Is the manual gearbox worth the extra 15,000 euros?

What is a BMW Z4 M40i with a manual transmission?

Name a compact two-seater convertible with a nice dose of power. You can probably name one, but it’s probably already out of production – or will be out of production soon. All the more reason to enjoy a BMW two-seater convertible with a smooth inline-six one last time. And while you’re at it, do you have to pay an extra €15,000 for the manual gearbox in the BMW Z4 M40i?

The 340-hp BMW Z4 costs no less than €94,200 according to the list price. If you select the manual gearbox in the configurator, the price of €109,484 immediately appears. And then you lose 0.1 seconds in the 0-100 time. Not that it matters much. The sprint time of the fastest Z4 with the automatic transmission is 4.5 seconds and with the manual gearbox it is 4.6 seconds, if you can change gears a little smoothly.

BMW can’t do anything about it: CO2 emissions with the manual gearbox increase by 15 grams per kilometer, and with the highest rate, that already means an extra €8,000 in BPM. The tax authorities in Belgium don’t come with a BPM hammer, and you’ll notice that in the price. There, the fastest BMW Z4 with automatic transmission costs €73,665, and if you opt for a version with a manual gearbox, you only pay €2,000 more.

Is there anything special about it other than the transmission?

If you order a BMW Z4 with a manual gearbox, you also get the Pure Impulse version right away. Only for this version can you choose the paint color Frozen Deep Green, or matt green. You also get black moldings on the outside, red brake calipers, beige leather seats and beautiful edging. The damper software has also been slightly modified for the version with the manual gearbox. This also partly explains the extra price: with the manual gearbox you get a few extra things.

How does the BMW Z4 M40i drive with a manual gearbox?

This is the main question, because you don’t buy a Z4 because of the trunk or low consumption. Let’s start with the transmission. People who have driven manual BMWs before will immediately recognize the BMW’s shift feel. Sure, the lever doesn’t have a long travel, but the action isn’t as short as, say, a Mazda MX-5.

The gearbox moves smoothly, though it doesn’t have the absolute “clicky” feel you get when you’re loading a Beretta. If we were to describe it, it feels like the insides are made of hard rubber rather than metal. That sounds more negative than it sounds; if you’re playing poker hard, you might want a slightly tighter gearbox with more resistance. But if you’re just driving quietly, it’s a lot more fun. And that’s what this car demands most.

Isn’t the Z4 M40i with manual transmission a real sports car?

The name already gives it away a bit: it’s not a Z4 M, but an M40i. That means it’s a milder M and not an open version of the M2. For example, where the Porsche 718 Boxster immediately gives you confidence from the first meter that there’s no bend it can’t handle, the BMW Z4 is set up a little softer. On the one hand, this provides more comfort, but it also makes the BMW more playful and doesn’t immediately give the impression that control is unlimited.

The Z4 is also a bit more challenging: it’s a bit more agile on its feet than the aforementioned Porsche, and if you turn off the systems, it’s no problem at all to corner in a controlled manner. Not that we ever would, of course. So it’s not a serious sports car, but it’s a fun two-seater with fun and sporty features. And with 340 horsepower, it’s also several times faster than that gorgeous convertible from Japan.

Anything else to report?

Another big advantage of the Z4 is the combination of the exhaust and the open roof. While many modern cars sound rather tame, BMW has managed to make the six-row car produce a great sound. Not so loud that it’s antisocial, but enough to be addictive. What’s more, the car automatically accelerates when you downshift, so you instantly feel like a hero as you approach a corner. Even when you’re cruising slowly through the turns, the audible support is a joy.

What also fits nicely with the car’s “do-it-yourself” nature is the lack of adaptive cruise control. So keep an eye out. We’re also pleased that there are still enough buttons inside and that you can operate the infotainment system using a nice iDrive rotary knob. It all makes sense.

What are the big negatives?

In fact, there are a few that are a little suspicious. The BMW Z4 M40i is a great car to start your day in peace under the morning sun on your way to work. It’s comfortable enough for that and the exhaust immediately gives you some dopamine to start the day off right. The only gripe we have is the placement of the cupholders: behind your elbows. We also find the Harman Kardon sound system a bit disappointing.

So, should you buy a BMW Z4 M40i with a manual transmission?

We’re sure your partner would also prefer this to the cramped Boxster in terms of comfort. The manual gearbox is an expensive option, but it adds a lot of fun to a car that already offers a lot of fun. It’s expensive, but there aren’t many other options in this segment anymore. Cars like the Audi TT, Jaguar F-type or Mercedes SLC are all (almost) out of production. Or would you rather buy two MX-5s?

Specifications, consumption and price BMW Z4 M40i with manual transmission