BMW Z4 30i M Sport 2020
Discussion
Afternoon all.
I'm usually lurking over on the TVR pages. But I'm considering a 2020 Z4 30i M Sport with 40k miles. We have just sold the Wife's ND MX5 today. A Z4 would seem to offer a load more boot space and considerable performance increase over the little 1.5L MX5.
Are these generally considered a good car, anything I should know about or should I run away screaming and get something else.
I've had 3 work BM's over 12 years and covered around 400k miles across the 3. Never had a moments trouble all great cars. But I've never had one over 4 years old.
Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.
Cheers Karl.
I'm usually lurking over on the TVR pages. But I'm considering a 2020 Z4 30i M Sport with 40k miles. We have just sold the Wife's ND MX5 today. A Z4 would seem to offer a load more boot space and considerable performance increase over the little 1.5L MX5.
Are these generally considered a good car, anything I should know about or should I run away screaming and get something else.
I've had 3 work BM's over 12 years and covered around 400k miles across the 3. Never had a moments trouble all great cars. But I've never had one over 4 years old.
Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.
Cheers Karl.
Admittedly I've never driven an ND MX-5 (or any MX-5 for that matter!) but I have done a few hundred miles in a 2020 Z4 20i.
It'll definitely feel a lot more grown up than the MX-5, for better and for worse. Most of the switchgear inside is lifted straight from the G20 3 Series so it's a nice place to be, I'm 6'4" and long in the body and I was always very comfortable driving it. The 20i and 30i have the 2.0 B48, it's got a strong reputation for reliability as far as I'm aware and honestly I quite liked how it sounded in the Z4- it always felt quicker to me than it was on paper too, although the low driving position and having the roof down probably helped. The ZF8 transmission is basically bulletproof and I've yet to drive a better torque convertor automatic (BMWs have the best implementation of the ZF8 too in my experience).
I would say if you're after something that feels like a proper sports car it'll probably be a bit disappointing- I always thought of it as a sort of junior grand tourer and at that it was fantastic- a 7/10ths car if you will. I'd probably echo Mr Tidy's thoughts and say if you can justify the extra costs of the M40i to go for that, because I imagine that would be an incredible package (I have driven the 3.0 B58 and it's fantastic). But I wouldn't say you're missing out if you did decide to be relatively sensible and get the 30i.
It'll definitely feel a lot more grown up than the MX-5, for better and for worse. Most of the switchgear inside is lifted straight from the G20 3 Series so it's a nice place to be, I'm 6'4" and long in the body and I was always very comfortable driving it. The 20i and 30i have the 2.0 B48, it's got a strong reputation for reliability as far as I'm aware and honestly I quite liked how it sounded in the Z4- it always felt quicker to me than it was on paper too, although the low driving position and having the roof down probably helped. The ZF8 transmission is basically bulletproof and I've yet to drive a better torque convertor automatic (BMWs have the best implementation of the ZF8 too in my experience).
I would say if you're after something that feels like a proper sports car it'll probably be a bit disappointing- I always thought of it as a sort of junior grand tourer and at that it was fantastic- a 7/10ths car if you will. I'd probably echo Mr Tidy's thoughts and say if you can justify the extra costs of the M40i to go for that, because I imagine that would be an incredible package (I have driven the 3.0 B58 and it's fantastic). But I wouldn't say you're missing out if you did decide to be relatively sensible and get the 30i.
Edited by Sofa on Wednesday 20th May 22:04
Great replies all thanks.
I’m not too worried about having a raw sports car experience (2 TVRs are enough). Just looking for a civilised soft top with a bit more legroom and luggage space.
It will also be the Wife’s daily so hence happy with to 2.0l based 30i over the M40i. I suspect the increased performance of the M40i would have me questioning my TVR ownership and that won’t do.
Cheers All. I’ve placed a deposit on the Z. Collecting next Wednesday.
I’m not too worried about having a raw sports car experience (2 TVRs are enough). Just looking for a civilised soft top with a bit more legroom and luggage space.
It will also be the Wife’s daily so hence happy with to 2.0l based 30i over the M40i. I suspect the increased performance of the M40i would have me questioning my TVR ownership and that won’t do.
Cheers All. I’ve placed a deposit on the Z. Collecting next Wednesday.
Yatesy350i said:
Great replies all thanks.
I m not too worried about having a raw sports car experience (2 TVRs are enough). Just looking for a civilised soft top with a bit more legroom and luggage space.
It will also be the Wife s daily so hence happy with to 2.0l based 30i over the M40i. I suspect the increased performance of the M40i would have me questioning my TVR ownership and that won t do.
Cheers All. I ve placed a deposit on the Z. Collecting next Wednesday.
Sounds like it's the perfect fit for you both then!I m not too worried about having a raw sports car experience (2 TVRs are enough). Just looking for a civilised soft top with a bit more legroom and luggage space.
It will also be the Wife s daily so hence happy with to 2.0l based 30i over the M40i. I suspect the increased performance of the M40i would have me questioning my TVR ownership and that won t do.
Cheers All. I ve placed a deposit on the Z. Collecting next Wednesday.
Hope you enjoy it, and make sure to post some pictures of it.

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