2023 BMW Z4 M40i - DM Review

We always say that a purple car is a good car. This Z4 validates that point, while adding some pops and burbles.
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0:00 First impressions
14:02 After a week
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Music and graphics by Skyler Benn.
This video was filmed with in-ear, binaural microphones, so if you listen with headphones, it will sound like you're sitting in the driver's seat!
#bmw #z4 #m40i

[@PeteSQ]

I've had my Z4 M40i for 8 months and I love it ! It is just all round good, practical, fast, fun, good looking too. I went out for one of those amazing drives last nightL sun just setting and 10 miles of twisty country road with no other cars in front of me, an absolute joy !

[@shaunmcinnis566]

Same here. Had mine 4 months. The car has it all, and really fast when you want it.

[@user-ff8yi4pn3h]

I traded a 2018 Mustang GT convertible for my Z4 M40i. I couldn't be happier. The Mustang is big and heavy and feels like it. Z4 handling is much sharper and more composed. Plus BMW seats are so much better.

[@madpistol]

This car is gorgeous! The Z4 + B58 is a match made in heaven.

[@pablo9021]

This is by far the best car review I've ever seen I felt like I was in the car with you guys

[@rohansingh494]

Had a chance to get one for a loaner while my M3 was in for its service and what a car. I absolutely loved it and would definitely consider it for a future replacement 🤩

[@ydmf2]

You should drive-thru McD's in that car for Grimace shakes.

[@timgibbs4762]

Thanks. My rattle turned out to be in the interior lights. Solved by making the fit tighter.

[@TJZTechShow]

I have the G42 M240i. Very similar car, same engine, but I wish mine would pop and bang like that! Amazing how differently the B58 can be tuned on different vehicles.

[@davidt8087]

I had the 2015 m235i back when car and driver rated the m235i the number 1 car in their top 10 list for 3 years in a row. The first time that had happened in their magazines history. But unfortunately the new 2 series lost what made it special when it first came out. I get why you'd get a M240i, you're probably young and need the "cool" look and the seats, but I got the Z4 and imo it's the perfect bmw out now. My ex wife definitely dropped her panties in my z4 but never did so in my m235i

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Pops and bangs is really played out and childish Every kid in his Golf or Hyundai N ruined it

[@SoA-Horseman]

I own an SDrive 30i right now and have an order in or the M40i in Portimao Blue. Can't wait to get it. My Z4 is a "daily driver" and I absolutely love everything about it. Roomy, feels good, fast, handles well, great sound system ... honestly there's not much to dislike. There are a few things, but there always is. Upgrading to the M40i after 2 years because I crave the extra power and more so the exhaust sound and ... just knowing I have the M40i... lol silly reasons.

[@benedictdonald4338]

I, too, own an SDrive 30i and will replace it with the M40i. The 30i is shockingly fast for a 4 banger, so I can only imagine what the straight 6 does for this car. I had a 135i a few years back and loved it.

[@SoA-Horseman]

Yeah I love that I can tell my son that our Subaru is 184hp and so slow by comparison to the 255hp 30i. Difference is only 71hp, but the difference between the 30i and M40i is 127hp!!!! I took the M40i out for two test drives, but the second one was a lot more telling now that I feel comfortable driving the Z4. Can’t wait.

[@SyhnSeer]

Almost exact same options on the 2024 I have on order. Just different wheels. Interior exactly the same. Can't wait after test driving one!

[@hellodlo]

looks like super fun car to drive, love the driving and all its sounds too!

[@johncook1076]

Thanks for the great review of a great car.

[@gbrianjohnson]

Just so you know I have a 2018 X3 M40I and it makes the same pops and burbles. For what I understand they stopped doing it in the X3 in 2020 because of emissions. love that soundtrack!!!!

[@maximus9401]

If this has a different front bumper, I would be all over this. Oh and a manual. Perfect engine, perfect size, perfect interior with i-drive 7, rear wheel drive and convertible. Such a good formula. This will be a future classic for sure

[@chuckcribbs3398]

Manual now optional on the 2025!

[@TheOrangeEliseCup250]

Great review of a very fun european sportscar , the B58 exhaust sounds cool. The Morgan Plus Six has this BMW engine, it is a hotrod you can imagine😅 You are so cool guys👍

[@georgemperry]

I have a '22 Z4 M40 and it's amazing! It handles like it's on rails and is owl snot quick. BMW is rumored to be discontinuing this car (can't deny or confirm) but if you want one...

