Better to get a 2013+ Z4...?

[polo1]

Been looking through this forum and viewing some YouTube videos regarding the "problems" with the 2009+ Z4.

From what I am finding out - it appears that a lot of the "problems" were fixed with the 2013 model year.

So is it better to get a 2013+ than a 2009-2012...?

(The 2013+ also has the added benefits of the new style side-markers, LED rings/headlights, and higher quality roof - from what I have been reading...)

 

[Smartbear]

Been looking through this forum and viewing some YouTube videos regarding the "problems" with the 2009+ Z4.

From what I am finding out - it appears that a lot of the "problems" were fixed with the 2013 model year.

So is it better to get a 2013+ than a 2009-2012...?

(The 2013+ also has the added benefits of the new style side-markers, LED rings/headlights, and higher quality roof - from what I have been reading...)

Hi, the improved roof mechanism was in 2012 & the other changes came in with the lci facelift cars in March 2013.
From personal experience the later cars seem to have less buzzes & rattles maybe due to production line changes.
Rob

 

[Jasonn]

Luck more than judgement - mines June 2016

 

[Anonymous]

There were several running changes to address various issues plus keeping in step with other BMWs using the same components...


The LCI changed some packaging aspects such as headlight/taillights plus new colour schemes / interiors.

The key ‘Achilles’ heels, the roof and cam chain system got changed outside the LCI process.

What many people find with the benefit of hindsight is that the original buyer was too stingy and didn’t quite buy the right version of the entertainment system/Bluetooth/access system/cruise control/sat nav/parking sensors/sound system etc

So ideally you need to climb a learning curve on bmw options, decide what you must have, you can add later but it will cost you a lot more than buying a car with those bits already, your colour(s)/trim and mileage ..

MOT advisory history is a good guide to how well cared for the car was...

Ideally frequent oil change history is arguably an important plus..

Hope that helps..

 

[john-e89]

.....or just buy mine.......

 

[ChrisS]

IMO, it’s all about the condition of the car.

There is an art to buying a new BMW and what options to get. But, if you want a reliable car and it is used, then the condition & service history will be vital. People chase options and miss the real story lurking underneath or in the engine bay...

The other issue is the engine choice, anything turbo or common rail diesel is suspect long term.

I have a friend who is an indie BMW dealer, he has to deal with the bad cars, people are spending a lot of money trying to deal with poor cars that have a great ‘spec’.

If you are competent at looking after your own car, then it can be an enjoyable experience fixing up a car at relatively low cost over time and getting it how you want it.

My youngest Beemer is a 2013 125i with the non-turbo 3.0 engine, I won’t buy anything with a turbo. I think the issue will be how to buy a good car in the future with all these tiny highly stressed engines that won’t last more than 30/50k without major problems.

 

[MACK]

There were several running changes to address various issues plus keeping in step with other BMWs using the same components...


The LCI changed some packaging aspects such as headlight/taillights plus new colour schemes / interiors.

The key ‘Achilles’ heels, the roof and cam chain system got changed outside the LCI process.

What many people find with the benefit of hindsight is that the original buyer was too stingy and didn’t quite buy the right version of the entertainment system/Bluetooth/access system/cruise control/sat nav/parking sensors/sound system etc

So ideally you need to climb a learning curve on bmw options, decide what you must have, you can add later but it will cost you a lot more than buying a car with those bits already, your colour(s)/trim and mileage ..

MOT advisory history is a good guide to how well cared for the car was...

Ideally frequent oil change history is arguably an important plus..

Hope that helps..

Hi,

Regarding the running changes, does anyone know if there was ever an update to the steering to increase feel etc. A while back I was reading an article that mentions this (Honest John I think) but I've never seen any reference to it anywhere else.

 

[Anonymous]

There were several running changes to address various issues plus keeping in step with other BMWs using the same components...


The LCI changed some packaging aspects such as headlight/taillights plus new colour schemes / interiors.

The key ‘Achilles’ heels, the roof and cam chain system got changed outside the LCI process.

What many people find with the benefit of hindsight is that the original buyer was too stingy and didn’t quite buy the right version of the entertainment system/Bluetooth/access system/cruise control/sat nav/parking sensors/sound system etc

So ideally you need to climb a learning curve on bmw options, decide what you must have, you can add later but it will cost you a lot more than buying a car with those bits already, your colour(s)/trim and mileage ..

MOT advisory history is a good guide to how well cared for the car was...

Ideally frequent oil change history is arguably an important plus..

Hope that helps..

Hi,

Regarding the running changes, does anyone know if there was ever an update to the steering to increase feel etc. A while back I was reading an article that mentions this (Honest John I think) but I've never seen any reference to it anywhere else.

There were at least two hardware revisions in production, it’s not clear if they in themselves offered any changes in feel/performance..

The system is highly dependent on the ‘maps’ used to manage all the wide variety of steering characteristics..it’s possible that the maps have been changed over time..it would need some with access to bmw software to determine if there were any significant changes to tell you..

There are third party tools that allow you to tweak the unit but it’s way beyond my intellectual capabilities

 

[Ouroux71]

The key ‘Achilles’ heels, the roof and cam chain system got changed outside the LCI process.

What these changes (if you happen to know) ,

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

The key ‘Achilles’ heels, the roof and cam chain system got changed outside the LCI process.

