Compare the2023 BMW Z4VS 2023 Audi TT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Z4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The TT doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Z4 has standard City Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The TT doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Z4’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The TT doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Z4’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The TT doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Z4’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The TT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Z4 and the TT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the Z4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the TT.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Z4’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Z4 has a standard 800-amp battery (900 M40i). The TT’s 330-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

Engine

The Z4 sDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (255 vs. 228) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the TT 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Z4 sDrive30i’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the TTS’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Z4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 94 more horsepower (382 vs. 288) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 280) than the TTS’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Z4 sDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the TT 45 TFSI :

	Z4	TT
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.7 MPH	97.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Z4 gets better mileage than the TT:

			MPG
Z4
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
TT
	AWD	TTS 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Z4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The TT doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the Z4’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The TT RS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW Z4 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Audi TT (3 to 7). This means the Z4 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the TT every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW Z4, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the TT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Z4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the TT:

	Z4 sDrive30i	Z4 M40i	TT 45 TSFI	TTS Coupe
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12.3 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.8 inches	12.2 inches

The Z4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the TT 45 TSFI are solid, not vented.

The Z4 stops much shorter than the TT:

	Z4	TT
70 to 0 MPH	146 feet	157 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	99 feet	103 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the Z4 has larger standard rear tires than the TT (255/40R18 vs. 245/40R18). The Z4’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the TT (275/35R19 vs. 255/30R20).

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Z4 is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the TT.

The Z4 sDrive30i handles at 1.02 G’s, while the TT 45 TSFI Roadster pulls only .99 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Z4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the TT 45 TSFI Roadster (24 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .77 average G’s).

Chassis

The design of the BMW Z4 amounts to more than styling. The Z4 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .29 to .31 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the TT (.32 to .355) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Z4 get better fuel mileage.

Cargo Capacity

The Z4 has a much larger trunk with its top down than the TT Roadster (9.9 vs. 7.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Z4 easier. The Z4’s trunk lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the TT Roadster’s liftover is 32.1 inches. The TT Coupe’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

With its convertible body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the Z4 offers cargo security. The TT’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The Z4 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The TT doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Z4, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The TT doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Z4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The TT doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the Z4 offers an optional remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the Z4 offers an optional remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The TT doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Z4 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The TT doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The TT’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Z4’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

On extremely cold winter days, the Z4’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The TT doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Z4’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The TT doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Z4 offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The TT doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Z4’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The TT doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Z4 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Z4 will cost $2605 to $6040 less than the TT over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW Z4 will be $208 to $2887 less than for the Audi TT.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW Z4 and the Audi TT, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW Z4 outsold the Audi TT by over three to one during the 2022 model year.