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I like the interior of this BMW so much better than their current all LCD interiors. I also think this is the best six cylinder and the sweet spot for BMW. I don’t need anything faster and with that manual, perfection.
It's bad enough the other BMWs have so many screens, but it's made infinitely worse that they are just propped up on the dash as if by popsicle sticks and not fully surrounded/enclosed by a nice dash board.
I order a Z4 manual in April - metallic green on cognac leather. According to bmw app it should be on the assembly line this week. After seeing this review, I’m even more excited to get it.
So envyous of you guys in the US, for starters we in Brazil don't even get that as a manual, or any sports car with a manual. If we did it would be crazy expensive for us, it would cost 800.000 Brazilian Reais, considering the minimum wage is 15.000 Reais a year, for many people it's unreal. Even for me as a doctor it would be really hard to get.
Wow! I'm four and a half minutes in, listening to you describe the car as you're driving, and I just now noticed the lack of wind noise and THE TOP IS DOWN!!! Wow!
Yes, when the top down, the wind noise is very minimal. You can carry a conversation at speeds. Still amazes me: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xzQBG1MVUZc.htmlsi=Qzcc5In2KiVLIifc
Mine is coming in at the end of the month. I also chose San Remo, although I liked the frozen paint, I was worried about the upkeep of those matte paints.
Those "Frozen" paints are veritable money pits, buyer beware, because unlike traditional paint YOU CANNOT POLISH OUT ANY paint imperfection without causing even more damage. Also you have to be EXTREMELY careful, and use SPECIAL techniques to wash your car, in order to prevent paint damage. Therefore if you want to protect your investment, prepare to pony up another CDN $6,000.00+ for a fullbody paint protection film (PPF). IF YOU WANT FROZEN LOOK FOR LESS: buy Z4 with normal paint and then pay for fullbody Stealth PPF, which will make your normal paint look like frozen paint.
oh very nice; I didn't know you could spec a Z4 with a manual. BMW seems to be about driver enjoyment in legacy only, so it's nice to see they do offer some engagement in their lineup even today. In my opinion, anything that still offers a gasoline-only powertrain should be mated to a manual, and everything else should be a hybrid.
The market moved to crossovers & BMW led the way, why Spartanburg largest American exporter of vehicles. But they also sell more M than ever after half a century so they're not just "legacy", neu G90 M5 has NO competition.
@@unowen-nh9ov I'm not confident any bit of the M-cars in its lineup are about driver engagement anymore. They're rather heavy, insulated and automated compared to their predecessors. One could argue they have nothing to do with motorsports.
I just sold my Z4 2021 model (28000KMS) in Belgium. The problem is that this model has a significant depreciation. You better keep it for a long time. It's also a shame it has been restricted in EU to 340 CV instead of 377 CV in the US. It's a huge difference on the road.
The depreciation is great for someone like me who only buys preowned cars. Means I can get a great deal on a used car and then keep it a long time after that with almost no further loss.
I had a 2016 M235i with 6M in Alpine White with red cognac seats. The manual was good but not quite as good as I expected from BMW. I've got a C6 LS3 6M Corvette Coupe now, and it's a hell of a great car, but this Z4 M6 looks like a car I'd love to have in my garage. Will keep an eye on my local BMW dealer.
Great review! Brian, I have to thank you for your efforts to help save the manual. Not only have you talked about it but you made merch to help get the word out there and right now manual lovers are eating well. Again, thank you! Now it is up to all of us to actually buy these cars. One of our cars is a manual, the Type R, and my wife already agreed that the next addition to the stable will be a manual. Keep up the great work. A manual with a drop top is an incredible combination.
@@unowen-nh9ov For me that really is not a problem because as of now I am not in the market for a F1 car or a Ferrari but the Subaru BRZ / Toyota GR 86, Toyota GR Supra, Toyota GR Corolla, Mazda Miata, Ford Mustang GT, Mustang Dark Horse, the complete Chevy Camaro line up including the ZL1, the Acura Integra Type S, Nissan Z and the Lotus Emira all have manuals and that does not even include the used market. I have more choices in manuals than I have money to buy them. Manual lovers are eating good right now.
