BMW’s Z4 M40i is fast and fun, but it’s struggled to find buyers. While some of that is down to withering demand in the sports car segment as a whole, the fact that BMW – supposedly the Ultimate Driving Machine people – refused to offer it with a manual transmission can’t have helped. And to rub salt in the wound, Toyota unveiled a manual version of the Z4’s Toyota Supra cousin last year. But for 2024, five model years after the G29-code Z4’s debut, and following much howling from fans, BMW has finally corrected its mistake. From spring of next year the Z4 M40i will be available in America and Europe with a six-speed manual in place of the eight-speed ZF automatic that’s been the sole transmission on the menu since 2019. The four-cylinder sDrive30i, however, will remain auto-only, at least for now.
Rather than simply bolt the Supra’s manual
package into the Z4, BMW opted to create its own linkage and short lever, with
the aim of delivering a shift feel that throws shade on the Toyota’s. Those
who’ve driven the three-pedal Z4 suggest its shift action is also superior to
the slightly rubbery one in BMW’s own M2, though all three cars employ a
similar ZF manual transmission beneath the center tunnel. There’s more to the
manual Z4, however, than its manual ’box. The rear axle assembly and M
differential are ported across from the M240i, the front anti-roll bar is
stiffer, the adaptive dampers retuned and the electric steering reworked. What
hasn’t changed is the 3.0-liter inline six, which is rated at the same 382 hp and 500 Nm, though the manual’s weight advantage (we don’t
have BMW figures, but going stick in the Supra saves around 23 kg)
means it will have a superior power to weight ratio.
That won’t be enough to prevent the
manual-equipped Z4 being slower than its automatic brother. Rowing your own
gears adds 0.3 seconds to the Supra’s zero to 97 kmh time, which would
mean the Z4 getting there in 4.2 seconds instead of three-nine. But no one will
care. It’ll still feel fast, but more importantly, the manual Z4 will feel more
fun. Or just feel more, period. It can also look cooler thanks to some
manual-exclusive available paint colors, including a cool frozen green.
Unfortunately, it’ll cost more, too. BMW
dealers will charge around US$ 3,500 extra for that third pedal, pushing the price
of a 2024 Z4 M40i from US$ 66,300 to almost US$ 70k, reports Motor Trend. We know
that their different body styles means the BMW and its Toyota sister aren’t
necessarily fighting for the same customer, but not only is the equivalent
Supra substantially less expensive – US$ 58,745 in Premium trim – going for the
DIY shifter in the Toyota saves you US$ 1,195 versus the auto.
