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2019 BMW Z4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2019 models.

BMW Z4
Pictured: BMW Z4 2.2i (E85) – Frontansicht (2), 26. Juni 2011, Mettmann. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Two Seaters
Body styles
2dr Convertible
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
28 combined · 25 city / 32 hwy
Length
170.9 in
Curb weight
3,444 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 42% better than the average 2019 two seaters (19.7 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2019 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2019 BMW Z4 is a two seaters offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 171 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 97-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,444 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 32 highway), 42% better than the 2019 two seaters average of 19.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2019

  • New body dimensions: 4.0 in longer, wheelbase −1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
  • Best combined MPG up from 26 to 28

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Z4 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Convertible170.9 in73.2 in51.6 in97.2 in63.8 / 63.4 in3,444 lb50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Z4 sDrive30i2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28+42%$2,950321
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.7 MPG2019 Two Seaters average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2019 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2019 BMW Z4.

Similar 2019 two seaterss

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2019 BMW Z4 (this car)28 MPGNot rated6
2019 Porsche 91125 MPGNot rated3
2019 Acura NSX21 MPGNot rated2
2019 Audi TT26 MPGNot rated1
2019 Porsche Boxster25 MPGNot rated0
2019 Porsche Cayman25 MPGNot rated0
2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class27 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (6)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay · Sep 23, 2025 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 25V636000 · 199,674 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk
A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
Engine · Aug 2, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V598000 · 50,024 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Risk
Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Aug 27, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V516000 · 4,265 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlamps are able to be adjusted horizontally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Should the headlamps be adjusted horizontally, there could be increased glare and reduced visibility for oncoming drivers, or reduced visibility for the vehicle operator, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp vertical and horizontal adjustment plugs, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. BMW owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly · Jun 15, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V355000 · 2,779 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
Risk
A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Engine · Oct 15, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V732000 · 217 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i, 330i xDrive, and 2019 Z4 vehicles. The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.
Risk
If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 27, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V684000 · 257,473 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2019 BMW Z4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

5Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
200 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine2
Air Bags1
Structure › Body1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking1
Steering1
Electrical System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/01: 121/11: 124/04: 124/07: 125/11: 120/0121/1124/0424/0725/11max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2019 BMW Z4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Engine — 2 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 200 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2019 BMW Z4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Z4 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Z428170.9 inNot rated00
2025 Z428170.9 inNot rated01
2024 Z428170.9 inNot rated01
2023 Z428170.9 inNot rated20
2022 Z428170.9 inNot rated31
2021 Z428170.9 inNot rated51
2020 Z427170.9 inNot rated65
2016 Z426166.9 inNot rated14
2015 Z426166.9 inNot rated15
2014 Z426166.9 inNot rated37
2013 Z426166.9 inNot rated37
2012 Z427166.9 inNot rated45

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →