2026 BMW Z4 M40i: Solon Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 BMW Z4 M40i
The M40i is the six-cylinder Z4: a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 making 382 hp and 369 lb-ft, rear-wheel drive, MSRP from $68,400 before destination. It's the only Z4 trim with a manual gearbox — a genuine 6-speed, offered at no extra cost next to the 8-speed Steptronic automatic — at a time when most two-seat convertibles in this price range don't offer one at all. The two gearboxes aren't just a preference question, either: they carry different EPA fuel-economy ratings (25 mpg combined automatic, 22 mpg combined manual), and only the manual falls under the federal Gas Guzzler Tax threshold. It's in the showroom now at BMW Cleveland, 6135 Kruse Dr in Solon.
The Z4 built for people who want to shift
The M40i's case starts with the engine: BMW's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, the same basic architecture that's earned a reputation across the current lineup for smooth power delivery and a genuinely good exhaust note. Here it's tuned to 382 hp and 369 lb-ft, enough to make the Z4 feel properly quick rather than merely brisk. But the number that actually sets the M40i apart in 2026 isn't the horsepower figure — it's the transmission sheet. BMW still lets an M40i buyer choose a 6-speed manual at no additional cost over the automatic, a choice most of the Z4's convertible rivals stopped offering years ago.
That matters more in Northeast Ohio than the spec sheet suggests. The roads out past Chagrin Falls and Hudson reward a car you can row through yourself, and the on-ramp merges around I-271 and I-480 are exactly where an eager inline-six and a manual clutch make the daily commute feel like less of a chore. At BMW Cleveland, 6135 Kruse Dr in Solon, the M40i is the Z4 trim enthusiasts specifically come in asking about — often by name, and often about the manual specifically.
What the 2026 Z4 M40i comes with
- Powertrain: 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo inline-6 (BMW's B58 engine), 382 hp / 369 lb-ft, rear-wheel drive
- Transmission choice: 6-speed manual, standard at no additional cost, or the 8-speed Steptronic automatic — the only choice in the Z4 lineup
- Efficiency: EPA-estimated 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg with the automatic; 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg with the manual — the gearbox genuinely changes the fuel-economy picture, not just the driving feel
- Chassis: Adaptive M suspension and M Sport brakes, tuned specifically for the M40i
- Body and cabin: the same power-folding soft top, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and 14.9-inch curved central touchscreen as the sDrive30i, running BMW Operating System 8.5 with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
Manual or automatic — and why the tax line differs
This is the one place where a transmission choice does more than change how you drive. Because the manual M40i's EPA combined rating (22 mpg) falls under the federal Gas Guzzler Tax threshold of 22.5 mpg combined, a manual-equipped M40i carries that tax line on its window sticker. The automatic M40i, at 25 mpg combined, clears the threshold and does not. Neither number should surprise you at signing if you know it going in — ask BMW Cleveland to walk through the specific sticker for the car you're configuring, manual or automatic, before you commit.
What BMW Cleveland buyers say
BMW Cleveland carries a 4.6-star average across nearly 2,000 Google reviews. Joseph and Marissa Stanton, on their second purchase from the dealership: "Excellent service and sales. Second vehicle we've purchased with bmw of Solon. Special call out to Bryan in sales and Jack in finance. These guys make the process smooth and easy and sell with honesty and integrity." Bryan Katic (Client Advisor) and Jack Scott (Finance Manager) are both current BMW Cleveland staff — useful to know before you sit down to spec a manual-vs-automatic M40i, since it's exactly the kind of build-specific conversation a familiar sales and finance team handles better than a generic quote.
Frequently asked questions: 2026 BMW Z4 M40i
Does the 2026 Z4 M40i really come with a manual transmission?
Yes. It's a genuine 6-speed manual, offered at no additional cost next to the 8-speed Steptronic automatic. It's the only transmission choice anywhere in the 2026 Z4 lineup — the sDrive30i is automatic-only.
How much horsepower does the Z4 M40i have?
382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, rear-wheel drive, in either transmission.
Does the transmission affect fuel economy on the M40i?
Yes, noticeably. EPA rates the automatic at 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg, and the manual at 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg. The manual's lower combined rating also puts it under the federal Gas Guzzler Tax threshold, which the automatic clears.
Why does the manual M40i have a Gas Guzzler Tax and the automatic doesn't?
The federal threshold is 22.5 mpg combined. The manual M40i is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined, just under that line, so it carries the tax on the window sticker. The automatic, at 25 mpg combined, clears the threshold and doesn't. It's a real federal line item either way you'd want to know about before signing, not a BMW Cleveland fee.
Is the Z4 M40i quicker than the sDrive30i?
Yes, by a wide margin on paper — 382 hp and 369 lb-ft versus the sDrive30i's 255 hp turbo four. The M40i is the trim to choose if outright pace and engine character are priorities over price and fuel economy; the sDrive30i guide covers the other side of that trade-off.
Test drive the 2026 Z4 M40i in Solon
The M40i is the rare 2026 convertible that still lets you choose your own gearbox, backed by a straight-six that's earned its reputation across the current BMW lineup. Browse M40i inventory — manual and automatic both — compare it against the sDrive30i, or contact BMW Cleveland to schedule a test drive of both gearboxes back to back.
MSRP excludes the destination and handling charge along with taxes, title, registration, license fees, and any dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy numbers are EPA estimates, and real-world mileage will differ with conditions, configuration, and how you drive. Gas Guzzler Tax applicability is a federal determination tied to the specific vehicle's EPA rating, not a dealer fee. No driver-assistance system replaces an attentive driver. Inventory changes daily. Customer quotes on this page are excerpts from public Google reviews of BMW Cleveland and reflect a general BMW Cleveland purchase experience rather than an M40i-specific transaction.