![The Z4 M Roadster and Z4 M Coupe: Modest Appearances, Hidden High Performance [BMW M History]](https://wheelfeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1841-1761190159243.jpg)
Z4 M Roadster/Coupe
Same appearance as the standard model
The E85 Z4 Roadster was originally planned as a higher-end model of the Z3 and was unveiled as its de facto successor at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. The car’s unique long-nose, short-deck body design was created by Chris Bangle, who was BMW’s chief designer.
The Z4 underwent its first minor change in 2006. At the same time, BMW M added the high-performance Z4 M Roadster and Z4 M Coupe to the lineup, along with the Z4 Coupe, a two-seater fastback coupe with a highly rigid body.
The previous generation M Roadster and M Coupe featured flashy exteriors such as muscular blister fenders and air dams, but the exterior of the Z4 M Roadster and Z4M Coupe is very understated. Apart from the ribbed hood and the quad exhaust at the rear, it is almost unchanged from the standard model.
High sports car potential
Meanwhile, the engine housed in the nose is the 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder DOHC “S54” unit from the E46 M3. Its maximum output is 343 PS/7900 rpm and maximum torque is 365 Nm/4500 rpm, so the specs themselves are the same as the M3, but the roadster weighs 1450 kg and the coupe weighs 1465 kg, nearly 100 kg lighter than the M3, and the frontal projection area is smaller, which also contributes to the 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than the M3 (top speed is limited to 250 km/h by a limiter).
Accordingly, various parts of the chassis have been reinforced, and various improvements have been made, including a wider front tread, improved front suspension, the adoption of wide tires (front 225/45, rear 255/40) that are not run-flat compatible, and changes to the steering geometry.
In addition, the steering assist is not the standard electric type but an orthodox hydraulic type, and the steering gearbox is from the M3 for the Roadster and from the M3 CS/CSL with a higher ratio for the Coupe. The drilled and bent disc brakes and rear axle are also borrowed from the M3 CS/CSL. Furthermore, the gearbox is only available as a 6-speed manual rather than the two-pedal semi-automatic SMG, making it a tough design that prioritizes drivability.
The Z4 M Roadster and Z4 M Coupe had undergone significant improvements beyond their appearance, and they also had great potential as sports cars, earning positive reviews as strong rivals to the Porsche Cayman S.
Winning races around the world
“Z4 M Coupe Motorsport”
BMW M also developed and sold the “Z4 M Coupe Motorsport,” a racing model equipped with a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine tuned to 394 PS.
Although the team did not participate in works activities, they won the Silverstone Britcar 24 Hours race twice in a row in 2006 and 2007, and also won the SP6 class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours from 2007 to 2009. They also won the Super Taikyu Series championship in Japan in 2008, and went on to win races all over the world.
In the end, with the introduction of the new E89 Z4, the Z4 M Roadster/Z4 M Coupe’s model life ended at just three years, but by 2008, 5,070 Roadsters and 4,275 Coupes had been produced.
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