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Z4 No More. BMW Calls Time on the Z4

The End of an Era for a Modern Roadster Icon


BMW has officially announced that the Z4 will end production in March 2026, marking the close of one of BMW’s longest-running sports car nameplates. While the news isn’t entirely unexpected—roadsters have been declining in sales for years—it still hits hard for enthusiasts who loved the Z4’s blend of classic open-top motoring and modern BMW engineering.

A Farewell to the Last Affordable BMW Roadster

The Z4 has been around since 2002, replacing the much-loved Z3 and becoming a staple of BMW’s sporty two-seater lineup. The current generation (G29), built in Graz, Austria alongside the Toyota GR Supra, offered something rare in today’s market:
A rear-wheel-drive, soft-top roadster with a proper straight-six engine option.

Its M40i model—3.0-litre, turbocharged, 0–62 mph in 4.5 seconds—will likely go down as one of the last combustion-powered roadsters BMW ever builds.

Why BMW Pulled the Plug

The reasons are simple but sad:

  • Falling global demand for two-seat convertibles

  • Rising production costs

  • BMW’s shift towards EVs and higher-volume SUVs

  • Tougher emissions rules

  • The Z4’s niche partnership production with Toyota

Ultimately, roadsters no longer sell like they used to — even when they’re brilliant.

The Z4’s Legacy

The Z4 always stood apart. Where other brands abandoned the segment, BMW kept building a proper driver’s car. It battled the Porsche Boxster, Audi TT Roadster, Mercedes SLC and even outlived some of them.

As the end date approaches, expect used prices—especially for the M40i—to hold firm. Rarity always fuels desirability.

What Happens Next?

BMW has hinted at electric replacements one day, but nothing is confirmed. For now, this is simply the end of BMW’s pure, petrol-powered roadster era.

If you ever wanted one, now is the time. The final Z4s rolling out of Graz will become instant collectors’ pieces.

The UK Motoring Verdict

The roadster market may be shrinking, but its spirit is not dead. The Z4 goes out as one of the best-looking, most enjoyable, and most underrated sports cars of its time.

A stylish goodbye to a proper driver’s car.

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