@@BrianMakse Newbie to your channel...and loved this z4 review. Question: You mention merch available at IMSA events. What do you race and....will you be at Road America at the August IMSA event? Would seek you out if so.
Made along side the Supra but $15K more for the Z4, better parts? Either could be a slightly used retirement gift, but I become so attached to my 2008 MX-5 in true red. I think I'd go with San Francisco red here.
Is it me or do reviewers mostly seem to be driving in some dreamland where there are no cars ahead of or behind you. Is it Virginia or the Carolinas? I can rest assure it isn't L.A.!
Brian, it would have been helpful to hear your thoughts on how this compares to the manual Supra. That said, it is refreshing to have a review on the Z4 that does not mention Supra at all. As both cars approach their end of production, it's nice to see them continue to be well-reviewed and appreciated by enthusiasts.
I live in the UK and have just ordered one of these to replace my Morgan Plus 6 (with same engine, but auto). I am very grateful to everyone in US who by pushing for a manual option have helped sway the German Bean Counters to make this until early 2026 ish. This car is comfortable enough (ride quality plus wind control) to get my wife to sit in it, but also a huge memory lane as we tend to all learn on manuals in the UK. It is also fast enough to have wind in your "hair" fun on the curves without loosing your license, which is my definition of the perfect roadster, a future classic! I have bought a "Save the Manuals" hoodie to say thanks and to wear, but please keep up the good work as you have at least one fan in the UK!
Does the clutch grab 2/3 of the way up like in the Supra? I found the Supra very difficult to shift fast. I assume that this car is basically the same package.
Brian, can you talk to the manufactures and tell them we want more manuals, more sedans and more wagons in NA! Im headed to Europe this summer and reserved a car thru Enterprise. The choice in cars (not suvs) is outstanding. You can get, for example, a VW Passat manual, a Skoda Octavia fast back manual, a BMW 3, or 5 manual or an Audi 4, 6 series manual. We reserved an A6 estate manual. It sux in NA.
I do and many of them get it, but the accountants have enough influence over the business case that it’s often a tough sell. I bet BMW is going to lose money on this new Z4 manual as a stand-alone vehicle. There are still plenty of enthusiasts who work in those offices and they are our last hope. Kinda like Obi Wan Kenobi 😎
Great review. Very cool that BMW is still making some entertaining performance cars. Is it just me or did this car become much more attractive with a manual?
It's the same thing. It's more than likely the reason BMW put out this Handschalter package. They didn't want people getting the Supra because they wanted the stick.
@SamCarLegion Well, yeah. There's going to be specific differences between the two with their individual Toyota and BMW attributes. They're still essentially the same car and why BMW is giving us the manual. The answer to your initial question is as simple as "are you a Toyota guy or a BMW guy?" If anyone gives you one answer over the other, that'll tell you what camp they're in. I doubt too many are seriously considering one or the other, especially now that the Z4 has a manual option. Neither have good sales numbers anyways.
Thank you BMW for this. Reminds me of my last 2016 series 1 with manual six gears and full rear wheel drive - I think this would be very similar to it and a very fun car to drive. Thanks for the good video.
31 years ago we had a 1989 M Roadster. Arrest-me-red with black and red seats. Still the most fun car I’ve owned/driven. I live in a small southwest Florida town where Ferraris and Porsches roam freely up and down our main drag, snarling and crackling but frustrated perhaps due to all the stop lights along the way. It’s all a bit silly to see, all the drivers flexing. This new roadster is the perfect antidote to all that silliness, and has me thinking hard about buying one. Your review is one of the best out there - thanks.
Nice. And yes, it is well-finished. However, I couldn't afford the up-front cost, much less BMW's (notorious) servicing costs, so MX-5 (NC) it will (still) be, for me. Thanks for the review.
I have an MX5 PRHT and a 2024 Supra 45th. For top-down driving at slow-to-medium speeds, the MX5 is great. However, when EVs are bullying me, I'm glad to be in the Supra.
The B58 is severely underrated in terms of hp. My MK5 2020 Supra made around 380hp at the crank on the dyno whereas on paper it is 335hp, but tuned now it makes 540hp and had zero issues with it. One of the best engines from any auto maker.
