[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by jliuod

I guess the grass always appears greener on the other side. I recently sold my 19' Miata RF for a 21' M440i. That was my 6th Miata and the only reason I sold that car was because it was getting more difficult for me to get in and out of the vehicle.

I finally gave in and got the M440i convertible hoping that I would get use to the auto tranny. Well, 4 months into owing the M440i I have to say I have mixed feelings on this car. I went in knowing the M440i is a heavier car so the handling will never be the same as my Miata. But getting in an out of the M440i definitely is much easier. I like the power and the more "comfortable" ride with the M440i. But I sure missed the nimble handling and the manual transmission of my Miata.

Now that the Z4 is coming out with a manual tranny definitely has caught my attention. I had a 2007 Z4Si before. It was a nice car but to me it wasn't much different than any of my Miata. But with the B58 engine in the new Z4 that changes everything. At the end of the day I guess I will have to test drive the new Z4 manual to see. Decisions, decisions!

There is a massive difference between a Miata and Z4 M40i, had an NC PRHT previously. Yes you lose the nimble body lean handling. But you gain a much more capable sports car overall. Not to mention the quality of materials and comfort and useable trunk storage.

Z4
https://youtu.be/HYTroT9Czng?si=ts0WKcshFHPismha

Miata

https://youtu.be/2n77AWaNJ4Q?si=rIIJ1Dr9gHn6JYEd

[blue135]

I agree, it is going to be very hard to find a manual to test drive.

[jliuod]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

There is a massive difference between a Miata and Z4 M40i, had an NC PRHT previously. Yes you lose the nimble body lean handling. But you gain a much more capable sports car overall. Not to mention the quality of materials and comfort and useable trunk storage.

Z4
https://youtu.be/HYTroT9Czng?si=ts0WKcshFHPismha

Miata

https://youtu.be/2n77AWaNJ4Q?si=rIIJ1Dr9gHn6JYEd

I was referring to the comparison between my 2007 Z4Si to my 2019 Miata RF(w/ modified suspension), not the new G29.

[cayenne444]

Do you need back seats and all-wheel drive? M440 convertible.

No? Z4 M40i.

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

I actually think the better purchase decision is between the Z4 M40 and an M4 convertible. At least that's the one I battle with regularly.

Love my Z, but the M is enticing. More weight but more POWER. Nowhere near as pretty, but did I mention the additional power?

A used M4 CV and a new Z4 are not that far apart in price either. I think the Z4 is more fun to drive, but the grip and performance of the M4 is worth considering.

Just put a tune on your Z4. The Z4 is so much better looking and the weight difference is substantial. I’d say the G29 feels more fun to drive.

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by hinckley

Not to take this too far OT, but I’m reading thru this forum because I’m a lifelong MT guy who is currently driving a G83 AT M4. What say you all about going from an AT M4 to a MT Z4??

Do it!

Since you clearly are a follower of the row your own craft I believe you’d be much more interested in the Z4. Sure, you lose some panache by retiring the M badge, but I would say you gain better all around experience. You might even argue that it is a better driver compared to the G83 as you’d shed some weight and gain good “tossability”. I’d add that the G29 MT will be a much rarer sight on the road compared to G8x cars.

No pressure though, do what you want…just remember the Z4 comes with a manual…just saying!

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Originally Posted by IcewaterPete

Just put a tune on your Z4. The Z4 is so much better looking and the weight difference is substantial. I’d say the G29 feels more fun to drive.

Two things.

First I like the Z4 enough that I bought out the lease and the car is a keeper, usually 10 years for me. Second took my driving test on a MT in 1959 & have had at least one ever since. Three currant two are 5MT's, Cobra, Ranger & the Jeep Wrangler is a 6MT

That said would not have purchased a Z4MT if it had been available in 2020. For me the trade-offs do not work.

Think the "do a tune is irrelevant". The same tunes available for the Z4 are available for the M4C. Difference is you are starting from a base of 382BHP vs 503BHP. Ignored the fact both are under rated by BMW.

The really big thing left out of just tune the car discussions IMHO is the AWD in the M4C vs RWD in the Z4. The M4C can absorb the additional power of a tune where the Z4 is already traction limited with its RWD. Thing to note about AWD is the M4's delivered with only RWD get the power cut or forced 2nd gear AT launches under Launch Control.

The word "tossability" gets tossed around a lot but am not sure exactly what it means comparing the Z4 M40 vs the M4C xdrive cars.

Many are unaware that the M4C can be driven in RWD mode which disconnents the whole front end drive train. With this engaged the car is functionally a RWD car. The M4C's also have a manually selected sliding scale 10 point reduction for traction control available.



This includes a drift analyzer that measures time, speed, angle & distance of the drifts & scores the results.



FWIW I use the word agility when comparing the two cars. I find the Z4 is more agile due to its shorter length. When looking for passing room the Z4 can use much smaller slots than the M4C.

That said the Z4 is much slower around a road course or drag strip than the M4C.

Car & Driver Lightning Laps History

M3/4C xDrive 2:53.5 #72
Toyota Supra 3.0 2:59.3 #121 (Z4 M40i + 0:3.0 #151?)

Nurburgring - Christian Gebhardt diving all cars

BMW M4 Competition xDrive 7:28.7
Toyota GR Supra 7:52.17
BMW Z4 M40i 7:55.409

C&D 1/4 mile

M4C xD 11.0 sec @ 125 mph
Z4 M40AT 12.0 sec @ 116 mph
Z4 M40MT 12.4 sec @ ? mph

The Z4 AT would be the better choice for a big box AutoX layout.

Expect everybody wants to have their fun their own way so these are just my choices.

[GoKart10]

Originally Posted by Toon902

I took delivery of a 2023 G29 M40i in 2022 because my Dream Car, Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 was on allocation. Shortly after taking delivery of the Z4, my Porsche dealer called me with an allocation for a 2024 Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 Manual Transmission, so I ordered it and traded in the G29, getting almost full value with 7K kms on the odometer.

Now I’ve had a summer with the Cayman, and there’s lots to love, but I find myself missing several things about the BMW. I especially miss driving a convertible, but I also miss things like the HUD.

Now that the G29 M40i is available in a manual, I’m feeling conflicted.

I’m also intrigued with the 440i Convertible. Heavier, not a roadster but it still looks like it would scratch many of my itches, albeit with only 2 pedals.

So for the convertible itch, how would you decide between the 2025 Z4 M40i w/Manual Transmission or 440i Convertible?

I was in a similar situation. Test drove both the Z4 m40i ZF 8-speed and the Boxster GTS 4.0 Sat on the allocation wait list for a while. Porsche increases prices and I have now accepted the 718 is way out of my budget. At 58% of the cost of the 718, I've decided to order the Z4 MT. I think that Porsche itch inside of me will never go way, but I've accepted reality. On the test drives, I've a lot of fun in the Z4, hence not a lot of reluctance going that route.

Just curious though, why not go for the Boxster GTS 4.0 if you are craving the convertible?

Also - do you mind sharing your personal subjective differences between driving the Z4 and the 718 GTS 4.0? That flat six is amazing. Porsche did shoot it in the foot by giving it such long gearing though.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Good luck finding a Z4 manual to test drive any time soon.

I second the motion, I seriously doubt you will find any at a dealer for you to to test drive.

[pagoda69]

I owned a M440i convertible. Great car. Drove it for two years and sold it to a friend. Just bought a 23 Z4 M40i. In my opinion, it looks better than the 440i. Handles better than the 440i. More of a sports car than the 4 series. Yes, the back seat on the 440i is very tight. Great place for golf clubs though.