2021 BMW Z4

BMW Z4

BMW’s Z4 is the sort of car that’s never going to blend into Gauteng traffic. Two seats, a cloth roof, and rear-wheel drive — it’s what the Z4 should have been from the start, and BMW hasn’t messed with the formula. You won’t find one parked on every dealership lot, either: with just three active listings countrywide, it’s a car you hunt for, not one that lands in your lap. Pricing is unapologetically premium, starting at R689,950 and topping out at R969,900, with the median sitting at R899,900. That tells you the M40i is doing the heavy lifting, especially since all Z4s on offer use petrol engines and a semi-automatic gearbox. If you’re cross-shopping, the Porsche 718 Boxster is the obvious rival, but the Toyota GR86 coupe is worth a glance if you’re willing to give up the wind-in-your-hair stuff — the Z4 usually wins on cabin polish, though. Every Z4 on offer is a used one, all from 2022 or 2023, and with mileage still under 27,000 km, you’re not buying someone’s old toy. Depreciation is your friend here because the sDrive20i M Sport Auto at R689,950 gives you a foot in the door, while the M40i twins stretch to R969,900. South African buyers, especially those who’ve sat in both the Z4 and a Boxster, tend to notice the BMW’s more up-to-date cabin and an infotainment setup that doesn’t demand a master’s degree to operate. No new Z4s are floating around right now, so if you want one, you’re playing the used market — and if you pack smart, you’ll see why that matters.