What these changes (if you happen to know) ,

Thanks

Roof was changed in 2012, strengthened and using 4 control valves rather than 3, allowing higher road speed opening plus better management

2015 N20 engines revised cam chain/tensioner/oil pump drive to replace failures prior to then mostly cam chain guide assemblies leading to cam chain jumping cam sprockets

 

[Silverstar]

Been looking through this forum and viewing some YouTube videos regarding the "problems" with the 2009+ Z4.

From what I am finding out - it appears that a lot of the "problems" were fixed with the 2013 model year.

So is it better to get a 2013+ than a 2009-2012...?

(The 2013+ also has the added benefits of the new style side-markers, LED rings/headlights, and higher quality roof - from what I have been reading...)

I am curious what are these problems that you have heard of on cars from 2009 to 2012? Are you talking about all engines or just the N20 and or the N54?

 

[Silverstar]

Been looking through this forum and viewing some YouTube videos regarding the "problems" with the 2009+ Z4.

From what I am finding out - it appears that a lot of the "problems" were fixed with the 2013 model year.

So is it better to get a 2013+ than a 2009-2012...?

(The 2013+ also has the added benefits of the new style side-markers, LED rings/headlights, and higher quality roof - from what I have been reading...)

Hi, the improved roof mechanism was in 2012 & the other changes came in with the lci facelift cars in March 2013.
From personal experience the later cars seem to have less buzzes & rattles maybe due to production line changes.
Rob

My 2009 had a couple of rattles with the roof closed but with the help of this forum I have managed to fix them and now the car is free of any unwelcome noises with the roof up or down. Maybe the newer cars are better built in that respect or it could be that they haven't reached that age yet where rattles set in.

 

[Smartbear]

IMO, it’s all about the condition of the car.

There is an art to buying a new BMW and what options to get. But, if you want a reliable car and it is used, then the condition & service history will be vital. People chase options and miss the real story lurking underneath or in the engine bay...

The other issue is the engine choice, anything turbo or common rail diesel is suspect long term.

I have a friend who is an indie BMW dealer, he has to deal with the bad cars, people are spending a lot of money trying to deal with poor cars that have a great ‘spec’.

If you are competent at looking after your own car, then it can be an enjoyable experience fixing up a car at relatively low cost over time and getting it how you want it.

My youngest Beemer is a 2013 125i with the non-turbo 3.0 engine, I won’t buy anything with a turbo. I think the issue will be how to buy a good car in the future with all these tiny highly stressed engines that won’t last more than 30/50k without major problems.

Here’s one of those tiny highly stressed engines that won’t last more than 30/50k without major issues, it’s a 28i now on over half a million miles with no problems :roll:

Rob

 

[RobbiZ4]

 

[Anonymous]

Gerüchte über das "verstärkte Dach" ab 2012
Rumours/myths about an improved hardtop as of 2012

Es gibt keine mir bekannte qualitative Verstärkung!
There is no known improvement in the retractable hardtop!

Es gab im Frühjahr 2012 unabhängig vom Facelift eine kleine technische Veränderung bei der Hydraulikpumpe. Dadurch wurden im Dach-Kabelbaum 2 zusätzliche Drähte zum Steuergerät erforderlich, weswegen auch der Kabelbaum eine neue Teilenummer bekam.

In spring 2012 there were only minor technical changes inside of the hydraulic pump (4th valve), nothing else. The roof loom got 2 addional wires to the CTM and a new partnumber.

Even E89 from 2013 have called me due to beginning roof issues. :|

It's part of the E89 system and can't be avoided by any activity.

RobbieZ4 aka ‘supreme guru of E89 roof systems’

The Dec 2012 corporate press releases refer to the 25mph roof speed..

As you say there was a 4th valve in the motor plus some changes (improvement) to control logic

The roof strength per se may be folklore..

I don’t think anyone was suggesting that those changes made you redundant

 

[Tinker15]

An interesting post by RobbiZ4. My car is a late 2009 and I have SmartTOP fitted which allows me to override the speed setting when opening the roof. I haven’t enabled it but if there were no major changes to the roof system could I use it? This is a hypothetical question as I would prefer not to cause any strain to my roof mechanism.

 

[ChrisS]

I didn’t know a 2.8i petrol engine was tiny...

 

[MACK]

Gerüchte über das "verstärkte Dach" ab 2012
Rumours/myths about an improved hardtop as of 2012

Es gibt keine mir bekannte qualitative Verstärkung!
There is no known improvement in the retractable hardtop!

Es gab im Frühjahr 2012 unabhängig vom Facelift eine kleine technische Veränderung bei der Hydraulikpumpe. Dadurch wurden im Dach-Kabelbaum 2 zusätzliche Drähte zum Steuergerät erforderlich, weswegen auch der Kabelbaum eine neue Teilenummer bekam.

In spring 2012 there were only minor technical changes inside of the hydraulic pump (4th valve), nothing else. The roof loom got 2 addional wires to the CTM and a new partnumber.

Even E89 from 2013 have called me due to beginning roof issues. :|

It's part of the E89 system and can't be avoided by any activity.

Hi,

Does anyone know if my 20i with a build date of 19/04/2012 have the revised pump or not? Does anyone also know what the additional wiring in the loom was for?

Thanks

 

[enuff_zed]

I didn’t know a 2.8i petrol engine was tiny...

Did you also not know a 2.8i is actually a 28i and is a 2 litre?

 

[Tinker15]

I didn’t know a 2.8i petrol engine was tiny...

Well I guess it depends whether you think a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder is tiny.

Good place to live by the way!