SDRIVE20I M SPORT

Hardly wild, but the basic model offers enough poke to excite in the corners and perform well as a motorway cruiser. The weight saved over the M40i is a blessing.

car, go for the M40i, because the 2.0-litre models are rather uninspiring in comparison.

One thing that BMW has never quite managed to perfect is the Z4’s handling. It’s composed and direct, sure, but lighter, more agile roadster rivals such as the Boxster and Mazda MX-5 remain the benchmarks.

However, the Z4’s interior really stands out. It is similar to that of the 3 Series in layout, is adorned with leather and has refined, well-located conveniences.

BMW’S superb idrive 7.0 infotainment system is included as standard with all of the functions you would expect, including smartphone mirroring.

We find the digital dials of the Z4’s Virtual Cockpit a bit difficult to read, so cars with the optional head-up display might be worth seeking out.