TT, Porsche Boxster/Cayman and Mercedes-Benz SLK by anywhere from 2.4 to 4.2 feet.

How It Moves
BMW’s normally aspirated inline-six still packs plenty of heat, if not the brute force of the turbocharged version that’s replaced it elsewhere in BMW’s lineup. Dubbed N52, the 3.0-liter engines use the automaker’s intricate valve-lift acrobatics to deliver 215 hp in the Z4 3.0i and, thanks to a three-stage intake manifold, 255 hp in the 3.0si. The latter engine offers ample torque — 220 pounds-feet at 2,750 rpm — for usable power as low as 1,800 rpm, which means you can muscle past slow-moving traffic in sixth gear from 50 mph up.

Not that you won’t want to downshift. The six-cylinder feels smoother than in the last X3 crossover I tested, whose overactive automatic gave the engine a peaky, uneven character. Here, my six-speed manual Z4 coupe weighed in at a slim 3,108 pounds — less than a 350Z or SLK, though more than the flyweight Cayman and two-wheel-drive TT — and power builds much more fluidly. Reaching the tach’s upper boundaries is easy enough, and a swell of acceleration comes expectedly on the way there.

The manual shifter flicks into gear with well-oiled, if somewhat rubbery, movements. The setup is worthy of a sports car, to be sure, but it lacks the machined precision of the 350Z’s short-throw shifter. Rush-hour commuters should note there’s a heavy clutch with a narrow engagement point, which can make stop-and-go traffic a real bear.

Where BMW excels is accelerator response: Toe the gas pedal, and the tach needle springs to attention with little delay. Let off, and it goes limp just as fast. The setup allows quick rev-matches during gear changes and, if you’re into it, expert heel-and-toe downshifting. Few competitors have the same swift response — the TT’s throttle, in particular, lags a bit.

Put the pedal down, and BMW says 60 mph comes in 5.6 seconds in the 3.0si manual. That’s about midpack: The base Cayman and ’09 SLK300 are marginally slower, according to their respective automakers, while the six-cylinder TT with its dual-clutch gearbox is a bit quicker. Nissan doesn’t publish acceleration figures for the 350Z, but most independent tests put the 306-hp car in the low 5-second range.

Gas mileage, at 18/28 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and either engine, leads all but the Cayman when you look at six-cylinder performance. The automatic adds 1 mpg in the city. Like many of its peers, the rear-wheel-drive BMW Z4 coupe sips premium fuel.

Turning & Stopping
Opt for the Sport Package and you’ll get BMW’s Dynamic Driving Control, which adds a Sport button next to the shifter. My car came thus equipped. Pressing it quickens accelerator response, though I’m lukewarm on the results: Rev-matching is no easier than it already was, and the gas pedal gets too touchy for smooth around-town driving.

More acceptable is the Sport mode’s reduction in power-steering assist, which you’ll notice immediately. The steering wheel requires more effort to turn, but it gains a bit of turn-in precision; rotate the wheel, and the nose darts swiftly to one side or the other. The car’s underpinnings are a reliable partner for such maneuvers. The suspension utilizes struts up front and a multilink setup in back, and the setup is sport-tuned with the Sport Package. Body roll is minimal, and the Z4 holds its course well through a corner. I’ve driven the Cayman S, not the base Cayman, but Porsche’s mid-engine competitor seems better balanced — it’s easier to hang the tail mid-corner and reel it in as you’re straightening out. The Z4 exhibits similarly predictable control, but its chassis feels less prepared for dips and rises in the road, especially if you’re flinging the car through a corner at the same time. The 350Z and Mercedes-Benz SLK are even choppier in this regard. I haven’t driven the TT enough to offer a conclusive handling evaluation, but its nose-heavy weight distribution suggests it may understeer a bit more than the others.

Road noise on the highway is high, but ride quality is tolerable. The suspension responds loudly to bumps, but it sorts them out so your spine doesn’t have to. Another plus is the BMW  Z4’s standard four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, which deliver the confident stopping power I’ve come to expect from BMW. It can take some time to get accustomed to the pedal’s grabby response, however.

The Inside
Cramped, sparsely adorned cabins are to be expected in this class. Considering such, the BMW Z4 makes good use of its space. The dashboard employs low-gloss materials and genuine wood or aluminum, though some of the plastics around the window sills have a grainy, less premium finish. The seats and doors have a high grade of semi-gathered leather. Faux leather is standard on the Z4 3.0i, while an extended-leather option on the 3.0si adds cowhide to the windshield frame, sun visors and elsewhere.

