2021 BMW Z4 in-depth review - better than a Boxster?

2021 BMW Z4 review: carbyr.uk/31PnYV5
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The third-generation BMW Z4 represents a move back to basics for the car, thanks to a new fabric folding roof instead of the previous model’s metal hard-top. The car also gets a new look, a plush interior and a range of powerful engines, including a range-topping six-cylinder petrol. But can the latest Z4 match the Porsche 718 Boxster for roof-down thrills? Nicola Hume heads to the Carbuyer test track to find out.
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Every week, Carbuyer's KZbin channel brings you simple and entertaining reviews on every major make and model that's available for sale in the UK. Plus you'll find frequently-updated top 10 features and the occasional group test for good measure. If you want even more helpful information, head over to Carbuyer.co.uk where you'll find in-depth reviews of more than 500 cars, alongside the best buying advice and dozens of features helping you to narrow down your car buying shortlist.

[@carbuyer]

Summer’s on the way; do you have a favourite convertible?

[@RicardoNic9676]

Lexus LC 500 Convertible 👌🏼

[@ingraam7]

I bloody love a convertible!

[@georgedowns4034]

@@RicardoNic9676 omfg that has to be the most gorgeous looking convertible. Amazes me.

[@RicardoNic9676]

@@georgedowns4034 It's beautiful

[@amasha88]

You fucked up with you though you can continue without Mat Watson ;) DISLIKE.

[@MrZaragon62]

I always wondered what a female version of Mat Watson would be like - and now we know! Come on TV companies give them a show together!

[@eggeeaja2658]

and I wonder what a female version of Yianni would be like.. and I can't wait to see 4 of them do the drag racing together... 😄

[@J26NGH]

👌😂

[@RichardGSweet]

I assumed this was Mat’s daughter?

[@bobwalsh3751]

@@RichardGSweet sister, if anything.

[@Un2kn5own]

😂😂😂

[@austinokomol]

After so many years, you are a proper matt watson replacement. Love from Kenya.

[@DoctorSkillz]

This young lady had revitalized my interest in this channel. Kudos to the team at Car Buyer.

[@aclosson8193]

Just placed an order today for a 2021 Z4 30i M Sport with the Premium Package, Lava Red interior, and the Dynamic Handling Package. They tell me it'll be delivered in 7 or 8 weeks. The price of the M40i wasn't an issue. The reason I chose the 30i is how well balanced it is in the twisties in comparison. The 30i has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution and it makes a huge difference in handling.

[@farzadjahanfard]

Hi sir how is your car are you enjoying it?

[@aclosson8193]

Love it. No regrets whatsoever.

[@farzadjahanfard]

@@aclosson8193 thats good to hear have fun hope I get mine one day I love this car

[@jamesmccormack3229]

Great review, love how you make things fun and also interesting Nicola, again in terms that almost of us would understand. Always highlighting the things that are actually important in day to day ownership and driving rather than how fast things go between traffic lights. I love the outside design of the Z4 however I agree inside is a let down really. The Boxter really gives you a thrill to drive and look at parked in your drive. For folks comparing Nicola to Matt, I have to say I think Nicola is actually has her own style and a better presenter, sadly Matt no longer does many everyday car reviews instead it's now mostly high end or performance reviews (only mostly I said) also too many links and adverts to other videos and gimics now in the way that those videos are presented.

[@bto7779]

This was a really good review. Very well presented. Well done.

[@shanjanusman9974]

Nicola is one of the best reviewers out there

[@carbuyer]

Thanks!

[@zacariasbonifacio]

Despite the fact you are a great reviewer, I compeltely disagree with you on the review, specially regarding the aspects of the interior. BMW didn´t want to do a Boxter competitor, instead they wanted to do a 2 seat convertible executive car, for every day driver, like me! And thats why te inteiror has some space, the trunk is bigger and the suspension is comfortable.

[@davegenet]

Having owned the two previous models that’s what appeals to me with this one as a daily driver.

