Old vs New BMW: Z4 vs 320i Interior Comparison
You find yourself in some interesting places when you’re into cars. This time, it was a random car park — not even a dodgy one, surprisingly — where I ended up doing something I didn’t plan: seriously questioning how old my BMW Z4 has become.
I’ve owned my Z4 for years now. It’s a 2013 car, and while I jokingly call it “old,” it’s been solid, raw, and full of character. But standing next to it that day was something very different: a brand-new BMW 320i, fresh out of the factory — and even crazier, it’s my friend Josh’s first ever car.
A first car… brand new BMW. Wild.
That alone made the comparison interesting. This wasn’t just Z4 vs 320i — it was old-school BMW vs modern BMW.
First Impressions Inside the New BMW
The moment I sat inside the 320i, the first thing I noticed wasn’t the screen or the tech — it was the seat.
You don’t slide into this seat.
The Alcantara and leather grab you immediately. You sit down and that’s it — you’re locked in. It feels premium, supportive, and very “new BMW.” In my Z4, I sit down and slide back into position. This one hugs you straight away.
Not a bad thing — just different.
Looking around the cabin, everything feels tight and well-built. Blue stitching runs through the doors and seats, the materials feel expensive, and there’s no creaking or rattling anywhere. BMW clearly put effort into making the interior feel solid.
Screens, Technology, and the Loss of Buttons
Then your eyes land on the screens — and there’s no ignoring them.
The setup looks like two large displays blended together, stretching across the dashboard. It’s clean, modern, and honestly impressive. This is where you really feel the gap between generations.
But with that modern look comes something I wasn’t fully prepared for: the lack of physical buttons.
In my Z4, everything is simple. Climate controls, radio presets, driving functions — all buttons, all easy to reach without thinking. In the 320i, most things live inside menus. Want the radio? Scroll. Want a setting? Scroll again.
Yes, it has Apple CarPlay.
Yes, it’s convenient.
But sometimes, simplicity wins.
Gear Selector & Modern Driving Feel
The gear selector summed up modern BMW perfectly.
Gone is the chunky gear lever you grab and throw into drive. Instead, there’s a small electronic switch — forward, back, neutral. Manual mode requires extra steps. Everything is controlled, clean, and efficient… but also less engaging.
It’s not worse — it’s just less mechanical.
Technology has clearly taken priority over physical interaction.
The Steering Wheel Problem
Now let’s talk about the one thing that genuinely disappointed me: the steering wheel.
It’s fine.
It feels good in the hands.
But it looks almost identical to steering wheels BMW has been using for years.
This is a brand-new car, yet the wheel feels like something pulled straight out of an older generation — not far off my own 12-year-old Z4. For a car at this price point, I expected something more forward-thinking.
If I’m already thinking about swapping a steering wheel, something’s gone wrong.
Rear Seats: A World I’m Not Used To
I haven’t had back seats in years, so stepping into the rear of the 320i felt like entering a different universe.
There’s proper legroom, even behind the driver’s seat. Rear climate vents, charging ports, cup holders, and ambient lighting make it genuinely comfortable back there. This is a car built for daily life — passengers, commutes, practicality.
Something my Z4 simply isn’t trying to be.
Ambient Lighting, Audio, and Comfort
The ambient lighting is subtle and tasteful — not overpowering, just enough to add atmosphere at night. The sound system is solid too, delivering clear, punchy audio without distortion.
Everything in the cabin works together to create a calm, refined driving environment.
Old BMW vs New BMW
Sitting back in my Z4 after spending time in the 320i really highlighted the difference in philosophy.
My Z4 feels mechanical, simple, and driver-focused. Buttons everywhere. Less tech. More connection.
The 320i feels refined, comfortable, and intelligent. Built for modern life, daily driving, and long journeys.
Neither approach is wrong — they’re just aimed at different drivers.
Final Thoughts
BMW has come a long way. The 320i proves how good modern interiors have become — premium materials, excellent tech, and real-world usability.
But there’s still something special about older BMWs. The simplicity. The physical controls. The feeling that the car is working with you, not thinking for you.
So the question remains:
Is it time to upgrade?
I’m still not sure.
