BMW Z3 vs. BMW Z4
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW Z3 and BMW Z4 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW Z3 and the BMW Z4.
In comparing the BMW Z3's and the BMW Z4's specifications and ratings, The BMW Z4 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW Z3's and the BMW Z4's specifications and ratings, the BMW Z4 is a better car than the BMW Z3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW Z3’s base engine makes 225 horsepower, and the BMW Z4 base engine makes 255 horsepower. The Z3 is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 338 miles. The Z4 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 452 miles. This gives the BMW Z4 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW Z3. The Z3 uses gasoline, and the Z4 uses premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$38,345
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$60,024 - $77,799
Starting MSRP:
$54,050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$103,210
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
$54,050 - $148,800
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
16
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77,496
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
BMW Z3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
BMW Z4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW Z3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW Z4
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
12.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
11.1 - 12.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW Z3 Rankings
Not yet available
BMW Z4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 32Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 41Ranking
6 out of / 27Ranking
7 out of / 41Ranking
7 out of / 41Ranking
15 out of / 41Ranking
20 out of / 27Ranking
20 out of / 27Ranking
34 out of / 41Ranking
35 out of / 41Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW Z3 Trim Levels
Not yet available
BMW Z4 Trim Levels
M40i, sDrive30i
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
225 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque:
214 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.076 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
247 / 338 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
343 / 452 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
51.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
9.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2943 lbs
Width:
68.5 inches
Height:
51.4 inches
Length:
158.5 inches
Wheelbase:
96.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3314 lbs
Width:
79.7 inches
Height:
51.4 inches
Length:
170.7 inches
Wheelbase:
97.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40ZR17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Atlanta Blue Metallic / Topaz Blue Metallic
Brown
Impala Brown Metallic
Gray
Sterling Gray Metallic
Green
Oxford Green Metallic / Pistachio Green Metallic
Red
Bright Red / Siena Red Metallic
Silver
Titanium Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White
Yellow
Dakar Yellow
Purple
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Portimao Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
San Francisco Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Alpine White
Yellow
Not available
Purple
Thundernight Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Blue
Topaz Blue
Brown
Walnut
Red
Dream Red
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Blue
Not available
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching
Red
Magma Red w/ Black Contrast Stitching
White
Ivory White w/ Contrast Stitching
