2024 BMW Z4 sDrive20i

Topless Fun

What is it like to drive a two-door roadster? Well, apart from the obvious that you somehow stick out like a sore thumb, driving a low-riding convertible means you get to be Mr. (or Ms.) Cool.

When BMW Philippines lent me the keys to the Z4, I got to live out my dream of becoming the cool guy at the office for almost a week, complete with sunglasses. While this isn't exactly my first time to get behind the wheel of a roadster, this is my first time to drive a German sports car.

BMW may be known for making sedans, SUVs, and coupes, but they also make stylish roadsters. While the company has moved on from the Z3, it now has the Z4 which is now on its third generation (codenamed G29). Yes, it's the twin of the GR Supra which has resulted in some enthusiasts calling its Toyota cousin the “Zupra”. Not only do the two cars have a similar platform but they’re made in the same Magna Steyr factory in Austria. Despite being made in the same facility, the Z4 is a roadster through and through, not a hardtop coupe.

Recently refreshed for the 2024 model year, the Z4 now comes with the M Sport appearance package along with tech upgrades. But do these upgrades translate to a sleek & sporty roadster that's worth paying premium money for? And is the 2.0-liter sDrive20i engine under the hood enough to excite would-be owners on the road?

Let's start with its looks. While BMW could have made drastic changes in updating the Z4, they actually practiced restraint. It gets a restyled front grille that features a new honeycomb design without the extra 3D effect its predecessor used to have.

Beyond those, however, BMW kept the Z4’s looks relatively the same as before. From the eye-catching LED headlights to the sharp LED taillights, as well as the curvaceous bumper in the back, the droptop looks every bit as stylish. But as we mentioned earlier, all Z4 variants are now equipped with the M Sport appearance pack.

This gives the rather humble Z4 sDrive20i a sportier appearance thanks to the more aggressive-looking bumpers, deeper side skirts, and massive 18-inch alloy wheels. There are also the M badges throughout the exterior that remind everyone this is no ordinary Z4.

All in all, I have to say BMW’s approach of “less is more” in refreshing the Z4 is a welcome one. Since the droptop already looked great as it is, they didn’t need to change much despite the roadster already collecting some years. Add the M Sport appearance package as standard and it gives the Z4 a zestier look which I liked. I’m also happy that BMW wasn’t tempted to give the Z4 massive dual kidney grilles which they have become infamous for.

Unlike most BMWs nowadays that have most of their controls and settings buried in the infotainment screen, the Z4’s cabin is surprisingly more traditional. Yes, it has a digital instrument panel and a touchscreen media display but it’s one of the remaining few BMWs that still have plenty of physical buttons on the dashboard and center console. Some might prefer fewer buttons but personally, having tactile controls that you can easily press without averting your eyes from the road will always be better than having to dig through menu after menu.

From the drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport) to the dual-zone climate control as well as the controls for the folding fabric roof and media system, everything is within your fingertips. Paired with an ergonomic layout, you’ll be able to memorize which goes where and what button sets a particular mode.

Infotainment comes in the form of BMW's OS7. Yes, it's an older version of the brand's infotainment system but don't let that scare you into thinking it's lacking features. Not only does it have Bluetooth and satellite navigation, but it also comes with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. That means you can listen to your favorite playlists on YouTube Music or Spotify and use navigational apps like Waze and Google Maps with ease.

It might not have a 3.0-liter straight six under the hood, but the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder in the sDrive20i is more than enough to deliver a fun (if not exhilarating) driving experience behind the wheel. Despite the lack of two extra cylinders, the B48B20 delivers sufficient pep with 197 PS between 4500 - 6500 rpm and a healthy 320 Nm of torque from 1450 - 4200 rpm. Power is then sent to an 8-speed automatic transmission complete with paddle shifters.

With a push of a button, the Z4 rumbles into life as it delivers quite a throaty exhaust note from startup. Once it's done with its cold start warmup, the Z4 immediately quiets down like a regular daily. Speaking of daily, I have to say that the Z4 is one of the few sports cars you can actually daily. Yes, the ride is a bit stiffer than let’s say an MX-5 but that is to be expected from a convertible sports car. It’s a low-slung vehicle but speed bumps didn’t pose a problem that much for the Z4. It has a trunk in the back which is decent and can probably carry a weekend’s worth of bags. But if you plan on bringing a cooler with you, don’t even bother trying to fit it inside the trunk.