[@sans6956]

Brill review Nicola !

[@carbuyer]

Thanking you!

[@TheBullyBambi]

This woman is good at reviewing car. Keep up the good work Carbuyer.

[@carbuyer]

Thanks!

[@1JRW1]

You are the first person I have seen that supposed to love good handling cars and grab the steering wheel form the inside to turn it. I hope you never experience any understeer or oversteer, since it will be impossible to accurately countersteer or do any correction if you grab the steering that way to turn it. Nice review by the way.

[@Chicken_Nugget1]

What did you expect. It's a woman trying to be in a man's World.

[@markrhoden68]

Seriously for me this is my ultimate achievement car, when you no longer worry about the practical side of motoring and there's only you and the other half. Love my m140i but this is that car in a sexy more desirable outfit.

[@11266882]

She has the same "fun" as the french reviewers.. that's really cool ! In general, we don't see that "hapiness" on the american/english reviewers (it's my opinion) :) and by the way, i'm french and my english is not perfect.. she is "alive" and really "understandable" for people who don't speak too much english. Great video, i'm happy because i understood everything 😁 thank you carbuyer women (and sorry for my english)

[@carbuyer]

We'll do everything we can to keep it that way! Thanks.

[@lewisjohnston6831]

Great informative professional review, keep them coming

[@carbuyer]

Thanks Lewis, will do!

[@TreesOnTheBeach]

What a great review. You brits are all right. :) I don't think I'd rather have a Boxster... I can't fit in one!

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, you're so funny but still give a review which most people would find helpful.

[@michaeltsoi9836]

Love Nicola's reviews, informative and very funny, makes me giggle 😂

[@carbuyer]

Glad you like them!

[@Yb807-g]

By far the best review ever!

[@carbuyer]

Wow! That's quite the accolade.

[@anshsharma4584]

Gonna get this in my garage real soon. 🤞

[@keith303]

the only reason to buy a boxster instead of an m40i would be that the z4 is not a porsche. Everything your eyes can see, your ears can hear and your hands can feel is better in the z4. I would even go as far as saying that the boxster looks and feels dated, dull and boring in comparison.

[@paulagostinho1272]

Great review! Truly informative and engaging! Very very very good!👍

[@carbuyer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nomad5299]

I'm pretty sure Nicola will become one of world's top Car reviewers Good luck 👍

[@carbuyer]

Wow, thanks!

[@richardthomas175]

Does the 2.0 suffer with the timing chain tensioner issue?

[@rakshitjarawat]

Bruh proper Matt vibes omg

[@woofwoof4492]

z4 m40i and cls 53 amg. which one is ur favorite?

[@jasondavid3969]

Another great fun review, nicola should be on the tele in HD! 😜Lol

[@neiljoseph904]

Great review, Nicola and Car Buyer team! Nice BMW but my dream machine is the 718 Spyder - it’s the best sports car you can buy!

[@carbuyer]

Thanks Neil. That's a really good shout - the Spyder is a gorgeous thing, too.

[@clu4u]

981 Spyder here, I agree totally.

[@hatcherbyron]

I was exploring this versus a Boxster. This is straight to the point! Thank you!!!

[@carbuyer]

We aim to please!

[@robsmith1a]

I've hit an age where ultimate handling and performance doesn't really matter that much to me but I like open air motoring. The hard top therefore suited me perfectly and I'm not likely to buy a car with a fabric roof (I have an SLK and the glass roof is great for those wet winter days). The MX-5 is probably a more fun choice because of it's small size but I'm 6'2" and don't really fit in them.

[@bighands69]

Handling from the perspective where the car is nice to drive is far more important on the road. Where you feel like a race car driver going around a corner at 30mph with no effort. 0-60 times are irrelevant and anybody that does them constantly in their car is going to destroy the car. Going from 25 to 60mph is far more important especially if it sounds good but does not mean you are struggling with the fighter jet.

