Tuning · BMW Z4 28i (E89)
Z4 28i
N20
The N20 in E89 Z4 roadster form, folding hardtop, 2.0L turbo four. Hand-calibrated from Stage 1 through to a hybrid-turbo build.
Engine
N20
Stock
245 bhp · 350 Nm
Stage 3 ceiling
245 bhp
About this tune
The E89 Z4 sDrive28i (2011-2016) is the four-cylinder Z4, N20 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four in BMW's folding-hardtop roadster body. Stock is 245 bhp / 350 Nm, sent rear-wheel through the 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT. The lighter, more nimble alternative to the N55 Z4 35i, and the lower kerb weight makes the N20 Stage 1 / Stage 2 transformation particularly noticeable.
BMW Z4 28i tuning
The BMW Z4 28i (E89, 2009–2016) runs the N20 2.0L turbocharged inline-four and leaves the factory at 245 bhp · 350 Nm, Rear-wheel drive. Samuel tunes the E89 Roadster to the same standard — every map hand-calibrated for the specific car, its fuel grade and its installed hardware, not a base file loaded and left. Z4 28i Stage 1 alone takes it from 245 bhp · 350 Nm to 280 bhp · 400 Nm on the standard turbo, flashed over OBD on BM3, MHD or MG Flasher.
Add the Stage 2 hardware and the Z4 28i targets 320 bhp · 450 Nm; from there the N20 stretches to around 400 bhp on a hybrid or big-turbo build with supporting fuelling. Whichever stage suits the Z4 28i, the file is delivered within 24 hours and is fully reversible to the supplied stock calibration.
Configurator
Build your Z4 28i tune
Choose your stage — Stage 1, Stage 2 or Stage 3 — add the options that fit your car, and send the full build to Samuel for a custom remote remap. He'll quote, schedule, and personally calibrate within 24 hours of confirmation.
Add a stage or add-on
£0
Engine guide
BMW Z4 28i tuning, stages, hardware and what to expect from the E89 N20
The E89 Z4 sDrive28i (2011-2016) is the four-cylinder Z4, N20 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four in BMW's folding-hardtop roadster body. From the factory, BMW set the Z4 28i at 245 bhp / 350 Nm; the N20 hardware ceiling sits considerably higher and is shared across the platform. BMW Z4 28i tuning with Samuel applies the same N20 Stage 1 / Stage 2 / Stage 3 map family used across the lineup. BMW Z4 sDrive28i tuning and BMW Z4 28i E89 tuning use the same map.
Stage 1
280 bhp · 400 Nm
No hardware required. The MEVD17 DME is flashed via the OBD port. BMW Z4 28i Stage 1 unlocks 280 bhp and 400 Nm from the OEM hardware (up from 245 / 350 stock). The BMW Z4 28i chip tuning starting point.
Every Z4 28i tune Samuel produces is calibrated individually for the specific car, fuel grade and installed hardware, not a base map loaded and left. BMW Z4 28i tuning done correctly accounts for the E89 roadster behaviour, the 6-speed automatic or 7-speed DCT gearbox calibration, and UK fuel quality; the map is reviewed against your data logs after the first flash and revised before sign-off.
Compatibility
Platform and hardware compatibility
Bootmod3 (BM3)
Full N20 support across every chassis in the family (228i, 125i, 328i, 428i, 528i, X3 28i, Z4 28i). MEVD17 DME OBD flashing, realtime monitoring via the BM3 app. The most widely used platform for N20 tuning.
Read more →
MHD
Full N20 support. Suitable for Stage 1 and Stage 2. Strong data-logging toolset.
Read more →
MG Flasher
Full N20 support. Clean interface and reliable flash process on the MEVD17 DME.
Read more →
xHP Flashtool
Compatible with the ZF 8HP gearbox fitted to F-series N20 cars (228i, 125i, 328i, 428i, 528i, X3 28i F25). Strongly recommended at Stage 2 where torque jumps significantly for a 2.0-litre four. The Z4 28i E89 uses an older ZF 6HP or 7-speed DCT, xHP coverage differs.
Read more →
ECU: MEVD17.2 DME across N20 production. Accessible via OBD port for Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Z4 28i specs & stage targets
BMW Z4 28i tuning at a glance
- Engine
- N20 · 2.0L turbocharged inline-four
- Body styles
- E89 Roadster
- Chassis codes
- E89
- Production
- 2009–2016
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive
- Stock output
- 245 bhp · 350 Nm
- Tuning ceiling
- ~400 bhp on the right hardware
| Stage | Target |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 280 bhp · 400 Nm |
| Stage 2 | 320 bhp · 450 Nm |
| Stage 3, Hybrid Turbo | 400 bhp · 500 Nm (depending on spec) |
FAQ
Z4 28i tuning — frequently asked questions
Z4 28i Stage 1 lifts the N20 from a stock 245 bhp · 350 Nm to 280 bhp · 400 Nm, with no hardware required. The map is flashed through the OBD port on BM3, MHD or MG Flasher and is the starting point for almost every Z4 28i owner — broader torque and sharper throttle response from the factory hardware.
This page covers the E89 Roadster (E89). They share the N20 2.0L turbocharged inline-four and run the same core calibration, but every Z4 28i tune Samuel delivers is tailored to your exact car, fuel grade and installed hardware — never a base map loaded and left.
Stage 2 on the Z4 28i targets 320 bhp · 450 Nm and needs downpipe + intake + intercooler. Everything else — turbo, fuel system, intercooler — holds within the Stage 2 figures on the N20.
On the right hardware spec the N20 in the Z4 28i reaches around 400 bhp. Stage 1 and Stage 2 run the standard turbo; beyond that needs a hybrid or full big-turbo conversion with supporting fuelling, and the calibration is built bespoke per car.
Remotely. Once Samuel has your build details, the calibrated Z4 28i map is delivered to your flashing tool account (BM3, MHD or MG Flasher) within 24 hours and you flash it yourself over OBD in about 15 minutes. It's fully reversible — the original N20 stock file is supplied before you flash, so the car can return to factory at any time.
A factory warranty can be voided if BMW shows a tune caused a specific failure, so it's a personal call. Samuel's Z4 28i maps are calibrated to stay within the mechanical limits of the N20 hardware, and because the tune is reversible to stock before any dealer visit, many owners run a tuned Z4 28i without issue.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring Z4 28i tuning
Other N20 models we tune: 125i, 228i, 328i, 428i, 528i, X3 28i.
Engine guide
N20 tuning
Every N20 BMW we calibrate, with the full Stage 1, 2 and 3 breakdown for the engine.
Learn moreStages
Stage 1 & Stage 2 explained
What separates Stage 1 from Stage 2 on the Z4 28i, the real-world gains and the hardware each one needs.
Learn morePricing
How tuning is priced
How the licence, off-the-shelf maps and custom calibration are priced. We quote your exact spec, never a fixed menu.
Learn moreGuide
What is bootmod3?
New to remote flashing? A plain-English explainer on the platform and how a custom map reaches your car.
Learn more