DecodedCars2020 BMW Z4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Two Seaters
- Body styles
- M40i 2dr Convertible, Sdrive30i 2dr Convertible
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 24 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 170.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,296–3,464 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 38% better than the average 2020 two seaters (19.6 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 9 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 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 171 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 97-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,464 lb (M40i 2dr Convertible).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 32 highway), 38% better than the 2020 two seaters average of 19.6 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 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2020
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Z4 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M40i 2dr Convertible | 170.9 in | 73.2 in | 51.6 in | 97.2 in | 63.8 / 63.4 in | 3,464 lb | 51/49 |
| Sdrive30i 2dr Convertible | 170.9 in | 73.2 in | 51.6 in | 97.2 in | 63.8 / 63.4 in | 3,296 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 sDrive30i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +38% | $3,050 | 324 |
| Z4 M40i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 26 | +33% | $3,150 | 334 |
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.6 MPG2020 Two Seaters average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 BMW Z4.
Similar 2020 two seaterss
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 BMW Z4 (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2020 Porsche 911 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT | 21 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2020 Acura NSX | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2020 Audi TT | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Jaguar F-Type | 26 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2020 Porsche Boxster | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Nov 12, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V700000 · 49 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Z4 and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. The weld between the fuel tank halves may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.
- Risk
- The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
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.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Nov 27, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V850000 · 245 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 Z4 M40i, Z4 sDrive30i, 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles as well as 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights.
- Risk
- Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
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.
Not every 2020 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
3,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 BMW Z4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- 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.
- Steering — 2 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 2 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 3,000 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 2020 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 |
| 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 |
| 2012 Z4 | 27 | 166.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 5 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →