Z4M Engine Mounts / Bolts - **ALERT ALL Z4M DRIVERS**

[flimper]

My bolt from a few years ago

Ok, you win! Did you replace all the bolts or just the one that backed out?

Just the problem bolt from memory

[MrPT]

Ok, so guessing most folk will now look to check their car for this. Can you highlight exactly where to look in the engine bay for this?

Take the black plastic undertray off and the area in flimper's pic is the one highlighted below by the red arrow. If everything looks like a mess of similar colours, find the thick brown grounding cable to orient yourself.

IMG_7098.jpg (204.96 KiB) Viewed 1721 times

It's worth checking all the bolts, but the other six (four per side) are easy to see in comparison.

[Bing]

I remember someone on here had the bolts back out completely leaving the engine resting on the ARB Does anyone know if these would have been replaced when my indie changed my engine mounts to VT mounts?

Probably me, in this thread Rich - mine was back in 2016, the pics are the page before this I think. I still have one of the sheared bolt heads on my desk as a souvenir

Unless they checked specifically I don't think they'd have replaced them - you'd know about it, IIRC the bolts are not cheap.

[john-e89]

Ok, so guessing most folk will now look to check their car for this. Can you highlight exactly where to look in the engine bay for this?

Take the black plastic undertray off and the area in flimper's pic is the one highlighted below by the red arrow. If everything looks like a mess of similar colours, find the thick brown grounding cable to orient yourself.

IMG_7098.jpg

It's worth checking all the bolts, but the other six (four per side) are easy to see in comparison.

That’s a great pic, thanks for posting MrPT....very helpful.

[Angelus666]

Also, can we presume that no garage would look to assess these as part of an Inspection II service...?

[MrPT]

That’s a great pic, thanks for posting MrPT....very helpful.

You are welcome. I should reference the site I pinched it from, which has loads of high res pics of a factory condition Z4MC.

Also, can we presume that no garage would look to assess these as part of an Inspection II service...?

It's not on the Insp II checklist, but they might spot a problem with the driver's side mount when they are looking at the condition of the steering UJ (which is part of the list). I wouldn't assume anything though.

A decent indie that knows the Z4M may well look at the mounts (and all other known issues) at every opportunity.

[BMWZ4MC]

I remember someone on here had the bolts back out completely leaving the engine resting on the ARB Does anyone know if these would have been replaced when my indie changed my engine mounts to VT mounts?

Probably me, in this thread Rich - mine was back in 2016, the pics are the page before this I think. I still have one of the sheared bolt heads on my desk as a souvenir

Unless they checked specifically I don't think they'd have replaced them - you'd know about it, IIRC the bolts are not cheap.

I thought it might have been yours but I wasn’t sure enough to say so

In that case I’ll have to have a careful look at mine when I’m back in Aus.

[Bing]

Also, can we presume that no garage would look to assess these as part of an Inspection II service...?

Yeah, not standard, but following the experience on my car my guys check all Z4Ms they get in for a service now, apparently. Including mine of course. Just have to be really precise when asking because first time round I was not and it turns out they had only checked the mounts themselves as I’d not explained properly.

[Bing]

I remember someone on here had the bolts back out completely leaving the engine resting on the ARB Does anyone know if these would have been replaced when my indie changed my engine mounts to VT mounts?

Probably me, in this thread Rich - mine was back in 2016, the pics are the page before this I think. I still have one of the sheared bolt heads on my desk as a souvenir

Unless they checked specifically I don't think they'd have replaced them - you'd know about it, IIRC the bolts are not cheap.

I thought it might have been yours but I wasn’t sure enough to say so

In that case I’ll have to have a careful look at mine when I’m back in Aus.

Reading the original post back it looks like Jamie had the same issue of the engine resting on the ARB.

[MrPT]

Bought a couple of packs of M8 10.9 bolts (25mm and 35mm) plus Nord-locks for not very much money...







...and Vibra-Technics engine mounts. FFS.

[Smartbear]

Bought a couple of packs of M8 10.9 bolts (25mm and 35mm) plus Nord-locks for not very much money...







...and Vibra-Technics engine mounts. FFS.

It’s only money, it’s better than wasting it on mortgage payments and gas bills
Rob

[Angelus666]

What’s the normal labour time to fit the Vibra engine mounts..? Think I might get these done during the next oil service.

[MrPT]

Quick question for anybody that knows their nuts and bolts -

The block is iron. I've bought generic, medium carbon steel bolts (10.9) because the equivalent spec ("motorsports") bolts are no longer available from BMW. I also bought some Nord-Locks, but have realised that they are stainless and that this might not be the best choice, given the load and the need to get the torque right (which, as I understand it, might be affected by galling). I think it will be fine, otherwise there would be a warning against using them in high torque scenarios, but can anybody confirm?

Not too worried about mild galvanic corrosion. I don't imagine the exposed parts will stay wet for very long.

What’s the normal labour time to fit the Vibra engine mounts..? Think I might get these done during the next oil service.

It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. From reading what others have done, the engine can be cleanly jacked up from below enough to change the mounts with no need for disassembly of the exhaust, transmission mounts etc.

[john-e89]

Form memory I think Beedub changed his on an axle stand and had a mare, then did the other side fully in the air, or at least twigged that would be so much easier so might be worth giving him a notification.

[Argenta]

Well soon 6 years into my ownership I accidently saw this today..
Needless to say I put a new bolt & springwasher in!

After reading a bit here, I prob should check out that 2nd bolt too...