Overview
- Engines
- 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six
- Came as
- On record
- 5 warnings, 12 recalls
Sold as sDrive30i, M40i (2020–2026)
The story
After two years without a Z4, the G29 was shown at Pebble Beach in August 2018 and went on sale in March 2019. It was developed alongside the fifth-generation Toyota Supra on a shared architecture, and is built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. CarGurus, a published reference
A power soft top returned in place of the hardtop, so the trunk keeps its space with the roof down. A manual gearbox came back late in its life, and production ended in spring 2026 with no fourth generation planned. CarGurus, a published reference
Rare and special
Colors
- Frozen Deep Green Metallic Rare2025
- San Remo Green Metallic Rare2025
- Misano Blue Metallic2020
- Mediterranean Blue Metallic2020
- Mineral White Metallic2020
Show all 13 colors
- Glacier Silver Metallic2020
- Thundernight Metallic2025
- Frozen Grey II Metallic2025
- Skyscraper Grey Metallic2025
- Portimao Blue Metallic2025
- 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
- Cognac Vernasca with contrast detailLeather, 2025
Sources: Edmunds, a published reference
Rare colors and interiors
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Rare
Frozen Deep Green Metallic Color
One of two greens offered for the Edition Handschalter Package Edmunds, a published reference
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Rare
San Remo Green Metallic Color
One of two greens offered for the Edition Handschalter Package Edmunds, a published reference
Specs
Badges
- sDrive30i: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
- M40i (2020–2026): 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
- Six-speed manual (2025–2026) Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
- Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
Body styles
- Roadster Edmunds, a published reference
Trims
- Final Edition (2026) CarGurus
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
- Edition Handschalter Package (2025–2026) Edmunds, a published reference
Figures
- 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
Years and what changed
- 2019
The new Z4 returns after a three-year gap as the sDrive30i, with a soft top and an eight-speed automatic only. Edmunds
- 2020
The 382-hp M40i joins the sDrive30i. Edmunds
- 2021
Android Auto and satellite radio become standard. Edmunds, CarGurus
- 2022
The charging pad and ambient lighting are dropped for a while because of the chip shortage. CarGurus
- 2023
Refresh
A facelift brings a new grille, new wheels and colors, and the M Sport Package as standard. No mechanical changes. Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
- 2024
No change recorded
- 2025
A six-speed manual comes back on the M40i with the Edition Handschalter Package. Edmunds, a published reference
- 2026
The last year, with a matte black Final Edition. Edmunds, CarGurus
Watch out
Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.
Open the checklistRecalls
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
2023 Recall 23V821000
The weld seam of the automatic gearbox's control unit cover may be faulty, letting transmission oil leak into the control unit. Dealers replace the control module and fluid as needed. 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
2019–2021 Recall 21V598000
When the engine starts, its software may cause a loss of brake assist, though the brakes still work without it. Dealers update the engine software. NHTSA
Show all 12 recalls
2021 Recall 21V554000
The passenger seat belt's automatic locking retractor, used to hold a child seat, may switch off before the belt fully retracts. Dealers inspect the retractors and replace them as needed. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 20V700000
The weld joining the two halves of the fuel tank may be too weak and can fail. Dealers replace the fuel tank. NHTSA
2019–2020 Recall 20V516000
The headlights can be adjusted sideways, which the federal lighting standard does not allow. Dealers inspect and correct the adjustment plugs. NHTSA
2019 Recall 20V355000
In heat and on rough roads a steering tie rod can be damaged and may break. Dealers replace the tie rods. NHTSA
2020 Recall 19V850000
The headlight control units can fail, putting out one or both headlights. Dealers replace the control units. NHTSA
2019 Recall 19V732000
The needle roller bearings of the engine's balance shafts may have been fitted wrongly, letting a shaft come loose. Dealers replace the engine. NHTSA
2019–2020 Recall 19V684000
The backup camera's display settings can be adjusted so that the rear image no longer shows, and the setting is kept the next time the car is put in reverse. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA
Owning
What owners and buyers say
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Sought after
The manual M40i 2025–2026
Edmunds highly recommends the Handschalter manual, and an owner on a British forum who had both an automatic and a manual M40i calls the manual the best Z4 they have owned or driven. Edmunds, owners' reports (unofficial)
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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
| Basic | 50,000 miles or 4 years Edmunds |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | 50,000 miles or 4 years Edmunds |
| Rust | 12 years EdmundsAny miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 36,000 miles or 3 years Edmunds |
Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.
Open the checklist