1981 BMW Z4: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

1 build left the factory as a 1981 Z4, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN. The 1 main configuration sell for $9,049–$26,998 today.

  • 1 main configurations
  • 394 vehicles built
  • 20 for sale right now
  • $9,049–$26,998 typical price range

Which Z4 is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Z4

  • 1981 BMW Z4 sDrive E28I
    sDrive E28I · RWD WBALL5C5-E

    2L 4-cyl, 241 hp, Rear-wheel drive. 394 built.

    $9,049 great deal $17,691 typical $26,998 top of market
    Full specs, prices & VINs → 20 for sale now

What people actually pay

30 price observations · updated Aug 30, 2026
sDrive E28I · RWD
$17,691
$8,777 $13,535 $18,293 $23,050 $27,808

What WBALL5C5-E means

WBA LL5C5 · E
WBA
the World Manufacturer Identifier BMW registered — assembled in Germany
LL5C5
together encode the Z4 line — Roadster, 2L 4cyl, Rear-wheel drive — as BMW filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
E
in position 10 — model year 1981
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number

Already looking at a specific Z4?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.