Here we go Again ✅ The BMW 3.0i Turbo is an Old engine from the early 80s that powered the 745i making 250bhp so BMW has given it a 24v Head to make more power and tidied it up for today’s Emissions ✅
@@2023JCWMINICOOPER You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but as someone who has owned 2 Miatas and currently owns a 982 Boxster GTS, I would disagree. Miata's are not just for hairdressers, but for anyone who wants the most smile-educing and engaging car you can drive on a public street.
@@timmietz Thanks for information and good to know I’ve not been comatose for months. I really enjoyed your MX5 base model review and my 24 year model has arrived after four months.Running in trips planned on Spains mountain roads.
The only reason BMWs were synonymous with driving fun is because you could've easily loose your rear in them. What people didn't understand is that fun is more about controlling that looseness which BMWs were never good at, exactly like old Porsches. In the same time, Japanese RWD cars were way better at that, but those were the times when Japanese sports cars weren't readily available, not just in the US, even in Europe, and that's how "BMW are great to drive" stayed until this day. Unfortunatelly, those kind of cars are dead today, so a bunch of people outside of Japan missed the best generation of cars, probably in the history of this planet. Also, that manual can't touch the one from Honda S2000, NSX, or the new Civic/Integra.
I know these have different missions, but how would you compare the Z4 manual setup with the new G80 M2 manual? When I drove the M2, I wasn’t too impressed because the car felt heavy (it is), and it didn’t seem playful…like it had to be pushed hard to have fun. Is the Z4 formula fundamentally different?
Brian, great video as usual. What would be your opinion of this as a hardtop? I personally think it would be a home-run. The Z4 to me needs a hardtop option - basically the 2 door, 2 seater coupe I want from BMW.
@@BrianMakse Fair point - the financial side will always win over the enthusiast wishes. Especially given the collective shift of modern BMW. Appreciate the response!
Every time I watch your videos, I want to scoot your seat back about 4-6 inches. Maybe it’s an optical illusion, but it looks like you’re eating the steering wheel! 😎
My man is a racing driver and knows how to sit behind the wheel properly. Here’s some free knowledge for ya: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ErK4N5H620M.html
Great review…the problem with BMW is that when it ages it looks obsolete unlike the Mazda MX5 which ages so beautifully. Between the Lexus LC500 and this Z4, I would take the Lexus…probably little more money but worth every penny.
You’re absolutely wrong. BMW did all the rework on the manual for the Z4 and it’s better than the one Supra. I beg you to do your homework next time. Per BMW, “…6-speed manual gearbox developed specifically for the BMW Z4 M40i. It is a BMW modular transmission that has been modified for the B58B30O1 engine’s output, incorporating M-specific components for the gear set and shafts. The outer shift mechanism comprising the shift lever, its guide, and the connection to the transmission, has been specially engineered for use in the BMW Z4 M40i..”.
If I were in the price point - I’d have to cross shop this with a boxster. Had a 981 boxster s 6mt and sold it in favor of a Miata. As for this z4, 3,500lbs is too porky.
The manual transmission needs to die with the dinosaurs! There is no advantage anymore! Wasting time thinking when to down shift or up shift should be done in a transmission computer that will make a fool of the best drivers in the world! Ask a pro driver and you will see this is true! If you want old school buy a good older vehicle and have fun pretending you are a real driver! Good luck and don't crash!
Well, you just might be asking a pro driver and this pro driver says that our race cars are mandated with automated gearboxes and given that, this pro driver will take road cars with manuals all day, every day.
tell me your gen Z, wear skinny jeans, like launch control and inherently low T without saying it... your whole damn logic on manuals! The term "Sports car" inherently means that YOU WANT TO WORK WHILE DRIVING and have as much control over every process as possible! THAT IS THE JOY OF THE DRIVE! Buy a damn, Prius or Tesla and quote 0-60 times and sip a latte if you want! WE LIKE TO DRIVE! #heeltoe
Well there are advantages to a microwave wave vs a BBQ. It faster - just like a DCT - but I’ll keep cooking my steaks, burgers, etc on a bbq and keep driving my 718 Spyder manual. I do have B58 BMW 440i convertible and Audi S5 as well and for a daily in the city the autobox works. To paraphrase Thomas Aquinas, “For those who believe in the art and beauty of driving a true manual, no explanation is necessary, for those who do not, no explanation is possible. “