The optional power seats in my test car had small but robust bolsters; further down the options list are sport seats with thicker bolsters. Either way, the chairs have surprising adjustment range and could easily accommodate 6-foot-plus drivers. Less generous are the storage and convenience provisions, which include a tiny glove box and a shelved compartment between the seats. The BMW Z4’s flip-out cupholders — one to either side of the dash — feel about as sturdy as the Detroit Lions’ defensive line.

Cargo volume behind the seats measures 10.1 cubic feet in the coupe and 9.2 cubic feet in the roadster with the top raised. With it down, the figure drops to 8.5 cubic feet. Those numbers roughly match the SLK (9.8 cubic feet with the top up) and beat the 350Z (6.8 cubic feet in the coupe). Drivers who want more cargo versatility should consider the TT coupe and Cayman, whose cargo areas (13.1 and 14.5 cubic feet, respectively) lead the group.

Safety & Reliability
Being low-volume sellers, the Z4 coupe and its competitors have not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Standard safety features include front chest and knee airbags, as well as side-impact airbags mounted in the doors. Head-protecting side curtain airbags aren’t available. The 350Z, Cayman and Boxster offer them.

Also standard on the rear-wheel Z4 are antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control. A brake-drying function keeps the discs dry during wet weather. Adaptive brake lights, which illuminate brighter during hard braking to warn drivers behind the Z4, are also standard.

Reliability may not make or break the average sports-car purchase, but the Z4’s is worth mentioning. In Consumer Reports surveys, the car has emerged with good overall scores in most of the years it’s been on the market. The publication predicts reliability for a new ’08 will be Better Than Average. The Cayman and 350Z are Much Better Than Average and Average, respectively, while the redesigned TT lacks sufficient data to be rated. The SLK is the stinker of the group, with awful reliability scores in the years the current generation has been rated.

Features & Pricing
Excluding the destination charge, the BMW Z4 3.0i starts at $36,700. The 3.0si coupe runs $40,700, while the 3.0si roadster is $42,700. Those figures closely follow the TT’s prices, and a well-equipped 350Z can be priced to match. The Porsche and Mercedes-Benz competitors start in the mid- to high 40s.

Standard features on the Z4 3.0i include 17-inch wheels, faux leather upholstery, manual A/C and a 10-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary MP3 jack. The 3.0si adds automatic climate control, leather seats, a trip computer and upgraded THX-certified audio. Among the options are Sport and Premium packages, sport seats, upgraded leather, heated seats and a navigation system. An automatic transmission runs $1,325, while a power top on the roadster adds $750. Expect a loaded Z4 to top out around $55,000.

Z4 in the Market
The aging BMW Z4 doesn’t offer the latest infotainment or luxury features, but it connects the driver to the car in a way that perhaps only the Cayman can flat-out exceed. If you read to this point in the review, I suspect the car’s styling has scored more hits than misses for you. I can’t bring myself to agree, but I’ll assert that the car performs well in many other not-so-subjective areas.

A BMW spokesman told me a Z4 replacement will arrive for 2009, so right now there are deals to be had. If you’re still wealthy enough to drop 45 large on one of these weekend toys, you positively must share your investment strategies with the rest of us. Then give the BMW Z4 a look.

Send Kelsey an email  

 

Assistant Managing Editor-News
Kelsey Mays

Former Assistant Managing Editor-News Kelsey Mays likes quality, reliability, safety and practicality. But he also likes a fair price.

2008 BMW Z4 review: Our expert's take
By Kelsey Mays

Like Stacy’s mom, BMW’s Z4 has still got it going on. Munich’s two-seat runabout hard-top or soft-top convertible remains a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts in a way some of its quicker, fresher competitors do not. Throw in decent reliability and gas mileage, and it’s easy to see why it’s been a Cars.com Best Bet for two years running. A replacement is on its way soon, but if you can tolerate the current generation’s styling — sorry, I really can’t — it’s worth a look.

My review focuses on the two-seater Z4 coupe. Little has changed for 2008, so it still comes in one trim, the 255-horsepower 3.0si. The roadster comes as an entry-level 215-hp 3.0i or a beefier 3.0si, and both body styles offer a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. An extra $9,700 over the price of the 3.0si will put you in the scintillating Z4 M, also available as a coupe or roadster; it’s covered separately in Cars.com’s Research section. Click here to compare all Z4 variants.

Still Unique
The coupe looks sharp from certain angles, and it’s different enough from the roadster to draw attention. We shot a video of the car in a park south of our downtown Chicago offices, and a Nissan 350Z owner riding by on his bike stopped to admire the car’s slung-back stance. I tried to argue otherwise: I find the well-packaged rear pleasing enough, but the long nose and awkward cut lines look like a cubist rendition of the earlier Z3. Bicycle Man would have none of it.

