2007 BMW Z4

[melcdreyer]

Hi. I just purchased a 2007 BMW Z4 with just over 75000 miles, but I’m starting to have buyer’s remorse. I need some encouragement. I thought I asked all the right questions, did all the research but I now have a Service Engine Soon light on and I’m scared to death. The car seems to be idling rough when you brake and bring the car to a stop. I had noticed this and actually already had an appointment to have the car checked out and the light came on today. I notified the dealership today, took a picture of the service light and the mileage - I have 30 days or 1000 miles after purchase. But even with that there is only so much they are going to cover. I love the car and have wanted a sporty car for years and felt quite comfortable purchasing a used BMW with 75000 miles because it’s a BMW. I know you have to go into a purchase of a used car with the knowledge that issues will come up, but you hope it isn’t the Service Engine Soon light less than 2 weeks after you purchase it.

Please tell me that it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s something huge! I can tell you that one of the last service records on the car right before the dealership put it up for sale was listed as “computer Reprogramed” which could be as simple as updates, or could be trying to hide an issue hoping it would not pop up again before they would have to deal with it again.

Needing good vibes please.

 

[Mike6]

Firstly congratulation on purchasing what I think is a brilliant car. Is it the e85. If so I think the engine is brilliant in 2.5 or 3.0 litre form
Whenever I purchase a car I always give it a full service, oil ,filters and plugs as a minimum. If you are reasonably competent it is a fairly simple job and you are likely to notice a significant improvement and it is a useful starting point, irrespective of when the car was last serviced. When I got my zed it had a full BMW service history but when I checked the air filter it was so dirty and date stamped 2005 so had never been changed.
Rough running could simply be down to a split on the intake boot, a cheap and easy fix .

 

[patriot66]

Hi Melcdreyer. What engine is your Z4 ? I see it is 2007 so probably either the 2.5/3ltr 6cyl N52 or 2ltr 4cyl N46.

 

[melcdreyer]

Thank you for your reply. It’s an E85. Unfortunately I am not at all competent mechanically. Now that’s not to say I couldn’t learn but I typically have someone else service my cars. I’m a 69 yr young female but not completely helpless. Grew up in the South and learned to take care of quite a lot of things myself, but never learned the basics of car maintenance. Actually wish I had. I also have a Ram 1500 truck that I dearly love, so go figure. That being said I hopefully will find out this morning what is going on with the service engine soon light.

 

[N4LLY]

Welcome to the forum and congrat's on your purchase

Oh and we pictures here :wink:

 

[melcdreyer]

Patriot66 it’s a 3.0 let 6 cylinder

 

[melcdreyer]

Well, we have a diagnostic of the service engine soon code. 2A82: VANOS INTAKE - Solenoid intake/exhaust - parts and labor $830 - estimate. I looked this up and it looks like such an easy fix but not something I feel I need to tackle. I’m working with the dealership we got the car fro to see if they are going to take care of it. We shall see.

 

[patriot66]

Patriot66 it’s a 3.0 let 6 cylinder

N52 ? Post a photo

 

[melcdreyer]

From what I see the 2007 BMW Z4 models have the N52 engine. Photos attached.

 

[Zulu4]

The solenoids are easy to change for any competent mechanic. If I were you, I'd search for the parts online and get someone to fit them.
It should come to much less than you've been quoted. No need for remorse.

P.S. I'm not sure what you are seeing, but a warning such as "service engine" just means a regular oil & filter change etc is due, whereas amber engine management light(s) would be for the faulty solenoid.

P.P.S. Nice car

 

[MikeyH]

Hello and welcome to the forum, sorry to here you are having trouble with your new car, not a nice thing to happen. However it looks great, so hang in there.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Your car looks great so I hope you can get it sorted soon. It must be quite a contrast with a Dodge Ram!

 

[melcdreyer]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Your car looks great so I hope you can get it sorted soon. It must be quite a contrast with a Dodge Ram!

It is quite a difference from driving a Dodge Ram, but loving it! I think we are about to sort through the issues. I knew going into buying a used car that things will come up, but you hope it doesn't come up quite this soon. It's all good, working on it!

 

[deltasierra]

The 2007 6 cyl is an N52 engine, it’s complex and needs servicing correctly, Vanos solenoids are easy DIY to clean and usually don’t need replacing, do change oil and filter, use correct oil.

 

[Z4Mariner]

Congratulations on your 'new' 2007 Z4 convertible. I have a 2006 Z4 coupe - and my RAM 1500 pickup is my hauling / winter vehicle (my Z4 is in the garage for the winter, since I live in Minnesota).

Echoing previous responses, plus my own opinion: it's a fun car, and it can be quite reliable. I searched for a Z4 this past year and ended up with a 2006 Z4 Coupe. I shopped 2006 through 2011 Z4's, and specifically wanted a 3.0L N52 versus an N54/N55. The N52 is complex, but less so than the turbocharged, direct injection engines. It gives up some power, but 260 is enough for both fun and to get oneself into trouble when exercised without good judgement. I do most of my own mechanical, but if you don't, just find a good independent mechanic and you'll be fine.

