BMW Z4 vs Ford Thunderbird
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2005 Ford Thunderbird
Overview
| Spec | BMW Z4sDrive30i | Ford ThunderbirdDeluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | sDrive30i | Deluxe |
| Body style | Convertible | Convertible |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2005 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | BMW Z4sDrive30i | Ford ThunderbirdDeluxe |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $56,100 | $38,355 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $24,423 | $16,747 (best) |
| Median listing price | $41,757 | $16,871 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $51,192 | $16,995 (best) |
| For sale now | 3 (best) | 2 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | BMW Z4sDrive30i | Ford ThunderbirdDeluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 18 MPG |
| City MPG | 25 MPG (best) | 16 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG (best) | 22 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 13.7 gal | 18 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | BMW Z4sDrive30i | Ford ThunderbirdDeluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 280 hp (best) |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft (best) | 286 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2 L | 3.9 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | V8 |
Size & capability
| Spec | BMW Z4sDrive30i | Ford ThunderbirdDeluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 2 seats | 2 seats |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Cargo volume | 9.9 cu ft (best) | 8.5 cu ft |
| Payload | 459 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,314 lbs (best) | 3,780 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in | 107.2 in (best) |
| Length | 170.7 in | 186.3 in (best) |
| Width | 73.4 in (best) | 72 in |
| Height | 51.4 in | 52.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | BMW Z4sDrive30i | Ford ThunderbirdDeluxe |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | Not Rated | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Side pole | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | BMW Z4 | Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | sDrive30i $56,100 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Deluxe $38,355 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | M40i $68,400 MSRP | Premium $39,415 MSRP |
Live inventory
BMW Z43 for sale
See all
BMW Z4 vs Ford Thunderbird FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 BMW Z4 or 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 BMW Z4 vs 2005 Ford Thunderbird on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 BMW Z4 or 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2005 Ford Thunderbird starts lower at $38,355. Live BMW Z4 listings start at $24,423. Live Ford Thunderbird listings start at $16,747.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 BMW Z4 or 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
- The 2005 Ford Thunderbird leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,355).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 BMW Z4 or 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
- The 2026 BMW Z4 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 BMW Z4 or 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
- The 2026 BMW Z4 leads on horsepower in this comparison (382).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 BMW Z4 vs 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: BMW Z4 (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall); Ford Thunderbird (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).