The BMW Z4 has been around since late 2002, a product of BMW chief designer Chris Bangle’s so-called “visual energy” approach. For 2006, the automaker tempered the Z4’s look to what you see today, with a wider grille and reshaped fog lights. The coupe arrived the same year, but it’s still relatively rare: In its first 13 months on the market, the roadster outsold it at a ratio of 7 to 1.

The roadster comes standard with a manual top. A power-operated top is optional. Seventeen-inch alloy wheel and tires are standard on all models; 18-inchers come with the optional Sport Package. City drivers should note the Z4’s alley-friendly turning circle of 32.2 feet, which beats competitors like the 350Z, Audi TT, Porsche Boxster/Cayman and Mercedes-Benz SLK by anywhere from 2.4 to 4.2 feet.

How It Moves
BMW’s normally aspirated inline-six still packs plenty of heat, if not the brute force of the turbocharged version that’s replaced it elsewhere in BMW’s lineup. Dubbed N52, the 3.0-liter engines use the automaker’s intricate valve-lift acrobatics to deliver 215 hp in the Z4 3.0i and, thanks to a three-stage intake manifold, 255 hp in the 3.0si. The latter engine offers ample torque — 220 pounds-feet at 2,750 rpm — for usable power as low as 1,800 rpm, which means you can muscle past slow-moving traffic in sixth gear from 50 mph up.

Not that you won’t want to downshift. The six-cylinder feels smoother than in the last X3 crossover I tested, whose overactive automatic gave the engine a peaky, uneven character. Here, my six-speed manual Z4 coupe weighed in at a slim 3,108 pounds — less than a 350Z or SLK, though more than the flyweight Cayman and two-wheel-drive TT — and power builds much more fluidly. Reaching the tach’s upper boundaries is easy enough, and a swell of acceleration comes expectedly on the way there.

The manual shifter flicks into gear with well-oiled, if somewhat rubbery, movements. The setup is worthy of a sports car, to be sure, but it lacks the machined precision of the 350Z’s short-throw shifter. Rush-hour commuters should note there’s a heavy clutch with a narrow engagement point, which can make stop-and-go traffic a real bear.

Where BMW excels is accelerator response: Toe the gas pedal, and the tach needle springs to attention with little delay. Let off, and it goes limp just as fast. The setup allows quick rev-matches during gear changes and, if you’re into it, expert heel-and-toe downshifting. Few competitors have the same swift response — the TT’s throttle, in particular, lags a bit.

Put the pedal down, and BMW says 60 mph comes in 5.6 seconds in the 3.0si manual. That’s about midpack: The base Cayman and ’09 SLK300 are marginally slower, according to their respective automakers, while the six-cylinder TT with its dual-clutch gearbox is a bit quicker. Nissan doesn’t publish acceleration figures for the 350Z, but most independent tests put the 306-hp car in the low 5-second range.

Gas mileage, at 18/28 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and either engine, leads all but the Cayman when you look at six-cylinder performance. The automatic adds 1 mpg in the city. Like many of its peers, the rear-wheel-drive BMW Z4 coupe sips premium fuel.

Turning & Stopping
Opt for the Sport Package and you’ll get BMW’s Dynamic Driving Control, which adds a Sport button next to the shifter. My car came thus equipped. Pressing it quickens accelerator response, though I’m lukewarm on the results: Rev-matching is no easier than it already was, and the gas pedal gets too touchy for smooth around-town driving.

More acceptable is the Sport mode’s reduction in power-steering assist, which you’ll notice immediately. The steering wheel requires more effort to turn, but it gains a bit of turn-in precision; rotate the wheel, and the nose darts swiftly to one side or the other. The car’s underpinnings are a reliable partner for such maneuvers. The suspension utilizes struts up front and a multilink setup in back, and the setup is sport-tuned with the Sport Package. Body roll is minimal, and the Z4 holds its course well through a corner. I’ve driven the Cayman S, not the base Cayman, but Porsche’s mid-engine competitor seems better balanced — it’s easier to hang the tail mid-corner and reel it in as you’re straightening out. The Z4 exhibits similarly predictable control, but its chassis feels less prepared for dips and rises in the road, especially if you’re flinging the car through a corner at the same time. The 350Z and Mercedes-Benz SLK are even choppier in this regard. I haven’t driven the TT enough to offer a conclusive handling evaluation, but its nose-heavy weight distribution suggests it may understeer a bit more than the others.

Road noise on the highway is high, but ride quality is tolerable. The suspension responds loudly to bumps, but it sorts them out so your spine doesn’t have to. Another plus is the BMW  Z4’s standard four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, which deliver the confident stopping power I’ve come to expect from BMW. It can take some time to get accustomed to the pedal’s grabby response, however.

