BMW Z4 M40i 2019 Review

BMW will not build a full-on 'M' version of the Z4 sports car. There's simply no need, the M division's president, Markus Flasch told Australian journalists during the week carsales was testing the BMW Z4 M40i.

According to the head of BMW's performance arm, the range-topping Z4 is already right up there with the M2 for performance and M-style driving dynamics.

After a week in the flagship of the new G29 series, it's easy to understand his point... the BMW Z4 M40i is essentially everything an M version should be, but with better ride comfort.

That's the stand-out aspect of this machine – it's a turbocharged six-cylinder sports car with grand tourer aspirations. When all is said and done, the BMW Z4 M40i is very civilised. Even in the (standard) Sport mode the suspension is forgiving, but won't relinquish any grip on the road. The high-performance Z4 is relatively quiet too, and the new combination of instrument cluster, head-up display and infotainment screen – similar to the setup introduced with the new 3 Series – is highly configurable and yet easy to use.

The B58 engine in the BMW Z4 M40i revs to 7000rpm with the throttle wide open, but gets there smoothly and accompanied by a classic BMW soundtrack. On the overrun the engine pops and burps through the exhaust as well, yet the engine fades into the background at open-road speeds, when it's revving at just 1600rpm.

Coupled to the straight six is an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission that shifts gently and is responsive and adaptive. Even in Comfort or Eco modes it shifts down automatically when you need it to do so – on hills, for instance, or braking for a stop sign – but it also disengages the engine for coasting to save fuel.

The process is seamless and the system is never caught flat-footed. Shift paddles turn with the wheel and the transmission's manual mode adjusts the shift points to take advantage of the engine's abundant torque.

Around town that torque is available all the time and at pretty much any engine speed, including low revs for reasonable fuel consumption. Eco-Pro mode, the idle-stop system and coasting all help reduce the fuel consumption further.

The fuel-saving drive mode is acceptable in urban conditions, and marks a significant improvement on earlier iterations for driveability. When the light changes to green the idle-stop system restarts the engine immediately – and with little in the way of compression-bump vulgarity.

On the freeway the fuel economy can fall below 6.0L/100km, but the Z4 will consume fuel at a rate more like 11.9L/100km in daily commuting. On a 70km test loop the final figure was 9.9L/100km. Those are good numbers for a turbocharged 3.0-litre six.

There's more than enough torque available in the range-topping Z4 variant to kick out the rear of the car in a corner – although the stability control system will bring the car back on track in a measured way.

The BMW's four-wheel ventilated-disc brakes are strong, complemented by good pedal feel and enough grip from the tyres to rein in the Z4 quickly without complaint.

In terms of roadholding, the Z4 M40i at least has the measure of the Jaguar F-TYPE 2.0, but would struggle against the Alpine A110 recently tested alongside the Jag, or a Porsche 718 Cayman.

Although the Z4's native handling trait is oversteer, the rear of the car has to sustain some serious 'driver input' before the tyres become unglued. It's a very well-tuned suspension system, exhibiting almost no sign of lift-off oversteer during the test.

In the standard Sport mode – there's also a Sport Plus mode – the Z4's steering loads up and conveys to the driver that the front wheels – shod with Michelin 255/35 ZR19 tyres – will cling on longer than the wider (275/35 ZR 19) Michelins at the rear.

The Z4 can be placed quite precisely on the road, but steering loses some feel in Eco-Pro or Comfort modes, becoming light and slightly vague on centre. The fuel-saving modes also detract from the car's grip on the road, leaving it unsettled by mid-corner bumps.

At night, the Z4's headlights are excellent. They are fine as it is on low beam, but resort to the (switchable) high-beam assist and the car not only lights up the road ahead over a considerable distance, it also progressively and continuously adjusts the lighting to ensure on-coming drivers are not blinded.

The Z4's AEB was triggered by a vehicle in front turning left on the final day of the test. It's a system that will certainly wake you from your reverie if you're not paying attention, and it had begun to slow the Z4 even though the vehicle in front had completed its turn with plenty of room to spare.

Frankly, BMW engineers would be well advised to check out what MINI is doing with its forward-collision warning systems.

As with the latest 3 Series, the Z4 features a head-up display in combination with a large-format infotainment screen and an instrument cluster in a 'Virtual cockpit' style. This configuration provides great flexibility for the driver, who can opt to have satellite navigation or music tracks displayed in either the head-up display or the infotainment screen – and vice versa.

Fuel consumption or g forces can be chosen from the trip computer display in the instrument binnacle, with fuel consumption history also available in the infotainment screen.

All the displays feature attractive, high-resolution graphics.

The dual-zone climate control system has its own switchgear in a separate fascia below the infotainment screen and the steering wheel has buttons and scrolling switches for cruise control, audio settings and phone, with a button in the end of the indicator stalk to step through the trip computer functions.

For sheer versatility the BMW's array of displays and controls is practically unparalleled.

The layout is an evolutionary form of traditional BMW ergonomics, with some additional thinking from Mercedes-Benz and Audi absorbed into the mix. Switchgear placement and operation will be mostly familiar to anyone who has been driving BMWs over an extended period, but this new layout for the Z4 is impressively styled and highly functional.

Trimmed in Ivory White 'Vernasca' leather, the seats in the Z4 feature adjustable side bolstering to hold the occupant properly secure in tighter turns, and a fairly comfortable seat base. The seats are nicely contoured, but the adjustable lumbar support is critical to comfort on longer journeys, I found.

As a package, the Z4 M40i comes well equipped with features like ambient lighting, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, Apple CarPlay connectivity, the inductive smartphone charging that will accommodate iPhone plus-sized phones, two cupholders in the centre console (under a bi-fold lid that acts as an armrest when closed) and two USB ports.

No surprise that the premium audio system delivers great sound in such a small space – and despite the known acoustic flaws of a soft-top convertible.

On that subject, the Z4's fabric roof will raise and lower at speeds up to 40km/h. There's a wind deflector behind the seats to minimise blustery airflow. If there's any criticism of the roof, it's the constant squeaking and creaking (approaching driveways on an angle, for instance). In a car that is quiet for its type, the roof detracts from the otherwise restful ambience.

The Z4's boot is not huge, but by sports-car standards it's useful. At 281 litres the Z4's luggage capacity is actually larger in volume than that of a Mazda2 hatch and leads the Mercedes-Benz SLC 43 by nearly 60 litres. But it remains roughly 30 litres shy of the Jaguar F-TYPE's capacity.

Relatively easy access in a car that's not too wide or long makes the Z4 a credible daily driver, for buyers wanting a car that's practical as well as fun. About the only niggle with daily use is the low front end, which grinds on a dead-straight approach to a driveway. It's best to make an oblique approach.

To sum up, the Z4 M40i has a lovely powertrain, great interior and GT levels of comfort in a sports car. All that said, you'll have more fun – for over $20,000 less – in an Alpine A110, if that's all you want from a car like this. And if you're more a BMW aficionado, don't forget the M2, a car offering similar performance and dynamics for a lot less of the folding stuff.

How much does the 2019 BMW Z4 M40i cost?
Price: $124,900 (plus on-road costs); $127,400 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 250kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined), 9.9L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 169g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA