Karston from Throttle House wrote a short review of the Z4 M40i manual.

Posted by Dazzling-Rooster2103@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 41 comments

From Instagram @TheThrottlehouse @KarstonC:

"When it comes to memorable cars, BMW’s full-fat M products have an incredibly high mission success rate. I’ll never forget the riotous M4 CSL, or the elegance of the M8 Competition, or the highly-desirable M2 CS (F87). And somehow, this semi-skimmed Z4 M40i earns its place amongst them by fun factor alone.

There’s no doubt the previously mentioned M cars are ‘fun’, but it’s of a sinister flavour. In contrast, the Z4 M40i strikes a joyous sweet spot between performance and engagement. Open-top, short wheelbase, power to the rear, manual, and a B58 engine up front – lovely.

By now the B58 needs no introduction. The turbocharged 3.0 inline 6 cylinder is BMW’s bread and butter, and it’s no surprise that it’s such a good companion to the Z4. It delivers peak torque (369 lb-ft) from as low as 1,800 rpm, and hits peak horsepower (382 hp) all the way up to its 6.5k redline. It gives you usable torque down low, and encourages you to rev it all the way out – the best of both worlds.

The 6-speed still retains BMW’s characteristically long throws, but instead of its usual partners in crime - vagueness and mushyness - it’s now more direct and mechanical. A recipe for manual elite satisfaction. Gears aren’t ridiculously tall either. Second gear tops out at ~95kph (59mph), meaning you get to enjoy more than just a single gear change before law-breaking speeds.

The short wheelbase is a big part of the Z4’s playfulness. Loads of front-end grip and a seating position so close to the rear axle means you get to enjoy the rotation of the chassis even more clearly. Interesting stat - the Z4 has an EVEN shorter wheelbase (by 106mm) than the GR86/BRZ.

I really enjoyed my time with the Z4. It’s an understated looking roadster that’s aging well, with a good interior full of physical buttons. My only few gripes were the lack of steering feel (typical BMW), a rather busy ride even in comfort mode, and the $82k CAD starting price ($96k as tested). In fact, 2026 sees a price jump to $87k starting. That makes it over $20k more expensive than GR Supra; quite a premium for a badge upgrade and the privilege of no roof."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKkY_-YuTDI

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oOoWTFMATE@reddit

Is it expensive for what it is? There aren’t a ton of competitors in this category. It’s not TOO far off from the M340i which has the same engine.

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Desirable_Username@reddit

It's the same issue with an MX-5. Where I'm from, you can get a base soft-top MX-5 without the nice sound system or heated seats or you could get a fully loaded Mazda3 for within ~$830 USD. So you're paying more or less the same for the car, but getting a hell of a lot more for your money with the Mazda3.

Manufacturers in general don't sell 2 seat sports cars in nearly as many numbers as their other options, so they attract a bit of a premium. Just think of how much more useful a 3 series is over a Z4. 3 more seats, a more sizable boot and probably more comfortable over a long distance journey than a Z4.

Granted, those people buying a 2 door sports car are the type of people to either have a 2nd car, or not require a practical car but there's not a lot of people in the world that would put driving dynamics as a higher priority than practicality.

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jondes99@reddit

This is the sort of logic that led to 90% of cars being crossovers and the demise of coupes and soon sedans.

Sometimes you pay more for less, and the reward is fun and style.

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TookEverything@reddit

It’s like $20k more than a Supra and M340i. You can get an M2 for $10-15k less and get an S58. Or you can get a loaded C8 for around the same price.

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oOoWTFMATE@reddit

M340i are $60k starting msrp. Z4 M40i starting is $67k.

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TookEverything@reddit

B48 Z4 is $67k.

B58 Z4 is $75k.

You said same engine as the M340i, which is the B58 trim.

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oOoWTFMATE@reddit

I’m just telling about msrps. The delta isn’t as big as you think it is.

FragrantGas9@reddit

I wonder what the depreciation will look like on these in a few years. The car sounds incredible especially with the relatively short geared manual. Too expensive for my blood new, but it sounds so good I wonder if the value will even dip much at all! It could very well be the last manual transmission ICE roadster BMW ever makes.

Jamesthrottlehouse@reddit

Karston continues to be a Throttle House secret weapon. Love to see him putting pen to paper. Not least because he’s driven all the cars we have, just behind the scenes.

Motorsport-@reddit

The people want to know - Are Karston and the crew joining you at Grand Tour? Also we are all excited for you!

alastoris@reddit

I'm pretty sure if they are, they likely had signed a NDA until Amazon is ready to release the info to the pubic.

Would be nice if they can hint to confirm not deny the rumors but they likely can't say anything at all and risk what potentially would be their dream job.

Koomskap@reddit

Release the info to who now?

Dazzling-Rooster2103@reddit (OP)

Wanted to give a shout out to Karston with this post, it is nice reading or listening to an opinion from someone else other than the Usual suspects that is still involved in making the videos.

surgeon_michael@reddit

Got me looking at these. Glad you can’t do individual paint or I’d be thinking of running a deposit down

Really weird the renaissance the Z4 has had the past couple years. Especially considering people parroted that the Supra wasn’t a fun car (they’re wrong), but somehow the much softer Z4 is. It’s far and away the best looking current BMW, by a country mile, but still way too expensive for what it is.

OkBimmer_@reddit

Hard disagree on it being the best looking new BMW by far. I find that there's something off about it. Almost fish-like. Doesn't really look like a BMW, more like a Mercedes. Compare it to the E86 Z4 and you'll be reminded of the styling we lost.

Kaiathebluenose@reddit

Supra has mid fun factor

strongmanass@reddit

There are exactly two mass-produced front-engine roadsters with manual transmissions: the Miata and the Z4. The Z4 is also the third least expensive convertible car produced in Europe. (The first is the Mini Cooper and the second is the 4 series, so it's BMW all the way.) The Z4 isn't expensive for what it is. What it is isn't made anymore.

GimmeChickenBlasters@reddit

Especially considering people parroted that the Supra wasn’t a fun car (they’re wrong), but somehow the much softer Z4 is

Literally no one has said that. The complaints were all about the styling and being mostly a BMW product with little Toyota influence.

matmanx1@reddit

Great writeup by Karston. I enjoyed my 2020 Z4 M40i and it sounds like the "handschalter" package fixes both of the gripes I had with mine which were 1) no manual and 2) suspension calibration, especially in the rear of the car. I'd love to give one of these a try someday but the new asking price is somewhat prohibitive, at least for me. Still, I'm glad BMW saw fit to finally give us a manual (thank you, Toyota!) and made the handschalter version that much better with the other tweaks and improvements.

JoeyThrottleHouse@reddit

Karston is the man and absolutely rips lol.

😃

shellmiro@reddit

Will the TH crew also be working on the GT show with Thomas and James?

iguana1500@reddit

This car is so good but only a few things keep me from instant buying it.

The reverse counterclockwise tachometer. In a manual car no less. Why did anyone think flying the face of decades of tradition would be a good thing? Tachometers should swing clockwise. That’s it. End of story.
Lack of 360 camera. This is less of an issue than the first point but it’s still something I wish it had.

360 camera in a small sports car?? Tf why

To add lightness? /s

The tach is valid, but the amount of times I’ve wished for a 360 camera in a sportscar has literally been twice, ever; both being GM products. Other sportscars have no need for them.