Move beyond the middle child in the Z4 range, and you hit the wild-child variant, the range-topping M40i, which scores the more traditional, straight-six-cylinder engine, albeit a very modern, turbocharged version.
That means extra power and torque, and lots of it, at 250kW and 500Nm, which adds up to this being one very quick roadster, with a 0 to 100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a Nurburgring time even faster than the properly sporty BMW M2.
It’s certainly an exciting, loud and proud version of the Z4, and it’s an easy car to drive quickly along a challenging bit of road, but the ride is still brutally hard, and there’s something just not quite as perfect, or weighty, as you’d like about the steering, too.
Spec wise, you get everything the other two, cheaper Z4 options provide, plus M Performance engine and suspension tuning and an M Sport Differential, to help you get all that power to the wheel where it’s needed, plus lumbar support in the seats, ambient lighting for the cabin and a harman/kardon Surround Sound System with 12 speakers.
BMW Z4 2019: Sdrive 20I M-Sport
| Engine Type | Turbo 4, 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.5L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 2 |
| Price From | $50,160 - $57,640 |