Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Z4.
The 2020 BMW Z4 is a two-door sports car equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and achieves EPA-rated fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, placing it among the more efficient options in its performance class; this model year also benefits from a relatively clean reliability record with only four total owner complaints filed, the majority concerning the electrical system, alongside six recall campaigns, figures that position 2020 dramatically closer to the model's strongest showing in the 2002-2023 complaint history, where complaints peaked at 414 in 2003 and reached a low of just one in 2022.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11429886567. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11429886567 alt 11428583896 |
| Engine air filter | 13718635102 alt 13718580428 |
| Spark plug | 12122455258 |
| Battery | 61215B3F325 alt 61216806755 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618492538 |
| Thermostat | 11539494424 alt 11539494425 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119382886 alt 64119382885 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 170.9 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 51.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3463 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.8 / 63.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 24 / 31 / 26 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Z4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | M40i Roadster 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 3.80 sec | 12.30 sec | 382 hp | RWD |
| 2020 | M40i Roadster 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 3.90 sec | 12.30 sec | 382 hp | RWD |
| 2020 | M40i Roadster 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 3.90 sec | 12.40 sec | 382 hp | RWD |
| 2019 | sDrive30i Roadster (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.10 sec | 13.80 sec | 255 hp | RWD |
| 2019 | sDrive30i Roadster (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.20 sec | 13.80 sec | 255 hp | RWD |
| 2019 | sDrive30i Roadster (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.20 sec | 13.80 sec | 255 hp | RWD |
| 2023 | M40i Roadster 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 3.50 sec | 12.00 sec | 382 hp | RWD |
| 2025 | M40i Roadster (Shadowline) 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 3.90 sec | 12.40 sec | 382 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 168.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Rear: 12.9 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Use new bolts. 81.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | Front: 6.0; Rear: 6.0 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: .882; Rear: .724 |
| 1 | M6 Bolts with 8.8 tensile strength | 84 in |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 180° | 22 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2020 BMW Z4 sits near the start of the current generation's federal record, following the 2019 relaunch year. Compared with 2019, the 2020 model shows a nearly identical recall count (6 each) but slightly fewer complaints (4 versus 5) and a lower TSB volume (165 versus 242). After 2020, the data shows a consistent downward arc: complaints fall to 0 in 2021, while recalls and TSBs decline steadily through 2023 (5/115, 3/45, 2/36). This places 2020 in the early, higher-activity phase of the generation's maturity curve, before the post-2020 improvement trend. With only 4 complaints, no fire complaints, and complaint categories each registering a single incident, the 2020 record is clean but not yet as settled as 2021–2023. Takeaway: 2020 is a reasonable buy, but a 2021 or later appears to offer a more mature, lower-activity ownership profile based purely on the federal data.
All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 Z4 M40i, Z4 sDrive30i, 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles as well as 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…
Showing 5 of 165 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B010324 | 2026-05-06 | Engine | The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or… |
| B062525 | 2025-03-25 | Engine | Bearing Shell Return |
| B540324 | 2025-01-13 | Structure | The convertible top does not open or close. |
| B610321 | 2024-02-28 | Electrical System | SITUATION BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Recall (effective April 23, 2021) on… |
| B640422 | 2024-02-16 | Electrical System | An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 24 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.