BMW Z4 review - MPG, CO2 and running costs
Fuel consumption is reasonable if you drive with a light foot, while Z4 insurance costs shouldn't be too high
Even the sportiest BMW Z4 M40i can post reasonable fuel consumption figures when driven with a modicum of restraint. The official figures suggest 33.6mpg is on the cards in mixed driving, but give in to the temptation of the M car’s easily accessible performance and that figure will quickly dip. The fuel tank isn’t that big at 52 litres, so you could end up making frequent fuel station stops. The Handschalter’s shorter final drive drops economy back to 32.5mpg.
The official WLTP fuel figures for the four-cylinder models are even more impressive with both the sDrive20i edging towards 40mpg under test conditions. CO2 emissions of 192g/km for the M40i means company car drivers will face top-bracket Benefit-in-Kind tax bills, although the four-cylinder Z4s still emit between 161g/km and 171g/km of CO2.
Insurance groups
The BMW Z4 insurance ratings sit between group 30 and 37, which is competitive compared to the Porsche 718 Boxster which ranges from group 46-49.
Depreciation
Premium sports cars tend to be in demand on the used car market, and the BMW Z4 doesn’t buck the trend. That means it’s a relatively safe place to put your money, with residual values of around 49 per cent for the 2.0-litre models and a slightly lower return for the M40i at around 46 per cent. Optional extras such as the M Sport Plus package will add desirability at resale time