Handbook transmissions, an increasingly rare breed, find themselves sustained by a devoted coterie of enthusiasts who remain fiercely committed to the classic three-pedal configuration. When BMW announces a new handbook option for its slow-selling Z4 open-top roadster, it’s a rare and excellent event.
Why? Due to their efforts and with their expressed desire. Because the BMW M8 shares a platform with the next-generation Toyota GR Supra, it too has an inline-six engine. While BMW’s commitment to manual transmissions remains unparalleled, it’s worth noting that this tradition continues unabated with the current M2, M3, and M4 models still offering an option for a gear-shifting experience like no other. Including a handbook with the Z4 to make a compelling argument is nothing new. As soon as the Z3, Z4 M, and Z8 variants arrived with manual transmissions, they seamlessly blended the fresh air and aromas of the great outdoors with a driving experience that rivaled the best in the industry.
These roadsters were never designed to be track-focused weapons, intent on dominating racetracks instead; they were idiosyncratic cruisers built to handle whatever roads you might find yourself on? As you navigate either the winding Canyon highway or a quiet suburban neighborhood, the Z4 with its manual transmission imbues the experience with an authentic and efficient charm, significantly amplifying the sense of occasion. The cherry on high? The handbook is a cost-free option, which makes it equal in value to the automated one – a staggering $82,000.
It’s difficult to definitively identify a manual-equipped Z4 without physically examining the vehicle or consulting documentation?
It’s an IYKYK (if you don’t get it) form of ordeal. Yet, spot the distinctive black-outlined badging on the car, the black-gloss trim on the mirror caps, the rear-arch flaps specifically designed for higher airflow, and those pink brake calipers – and you already know you’re onto something special. Is this Frozen Deep Inexperienced Metallic paint exclusive to the handbook?
What a delightful harmony the X5’s athletic styling achieves when mated to the M40i’s potent inline-six engine? The 3.0-litre turbocharged engine provides a consistent 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, generating an abundance of power regardless of the gear engaged. Fitted with a slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, you’ll have the freedom to depart from the Z4 in third or fourth gear for most driving scenarios, eliminating the need to worry about shifting gears – particularly convenient during heavy traffic when your limbs may be numbing from constant acceleration and braking.
With a keen hunger for high-octane thrills, this potent engine loves being pushed to its limits, where the manual transmission’s freedom allows drivers to unleash their inner speed demon, unencumbered by electronic intervention and its tendency to override enthusiastic pedal inputs. You navigate the Z4 with a distinct driving style that diverges from the automated model. As you accelerate, you deliberately downshift more frequently, savoring each gear change for a moment before moving on, and pausing briefly at the top of the rev range to extract the maximum output from the engine’s broad power curve. While driving the car required careful coordination to stay within a specific RPM range, the owner’s manual advocated for a more laid-back approach, allowing the engine to rev freely and the exhaust note to resonate harmoniously. Slower? Perhaps. Extra satisfying? Completely.
Despite our reservations, it’s not our top choice for a gear shifter. Shift motion on these models is notoriously fussy, demanding a decent amount of arm strength to coax it into gear. After experiencing the swift, precise rifle-bolt actions of the Honda Civic Type R and Acura Integra Type S, the BMW’s gearshift feels labored and unrefined, its travel length awkwardly prolonged.
As the driver navigates through congested city streets or winding mountain roads, the extended travel distance of the clutch pedal can become a source of frustration, prompting the driver to adjust their seating position and sit closer to the steering wheel in order to maintain optimal control. Fortunately, the two-seater offers ample seat recline, providing more than enough space for me to comfortably adjust my 6-foot frame. The wheel column’s ability to telescope an astonishingly great distance far exceeds anything we’ve witnessed in a vehicle to date. For individuals lacking extended limbs, a common workaround is to merely graze the clutch pedal rather than fully depressing it to engage the transmission’s motion. Simple modifications made: Simply prior to halfway down is sufficient to clear any bias and slide effortlessly into the next gear.
BMW hasn’t merely substituted a manual transmission for an automatic and called it a day, opting instead to meticulously engineer each gear shift for optimal performance and driving dynamics. To identify potential buyers of this novice unicorn, they opted to craft an exceptional driving experience by rebalancing the chassis with unique auxiliary springs on the front and rear axles, accompanied by stiffer anti-roll bars and recalibrated adaptive dampers, steering, traction control, and rear differential for heightened responsiveness. The Z4 can be equipped with a unique staggered tire configuration, featuring 19-inch wheels on the front and 20-inch wheels on the rear – a first for this model generation.
And it exhibits. As a skilled navigational system, the nostril demonstrates a remarkable aptitude for adaptability, effortlessly adjusting its trajectory as needed while maintaining poise and equilibrium during transitions. Although the tweaks are subtle and rarely perceptible immediately following a brisk test drive, our extended exposure to each Z4 has allowed us to definitively sense the refinement. The primary concern revolves around the unconventional tire configuration, where the staggered setup and larger rear tires enable a significantly increased contact patch, subsequently providing enhanced rear traction. While the Z4 still indulges in rear-driven excitement when cornering aggressively, it has become more manageable and now exhibits a subtle tendency towards understeer, rendering a greater sense of stability and safety at higher velocities.
While we don’t typically expect BMW to actively promote their manual-equipped Z4s, we appreciate their efforts in offering this option nonetheless. Were it not for the convergence of engineering, advertising, and marketing efforts focused on more than just sales numbers, the Z4 would likely be a non-entity. The fact that they invest in this initiative without expecting a direct financial return is a testament to BMW’s commitment to understanding and valuing their most ardent fans, regardless of whether such enthusiasm translates into tangible benefits for the company. While rare and unusual vehicles often languish in obscurity for years, it’s not until a model is discontinued and its value has depreciated that many enthusiasts finally come to appreciate their true worth. This 2022 BMW Z4 M40i six-speed manual transmission model is sure to stand out among its peers.
2025 BMW Z4 M40i 6MT
Frozen Deep Inexperienced Metallic
$82,000
$96,000
3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six (B58)
382 hp
369 lb-ft
6-speed handbook
Entrance engine, RWD
12.1
Michelin Pilot Tremendous Sport