What I wasn’t expecting was how smooth and quiet it was when you’re just driving it sensibly around town. Keep a light foot and the Z4 smoothly upshifts with no effort whatsoever. The revs are kept low while the exhaust remains quiet and only lets its presence known when you bury your foot on the accelerator which I’ll get to later. Perhaps my only complaint about the drivetrain is that I wish it was able to deliver smoother downshifts, especially when you’re tooling around town.

With a 2.0L turbo under the hood, I was expecting the Z4 to be quite thirsty when it came to fuel consumption. This wasn’t the case, however, as I found out it was quite the efficient roadster. In light city driving I was able to get around 9 to 10 km/L so as long I kept my right foot in check. On the highway, it was able to average between 15 to 16 km/L. It’s no econobox, but it’s impressive all the same given the fact that it’s a two-seater droptop meant for carving mountain roads.

This was made possible thanks to the 8-speed automatic transmission. When you’re just cruising or tooling around town, the gearbox makes sure to keep the revs as low as possible. In fact, at 100 km/h, the engine was just turning over at just over 1,500 rpm. It’s even lower when you’re just at 60 km/h as the engine hovers between 1,100 to 1,200 rpm. While I could have gotten better fuel economy figures if I set the drive mode to Eco, the engine response was rather dull so I opted to keep it in Comfort mode.

Don’t think for a second the Z4 is a boring roadster that’s masquerading as a sports car, far from it. Introduce it to long and winding roads and you’ll be surprised by its agility. Not only does the Z4 remain flat and composed through the turns but it delivers tactile feedback to the driver while doing it. Set the drive mode to Sport and the Z4 just comes alive with faster acceleration and sharper steering response. Combined with the grippy Michlin Pilot Super Sport tires it feels like you’re on rails when taking corner after corner.

It may lack the brute force of an inline-six but the peppy inline-four in this particular Z4 is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing thanks to the wonders of forced induction and adaptable transmission. While the brochure states it only makes nearly 200 PS, it’s a completely different experience when you’re driving it. Bury your right foot and you’ll be surprised with the transmission’s eagerness to drop several gears and the engine kicking up the revs. And before you know it, you’re already doing triple-digit speeds if you keep your right foot planted on the accelerator for an extended amount of time.

Some might say the current Z4 would be better with a retractable hardtop like the previous generation E89 but it actually has admirable Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) deadening for a two-seater sports car. While the current Z4 will never be as quiet or as refined as a hardtop, I have to give props to BMW engineers for making the fabric roof quiet even at highway speeds. Wind noise is not an issue even when you’re driving at highway speeds as you can still hold a conversation with someone while inside the vehicle.

Perhaps the only drawback of having a soft top is the fact that loud noises from motorcycles, jeepneys, and the like can still penetrate the cabin. Heck, there were times I could hear conversations outside without much trouble. But then again, these things are to be expected when you’re driving a ragtop sports car.

After spending several days with the Z4, I have to say that the BMW Z4 is a roadster that you can actually daily. While that title also goes to the likes of the Mazda MX-5, not once did I feel tired or cramped when I was driving the BMW Z4. Yes, it’s still a low-slung vehicle which means getting in and out can be quite the chore, but I got used to it that it became muscle memory.

Outside visibility was not an issue in the Z4 although I do wish BMW put wider side mirrors so drivers can see out more. There were several times when a motorcycle was on my blind spot and I only noticed them when they overtook me. Last but not least, a slightly softer set of dampers could give the roadster better ride comfort although this might affect the sharp handling of the Z4. But then again, if Mazda can make the MX-5 handle sharply while still giving it a relatively soft ride, perhaps BMW can also do it for the Z4.

At PHP 4.890 million, the four-cylinder Z4 sDrive20i with the M Sport Package is quite the purchase. However, you do get the signature BMW styling, performance, and looks one would expect from the Bavarian-based automaker. It’s not the most practical vehicle to daily, but it’s possible and has decent trunk space for a bachelor. In case you’re with a companion, there’s extra space behind the seat for a slim briefcase or a small backpack in case the trunk is already full of pasalubong from a weekend getaway.

The 2.0L four-cylinder turbo is no inline-six but it has more than enough power and torque to satisfy the driver’s needs when driving spiritedly. The 8-speed automatic changes gears quickly but smoother downshifts would be a welcome one for the Z4 to be a bit more refined.

If you’re in the market for a fun BMW that’s not a sedan, coupe, or SUV, the Z4 is here to satisfy that specific need. And should you want something with more oomph, BMW is also selling the more powerful M40i which doles out 387 PS and 500 Nm of pull from a turbocharged straight-six.