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 N20 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four in the E89 Z4 sDrive28i is the same engine fitted to the F30 328i, F32 428i and F25 X3 28i — same MEVD17.2 DME, same hardware ceiling, but a very different chassis: E89 roadster, rear-wheel drive, folding hardtop, lower kerb weight than any of the F-series saloon or coupe equivalents. Samuel calibrates the Z4 28i for the E89 roadster specifically — the lighter chassis means the Stage 1 torque increase is more immediately apparent than in the 328i saloon, and the gearbox setup (6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT) shapes how the calibration is built. Stage 1 targets 280 bhp / 400 Nm from OEM hardware; Stage 2 adds downpipe, intake and intercooler for 320 bhp / 450 Nm. Every file hand-calibrated for the specific car — not the N20 family average.
The E89 Z4 sDrive28i (2009–2016) is the four-cylinder Z4 — N20 2.0-litre turbo four, folding hardtop roadster, rear-wheel drive, available with the 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT. Lighter than the 335i and lower than any X-model, the E89 is the most chassis-responsive of the N20 family. Samuel tunes the Z4 28i in both gearbox configurations; xHP coverage on the E89's older ZF 6HP / 7-speed DCT differs from the F-series ZF 8HP — check availability before ordering.
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
What the Z4 28i map revision covers: N20 stages explained
The E89 Z4 28i is the most responsive N20 chassis to calibration work — the lighter roadster body means the Stage 1 torque increase translates more directly into chassis movement than in the heavier F30/F32/F25 equivalents. Samuel calibrates the Z4 28i accounting for the specific roadster chassis weight, the gearbox setup (manual or DCT) and UK fuel quality. Stage 1 targets 280 bhp / 400 Nm from OEM hardware; Stage 2 adds downpipe, intake and intercooler for 320 bhp / 450 Nm. Stage 3 is bespoke around whatever hybrid turbo spec is submitted. Every map is log-reviewed after the first flash before sign-off.
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
This Z4 28i tune runs on Bootmod3, MHD or MG Flasher — all three flash the N20 over OBD. Compare platforms or see full N20 compatibility.
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
Stage 1 on the Z4 28i (E89) targets 280 bhp / 400 Nm from the 245 bhp / 350 Nm factory baseline — 35 bhp / 50 Nm gained from the OEM N20 hardware. The MEVD17.2 DME is flashed via the OBD port on BM3, MHD or MG Flasher in around 15 minutes.
This page covers the E89 Z4 sDrive28i Roadster (2009–2016), both 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT variants. Every tune Samuel delivers is calibrated for the specific car, its fuel grade and installed hardware. The Z4 M40i (G29, B58 Gen 2) is a separate page.
Stage 2 on the Z4 28i targets 320 bhp / 450 Nm and needs downpipe + intake + intercooler. The stock N20 turbo holds within the Stage 2 figures with the expanded airflow from those three items.
The N20 in the Z4 28i reaches around 400 bhp on the right hardware spec. Stage 1 and Stage 2 run the standard turbo; beyond that needs a hybrid turbo conversion with supporting fuelling, built bespoke per car.
xHP gearbox calibration may be available for the Z4 28i, but coverage on the older ZF 6HP automatic or 7-speed DCT fitted to the E89 differs from the F-series ZF 8HP. Check availability with Samuel before ordering — manual-gearbox Z4 28i cars do not require xHP.
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