This car has been superseded by a newer model, click here to go to the latest BMW Z4 Roadster review.

BMW Z4 Roadster (2009 - 2017) practicality

06 June 2019 by Parkers Experts

Parkers overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 4.5

Standard across the range is a BMW Z4 safety system called Dynamic Stability Control+ (or DSC+ for short) which combines several features such as traction control, corner brake control and brake fade compensation to help keep the car on the road and stable.

The body shell is extremely stiff and there are head/thorax airbags integrated in the side of the seat backrests which inflate in the event of a collision from the side.

Like most BMW cars, the Z4 comes with run-flat tyres which allow you to drive for 150 miles (at a maximum of 50mph) with a punctured tyre, although BMW says it has carried out successful tests up to 600 miles.

Like the majority of two-seater sports cars, BMW Z4 practicality isn’t a strong point but it offers enough space to make it useable everyday.

With the roof up, the boot offers 310 litres of space - more than a Ford Fiesta - and the load area is easy to access, if not very wide. With the roof retracted, space is cut to just 180-litres which is marginally less than the Mercedes-Benz SLK and it's hard to get to items as they have to be loaded through a narrow slot.

An optional through-loading system is available which includes a hatch between the two seats to allow longer items up to 1.7 metres long (such as skis) to be carried.

In the front there's a decent central cubby, door pockets that fold open and a storage box with shelves behind the seats.

Basic equipment

The basic equipment list includes equipment that is standard across all versions of the BMW Z4 Roadster (09-17).

ABS
Alarm
Alloy wheels
Body coloured bumpers
Driver`s airbag
Front electric windows
Headlight washers
Heated mirrors
Isofix child seat anchor points
PAS
Passenger`s airbag
Rear electric windows
Remote locking
Service indicator
Side airbags
Steering wheel rake adjustment
Steering wheel reach adjustment
Traction control

Equipment by trim level

To view equipment options for a specific trim level, please select from the following list:

Equipment included on some trim levels
Air conditioning Audio remote CD Cloth seat trim Electric driver`s seat Electric mirrors Electric passenger`s seat Height adjustable drivers seat Leather seat trim Metallic Paint Partial leather seat trim Sat Nav Sports seats

Standard Trim standard equipment
Audio remote Electric mirrors Partial leather seat trim

Standard Trim optional equipment
Air conditioning CD Cloth seat trim Electric driver`s seat Electric passenger`s seat Height adjustable drivers seat Leather seat trim Metallic Paint Sat Nav Sports seats

Highline Edition standard equipment
Audio remote CD Leather seat trim

Highline Edition optional equipment
Cloth seat trim Electric driver`s seat Electric mirrors Electric passenger`s seat Height adjustable drivers seat Metallic Paint Partial leather seat trim Sports seats

M Sport standard equipment
Leather seat trim Partial leather seat trim Sports seats

M Sport optional equipment
Air conditioning Audio remote CD Electric driver`s seat Electric mirrors Electric passenger`s seat Height adjustable drivers seat Metallic Paint Sat Nav

M Sport Highline Edition standard equipment
CD Leather seat trim Sat Nav Sports seats

M Sport Highline Edition optional equipment
Air conditioning Audio remote Electric driver`s seat Electric mirrors Electric passenger`s seat Height adjustable drivers seat Metallic Paint Partial leather seat trim

S Drive standard equipment
Audio remote CD Partial leather seat trim

S Drive optional equipment
Cloth seat trim Electric driver`s seat Electric mirrors Electric passenger`s seat Height adjustable drivers seat Leather seat trim Metallic Paint Sports seats

Euro NCAP Rating – 3 stars

The BMW Z4 Roadster (09-17) was tested by Euro NCAP in 2013 and was awarded a 3 star overall rating. This overall rating is calculated from the following individual ratings:

Test 2013

Individual safety ratings
Adult Occupant:	69%
Child Occupant:	61%
Vulnerable Road Users:	91%
Safety Assist:	46%

Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. The safety ratings are determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP. These tests represent, in a simplified way, important real life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.