2026 BMW Z4 Manual Dimensions, Engine, Price
2026 BMW Z4 Manual Dimensions, Engine, Price – We were all right. The 2026 BMW Z4 Manual is better with a manual transmission. Although it doesn’t address all my concerns with this roadster, having the option to change your own gears makes the drive experience more compelling. In fact, BMW did such a good job with this manual that I think it might be the perfect entry point for the shoppers with the mettle – and the means – to get the hang of a three-pedal setup.
2026 BMW Z4 Manual Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
After all of that gushing, a relatively low drivability score might seem a little harsh, but in the context of its segment the Z4 Manual left me feeling a little disappointed. Sure, the power would probably make it fun in a world without cops or consequences, but in the one I inhabit the handling leaves something to be desired.
Even in the sportiest setting, there’s a small dead spot in the steering, which means every time you turn into a corner you have to wait for the steering rack to pick up on your input, then for the weight to shift, and then for the G forces to build. The delay is, of course, tiny and would be fine in a commuter vehicle, but this isn’t that. It’s a roadster, and part of what it has to do is offer compelling driving dynamics.
Despite that, the Z4 Manual isn’t without its charms. It’s a great cruiser and it has more than enough power to encourage the rear wheels to step out when the engine’s power and torque are called upon. Yes, it’s capable of delivering thrills, but if we’re going to be grading on a bell curve farther down in the review, it only seems fair to hold it to a higher standard here.
2026 BMW Z4 Manual Specs
While I’ve had a few complaints about this Z4 Manual, it offers a thoroughly modern driving experience. While the roof is insulated well enough to help you listen to music, the optional 12-speaker sound system helps, too. There’s also an available subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, head-up display, and heated steering wheel. 2026 BMW Z4 Manual Dimensions
The selectable drive modes also make a surprisingly big difference in how the Z4 Manual is enjoyed. In sport mode, the exhaust system crackles and pops, and the engine snarls aggressively. The suspension also tightens up, and the whole experience feels M-adjacent. In eco mode, meanwhile, the throttle mapping is changed completely, requiring much bigger stabs at the pedal to build speed. Along with the more muffled engine, it all contributes to making the Z4 Manual a much friendlier car as far as your neighbours are concerned.
Engine and Performance
While it’s true that manuals can be tricky, any inconvenience managing your own gears that might otherwise be introduced here is mitigated by the 369 lb-ft of torque offered by the 3.0L turbocharged straight six-cylinder under the hood. The full complement of twisting force is available from as low as 1,800 rpm, and there’s plenty available from even lower to keep you crawling when the road is congested. In stop-and-go traffic, that torque allowed me to pick a gear and stick with it for long periods of time, easing the burden on my left leg. When traffic slowed so much that I had to downshift, the automatic rev-matching technology did a telepathically good job of easing the gear change.
Better still, the clutch pedal is like a compound bow, providing some resistance as you start pushing on it, but less and less the closer you get to the floor. That gives it a sporty feel without making it too significant a workout. Together with the low-down torque, it makes the Z4 Manual feel remarkably civilized at low speeds. My only nit to pick here is that the action on the gear stick is a little stiff, and moving it out of a gear towards neutral can feel a little bit sludgy.
The car’s 382 horsepower make it a formidable open-road performer, with the added bonus of a reported acceleration time of 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h. According to Porsche, the 718 Boxster S manual reaches 100 km/h in the same amount of time as the Z4 Manual M40i with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, so even if it’s around half a second slower, it’s still fast enough to keep you glued to your seat. 2026 BMW Z4 Manual Dimensions
2026 BMW Z4 Manual Fuel Economy
You wouldn’t expect a roadster to have great fuel economy, but the manual transmission here comes with a consumption penalty that can only be described as significant. Officially rated at 10.9 L/100 km combined, that’s nearly two litres worse than the version equipped with the eight-speed auto. Worse still, in my time with the car I only managed 11.6 L/100 km, making it thirstier than a Honda Ridgeline – which is, by all known definitions, a pickup truck. However, the Z4 Manual somehow manages to be more efficient than the Toyota Supra manual, which has the same powertrain, as well as the Porsche Boxster. 2026 BMW Z4 Manual Dimensions
2026 BMW Z4 Manual Safety Features
My other major concern with the Z4 Manual has to do with visibility. This roadster has some of the biggest blind spots I’ve ever experienced with the roof up. Even with the top down, over-the-shoulder visibility is poor, which makes every lane change feel nerve-wracking. Big side mirrors (and the blind-spot monitoring system) help keep lane changes safe, but their size means they also block a lot of the view ahead. Fortunately, the Z4 Manual has a good selection of advanced safety systems, including the aforementioned blind-spot monitor, lane-keeping assistance, and more. 2026 BMW Z4 Manual Dimensions
2026 BMW Z4 Manual Price and Release Date
It seems silly to ask if a roadster is good value, but the Z4 Manual provides a competitive amount of performance for its price tag. In the case of this tester, that price tag came up just shy of six figures, with a pre-tax sum of $98,580. That’s an eye-watering amount of money, but for it you can get to 100 km/h just as quickly as you can in the Porsche Boxster and quicker than in the V8-powered Jaguar F-Type P450, and those cars cost significantly more. Whereas this BMW starts at $82,000, the Boxster starts at around $103,000 and prices for the Jag kick off at $117,000.
The manual transmission brings with it significant improvements to the 2026 BMW Z4 Manual, making it more engaging to drive without asking the driver to make too many compromises (fuel economy notwithstanding). It’s easy to use, comfortable, and quick, and being able to pick your own gears is a nice bonus that makes it feel a little more special. The gearbox is not, however, a fix for all this the roadster’s sins. 2026 BMW Z4 Manual Dimensions
