When we last drove the BMW Z4, we liked it a lot more than a lot of people probably would have expected. The interior was especially nice compared to the Toyota Supra’s and came with better technology while still being just as good to drive. Especially considering the fact that the Porsche 718 Cayman is only a few thousand dollars more expensive than the Z4 M40i, though, it’s been hard for BMW’s convertible to find buyers. For 2024, BMW is hoping to change that by adding the ultimate enthusiast option to the Z4 — a manual transmission.
If you could swear you’ve heard this before, you’re not imagining things. Instead of announcing the manual plan through official channels, BMW invited several outlets to drive and review a manual Z4 pre-production prototype. So we knew the official announcement was coming, but even the outlets that were allowed to drive the manual Z4 didn’t have all the details until now. That said, the estimated $3,500 cost of the manual transmission package ended up being right on the money.
Speaking of the manual transmission package, if that sounds like a lot of money for a different transmission, don’t worry. You’re not just paying $3,500 for a third pedal. BMW says the steering has also been improved, and it also comes with a sportier suspension, stiffer anti-roll bars and staggered wheel sizes. If you add the manual package, it also unlocks an exclusive $2,950 paint option that BMW calls Frozen Deep Green Metallic. We have a feeling that will be a hard sell since BMW also includes another manual-exclusive green paint option with the package called San Remo Green Metallic.
If you were worried that going with the manual transmission would make the Z4 far too slow, don’t. According to BMW, it will still launch to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. That’s not going to set any world records, but it’s still quite quick. If that sounds like the car for you, then the good news is that deliveries are set to begin in March.
