The Best BMW Z4 Spoiler

BMW sports cars have also been known for their subtlety. Unlike many Japanese and European rivals, the German manufacturer has mostly tended to design its vehicles without large aero addendum or huge flared wheel arches. While this styling keeps their cars more in-line with mainstream BMW offerings, some owners want that next level of performance and the looks to go with it. One of the simplest and most effective ways to make any Z4 stand out from the crowd is with a boot spoiler.

Boot spoilers were predominantly brought about by motorsport, using large rear wings to create downforce on the rear of the vehicle, helping promote grip and traction. While most small aftermarket items won’t create any meaningful downforce, they will attract attention and make any Z4 more individual and exciting to look at.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing

Vehicle fitment

Boot spoilers can be had in the “generic” variety, using flexible rubber or plastic parts that conform to most shapes and are commonly cut to size. These parts however, often look as cheap as they are to purchase and don’t create a very impressive look.

Most vehicles, the Z4 in particular, have a good aftermarket scene that will provide spoilers made to fit specific models. Parts like these will better match the vehicles profile and enhance the overall style. Spoilers that rely on specific fitment however will need careful consideration to ensure accurate fitting.

Use the subheadings below to ensure the correct parts are purchased to match the intended vehicle and ensure proper and safe installation.

Aerodynamic Effect

As mentioned, spoilers were initially created with aerodynamics in mind. Air slowing as it hits a boot spoiler causes downforce on the rear of the vehicle, pushing the tyres into the road for increased grip and traction (in rear-wheel drive vehicles).

The majority of aftermarket spoilers, especially those styled as a lip or ducktail, will have such little aerodynamic effect that it will be completely unnoticeable from the driver’s seat. Larger wings however can affect the balance of the vehicle, even causing dangerous steering reactions in extreme cases. Those fitting large, motorsport inspired wings should choose their products carefully and have suspension geometry adjusted if required.

Safe Installation

As with any parts being affixed to the exterior of any vehicle, spoilers must be installed correctly to ensure the safety of the car and that of the drivers of surrounding vehicles. A large GT wing falling from the vehicle at high speed could cause a serious accident and worse, injure other road users. Therefore, affixing the wing correctly, following all instructions and checking all fixing points after a few days of driving is paramount to making sure the spoiler stays on the boot where intended.

Types of Spoiler

Lip Spoiler

The entry-level for most enthusiasts looking to enhance the look of their Z4. A lip-style spoiler simply adds a small extension to the trailing edge of the boot lid. Often supplied in a contrasting black or carbon-effect colour, these are more for style than purpose but can really enhance the rear-end of any BMW Z4 without the need for large wings that could compromise visibility or handling.

Thankfully, small lip spoilers are also the easiest to install and cheapest to purchase, making them ideal for those new to modifying or looking to keep their modifications within a modest budget.

Aero-style

A type of rear spoiler that is more specific to the BMW Z4 than most other vehicles. These items are made to replicate OEM aero-kit parts, available for many BMW models from the factory. Usually moulded and smoothed, to give an almost factory look but also adding serious aggression and purposefulness to the car from all angles at the rear.

Due to their vehicle-specific nature, these parts can be highly expensive. Installation requires a careful hand to match up perfectly with the vehicles existing lines and panel gaps.

Ducktail

In a similar vein to aero-style wings, ducktail kits use a smoothed spoiler, that extends from the boot lid, usually protruding rearwards before flicking vertically upwards. This style has seen an influx in recent years after proving very popular on cars such as early Porsche 911 Turbo variants in the 70’s and 80’s. This is likely the most aggressive style of boot spoiler, without resorting to motorsport-style wings with separate supports.

This is another spoiler type that can be difficult to fit and align correctly. Ducktail spoilers are designed to enhance the existing vehicles style lines, rather than contrast from them, meaning the additional aftermarket parts may need to be prepared and painted to match the vehicle and achieve the best look possible.

GT Wing

The final and most outlandish spoiler type available. A GT wing is what many will naturally think of when imaging a spoiler for any vehicle. Sitting high, atop large supports, providing big levels of downforce and all but destroying rear visibility. Spoilers like these are commonplace on race cars, but no longer reserved only for the track.

Any Z4 owner looking for the most extreme looks and meaningful downforce (for track-biased vehicles) need look no further than a large GT wing. Strong materials used to harness large aero-forces and the complicated engineering required for these parts does make them often the most expensive and difficult to fit safely install of any spoiler type.

