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
Of every body the N20 ever powered, the E89 Z4 sDrive28i is the one built purely for pleasure. Sold from 2011 to 2016 with a folding hardtop and a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch, it trades practicality for two seats and a view over the bonnet, and its comparatively low kerb weight means every horsepower a tune adds is felt sooner than in any saloon.
Out of the factory the roadster carries 245 bhp and 350 Nm. Samuel's Stage 1 rework brings 280 bhp and 400 Nm from wholly standard hardware, and in a car this compact the added mid-range changes its character top-down on a back road. Downpipe, intake and intercooler then qualify the Z4 for Stage 2 and its 320 bhp and 450 Nm.
Committed builds can chase the 400 bhp hybrid-turbo ceiling, each one calibrated around its own turbo and fuelling spec. The Z4 never needs to leave your garage for any of it: Samuel receives your details, hand-builds the file, and returns it through BM3, MHD or MG Flasher within 24 hours, with the untouched factory calibration saved for whenever you want the roadster stock again.
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.
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MHD
Full N20 support. Suitable for Stage 1 and Stage 2. Strong data-logging toolset.
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MG Flasher
Full N20 support. Clean interface and reliable flash process on the MEVD17 DME.
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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.
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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
Only for how you enjoy it. Unlike the saloons, the E89 28i came with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch rather than the ZF auto; both cope with Stage 1 and Stage 2 torque, and Samuel notes the transmission in your build details so the torque shaping and delivery suit the gearbox fitted.
More alert everywhere that matters. The jump from 245 bhp and 350 Nm to 280 bhp and 400 Nm is amplified by the roadster's size: shorter overtakes, stronger drive out of corners and a throttle that responds the way the chassis always deserved. It remains entirely tractable at low speed, so nothing about roof-down cruising is spoiled.
A freer-flowing downpipe, an uprated intake and a bigger intercooler, the same trio the N20 needs in any body. On the E89 they let the standard turbo hold 320 bhp and 450 Nm, and the intercooler earns its keep on hot-weather roof-down drives where charge temperatures climb. List your exact parts when ordering so the calibration matches them.
Around 400 bhp with a hybrid turbocharger and the full supporting hardware, which in a car of the Z4's size is serious performance. Below that, Stage 1 and Stage 2 use the factory turbo and are where most owners settle. Every hybrid build is calibrated individually, so the final figure depends on the turbo spec you choose.
Whenever you like. Before anything is written, the E89's original calibration is saved through your flashing tool, and restoring it takes one OBD flash of a few minutes. There are no permanent hardware changes, and running the stock file means the car drives exactly as BMW delivered it, which keeps resale straightforward.
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