[@Veyronp87]

dang interesting that this car still cracks and pops! they took that out of most other BMWs

[@markrhoden68]

Seriously gonna pull the trigger on one of these come December 2023 or January 2024 when deals are more likely as nobody wants a convertible 2 seater in winter

[@markrhoden68]

Update, deal became avaliable couldn't resist Z4 m40i fully loaded San Francisco red with white leather 😊

[@SoA-Horseman]

BTW... can I ask what kind of camera set up you have? You clearly have it on your head.

[@zakarneh]

I usually don’t leave negative comments but the Miata is honestly not 25% of this car. I own one after driving a two convertible BMWs with the latest being the special 335is in manual. I would say I really miss the space and the luxury but in terms of fun, the Miata, although can be tiring, is on another level because you are driving it at >90% all of the time like a maniac with a stupid smile on your face

[@Largeone1968]

I have the Z4 and my partner has the MX5 Miata. Despite loving it she has finally admitted that it’s a one trick pony. She now craves comfort, refinement, power, electric roof etc. it’s her daily and just a compromise too far.

[@naiart82]

Would you have preferred this if it was offered with a manual?

[@nestorgonzales3460]

I admire so much this Z4 roadster....from its front facia down to its back and the interior..also its automatic folding roof...and its manual....may it will have the same design but a variant of hard top folding roof..( convertible)

[@Adamlllllllllllljjjljljjjjj]

I’m guessing the suspension is like that soft so it is good in the UK. On Carwow review they said it was really good. Great video!!

[@Commonsense4Life]

The Badging is perfect. That’s why Daily Motor ain’t auto engineers, 😆!

[@britishagent]

It would of been great if BMW updated the sound system on this refresh. I had this model last year and it was so awful i was forever playing with the equaliser. I noticed on the M240i (my replacement) they placed subwoofers under the seats which made it so punchy. To summarise, the base setup “distorts” very easily hence the endless fiddling with settings, and the treble is just too sharp it spoils your music. Such a missed opportunity!!

[@s.c.1972]

I have to test drive this back to back with a 718 but you have to think that the boxer is going to be more fun when you push it… especially if you had the 4.0 GTS although they are in very different price points and you get what you pay for

[@ManlyHK1]

My 2020 Z4 20i strangely has a 7-speed manual box but no pops and crackles - I prefer yours!!

[@DailyMotor]

I think they added those at some point between the start of this gen and now.

[@nafnaf0]

iDrive7 is where it is at. That ski slot is pretty cool. B58 engine is rock solid

[@colla555]

This sounds much better than our European version. It has a lot more burbles. But not only that, I think the engine sound in the interior also sounds less artificial.

[@helloim3j]

Supra for old people sounds exactly like what my now old ass is looking for.

[@s.c.1972]

Is there really a big difference in terms of power or handling between the 2023 models and the 2020-2021? Do you think a 718 handles enough better to justify the price differential??

[@lukaszg74]

2021 to 2023 It's the same car . Bmw is a better daily car , porsche is a better sports car

[@timgibbs4762]

Is the rattle from the soft top when up a general issue?

[@Largeone1968]

My Z4 M40i only has one rattle and that’s by my right knee. Possibly not the cars fault because I’ve had every panel off during a full audio upgrade. I’ve never loved a car live I do my Z4. I’ve tastefully and extensively modified it. More power, better handling, smoother ride, better sounding. Not that it needed it.

[@Rob-hw5wr]

"like a supra for old people". That will be me when I get mine

[@ibkl2u]

This or a M440i convertible ?

[@filoniz]

Turn off the traction.😂 I drive my mom around but she has bad knee so I lowered the top so she can get in easier.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

From 2020 they got the upgraded engine power

[@Digiphex]

With Toyota's manual this would be great.

[@Thaddeusfuck9rich]

grimace shakes

[@ryanb8736]

Charlie is at home.

[@colla555]

I'm kind of torn between buying a used Z4 M40i or leasing a new M240i(x).

[@dppopov]

This is the first time I hear someone saying that the H/K is worse than Supra’s JBL. And tons of people saying the JBL is the definition of trash…

[@Largeone1968]

The difference is all in the settings. Some of which are in the coding. Harman Kardon is the parent company of JBL so it wouldn’t surprise me if they use the same components.

