2016 BMW Z4

header-image
$49,700 - $66,350
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

It instills confidence to handle any situation with sporty handling

Very small cargo capacity

No major changes

Fuel economy doesn't come at the expense of performance

Offers less legroom than the rivals

A variety of advanced technologies are available to ensure safety

Options are too expensive

Exquisite exterior design

Folding hardtop with quick release

Specs & Features

$49,700

price

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

horsepower

260 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2016 BMW Z4 Convertible is a compact convertible offered in 3 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $49,700. For that price, it mainly competes with the Porsche Boxster Convertible and the Audi TT Convertible. Between 3 trims, the 2016 BMW Z4 Convertible offers 3 powertrains. The base engine is a 2.0L turbocharged Inline-4 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission capable of making 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 300 horsepower making 3.0L turbocharged Inline-6 engine paired with the 7-speed automatic transmission. Also available is the same 3.0L engine tuned for high power output. It belts out 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The BMW Z4 Convertible reaches 60 mph from zero in 5.8 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 5 seconds with the 3.0L turbocharged engine. Depending on the powertrain, the BMW Z4 Convertible can manage a combined fuel economy between 26 and 20 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 11 striking colors the BMW Z4 Convertible comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The 2016 Z4 Convertible comes in three trim levels, with the top-tier 35is being our pick. The 35is has the most powerful engine in the lineup, unique styling cues, 18-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, upgraded audio system, sport steering wheel, and upgraded interior trim.

Trims

    28i
    $49,700 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • AM/FM/HD/Satellite-Prep
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    • Sensatec leatherette Seat trim
    35i
    $57,500 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl RWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 300 hp @ 5800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 300 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg
    30is
    $66,350 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl RWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 335 hp @ 5900 rpm hp
    • Torque: 332 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$49,700- $66,350

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.71

Horsepower

335 hp @ 5900 rpm

Torque

332 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

Capacity

2

Read Review

$85,050- $108,050

Gasoline

8.29

329 hp @ 5250 rpm

354 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

2

Read Review

$217,550

Gasoline

8.17

621 hp @ 4800 rpm

738 lb.-ft. @ 2300 rpm

2

Read Review

$149,700

Gasoline

7.89

577 hp @ 5500 rpm

664 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

2

Read Review

$52,100- $82,100

Gasoline

8.51

265 hp @ 6700 rpm

206 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

2

Read Review

2016 BMW Z4 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2016 BMW Z4

    Ranked #4

    5.4 sec14.0 sec130 mph
    3.8 sec--
    3.9 sec--
    4.6 sec11.9 sec190 mph
    7.8 sec--

    2016 BMW Z4 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2016 BMW Z4

      Ranked #1

      22 mpg34 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.319/493 mi.
      22 mpg30 mpg24 mpg16.9 gal.338/507 mi.
      20 mpg27 mpg23 mpg19.8 gal.396/534.6 mi.
      16 mpg25 mpg19 mpg19.8 gal.316.8/495 mi.
      14 mpg21 mpg17 mpg19.8 gal.277.2/415.8 mi.

      2016 BMW Z4 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2016 BMW Z4

        Ranked #4

        166.9 in.70.5 in.50.8 in.5 in.98.3 in.
        182.4 in.73.9 in.51.2 in.4.4 in.101.8 in.
        182.4 in.73.9 in.51.2 in.4.4 in.101.8 in.
        181.6 in.73.9 in.51.8 in.3.8 in.101.8 in.
        172.2 in.70.9 in.50.5 in.4.3 in.97.4 in.

        2016 BMW Z4 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2016 BMW Z4

          Ranked #1

          8 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.
          4.6 cu.ft.104.4 cu.ft.4.6 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.-13.5 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.-13.5 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.-13.5 cu.ft.

          2016 BMW Z4 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            2016 BMW Z4

            Ranked #1

            150 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.8 cu.ft.
            71.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            80.1 cu.ft.4.6 cu.ft.4.6 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
            13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.

            2016 BMW Z4 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2016 BMW Z4

              Ranked #1

              562 lbs.3263 lbs.
              -4299 lbs.
              540 lbs.3836 lbs.
              562 lbs.4068 lbs.
              739 lbs.2888 lbs.

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              #4

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              #5

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              Horsepower : 365 hp @ 6500 rpm

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              #6

              2016 BMW I8 Plug-in Hybrid

              Horsepower : 357 hp @ 5800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

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              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

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              #8

              2016 BMW 7 Series

              Horsepower : 320 hp @ 5200 rpm

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              #9

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              Horsepower : 315 hp @ 5800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 5.3 sec

              #10