The Best BMW Z4 E85 (2002-2008) Spoilers on the Market

Maxton Design Lip Spoiler Extension BM-Z4-85-CAP1G

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The first and most subtle of the E85 Z4 spoilers featured here. This lip spoiler adds a minimalist extension to the rear boot lid, using contrasting colours to create a more dramatic effect where required. This spoiler is made by Maxton designs who are well-known in the UK for high-quality ABS body kit parts for many vehicles. They promise strong construction and good resistance to the elements for a long-lasting, shiny finish.

This ABS part is promised to be strong and resilient; it also passes strict TUV materials testing, proving it’s dependability. Thanks to the lightweight construction, 3M double-sided tape (included in the kit) is all that’s required to attach the spoiler to the boot lid.

Spoiler type: Lip spoiler
Material: ABS plastic
Fixture method: Double-sided 3M tape

Pros:

• Least expensive E85 Z4 spoiler featured (including postage)
• Produced by body modification specialists
• Minimalist extension to the boot
• Easy to install

Cons:

• Less dramatic look than ducktail or aero-style spoilers

Unbranded Ducktail Rear Boot Spoiler

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The second of our convertible-specific E85 spoilers adds a little more extension, thanks to its ducktail styling. A product for those that want their Z4 to have more presence and a greater extension to the current body lines, giving an overall more aggressive look. Excellent quality finishing and strength is promised by the manufacturer, thanks to a strong fibreglass construction.

This spoiler is provided unpainted, so the buyer can choose whether to match their vehicle or pick a contrasting colour. The part can then be attached permanently via the use of adhesive or riveted if the owner is going for a more rugged look.

Spoiler type: Ducktail
Material: Fibreglass
Fixture method: Adhesive

Pros:

• Large increase in vehicle presence
• Manufactured from strong fibreglass
• Ready to paint and install
• Ducktail-style spoiler often favoured by Z4 enthusiasts

Cons:

• Most expensive E85 Z4 spoiler featured

Unbranded Roadster Aero Style Rear Boot Spoiler

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Last up for the E85 Z4 we have an aero-style spoiler, designed to emanate the rare aero-kit body parts that were available directly from BMW for these vehicles. Unfortunately, original parts are now rare and incredibly expensive, opening the market for aftermarket options such as this. Fibreglass construction should provide ample strength, while the aero-style looks are sure to attract increased amounts of attention.

The spoiler is provided painted black, so can be fitted straight away or re-painted to match the vehicle that the parts are being fitted onto. As with the ducktail spoiler, this part will need adhesive to permanently fix to the boot lid, or owners could drill the boot and use hardware like rivets or bolts.

Spoiler type: Aero-style
Material: Fibreglass
Fixture method: Adhesive

Pros:

• BMW aero-style spoiler for much lower outlay
• Fibreglass construction creates strong parts
• Can be re-painted for that OEM look
• Simple to install

Cons:

• Aero-style spoiler limits rear visibility with the roof up

The Best BMW Z4 E86 (2006-2008) Spoilers on the Market

Unbranded Ducktail Rear Boot Spoiler

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The first of our E86 coupe spoilers is this ducktail-style spoiler. A product for those that want their Z4 to have more presence and a greater extension to the current body lines, giving an overall more aggressive look. Excellent quality finishing and strength is promised thanks to fibreglass construction.

The spoiler is provided unpainted, so the buyer can choose whether to match their vehicle or pick a contrasting colour. The part can then be attached permanently via the use of adhesive or riveted if the owner is going for a more rugged look.

Spoiler type: Ducktail
Material: Fibreglass
Fixture method: Adhesive

Pros:

• Large increase in vehicle presence
• Manufactured from strong fibreglass
• Ready to paint and install
• Least expensive E86 Z4 spoiler featured

Cons:

• Less dramatic feature when compared with GT-style wing

APR Carbon Fibre GT-250 Rear Spoiler 61” AS-206141

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For those that want serious performance increases and genuine downforce at the track. APR are specialists in track-biased car modifications, offering many body-kit parts such as their GT-250 spoiler. This spoiler not only features carbon fibre reinforced polymer in its construction but has been genuinely tested and is proven to produce downforce between 50 and 180mph. Undoubtedly the perfect spoiler for any E86 owner that plans to use their vehicle in competitive motorsport events or track days.

Unlike smaller spoilers, this item requires mechanical fixings due to the heavy loads and stresses involved at high speed. Once installed, the spoiler has many slots for adjustment on both the spoiler and supports to achieve the optimum effect and visual appeal.

