Verdict
These are radically different answers to the same budget. The BMW Z4 is a 2,470-mm-wheelbase, rear-wheel-drive two-seater with 255 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.4-second century sprint; its 280-litre boot and two doors make it a focused second car. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB costs RM56,342 less, yet brings 302 hp, all-wheel drive, five seats and a 570-litre boot. It is only 0.1 seconds slower to 100 km/h, while adding rear-seat ISOFIX, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control for Malaysian family use.
Pick the BMW Z4 if a lighter 1,491-kg rear-wheel-drive convertible and a marginally quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than passenger and luggage capacity.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB if you need five seats, a 570-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a far fuller active-safety package for less money.
Key differences
- Price: BMW Z4 RM475,230; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB RM418,888.
- Power and drive: BMW Z4 255 hp, rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 302 hp, all-wheel drive.
- Acceleration and weight: BMW Z4 5.4 seconds and 1,491 kg; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 5.5 seconds and 1,790 kg.
- Practicality: BMW Z4 has 2 seats and a 280-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB has 5 seats and a 570-litre boot.
- Dimensions: BMW Z4 is 4,324 mm long and 1,304 mm tall; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB is 4,634 mm long and 1,659 mm tall.
- Warranty: BMW Z4 gets 2 years; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB gets 4 years, both with unlimited mileage.
Z4
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive and 1,491-kg kerb weight
- Convertible body and 6.5 L/100 km rated economy
- RM56,342 dearer
- Only two seats and a 280-litre boot
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
AMG GLB
- 302 hp with all-wheel drive
- Five seats and 570-litre boot
- Autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera
- 0.1 seconds slower to 100 km/h
- 299 kg heavier
- No rated fuel-economy figure
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM475,230 | RM418,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM436 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 302 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Getrag |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 5.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 149 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,324 mm | 4,634 mm |
| Width | 1,864 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,304 mm | 1,659 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,470 mm | 2,829 mm |
| Weight | 1,491 kg | 1,790 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 570 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R18 | 255/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Austria (CBU) | Mexico (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 20" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 20" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | M Sport Suspension | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Flat Tyre Indicator | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 3 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Z4 & AMG GLB for sale
Z4 vs AMG GLB FAQ
Is the BMW Z4 or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB is the better all-round Malaysian car: it has five seats, a 570-litre boot, all-wheel drive and more driver assistance. The BMW Z4 is better only if a two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible experience is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW Z4 costs RM56,342 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB. The GLB also has the longer four-year unlimited-mileage warranty, against two years with unlimited mileage for the Z4.
Which is quicker, the BMW Z4 or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB?
The BMW Z4 is quicker by 0.1 seconds, reaching 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds versus 5.5 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB. Both have a 250 km/h top speed.