Pricing for the next generation BMW Z4 is now available for the US and apparently the new features and improved power comes with a pretty hefty price tag. The entry level Z4 sDrive30i has a base price of $46,575 and the quicker sDrive35i will be north of $52,475. Buyers can opt for a Premium, Cold Weather, Sport, or Leather packages; the pricing for packages and options are not as simple because of the way BMW has set it up, each item has a different cost depending on the other options that the buyer is getting in conjunction with it. 

The sDrive30i has the naturally aspirated 3.0 liter inline six engine with 258 horsepower, which is comparable to the current Z4 3.0si, which has 255 horsepower and starts at $42,700. While the price hike seems high at first, comparing stats with the more similarly spec’ed 3.0si model makes it seem reasonable. In addition to the slightly increased power, exterior design update, and revised suspension, the new Z4 will get a retractable hardtop. When considering these items the $3,875 jump from the 08 3.0si to the 09 sDrive30i is not too bad at all.
 

Continuing the comparison upwards to put the sDrive35i against the M roadster may not work as well. The twin turbo inline six rated at 308 horsepower is not quite a match for the S54 naturally aspirated inline six engine that powers the M roadster, as well as the E46 M3. The $52,475 pricetag for the sDrive35i is very similar to the M roadster’s MSRP of $52,000 but the stats just don’t stack up; we’re talking about a car that is supposedly faster than a Lamborghini Gallardo around a track.

Unfortunately, BMW has not released any word on an M version that will inevitably come. Most are guessing that it will drop around 1-2 years after the next gen Z4 hits the streets; following the relationship with the E46 M3 and Z4, I would expect to see the 8,300 RPM 414 horsepower V8 engine from the E92 M3.  

Options are set up in a way that encourages buyers to buy many packages at once. For example, the sport package is $2,300 by itself, but only $1,900 with the “ZWP” Ivory White Leather which is itself around $2,100. The Sport package includes bigger wheels, an “M” adaptive suspension, sport seats, and an increased top speed limiter. The premium package seems to be an essential option package as it gets you a garage door opener, auto dimming mirrors, power seats, lumbar support, and “BMW Assist”; it also is discounted heavily when purchasing it in conjunction with the ZWP package.  

I hope I read the pricing sheet correctly for the options; it is a pretty challenging document to navigate through.

While the new stats confirm the fact that BMW’s roadster will still not be taken seriously by performance enthusiasts, it looks definitely looks like a better deal than its closest competitor: the Mercedes Benz SLK 350. It also offers a retractable hardtop and is priced around 50 thousand, yet it’s horsepower rating of 268 just can’t compete with the sDrive35i.