BMW Z4 vs. MINI Cooper
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW Z4 and MINI Cooper 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 Z4 and the MINI Cooper.
When we compare the BMW Z4's and the MINI Cooper's specifications and ratings, the BMW Z4 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The MINI Cooper has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the BMW Z4's and the MINI Cooper's specifications and ratings, the MINI Cooper is a better car than the BMW Z4.
Pricing: A used 2011 BMW Z4 ranges from $10,992 to $26,111 while a used 2011 MINI Cooper is priced between $5,194 to $13,855.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW Z4’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the MINI Cooper base engine makes 121 horsepower. The Z4 is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 406 miles. The Cooper is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 miles. This gives the MINI Cooper the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW Z4. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The MINI Cooper has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more The BMW Z4, a sports car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, and cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
47450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
77513
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
38300 - 136300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24850
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18420
Price Range:
10992 - 26111
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
45034
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
12357 - 119728
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
75651
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
8961
Price Range:
5194 - 13855
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
47
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
99330
# Good or Great Deals:
16
BMW Z4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
MINI Cooper Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW Z4
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 MINI Cooper
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:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
8.700426539492021
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
1.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.6 - 8.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.567608438931445
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW Z4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 16Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 40Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 40Ranking
7 out of / 40Ranking
9 out of / 40Ranking
9 out of / 25Ranking
9 out of / 25Ranking
16 out of / 25Ranking
20 out of / 25Ranking
33 out of / 40Ranking
34 out of / 40MINI Cooper Rankings
Available Body Styles
Convertible
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW Z4 Trim Levels
sDrive30i, sDrive35i, sDrive35is
MINI Cooper Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
220 foot-lbs @ 2600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.078 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
121 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
114 foot-lbs @ 4250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.044 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):
18 / 28 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
261 / 406 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 35 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 462 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
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
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
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:
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
47.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
50.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
39.2 inches
Cargo Space:
6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
74.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3252 lbs
Width:
76.8 inches
Height:
50.8 inches
Length:
167 inches
Wheelbase:
98.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2745 lbs
Width:
75.3 inches
Height:
55.4 inches
Length:
145.6 inches
Wheelbase:
97.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/55R16
Exterior Colors
Beige
Mojave Metallic / Orion Silver Metallic
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Deep Sea Blue Metallic
Gray
Space Gray Metallic / Titanium Silver Metallic
Red
Crimson Red / Melbourne Red Metallic
White
Alpine White
Yellow
Atacama Yellow
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Sparkling Silver Metallic
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Horizon Blue Metallic / Ice Blue / Laser Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Red
Chili Red
White
Pepper White
Yellow
Interchange Yellow
Brown
Hot Chocolate Metallic
Green
British Racing Green II Metallic
Orange
Spice Orange Metallic
Silver
Pure Silver Metallic / Velvet Silver Metallic / White Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige Kansas Leather / Leather Kansas Walnut
Black
Black Alcantara/Leather Combination / Black Kansas Leather / Black Leatherette
Gray
Ivory White Nappa Leather
Red
Coral Red Kansas Leather
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Polar Beige Gravity Leather
Black
Carbon Black Checkered Cloth / Carbon Black Leatherette / Carbon Black Lounge Leather / Carbon Black Punch Leather
Gray
Satellite Gray Lounge Leather
Red
Rooster Red Leather / Carbon Black Cloth
Blue
Ice Blue Leather Cross Check / Carbon Black Cloth
Brown
Hot Chocolate Lounge Leather
