Spice up your drive with these thrilling alternatives to CVTs and crossovers!
BMW enthusiasts, celebrate! The long awaited moment has finally arrived – the 2025 BMW Z4 M40i is now available with a manual transmission. Will it garner as much attention as the Toyota GR Supra with a manual option? Judging by its specifications, we are inclined to believe so.
The “Handschalter” (German for hand shift) Z4 M40i is equipped with the well-known 382-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six engine, which delivers its power to the rear axle through a smooth and efficient six-speed manual transmission. This option, which includes a set of desirable features, comes at an additional cost of $3,500. But before we delve into those extras, let’s take a closer look at this new transmission choice.
Bavaria’s top engineers worked tirelessly to ensure flawless functionality of the updated gearbox in conjunction with the highly praised B58 engine. Developed from BMW’s versatile transmission system, it has undergone significant alterations to accommodate the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter powertrain, incorporating customized M-branded components for the shafts and gears.
According to experts, a manual transmission may require more effort, but its enjoyment is dependent on the smoothness and precision of the gear shifting experience. BMW has always been known for its exceptional mechanical prowess, and they have put in great effort to recreate that same satisfying sensation in the Z4 “Handschalter” gearbox.
According to BMW, the Z4 M40i has been equipped with a specially designed shift mechanism, guide, and transmission linkage that are specifically tailored for this model. These components have been carefully crafted to provide the same “mechanical feel” that has earned BMW’s manual transmissions high praise. With a manual transmission, the roadster is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. While this is 0.3 seconds slower than the eight-speed automatic option, enthusiasts who value the experience of manually shifting gears are unlikely to be bothered by this slight difference. Additionally, the top speed of the Z4 M40i remains unchanged at an impressive 155 mph.
It would be intriguing to witness the comparison between the manual Z4 M40i and the GR Supra stick shift. We recently tested the latter and were thoroughly impressed with its performance.
What about the rest of the enhancements? The Z4 models with manual transmission have been equipped with chassis tuning specifically designed to enhance vehicle responsiveness. To achieve this, auxiliary springs have been installed on both the front and rear axles, while a reinforced anti-roll bar clamp has been added to the front. Not only that, BMW has also reworked the programming for the electronic rear dampers and the variable sport steering system. Even the traction control and M Sport differential have undergone adjustments to better suit the six-speed gearbox.
The sports car also gains an advantage from varying tire and wheel sizes, featuring 19- and 20-inch M light alloy wheels in the front and back, respectively. This arrangement, which is typically reserved for high-performance M models, not only improves the car’s ability to handle its power but also offers numerous advantages on winding roads. This $3,500 package includes modifications to the chassis and staggered wheels.
The remainder of the bundle consists of aesthetic enhancements. There are seven metallic tones to choose from, in addition to non-metallic Alpine White, with San Remo Green being exclusively reserved for the manual version. The elongated Shadowline black high-gloss accents give the sports car a menacing appearance and should perfectly complement the two-tone staggered wheels.
For a price of $2,950, purchasers have the option to customize their Z4 M40i manual with a BMW Individual Frozen Deep Green metallic paint. This color choice is only available for the manual version of this car, and we expect that buyers will be more than willing to pay extra for the one-of-a-kind shade. With the Z4 manual predicted to become a sought-after item for collectors, it’s understandable that customers would want to make their purchase stand out.
Within the interior, purchasers are presented with a selection of options including Vernasca leather in a range of five shades, Black Alcantara combined with Vernasca leather, and Black SensaTec. Additionally, the manual model offers a Cognac/Black leather with Black M piping, exclusive to this variation.
BMW has not yet disclosed any information regarding the cost, however, it is anticipated that the manufacturer’s suggested retail price along with other specifics will be revealed as we approach the worldwide release in March 2024.
