Want a sporty roadster that offers row-it-yourself driving with a premium cockpit? Look no further than the BMW Z4. Not only is this generation of Z roadster one of the best ever, but from a technology and driving dynamics perspective, it makes the previous version look like it came from another age.
While we lament the lack of a true M variant of the Z4 these days, the six-cylinder M40i version, which is available with a stick shift, makes 382 horsepower and is plenty quick. Sure, the Z4 isn’t as competent a sports car as, say, Porsche’s 718 models, but it’s not miles off either, and having the option of a manual transmission helps cement that.
In production since: 1989
Top powertrain option: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder (M40i Handschalter)
Power: 382 hp and 369 ft lbs torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.9 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph
Starting price: $71,125
From the article by Kyle Hyatt, Bryan Hood