The Inside
Cramped, sparsely adorned cabins are to be expected in this class. Considering such, the BMW Z4 makes good use of its space. The dashboard employs low-gloss materials and genuine wood or aluminum, though some of the plastics around the window sills have a grainy, less premium finish. The seats and doors have a high grade of semi-gathered leather. Faux leather is standard on the Z4 3.0i, while an extended-leather option on the 3.0si adds cowhide to the windshield frame, sun visors and elsewhere.

The optional power seats in my test car had small but robust bolsters; further down the options list are sport seats with thicker bolsters. Either way, the chairs have surprising adjustment range and could easily accommodate 6-foot-plus drivers. Less generous are the storage and convenience provisions, which include a tiny glove box and a shelved compartment between the seats. The BMW Z4’s flip-out cupholders — one to either side of the dash — feel about as sturdy as the Detroit Lions’ defensive line.

Cargo volume behind the seats measures 10.1 cubic feet in the coupe and 9.2 cubic feet in the roadster with the top raised. With it down, the figure drops to 8.5 cubic feet. Those numbers roughly match the SLK (9.8 cubic feet with the top up) and beat the 350Z (6.8 cubic feet in the coupe). Drivers who want more cargo versatility should consider the TT coupe and Cayman, whose cargo areas (13.1 and 14.5 cubic feet, respectively) lead the group.

Safety & Reliability
Being low-volume sellers, the Z4 coupe and its competitors have not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Standard safety features include front chest and knee airbags, as well as side-impact airbags mounted in the doors. Head-protecting side curtain airbags aren’t available. The 350Z, Cayman and Boxster offer them.

Also standard on the rear-wheel Z4 are antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control. A brake-drying function keeps the discs dry during wet weather. Adaptive brake lights, which illuminate brighter during hard braking to warn drivers behind the Z4, are also standard.

Reliability may not make or break the average sports-car purchase, but the Z4’s is worth mentioning. In Consumer Reports surveys, the car has emerged with good overall scores in most of the years it’s been on the market. The publication predicts reliability for a new ’08 will be Better Than Average. The Cayman and 350Z are Much Better Than Average and Average, respectively, while the redesigned TT lacks sufficient data to be rated. The SLK is the stinker of the group, with awful reliability scores in the years the current generation has been rated.

Features & Pricing
Excluding the destination charge, the BMW Z4 3.0i starts at $36,700. The 3.0si coupe runs $40,700, while the 3.0si roadster is $42,700. Those figures closely follow the TT’s prices, and a well-equipped 350Z can be priced to match. The Porsche and Mercedes-Benz competitors start in the mid- to high 40s.

Standard features on the Z4 3.0i include 17-inch wheels, faux leather upholstery, manual A/C and a 10-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary MP3 jack. The 3.0si adds automatic climate control, leather seats, a trip computer and upgraded THX-certified audio. Among the options are Sport and Premium packages, sport seats, upgraded leather, heated seats and a navigation system. An automatic transmission runs $1,325, while a power top on the roadster adds $750. Expect a loaded Z4 to top out around $55,000.

Z4 in the Market
The aging BMW Z4 doesn’t offer the latest infotainment or luxury features, but it connects the driver to the car in a way that perhaps only the Cayman can flat-out exceed. If you read to this point in the review, I suspect the car’s styling has scored more hits than misses for you. I can’t bring myself to agree, but I’ll assert that the car performs well in many other not-so-subjective areas.

A BMW spokesman told me a Z4 replacement will arrive for 2009, so right now there are deals to be had. If you’re still wealthy enough to drop 45 large on one of these weekend toys, you positively must share your investment strategies with the rest of us. Then give the BMW Z4 a look.

Send Kelsey an email  

 

Safety review

Based on the 2008 BMW Z4 base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
5/5
Side driver
3/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Certified Pre-Owned Elite with less than 15,000 miles; Certified Pre-Owned with less than 60,000 miles
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles from expiration of 4-year / 50,000-mile new car warranty
Dealer certification
196-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.1
Interior 4.6
Performance 4.8
Value 4.6
Exterior 5.0
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • Most Beautiful, Best Driving Car I’ve Ever Owned

    2008 BMW Z4 Osi with M Package - Has exceeded my expectations. Zero problems outside of standard repairs expected on all vehicles. Corners great, Drives smooth, Holds the Road, Comfortable, Great Trunk Space, Excellent BMW Service
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    9 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • A fun car to drive!

