2022 BMW Z4 G29

Overview

Engines

2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six

Came as

• Roadster

On record

5 warnings, 3 recalls

What changed for 2022

• The charging pad and ambient lighting are dropped for a while because of the chip shortage. CarGurus

Compare 2022 with 2021

Colors

• Alpine White2020–2025
• Black Sapphire Metallic2020–2025
• San Francisco Red Metallic2020–2025

Interiors

• Black SensaTecLeatherette, 2020–2025
• Black VernascaLeather, 2020–2025
• Ivory White VernascaLeather, 2020–2025
• Cognac VernascaLeather, 2020–2025
• Magma Red VernascaLeather, 2020–2025
• Black Alcantara and Vernasca, blue stitchingLeather and microfiber, 2020–2025

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

• sDrive30i: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• M40i: 3.0L turbo inline-six, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds

Engines

• 2.0L turbo four-cylinder B48 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  255 hp and 295 lb-ft

• 3.0L turbo inline-six B58 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  382 hp and 369 lb-ft · 2020–2026

Transmissions

• Eight-speed automatic Edmunds

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference

Body styles

• Roadster Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• M Sport Package CarGurus, Edmunds
• Track Handling Package CarGurus, Edmunds
• Convenience Package Edmunds
• Driving Assistance Package Edmunds
• Premium Package Edmunds
• Executive Package Edmunds
• Shadowline Package Edmunds

Figures for the whole G29

• Built: By Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria Edmunds, a published reference
• Developed with: The fifth-generation Toyota Supra CarGurus, a published reference
• Trunk: 10 cu ft, the same with the roof down CarGurus
• Roof: Opens or closes in 10 seconds A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• A notchy dead spot in the steering All years

  Check: On a long straight drive, once the car is warm, feel for a notchy or dead spot either side of center. Ask whether the steering column or its bolts have been renewed.

  Three owners in two threads on a British owners' forum report the steering going vague or notchy around center when warm, one after a new steering rack did not cure it, and another poster found a BMW service bulletin for a steering wheel that sticks in the center. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Stones caught behind the front brakes All years

  Check: Listen for a loud squeal when slowing to a stop, which usually means a stone is caught between the disc and its shield.

  Three owners in two threads on a British owners' forum report stones lodging behind the M Sport front brakes and squealing, one of them four times in their first 800 miles, and another says rocking the car backwards clears it. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Soft top faults All years

  Check: Run the roof up and down several times, look at the edge of the rear window for black lifting away from the glass, and check the seals for cracks.

  On a British owners' forum, three owners in one thread had the rear window start to come away from the roof after about four to six years, which BMW would not cover, and two owners in two more threads had the roof stop working, from a switch and a stuck side flap. Euro Premium Parts says the roof's seals harden and shrink with age. Owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Water on the floor All years

  Check: Feel the carpet on the passenger side and behind the seats for damp, and make sure water poured in at the roof drains runs out in front of the rear wheels.

  Two G29 owners in one thread on a British owners' forum found water on the passenger-side floor from blocked roof drains, and another poster in it traced the same problem to a damaged panel under the windshield. Euro Premium Parts says hardened roof seals can let water in at the windshield pillars. Owners' reports (unofficial), a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Oil filter housing leak and cooling parts on the M40i 2020–2026

  One source so far

  Check: Look for oil at the base of the oil filter housing and under the engine, and ask whether the water pump and thermostat have been replaced.

  Euro Premium Parts calls the oil filter housing gasket the six's most common fault and names the electric water pump and thermostat as weak points. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2021–2022 Recall 26V056000

  Wear on a part inside the starter can make it overheat and catch fire. Dealers replace the starter. NHTSA

• 2019–2022 Recall 25V636000

  The starter relay can corrode, overheat and short-circuit. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until dealers replace the starter. NHTSA

• 2022–2023 Recall 23V099000

  With the digital key out of the car, the software may still let the windows close, which the federal power window standard does not allow. Dealers update the software. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  The M40i 2020–2026

  Edmunds recommends the M40i, and Euro Premium Parts calls it the clear choice for most buyers, with the more durable engine. Edmunds, a seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 10,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, sooner than the car's Condition Based Service allows A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 40,000 to 60,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Automatic transmission fluid All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller. BMW calls it a lifetime fill; Euro Premium Parts says most specialists change it at 60,000 miles A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new