BMW bids farewell to Z4 with new Final Edition
Run-out model closes the book on BMW's two-seat roadster - almost certainly for good
It’s probably fair to say that the current generation of Z4, the G29, has not captured the public’s imagination in quite the same way as previous iterations of BMW’s rear-drive roadster. Certainly not in terms of sales volume, at any rate: in its heyday, typified by the E85 (not to mention its ‘90s predecessor, the trendsetting Z3), the firm was turning out up to 50,000 cars a year. The current model, launched in 2018, never came anywhere near registering that kind of uptick on the production Richter scale.
There are many valid reasons for this, not least the terminal decline of the mass-produced sports car in general, or BMW’s failure to deliver the kind of M-badged halo model that enthusiasts could really embrace - though, in fairness to it, the underlying roadster itself was decent enough (assuming you were wise enough to select the 340hp six-pot). Certainly it got better over time, its reputation helped no end by the introduction of the limited edition Handschalter last year, which finally indulged the idea that a manual Z4 might be just the ticket.
Transformational, it wasn’t - but likeable it absolutely was, sufficiently so in fact for it to be nominated as one of PH’s favourite cars of 2024. BMW’s investment in the project (helped, no doubt, by Toyota’s enthusiasm for a three-pedal version of its sister model, the Supra) suggested that it might be building to something even bigger and better for a run-out special - alas, the Final Edition, launched ahead of Z4 production winding up next March, falls well short of such optimism.
Unless, that is, you’ve been hankering after Frozen Matt Black all these years. That shade of paint is apparently exclusive to the Final Edition (though others are available) and is complemented by the standard fitment of high-gloss Shadowline trim and red brake calipers. Inside, the contrast of red and black is repeated in the stitching and there’s an Alcantara-clad steering wheel to cling onto - as well as some specially engraved door sills to point out to your friends.
Mercifully for them at least, that’s where the list of add-ons comes to an end. Straining credibility to breaking point, BMW suggests that the Final Edition, which is applicable to any new Z4 variant, ‘may well become a collectors’ item’ in the future. More realistically, the very light smattering of distinguishing features suggests that the manufacturer is content for its half-forgotten roadster to fizzle out, with only a short order window open from January and no UK prices yet.
Thanks to the genuinely interesting Handschalter (a cult BMW classic if ever there was one), this is not quite as sad as it might have been - though it is still less than the Z4 arguably deserves, especially when you consider that no direct replacement is expected to take its place. And whatever you think of the car in question, a BMW lineup without a long-nosed, two-seat roadster - a fixture for the past 30 years - is weaker for the absence. Thank goodness for the classifieds then, where you can find a barely used M40i for £15k less than it cost when new. And the Z4 you really want is even cheaper than that. Go figure.
The demise of this car is a further reminder of how miserable the car market is becoming. It's sad that we've reached a point where manufacturers are converging on anonymous, SUV/crossover blobs and that the majority of consumers seem to be lapping it up.
Interesting cars will all just be old cars soon with very few exceptions. Just have to keep them all on the road.
There is now very few 2 seat convertibles on the market outside of the super premium stuff
Years ago you had the TT, slk and Z4, with stuff like the boxter being more expensive, now all 3 models are dead and the new boxter will be so expensive
The only other one is the mx5 and that’s not a premium brand, and the mg cybster which is expensive
This generation was always too premium and expensive for that market. And possibly rather too ungainly - the proportions weren t right - the wheelbase was too short for the body.
The same thing afflicted the closely related Toyota Supra - weirdly the smaller GR86 had a longer wheelbase than the physically longer Supra.
The demise of this car is a further reminder of how miserable the car market is becoming. It's sad that we've reached a point where manufacturers are converging on anonymous, SUV/crossover blobs and that the majority of consumers seem to be lapping it up.
The only bright moments were the creation of the B/S58, and a very limted number of somewhat interesting models (though most are too expensive). It is looking more and more like yet another storied brand is going to eventually get taken out by modern globalism.
Similar to the latter day Renaltsport business model - make an enthusiast / occasion car which knowingly fails to deliver what those buyers want, then complain that sales are bad and cancel the car altogether in a sulk.
The demise of this car is a further reminder of how miserable the car market is becoming. It's sad that we've reached a point where manufacturers are converging on anonymous, SUV/crossover blobs and that the majority of consumers seem to be lapping it up.
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