Hot on the heels of the high-selling, but dynamically underappreciated Z3 convertible, the far more rewarding-to-drive Z4 rewrote the company's shortfalls. It gave the public what they had craved all along; a car that actually handled and went as a performance-oriented BMW should.

Dispatching with the lackluster and disappointing 113hp 1.8-liter engine choice that appeared within the Z3 for good, the Z4 began its journey as a more focused sports car. It eventually offered up a selection of engines more suited to fast driving in a bid to compete with direct competitors like the Porsche Boxster, with even the smallest Europe-only 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit developing a respectable 148hp.

The BMW Z4 has proven itself to be a vehicle that is aware of the need to constantly evolve, so it will continue to deliver the type of driving experience that has come to be expected from BMW's fast road products. Here are 10 reasons why every gearhead should own a BMW Z4

10 First Generation Coupe & Convertible

Blue 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe
BMW

The Z4, a replacement for the less-than-inspiring Z3, was unveiled in its convertible form at the 2003 Paris Motor Show. It featured a much more adventurous body style, and promised to be a more performance focused machine than the outgoing model.

BMW-Z4-2003-1280-08

Three years later, the eagerly anticipated coupe version was introduced, but unlike the drop-top, which could be fitted with a 2.5-liter engine, the coupe could only be ordered with a 3.0-liter straight-six that produced 261hp.

Related: 10 Things We Just Learned About The TVR Sagaris

9 The Z4M Coupe

BMW-Z4_M_Coupe-2006-1280-22
netcars

Even if the Z3 itself had been somewhat underwhelming, the Z3M Coupe had been a blindingly good car. With the release of the Z4 Coupe, it didn't take the M-Division long before a suitable replacement had been created.

BMW-Z4_M_Coupe-2006-1280-38

Sharing the S53 3.2-liter straight-six from the E46 M3, the Z4M Coupe made good use of its 338hp by blitzing to 60mph in 4.6 seconds before covering the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds. Handling was also described as superbly balanced.

8 It Evolved Into A Hardtop Roadster

2009_BMW_Z4_sDrive_23i_2.5_Rear

Designated E89, the second-generation BMW Z4 merged its two individual models to become a dual identity hard-top convertible roadster becoming a far more sophisticated machine with regenerative braking and electric power steering as standard.

Z42009

Despite no longer offering a standalone M-Division-tweaked model, there were seven engine options with power outputs running from 154hp right through to an impressive 335hp. All versions provided better fuel economy than the outgoing model.

Related: 10 Cool Cars Jay Leno Wishes He Owned

7 The Rapid N54 Twin Turbo

yellown54

Producing a meager 3hp less than the previous Z4M model, the top-specification Z4 sDrive35is was fitted with a twin-turbo in-line six known as the N54. This engine churned out an impressive 100 lb-ft of torque more than the Z4M.

N54Z4

Burying the throttle will result in the smooth N54 Z4 rocketing to 60mph in a ballistic 4.6 seconds, it also features a computer-controlled over-boost function that delivers an additional amount of torque for seven seconds under wide-open throttle.

6 The Ballistic GTE Racer

BMWZ4GTE02-1

A replacement for the highly impressive M3 GT2 racecar, the Z4 GTE was outfitted with the 4.4-liter 480hp V8 as found in the GT3 racer. It featured a less aggressive aero package than the donor GT3 car, but the GTE sits much wider and lower.

GTE Z4

Devastatingly agile on track, the impressive Z4 GTE racer can rip to 60mph in as little as 3.2 seconds, has a claimed top speed of circa 200mph thanks to a slick-shifting 6-speed, paddle operated sequential gearbox.

5 Return To A Soft Top

BMW-Z4-Roadster-11

Swapping back to its soft-top roots in 2018, the G29 Z4 model took on a far more aggressive approach to its styling and was designed alongside the Toyota Supra model, which would enable the much-loved sports car to be reborn using the shared platform.

e87139d9-2019-bmw-z4-m40i-8

Now offered with both inline-four and six engines that utilized single turbocharger setups, even the lowest powered 194hp 2.0-liter unit was capable of accelerating the stylish Z4 to 60mph in as little as 6.4 seconds.

Related: The Biggest Gas-Guzzling Supercars On The Planet

4 The Z4 M40i

BMW-Z4_M40i_First_Edition-2019-1280-02

Offered with two levels of output, depending on the marketplace, the Z4 M40i used a 3.0-liter straight-six engine with a turbocharger to produce a beefy 382hp in the US and a still impressive 335hp for the rest of the world.

BMW-Z4_M40i_First_Edition-2019-1280-0b

Startlingly fast off the line, the US Z4 M40i will rocket to 60mph in a staggeringly impressive 4.0 seconds with the lower-powered variant turning in a 4.5 second time, both cars are electronically limited to 155mph which is plenty fast enough.

3 Every Bit A BMW

BMW-Z4_Roadster-2014-1280-97

Each version and variation of the Z4, from the earliest 2.5-liter cars right through to the latest 3.0-liter turbos, have all been designed by a company that puts the thrill of driving at the forefront of every single product that they create.

BMW-Z4_Roadster-2014-1280-ba

Always intended to be a highly capable sportser or performance coupe, the Z4 can sometimes become lost in the overwhelming array of vehicles currently offered by the German manufacturer, which is a shame as it deserves to be driven and truly enjoyed.

2 Plenty Of Tuning Options

z4 modified

Thanks to the amount of interest shown in BMW vehicles from third-party tuners, along with the shared components from the other model ranges, there are a huge amount of options for those looking to modify their Z4 into something unique.

z4 off roader

Whether it be a simple remap to unleash a torrent of horsepower in a turbo-fed engine, a radical overhaul to convert a coupe into an off-roader, or a full-on engine swap to recreate a GTE racer, there is a solution out there for everything.

Related: 10 Cars Under $30,000 That Push More Than 400 Hp

1 Affordable And A Lot Of Fun

z4 budget

The earliest version of the Z4 in both coupe and convertible guises can now be snapped up for a relative bargain price, quite easy to maintain when compared to its competitors the Z4 offers up a superb blend of performance and comfort.

BMW-Z4_M_Coupe-2006-E85-07

A genuine sweet spot in the range, the first generation 3.0-liter coupe is often widely regarded as one of the most complete fast BMW's ever created and is even held in higher regard than its more raucous Z4M sibling.