Good luck and happy driving with your 'new' car !

 

[melcdreyer]

Congratulations on your 'new' 2007 Z4 convertible. I have a 2006 Z4 coupe - and my RAM 1500 pickup is my hauling / winter vehicle (my Z4 is in the garage for the winter, since I live in Minnesota).

Echoing previous responses, plus my own opinion: it's a fun car, and it can be quite reliable. I searched for a Z4 this past year and ended up with a 2006 Z4 Coupe. I shopped 2006 through 2011 Z4's, and specifically wanted a 3.0L N52 versus an N54/N55. The N52 is complex, but less so than the turbocharged, direct injection engines. It gives up some power, but 260 is enough for both fun and to get oneself into trouble when exercised without good judgement. I do most of my own mechanical, but if you don't, just find a good independent mechanic and you'll be fine.

Good luck and happy driving with your 'new' car !

Thank you for your response. I live in South New Jersey so it's the throw of a dice as to our weather, but I do have the car covered. We will use our Ram most of the time and use the Z4 on nice weather days. Not an issue. I am taking the car back to the dealership for additional repairs this Friday and I am very thankful that the dealership is holding up to their end of the bargain on the 30 day warranty and making the repairs. I took the car to the local BMW dealership this past Friday for a recall, which they took care of, but they also took a video of the undercarriage of the car and there is a leak from the oil pan gasket, which they have agreed to take care of. Additionally we already knew that the "Service Engine Soon" light is on and the code is for the Vanos Intake and they are replacing the solenoid valves as well.

That being said, and this question is for anyone out there. We did find a local guy that has a garage not far from us that came recommended by a local shop my husband uses. The guy specializes in imports. So would ya'll recommend an independent mechanic over using the local BMW dealership for service? My husband is not mechanically inclined and is not really able to help me with any of it. I'm a willing participant and not one to mind getting my hands dirty. I have always taken my Ram to the dealership for service but of course it is still under warranty, but they serviced other vehicles I purchased over the years and always seemed to shoot straight with me on work that needed to be done. Is it the cost issue of using a BMW dealership for service?

Would like to know what everyone recommends.

Thanks

melcdreyer

 

[Z4Mariner]

I'll take a stab, and others can voice their opinions as well. First, I won't "tar-and-feather" BMW dealers (main dealers) - though they are apt to be the most expensive most of the time. Second, your decision will be based upon location, personal relationships, and expectations.

Things I consider: 1) The two official BMW dealerships in my area are about a 50 to 60 minute minimum drive from where I live. 2) These BMW dealers ('main dealers') are very focused on their target owner & new customer groups. Their mechanics may care, and may be well-trained in current and newer vehicles, but the number of sixteen-year-old cars (like mine) which they service is small. 3) I enjoy wrenching, while I'm still able. 4) For jobs too risky, or too much work without a lift, I seek referrals on best shop(s). It helps that a friend's son was a BMW master mechanic before a career change, so he has opinions and connections for me. 5) This online forum is invaluable in keeping 'middle aged' vehicles like ours running and looking like much newer cars.

By the way, I found my coupe in Virginia, at a non-BMW dealer, included in my 'Z4 convertible' search, but listed as a 'hatchback'. I had an enjoyable 1,100 mile drive back to Minnesota

 

[rdm05z4]

The only thing I can add is check out local BMW or BMW z clubs in your area. I am sure members can recommend a local shop to help. Or maybe a member or two will be willing to come over for a Weekend Wrench / spanner event to assist.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'm lucky as we have someone near us who opened up his own business a few years ago after 15 years in a BMW main dealer workshop so I use him all the time - as do a few other forum members!

Apart from being much cheaper than a main dealer I get the work done to the same standard by someone who has been working on my cars since they were new. I suspect there are plenty of mechanics in main dealers who are much less familiar with older models like mine.

That's the sort of business you could do with finding so hopefully other BMW owners in your area can help you with that.

 

[melcdreyer]

Well I could go on for days about how this situation is unfolding but I’ll keep it short. The dealership I purchased the car from has agreed to make the repairs. It’s a big business and they have technicians there that work on foreign cars. That being said I spent the entire day there waiting while they replaced the oil pan gasket and replaced the solenoids. It’s about a 3 hour drive from my home to there in heavy traffic thus the reason for staying. They took it out for the first test drive, no issues, all seemed to be good. They let the car cool down, took it out for second test drive. The “check engine soon” light came back on. They came back and checked for fault codes and the same one came up again. 2A82 VANOS intake. They are now stumped and are going to run further diagnostics so I end up with a loaner and another 3 hour trip home still unresolved. Any ideas out there guys?

mcd :headbang: :!: :x