[@carbuyer]

We think you'll see fewer folding hard tops, as soft-top technology has advanced so quickly in the last few years. You can get similar levels of refinement without the big weight penalty. We agree though - a glass roof is fantastic!

[@mitchellschwartz2148]

Exactly,. I have the version of the Z4 before the new one came out. Retractable hardtop makes it a better all year around driver. Own it. No payment. I will keep it until it becomes too costly to maintain it due to falling apart.

[@robsmith1a]

@@mitchellschwartz2148 I'd love it if electric drivetrains became cheap enough to allow a conversion once the petrol engine has died. The bodywork itself should last decades.

[@stephanforseilles]

The soft top is very quiet and thick, isolation is perfect (no water entry whatsoever even when using the pressure washer, doesn't feel cold even when covered in snow). Those have evolved tremendously. Plus: it gives more head room. But more importantly the weight gain is tremendous, making it a much sportier car than the previous version and closer to a Boxster than to a Merc CL. I though exactly like you until I tried one and changed my mind. 0-60 is irrelevant indeed. If that matters to someone they'd better buy a toaster, I mean a Tesla. ;)

[@yudhabagaskara98]

Lovely review as usual

[@carbuyer]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@drbobs8267]

Well done!

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

If you want a 3-litre, buy the M40i. Those wanting performance.

[@carbuyer]

The biggest reason to buy the M40i is the noise; performance in the 2.0-litre models is strong, and they're even better to drive.

[@joebloggs4191]

@@carbuyer Noise? you mean sound, gorgeous 6 cylinder sound which is amplified in open top motoring and adds to the fun of the drive!

[@JackKing12.]

Why is Nicola using the turn signal on a test track? Looks pretty quiet 😁

[@nicolahume]

Honestly......I have no idea. Force of habit I guess. *insert ‘but no BMW driver uses indicators’ gag here*😛

[@JackKing12.]

@@nicolahume 🤣👍😁

[@blademanx]

I live in a BMW infested area. They actually dont.

[@JackKing12.]

@@blademanx must be company cars

[@carbuyer]

Safety first!

[@tajdaraziz4577]

Excellent review 👏. Moral of the story, go ahead and buy a Boxter instead. 😃

[@RicardoNic9676]

Love Nicola's videos, the're so entertaining 😸

[@carbuyer]

So glad you like them. So much more to come!

[@lavery0365]

Hmmm, have my eye on this Roadster, M version would be a must, moreso on the highways than in town.

[@redpillcanucklofi]

Great review...very indepth! This was like reading the manual but more fun :) Do people even read manuals anymore though...lol. Great job on your video :)

[@carbuyer]

Thanks MrSpice!

[@rainerwysocki3554]

It takes a full golf bag in the trunk which neither the Porsche Boxter and the Mercedes Slk can. Obviously you’re not a golfer 😂

[@DynamteKid316]

I love women who do cool car reviews! She did a great job presenting this dream car of mine! Cheers! Love it! Earned a sub.+like!

[@lukeseven8155]

She's excellent at her job. My favourite presenter

[@Adribau94]

the old model actually has a bigger boot. But its much smaller if the roof is down.

[@tgregorywoodley3871]

With this one, the boot is the same size with the top up or down.

[@markrhoden68]

Got one Z4 m40i October 2023 😊 😎

[@fadyberlon]

Great review!

[@carbuyer]

Thanks!

[@henrymok8740]

Love the styling except for the headlamps, which look too blend & similar to those on many small “hot” hatches.

[@J67-h8g]

I don’t understand why these car manufacturers are limiting manual options. We need more manual options

[@carbuyer]

People simply aren't buying them, simple as that!

[@stephanforseilles]

Manuals have less MPG and more emissions so more taxes for the user and the manufacturer.. Also you need very hefty manuals for those modern torquier engines so the weight goes up, apparently. I agree they're more fun but we'd have to live without them, I'm afraid.