    The car rides comfortably with little road noise for a roadster. My biggest complaint is the problem of water getting to the top motor making the top inoperable and is a expensive fix. It appears BMW does not have a permanent fix for this problem.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The z4 3.0si coupe is a spendid little sports car.

    It is an affordable, rare, zippy little car that really gives you the Ultimate Driving machine experience without the cost of other cars in its class. The car has a very firm ride , adequate performance from the 3.0. With a manual transmission one really gets to experience the pleasure of a real GT car. It turns lots of heads since it is so rare.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • A very special car, not for everyone

    BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si. This car is very unique because of its rarity, but also its driving dynamics. It is great fun to drive with excellent handling. Weight distribution is very near 50/50, the chassis is exceptionally rigid, and you can feel the balance & poise when driving hard. If you want it to stick to the road it does, if you want it to slide it does. Changes direction almost intuitively. You are in control, and you feel very much a part of the car, and visa versa. Only complaint is the lack of a Limited slip differential, however that can be retrofitted easily. The 3.0L (Si) engine is an absolute gem with great torque & power delivery, smoothness, and one of the best soundtracks out there. It is a pleasure to rev it to its limit. Styling is subjective of course, but it is definitely different than most other sport coupes, and the classic old-school proportions are just beautiful, to my eyes. I get looks on the road quite frequently even though the car is 12 years old. The interior styling is great in my opinion. Leg room & head room is more than ample even if you are over 6 ft, however the cabin is on the smaller side, so there is not much room for anything else (other than the passengers). Also, bigger drivers might find the bucket seats a tad too tight. The quality of materials is mixed, as there is nice leather and soft plastics in some places, but not-so-good quality hard plastics in other places. Trunk is quite large for its class. The manual gearbox is a bit notchy and requires a firm hand, but you get used to it and it does the job just fine. Especially in fast, high-reving gear changes. Reliability in my experience is 10/10. Absolutely no complaints. Now for the car's Achille's heel: the ride comfort is bad. No other way to say it. The suspension is very stiff even for a sports car. It's fine on smooth roads, but on anything other than good tarmac/asphalt the ride is close to being unacceptable. Being "sporty" or a "sports car" is not an excuse, as there are plenty of other sports cars of its era with amazing handling, as well as comfortable suspension (Porsche Cayman/Boxster, Mazda RX8, Mazda Miata, Toyota GT86 etc). If not for the suspension being overly firm, the BMW Z4 coupe 3.0si would be close to the Perfect sports car. It is still a fantastic car, which offers so very much...but it is not for everyone. And that maybe, is why it didn't sell so well when it was new, thus making it rare and even more special now.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • A real driver's car, last of a generation.

    I wanted an affordable, classy, two passenger, manual, performance car and boy did i get it! Quick, responsive, and lots of fun to drive. Very stiff suspension so comfort is sacrificed but that is the trade off for cornering the way this car does.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Z4 convertable 3.0si soft roof

    The Z4 3.0si is an amazing car. I used to own a Z3 and I can definitely appreciate the superiority of Z4. Brilliant motor, amazing design, super reliable. I suggest all you to try this car if you like a convertible.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Best handling car I have ever owned.

    The performance of the z4 is great even with the 3.0i. The interior is a little small for a big person but for a average size person it is great. Very nice interior design. Love how the automatic top works. It is a great all around Roadster.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great car

    I love this car. It?s fun to drive lots out pickup. Great for summer with the top down. Sporty car great look fast and fun
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Bmw. Z4

    Best roadster for the money. So. To be a collector . Room for golf clubs in the trunk and an overnight bag. Great for a weekend getaway
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Stupid good fun car

    Get the 3.0si for maximum fun value. Sport mode will burn up your tires, which can get expensive very quickly. Always keep about $2000 on hand for the rare (bi-annual) occasion that you have to put it in the shop
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • OWN THE DREAM

    This car is so smooth. Love the speed! Handles corners. excellent acceleration. Heating system is super hot!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Own the dream

    Love this car! Very smooth and responsive. Always attracts lots of attention. Takes curves at high speeds without drifting.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2008 BMW Z4?

The 2008 BMW Z4 is available in 2 trim levels:

  • 3.0i (1 style)
  • 3.0si (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2008 BMW Z4?

The 2008 BMW Z4 offers up to 19 MPG in city driving and 28 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2008 BMW Z4?

The 2008 BMW Z4 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2008 BMW Z4 reliable?

The 2008 BMW Z4 has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2008 BMW Z4 owners.

Is the 2008 BMW Z4 a good Convertible?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2008 BMW Z4. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.1
  • Interior: 4.6
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 5.0
  • Reliability: 4.8

BMW Z4 history

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