Background
BMW Z4 (G29) was the third generation of the Z4 and marked a return to a purer and more sporting interpretation of BMW’s two-seat roadster concept. The new Z4 made its world premiere at Pebble Beach in August 2018, with production beginning that November. Compared with the E89 generation, the new Z4 was more compact and driver-focused while retaining the classic combination of a long bonnet, low seating position and rear-wheel drive.
Return of the fabric soft-top
For the G29, BMW abandoned the previous generation’s retractable metal roof and returned to a traditional electrically operated fabric soft-top. The roof can be opened or closed in approximately ten seconds and operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The fabric roof helped reduce weight and the car’s centre of gravity while restoring the character of a traditional roadster.
A driver-focused sports car
The new-generation Z4 had a shorter wheelbase than its predecessor but a wider track. Its low centre of gravity and almost ideal 50:50 weight distribution helped improve agility and balance. A low seating position and rearward-set cabin combined with the long bonnet to retain the classic proportions associated with BMW roadsters.
Four or six cylinders
The European Z4 range included two versions powered by 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines and the six-cylinder M40i at the top of the range. The Z4 sDrive20i produced 197 hp, the sDrive30i 258 hp and the Z4 M40i used a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six producing 340 hp and 500 Nm. The M40i accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reached an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The return of the manual gearbox
In 2024, the Z4 M40i became available with a six-speed manual transmission for the first time. This version placed even greater emphasis on the G29’s traditional sports-car character, combining a BMW straight-six, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox at a time when such a configuration had become increasingly rare.
Built in Austria
The BMW Z4 G29 was produced at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria for markets around the world. Production began in November 2018. Its four- and six-cylinder engines were also manufactured in Austria at the BMW Group engine plant in Steyr.
Approximately 90,000 cars
Production of the G29 continued until the spring of 2026. BMW has not published a definitive official production total, but available production data indicate that approximately 90,000 third-generation Z4s were built. This made the G29 a relatively low-volume sports car compared with BMW’s mainstream model ranges.
Final Edition
The end of Z4 production was marked by the Final Edition. Distinctive features included Frozen Matt Black paintwork, red M Sport brake calipers and red contrast stitching in the interior. The Final Edition brought the G29’s production run of more than seven years to a close and marked the end of the Z4 model line that had begun in 2002.
Model in the collection
The BMW Z4 (G29) in my collection was produced by TSM Models.
Technical data in brief
World premiere: August 2018
Production period: November 2018 – spring 2026
Production location: Magna Steyr, Graz, Austria
Body style: two-seat roadster
Roof: electrically operated fabric soft-top
Roof operation time: approximately 10 seconds
Engines: 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged petrol engines
Power: 197–340 hp in European specification
Z4 M40i torque: 500 Nm
Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
Weight distribution: approximately 50:50
Z4 M40i 0–100 km/h: 4.6 seconds
Z4 M40i top speed: 250 km/h, electronically limited
Production: approximately 90,000 cars
Special feature: third-generation Z4 combining a classic fabric soft-top, rear-wheel drive and up to six-cylinder power
Photo of the real car. Photo: Sten-Patrick Kreek