Engine Reliability

craigdm · Post by **craigdm** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:05 pm

Looking to dive back into Z4 ownership after a 5 year break and I've seen a tidy 28i locally that might fit the bill.
Only issue is that it had a new engine fitted a couple of years ago after the original went FUBAR. Talking to the guy it sounds like a Conrod or something similar had disintegrated and filled the sump with metallic bits.

I thought these engines were pretty bulletproof, or have I just not done enough reading through the forum?

Would this put you off buying, or is it a positive that a new engine has been fitted (by BMW)?

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:19 pm

Just go buy 23i or 30i, peace of mind.

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:32 pm

craigdm wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:05 pm Would this put you off buying, or is it a positive that a new engine has been fitted (by BMW)?

whilst I think the 6 cylinder engines have been around longer, the 4 cylinder members seem plenty happy (but there are isolated reports of failures on all engine types). If its been done by BMW and there's some sort of warranty I'd be happy myself. It would depend on the overall condition of the car too though.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:37 pm

Was the conrod disintegrating the symptom or the cause though?
If someone had messed about with boosting it for example................
Either way, new engine should be ok. Not exactly renowned for breaking.

sars · Post by **sars** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 5:33 pm

As they say you don’t get something for nothing, the normally aspirated six cylinder models are robust, as soon as you add forced induction you increase the stresses and complexity, therefore long term reliability will suffer

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 6:06 pm

If your not comfortable with it walk and find another car.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:03 pm

If I was set on finding a 28i and the car had the spec I wanted plus evidence of a new engine fitted by BMW I wouldn't be put off. An engine that has done less miles would seem like a bonus to me.

28is seem to be few and far between, and while I know 18i and 20i models can be mapped to 28i power, people who chose the 28i new were possibly likely to have ticked more boxes on the options list!

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:25 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:03 pm If I was set on finding a 28i and the car had the spec I wanted plus evidence of a new engine fitted by BMW I wouldn't be put off. An engine that has done less miles would seem like a bonus to me.

28is seem to be few and far between, and while I know 18i and 20i models can be mapped to 28i power, people who chose the 28i new were possibly likely to have ticked more boxes on the options list!

Or maybe they had less money left over for options after being fleeced for over £5k to get the bmw remap!

Rob

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:39 pm

Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:25 pm Or maybe they had less money left over for options after being fleeced for over £5k to get the bmw remap!
Rob

Maybe, but somehow I doubt most new buyers realised all they were getting was a different map and bigger front brakes!

Pbondar · Post by **Pbondar** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:52 pm

If it had a new engine 2 years ago it would have been one of the last built which addressed the various mostly minor issues in earlier versions of the N20 dynasty..provided it has fresh oil every 5k-8k miles should see better than 250k miles before causing you an issue if left stock..

If it has stop start just make sure you disable it whenever you start up..it does the engine no good..

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:53 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:39 pm
Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:25 pm Or maybe they had less money left over for options after being fleeced for over £5k to get the bmw remap!
Rob
Maybe, but somehow I doubt most new buyers realised all they were getting was a different map and bigger front brakes!

I think the glossy brochure cleverly sidestepped trivial detail like that

Rob

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:01 pm

Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:53 pm Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:39 pm
Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:25 pm
Or maybe they had less money left over for options after being fleeced for over £5k to get the bmw remap!
Rob
Maybe, but somehow I doubt most new buyers realised all they were getting was a different map and bigger front brakes!
I think the glossy brochure cleverly sidestepped trivial detail like that
Rob

The wonders of marketing!

warmasice · Post by **warmasice** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:21 pm

If I recall someone here posting about an engine failure and BMW replaced it under warranty. I assume they didn't know about the remap.

Edit: different vehicle. That was an 18i:
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=106479

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:09 pm

Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:53 pm
Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:39 pm
Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:25 pm Or maybe they had less money left over for options after being fleeced for over £5k to get the bmw remap!
Rob
Maybe, but somehow I doubt most new buyers realised all they were getting was a different map and bigger front brakes!
I think the glossy brochure cleverly sidestepped trivial detail like that
Rob

Strangely they all seem to do that.

craigdm · Post by **craigdm** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 3:56 pm

I've got some more details now and would welcome some advice on service intervals.
Car was registered May 2014
1st Service is June 2016 @ 17K
2nd Service is May 2017 @ 22K
3rd Service is May 2019 @ 39K

I thought the service intervals were 10K or 2 years, which ever comes first? Or is it all condition based for the E89?

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com