[@v0rt3x93]

They should make this car a hardtop

[@urkcin9385]

I like the interior styling, but much more prefer my 2004 z4 3.0i exterior styling. Seems like they tried a bit too hard to make it look aggressive 😕

[@urkcin9385]

And the NO MANUAL GEAR BOX problem is odd

[@davegenet]

The new one is an entirely different animal. I like it for different reasons. Had a 2006 for some time and loved it.

[@nomad5299]

Nicola should either join Carwow or take full control of Carbuyer channel

[@georgedowns4034]

Lol. I can't imagine her on Carwow. She is awesome but I don't think it would be right for Carwow to have 2 presenters...

[@abhilashsagar7922]

Your voice is soothing

[@DarkSoul6484]

There IS a manual option. Maybe not in the UK though

[@mphantata7811]

what an amazing review i love it and i love the car as well ❤

[@borinvlogs]

I like her reviews. 😁😁👍👍

[@floatingpeaks4584]

I like her presenting style

[@williegitau6680]

Gorgeous car,informative review

[@carbuyer]

Thanks for watching, Willie.

[@charlesloomis2224]

The interior is distinctively German. Love it!

[@britishagent]

I drive the M40i version and enjoy the sound and performance. Drove all the way from Newcastle to Oban with the roof down and it was wonderful summer experience. I have lost count of the times heads have turned and photos taken by passers by.

[@georgedowns4034]

You drove with the roof down...through Scotland? Wow I did not know Scotland had nice weather lol.

[@britishagent]

@@georgedowns4034 Ha ha, good one, the weather surprised me too. Great country though, us Geordies like the Scots.

[@georgedowns4034]

@@britishagent oh definitely. Weather aside I love Scotland and look forward to one day visiting

[@duncanidaho7494]

The 6 cylinder is the only decent engine from BMW nowdays. Also, It is quiet a shame that it does not have a manual transmission, especially in this type of car...

[@mkkravist11]

What a little minx young Miss Nicola is. Bravo! Other car reviewers need to up their game.

[@chaineenarret.8822]

Bonjour par contre la main à l intérieur du volant c est pas très bien Bonne journée

[@MegaHekate]

Love the thumbnail pose ;)

[@carbuyer]

You should've seen the ones that went in the bin!

[@MegaHekate]

@@carbuyer Don't make me blush ;) Love the content. Spot on job u r doin' 👌

[@princezid]

Holy cow! What is her name? She's now my best friend! ❤ Sorry @Matt Watson 😁

[@AarmOZ84]

Ironically I am ordering a Boxster so.... go me.

[@adityakhatwa8555]

That is a nice front and rear end. 👌 I must say.🙃 And the car is also nice.

[@agnesf2659]

Why you park in the middle of the road after a turn? That's dangerous isn't it?

[@dpunk88]

hey, u are not reviewing Boxster here.

[@thecarexpert6086]

Do A SEAT Leon Sportstourer Review please

[@carbuyer]

We've done a SEAT Leon hatch review, but we'll aim to do an estate later in the year!

[@Cowclops]

whats a Mazder

[@obvea]

The sad thing is, in Britain you wouldn't be able to drive this!

[@nicolahume]

You’d be surprised! I had this baby for a week and drove it through the rain. Once you reach a certain speed on the motorway, the rain goes straight over your head and you don’t feel it haha.x

[@bodzio0]

You are absolutely wrong. I live in Scotland, where the weather I even less sunny than in the southern parts of the UK but drive convertibles for the last decade with the roof down for most of my journeys. my cars: NB MX5, Audi A5 Convertible and now Z4 M40i. I've had some non-convertible cars in between but driving them always missed the roof down.

[@funksoul4086]

My inner ariana grande 🤣🤣 first vid i saw. Subscribed

[@blademanx]

This car was starting at 32k only 2 years ago. Now 39k....Ill stick to what I got. Only seen 3 on the road. 2 better than the Supra. Used Z40i was around 37k during lockdown

[@quietenglishman4179]

Or you can buy a carefully maintained Z4 E85 like mine for about £4,000 and have just as much fun. They look better too.

