Compare the2024 Nissan ZVS 2024 BMW 4 Series Coupe

Both the Z and the 4 Series Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 4 Series Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 4 Series Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

The Z’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 145 more horsepower (400 vs. 255) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 295) than the 430i Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Z’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 18 more horsepower (400 vs. 382) than the M440i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The Z NISMO’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 38 more horsepower (420 vs. 382) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 369) than the M440i Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Z 3.0 is faster than the 430i Coupe 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

The Z offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A nine-speed automatic is available on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4 Series Coupe.

For better stopping power the Z NISMO’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the Z has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Coupe (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R18). The Z NISMO’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Coupe (F:255/40R19 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The Z has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z Performance handles at .93 G’s, while the M440i xDrive Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the 4 Series Coupe’s (32.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Z’s turning circle is 6.6 feet tighter than the 4 Series Coupe xDrive’s (32.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Z is 1 foot, 3.5 inches shorter than the 430i, making the Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Z Performance/NISMO uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z has .2 inches more front headroom and 1.1 inches more front legroom than the 4 Series Coupe.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 4 Series Coupe can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the 4 Series Coupe’s standard power windows.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Z, based on reliability, safety and performance.