Spoiler type: GT-style
Material: Carbon fibre reinforced polymer
Fixture method: Mechanically fixed

Pros:

• Creates genuine downforce
• Ideal for owners that yearn for a race car look
• Made by track-biased modification specialists
• Advanced materials used in construction for outstanding strength and durability

Cons:

• Vastly more expensive than plastic/ fibreglass boot spoilers

The Best BMW Z4 E89 (2009-2016) Spoilers on the Market

Unbranded Carbon Fibre Boot Lip Spoiler

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Our first E89 offering and one that is very budget friendly. This carbon-effect spoiler is very minimalist in design but should offset any other colour well enough to produce a meaningful change to the look of the rear of the car. The parts are hydro-dipped, so the carbon finish should remain strong against the elements and last the lifetime of the wing.

Thanks to its lightweight construction, the spoiler can simply be attached with strong double-sided tape (we recommend something like 3M automotive tape). As the spoiler is already painted, it is ready to fit straight out of the box.

Spoiler type: Lip spoiler
Material: Polyurethane (carbon-effect coating)
Fixture method: Double sided tape

Pros:

• Least expensive E89 Z4 spoiler featured
• Carbon-effect finish
• Minimalist addition to the car
• Very simple to install

Cons:

• Effect not very dramatic on darker coloured cars

Unbranded Rowen Style Carbon Fibre Boot Spoiler

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Next is a style of spoiler not commonly found on the Z4 or any other vehicle for that matter. This Rowen-style spoiler has a unique appeal, to make the E89 Z4 stand out from the crowd without resorting to a large, expensive GT-style wing. Constructed from carbon fibre, this spoiler is lightweight and strong enough to uphold the claimed longevity.

All spoiler parts are coated in a glossy UV coating to protect against the elements. Installation requires mechanical fixings to the boot lid, which may deter those that do not want to begin drilling holes in existing panels. That said, replacement painted boot lids can be sourced in the case of a mistake or returning the car to standard specification.

Spoiler type: Rowen-style
Material: Carbon fibre
Fixture method: Mechanical fixings

Pros:

• Uniquely styled spoiler
• Made from genuine carbon fibre
• UV protective coating
• Lightweight and strong

Cons:

• Requires holes to be drilled to attach

Unbranded VRS Style Carbon Fibre GT Wing

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Lastly, our most dramatic offering for the E89 Z4. This genuine carbon fibre GT wing screams motorsport and is sure to suit those that want that race car looks or who genuinely need increases in rear downforce for on-track performance increases. Though not for the faint hearted, this GT-style spoiler is sure to massively increase the presence of the E89 Z4, above that of even some seriously expensive supercars.

Carbon fibre construction gives lightweight and excellent strength, meaning the spoiler will last for years to come. The supports require mechanical fixings to support the spoiler under heavy loads at high speeds and will therefore require holes to be drilled in the boot lid.

Spoiler type: GT-style
Material: Carbon fibre
Fixture method: Mechanical fixings

Pros:

• Genuine race-inspired GT spoiler
• Made from carbon fibre
• Will make any E89 Z4 stand out from the crowd
• Created by specialists with good experience in body kit parts

Cons:

• Most expensive E89 Z4 spoiler featured

The Best BMW Z4 G29 (2018-Present) Spoilers on the Market

Unbranded Carbon Fibre Lip Spoiler

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Thanks to its relative newness and quirky styling, the G29 Z4 has a relatively small aftermarket for additional body-kit modifications. Nevertheless, Diversion automotive have created this minimalist carbon fibre lip spoiler, to enhance to rear end look and lend some extra aggression to the latest Z4 models. Designed to sculpt seamlessly into the vehicle’s lines, but adding a contrast of the carbon against the painted boot lid and just enough extra height to differentiate from a standard car.

Thanks to the parts being so light, the spoiler can fix to the boot lid using only 3M double-sided tape, though the seller does recommend using sealant/ adhesive for a more permanent install. A high gloss UV coating promises to protect the part from the elements and ensure longevity.

Spoiler type: Lip spoiler
Material: Caron fibre
Fixture method: 3M double-sided tape

Pros:

• One of very few options for the G29 Z4 model
• Made from genuine carbon fibre
• Minimalist addition, following the OEM styling curves
• Easy to install

Cons:

• Large expense for a small lip spoiler

In Conclusion

Adding body kit parts like spoilers to any vehicle can really transform the entire look and presence of the car, particularly in the case of the rather subdued BMW Z4. Many owners want their vehicles to stand out more or just want to add their own individual touch, there is no way better to do this than by enhancing the style of their vehicle.

Spoilers for the BMW Z4 are easy to install and don’t need to cost large amounts to increase the excitement and presence of your car. Whether it be a small lip spoiler or huge GT wing, make sure the parts are secured safely and revel in the fact that you made your Z4 individual to you. Minimal expenditure for maximum effect, what’s not to like.

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