[@sukant08]

Nice toyota supra review

[@vintagetrk]

I absolutely love this car. But wont buy one because they ditched the Hard top.

[@stefanzickler5386]

Perfect review, awesome woman !

[@aliriaz1608]

my dream car

[@-DC-]

That front bumper fit is horrendous 🙄

[@MOSSFEEN]

Nice Video but the UK is NO LONGER IN EUROPE T.G.

[@Shaxzara]

Good Review. Madam.

[@carbuyer]

Thank you 🙂

[@mercedesesmlglcdi]

What are you selling?

[@georgedowns4034]

eh?

[@Tracertme]

I’ll pass on the Boxster if you add the ACS 600nm to this one…

[@sivemtshakazana]

I like this lady.

[@carbuyer]

Stay tuned, Nic has loads more to come.

[@kjss4345]

This woman is annoying, she's auditioning for Hollywood while reviewing a car

[@crumdoggy]

Hey, it is Mat Watson’s sister!

[@nikky1456]

My favorite Nicola made my day as beautiful as her review are..always 💟

[@deepondroid]

I wish there was 1 litre 3 cylinder whatever BHP

[@cryptonite4467]

Who signals in a track ?? 😅

[@carbuyer]

Nicola does!

[@ideaynojodas]

The only thing I don't get... Is the mercedes-like headlights. Where are my halo (very BMW) headlights at? 🤷

[@chrisbagginsmay2474]

The answer is always MX5. Simples 🤘🏻.....I’m on my 3rd to be fair so maybe a tad biased 😉

[@carbuyer]

You're right, the answer is often MX-5, though if you're after something with a bit more power and performance the BMW Z4 is an interesting choice. Would you consider one?

[@chrisbagginsmay2474]

@@carbuyer I'd consider supercharging my NB mx5 or more likely a Boxster. Manual all the way for me. Have an auto for work so the joy of driving a manual just for the pleasure is the deal breaker

[@duncanidaho7494]

MX-5 is a lovely car. But it is quiet slow, and does not come with a premium interior... that is why the Porsche Boxster (NA engine) is the best convertible on the market.

[@schunkelperser1794]

But it HAS a manual gearbox option! ☝️

[@mudddasirnazarmudddasirnaz6297]

Amazing

[@carbuyer]

Thanks!

[@stephenboulton1347]

Looks like a merc....the previous model was more masculine.

[@daveh9415]

In the UK we have the biggest market of convertibles because we has the highest number of posers! Nothing to do with the weather!

[@carbuyer]

We can neither confirm or deny!

[@quietenglishman4179]

I think it's more to do with maximising the few fine days to which we are treated. It's too hot in Mediterranean countries to drive soft tops.

[@darrenashby8607]

Should have waited for a sunny day for the review ,in a bikini lol

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

Boxster will always be better....looks better, drives better and obviously more snob value😂

[@davidhayes4814]

Two litre high performance engines are the stuff of hot hatches. For a dedicated sports car, where image and branding is important 3 litres matters ...... as the F type demonstrated.

[@bighands69]

Cylinders are more important so a V6 is far more important for pure sports performance only you would need to be having the car on the track to get the best out of it. V8 is the best of the lot because it can mean the car can have a smooth luxury feeling with no effort what so ever and still have performance V6 is lighter though and more for pure sports.

[@carbuyer]

But the 3.0-litre engine isn't available in the F-Type anymore!

[@longwaytowork]

After 5min she burst my head!!!!

[@davidwilkins1864]

Sorry, I really can't stand her delivery. She's trying way too hard to be.....cool, maybe? Or funny? Don't know.....just doesn't work.

[@youssefm6090]

I just want to say that I love you

[@MK-fl2wu]

Ooow! My fav girl vid 😍

[@reynkens]

looks like a mercedes sls

[@bighands69]

Looks like a classic BMW roadster from the 1950s.

[@pechurin1260]

Voice goes through me!