DecodedCars2012 BMW Z4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Two Seaters
- Body styles
- Sdrive30i 2dr Conv RWD, Sdrive35i/35is 2dr Conv RWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 23 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 166.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,241–3,505 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 30% better than the average 2012 two seaters (20.7 MPG).
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 BMW Z4 is a two seaters offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 167 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 98-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,241 lb (Sdrive30i 2dr Conv RWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (23 city / 34 highway), 30% better than the 2012 two seaters average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine and engine cooling.
What changed for 2012
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 27
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Z4 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sdrive30i 2dr Conv RWD | 166.9 in | 70.5 in | 50.8 in | 98.4 in | 59.4 / 61.4 in | 3,241 lb | 50/50 |
| Sdrive35i/35is 2dr Conv RWD | 166.9 in | 70.5 in | 50.8 in | 98.4 in | 59.4 / 61.4 in | 3,505 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 sDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | +30% | $3,050 | 329 |
| Z4 sDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 32 / 26 | +26% | $3,150 | 342 |
| Z4 sDrive35i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | +1% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Z4 sDrive35i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -8% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Z4 sDrive35is | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -8% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 BMW Z4.
Similar 2012 two seaterss
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW Z4 (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Porsche 911 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Porsche Cayman | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Porsche Boxster | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Audi TT Roadster | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles · Aug 13, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Oct 7, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V627000 · 8,988 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Sep 26, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V454000 · 76,191 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Jun 28, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V302000 · 162 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 1-SERIES ACTIVE E AND MODEL YEAR 2012 Z4 VEHICLES. VARIATIONS IN ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, LEADING TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.
- Risk
- SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSISTANCE MAY INCREASE THE STEERING EFFORT REQUIRED TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF A VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING ASSISTANCE MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2012 BMW Z4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 BMW Z4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,900 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 BMW Z4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Z4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Z4 | 28 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 Z4 | 28 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 Z4 | 28 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 Z4 | 28 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 Z4 | 28 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 1 |
| 2021 Z4 | 28 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Z4 | 27 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 6 | 5 |
| 2019 Z4 | 28 | 170.9 in | Not rated | 6 | 5 |
| 2016 Z4 | 26 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2015 Z4 | 26 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2014 Z4 | 26 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2013 Z4 | 26 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →