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BMW Z4 M (2006-2008) running costs and reliability

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Running costs rating: 2 out of 52.0

Written by David Ross Published: 6 June 2019

Miles per pound (mpp)

Reliable fuel consumption data for comparison purposes is not available for this model.
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Fuel economy

A more stringent standard for fuel economy (WLTP) was introduced from September 2017, and this model was not required to undergo that test. Its fuel economy measured under the previous test system was 23 mpg. However these figures are less likely to be achievable in real world driving and so should never be compared to another car's mpg which was measured under the newer, more realistic WLTP system.
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No M model BMW is cheap to run as the Z4M proves. It sits in the highest group 20 for insurance, consumables such as tyres aren’t cheap and neither is servicing or parts. BMW does offer a servicing package called Service Inclusive which allows you to pay for five years/60,000 miles of maintenance up front but be aware that the Z4M package costs three times that of the standard Z4.

On the plus side the model does generally keeps its value well, but of the two the M Roadster is the better performer on the seconds hand market.

It’s little surprise that the Z4M performs badly on the eco front. Both the coupe and roadster versions emit 292g/km of CO2 while the claimed fuel economy is just 23mpg.

The engine has been well proven in previous BMW M models, although there have been occasional reports of problems with the VANOS variable valve system, which proves expensive to fix once out of warranty. Other problems are unlikely though.