It took BMW practically 5 years to deliver the guide Z4 to the US following its launch in Europe. American consumers have been lastly in a position to get their arms on the six-speed starting early final yr. However for BMW, that holdout could have been price it; the guide Z4 outsold the automated within the US in 2024 by a reasonably important margin.

In response to BMW, the guide Z4 accounted for 65 % of the convertible’s whole gross sales within the US final yr. Granted, the model solely offered 2,129 examples of the Z4 whole in 2024, however American consumers clearly most popular the six-speed. Almost 1,400 Z4s had the “Handschalter” choice.

Regardless that the Z4 nonetheless sells in restricted portions, gross sales of the sports activities automotive truly improved in 2024 in comparison with the earlier yr. The Z4 was up by 13.1 % over 2023, during which BMW solely offered 1,883 examples by comparability.

BMW says the introduction of the guide transmission “completely” contributed to the Z4’s gross sales bump. “The response has been splendidly enthusiastic,” a spokesperson advised Motor1.

Apparently, the guide take fee for the Z4 was practically equivalent to its cousin, the Toyota Supra. Toyota mentioned that 65 % of all Supras offered within the US in 2024 have been guide fashions—up from 43 % within the earlier yr—with round 1,700 automobiles outfitted with the six-speed shifter. 

Sadly—or, luckily, relying on who you ask—the one solution to get the six-speed BMW Z4 within the US is by choosing the M40i mannequin. That model packs a extra highly effective turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine making 382 horsepower. The bottom Z4’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes simply 255 horsepower.

The Z4 M40i begins at $68,175 for 2025 earlier than including the Version Handschalter Bundle, which tacks on the guide and some options for an additional $3,500. So in case you actually desire a guide Z4 for 2025, you may should dish out at the least $71,675. Nicely price it, we would say.

BMW has had success with the guide elsewhere in its lineup, with practically 50 % of all M2 clients choosing the six-speed since 2022. The M3 and M4 weren’t as profitable in 2024, although, with simply 20 % of buyers selecting the guide on the M3, and solely 15 % of buyers choosing the six-speed on the M4.

Chris Perkins contributed to this report.