It’s unfortunate, really.
The Z4 has always been a niche car, and BMW’s strategy to broaden its appeal may have been its greatest misstep. In trying to cast a wide net, they diluted what made it special — a mistake seen across much of the BMW lineup.
At this point, whether the roof is up or down, there’s so little to differentiate how BMWs drive that you could easily mistake a Z4 for a 2 or 3 Series. And that’s part of the problem. People don’t buy convertibles just because they lack a roof — otherwise, we'd all be driving soft-top SUVs. (Remember the Evoque Convertible? Still sends a shiver down my spine.)
BMW missed a huge opportunity by not building a true range-topping M model for the Z4. Given how small the Z4 enthusiast community is, why not fully embrace it and build something truly driver-focused — something that could’ve captured the attention of the M crowd?
And let’s face it — a key reason the Z4 never really stood out is that
it's not a Porsche. I love Porsche, I really do, but precisely because they’re the default choice now, it makes me want to stay away. I want something different.
I’ve said it before: if the E89 Z4 had been fitted with the S65, it could’ve been a brilliant car. Same goes for the G29 with the S55. A few chassis tweaks, a more focused suspension setup, and you'd have had a truly compelling package. All the parts exist. The potential was there.
The future is... less exciting. Part of the problem today is that younger generations haven’t grown up immersed in car culture. There’s just not much out there that inspires the same excitement anymore.
My eldest is two, and his first word was “car.” He’s obsessed with the Z4 and even thinks it’s Lightning McQueen, which is amazing. I’m genuinely looking forward to making memories with the kids in these old cars as they grow up.
When I was young, my bedroom walls were covered with posters of F40s, McLaren F1s, Carrera GTs — and yes, a Z4M Coupe. I’m not sure what the poster cars are now. And to be fair, it's not the manufacturers’ fault. European regulations have made it nearly impossible for true enthusiast cars to exist anymore.
EVs and the harsh realities. Don’t get me wrong — I’m a fan of EVs i own one and love it. But they’re not the full answer. Consumers should be free to choose; governments can’t force a one-size-fits-all solution.
The industry is in turmoil. Car makers are struggling, job losses are mounting, and the average car on the road is now 8 years old. People are holding onto their cars longer — and for good reason. Cars built between 2010–2016 were incredibly reliable. Euro 5 emissions standards may have hurt diesels, but most petrol cars from that era just keep running.
Technology hasn't moved on that much either. Most of these older cars still have everything you need. And petrol prices, adjusted for inflation, have actually dropped by nearly 50%.
Now we’re stuck with a perfect storm: high-end EVs costing twice as much as used petrol cars, sky-high interest rates, and limited home charging — especially in the UK where terraced housing is the norm. Public charging costs around 80p/kWh, which gives you just 3–4 miles per kWh — barely half the efficiency of a good petrol car. There’s no clear benefit for most people.
Car sales peaked in 2016 and have now dropped to nearly 50% of that level in the UK. Even SUVs, once untouchable, have seen demand fall. Niche models like two-seaters don’t stand a chance.
What's next? I just watched the latest episode of
Harry’s Garage — brilliant, but honestly a bit depressing. (
Watch it here)
So where does that leave us?
Even if they brought out a new 2 seater it isnt going to capture the same feeling and want. so we hang on to what we have. We enjoy every last mile. Because the day is coming when cars like the Z4 will be nearly impossible to justify keeping on the road — not because they’re obsolete, but because of government policy.
Take my Z4M: it's 20 years old, has 80,000 miles and it's still more economical at this point in its life than a brand-new EV, all the damage has been done and for its age is low miles. Yet the government taxes it like it's some kind of environmental disaster. The whole system feels like it was designed by a drunken idiot.
Welcome to your death bed… 
At the summit of the picturesque fens
Why are they cancelling? Presumably if they had the build slot secured then production capacity shouldn’t be an issue?
Scottish Borders