[@nickyoung4799]

Brilliant 👏 👏 👏 hilarious to hear Americans discussing roundabouts 😅

[@Scorpio1075]

CPO 2023 BMW Z4 M40i can be bought for under $65k, that's the way to buy one!

[@BTMMHACK]

better off with a 2024 E Ray at that price point

[@Thaddeusfuck9rich]

you have that McDonalds

[@malidawgz5690]

right of way at rotary vaies from one state to the next. NY cars in the rotary have right of way . I believe in NJ a car entering has right of way.

[@seb5945]

Since a lot of cars got fake engine sound already these days, would yall be offended if they also start adding fake poppings as well? Like speakers outside playing popping sounds.

[@DailyMotor]

That's a good question. They nearly do that already, telling the engine to dump a little bit of fuel to make the pops. I suppose if it sounds good then no I don't care

[@chuckstovall638]

The woman in the gray Explorer ST was a Karen, not a boomer

[@Tracertme]

You should listen to the ManHart version in Germany, it’s like a Classic AMG SL55 for sound plus 440bhp.❤😂.

[@SaintMecha]

It's just weird that BMW got no performance version M/Semi M of this car even a manual or coupe. Like nothing at all. Toyota must be really paying them pretty coins to not do it.

[@Fishfingers]

This is the semi m version 💀

[@ekimandersom4478]

That cupholder system is just crap. No idea what they were thinking. The solution would be so easy.

[@Enhanced94]

only you americans use cupholders, i've probably never used a cupholder in 15 years of cars

[@oneaburns]

@@Enhanced94 Weird flex. We spend more time in our cars. Bigger country and all. I thought Europeans knew their geography.

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@Enhanced94 I am 100% European and use the cupholder every day, as do most people in Europe.

[@BobsUp83]

@@ekimandersom4478 I am 100% European and I never used the cupholder as cup holder, if it's there I just put my phone, if it's not there, I don't care at all...

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@BobsUp83 I said most, not all. Either way they should make it better for a car that is sold internationally.

[@user-ie9kr9kh3i]

I have a Z4 M40i, love it except for the fact it is an auto shift. Now I hear the 2024 is offering a manual.....DAMN YOU BMW. You went with the flow giving us the impression manual shift was dead so I caved. Manual shift roadsters should be the norm. I so wish mine was. Now I will be seething that mine is not. You should have done this from day one. I screwed up buying the 2022. Should have waited. The stereo sucks BTW. Don't give me the break-in period BS and the EQ garbage. Two years later and the stereo still sucks. I am a recording studio owner and used to install competition stereos. The audio sucks in the Z4. It has massive balls and is fun to drive. It needs to be a manual shift. Now they have the option. I'm pissed it happened too late. Back to the mere slk55 manual for me, if I can find one. The other thing I hate about my Z4 is the immense tech. Way too much "iPhone" style tech in this car. Give me gauges, real ones. Heads up display... worthless garbage, the list goes on. It is a roadster, forgo the extra garbage for soccer moms and make it a driver's car. Who cares about apps and what the time and weather is. The dash is overly busy with nonsense. I love driving the car (when I was in Germany, in the States not so much) nut it is overly idiotic in tech.

[@Juergen_Mueller]

Can you switch off that pops and bangs? This may be quite nice for a short review. But does anybody want to hear that every day, for years?

[@svenskenh644]

Only pops in Sport and Sport+

[@Rob-hw5wr]

Boomers aren't "mom age", they are "grandma age"

[@shaunmcinnis566]

3.5 from car n driver..haha .2 is a lot.

[@okboomer1340]

I like my 1997 Z3 and the 70K I saved. But I'm a cheap sonofabitch.

[@mikewatch1487]

That over done back fires become obnoxious after a week of ownership. Plus the upshifts are a bit slow and sounds like farts. No thanks. Engineers need to stop feeding gas to make that silly little back fires. No thanks on owning one.

[@emanuelecolombo9900]

+42 hp vs our stupid EU version...

[@michaelsmith9888]

The Supra for "old people" comment was offensive.

[@oumakavoula]

sounds like a riot but it's just so ugly, would never ever get this over a supra

[@OgiJun]

This over the Supra any day. That car is fugly..frumpy..awkward looking.

[@Enhanced94]

said no one ever. supra interiors also look like bmw from 10 years ago

[@oneaburns]

Like the car but not your guys reckless driving. Turning into right with no traction control and nearly losing it and the 105mph pass on the right with multiple lane changes. Just dumb. You can show us how good the car is without driving like idiots.