The car is fine, it needs new bushes as they must be tired by now but other than that A+. The car had its inspection II done just a few thousand miles ago plus flew through the MOT earlier in the year so like BMWZ4MC above I doubt there would be any catastrophic failure between! The steering feels pin sharp and yes there are some creaks but I'd put a wager down that the bushes being done will sort this for the most part plus stand you in good stead for many more miles to come. If you want peace of mind maintain the warranty until you have this sorted and you're 100% happy.
Ive got a bit of hoprizontal movement on mine through the steering wheel (comes towards the driver and away) and I can feel the same play on the steering column in the engine bay). Its just a few mm but I can feel it nonetheless.
Also art full lock I get this buzzing noise (but I've had this on 2 BMW's prior and was told its the pump and is normal.
Ok, I promised I would update the thread once I had the car looked at; so here I am.
I nipped into the BMW main dealer, since I know I can trust them (and they won't charge me for a quick look and some simple advice). The Master Tech went in the car, and his thoughts are that there is nothing much to worry about. He suggested the car would likely need something greasing; see below. He doesn't believe the noise is bushes related or anything like that, and also doesn't believe there is anything catastrophic wrong with the car, or likely to go wrong with the car. In any event, if it did need greasing, this wouldn't be covered under warranty anyway, as it counts as 'trim' on the BMW Insured Warranty.
The white part (where the steering comes out) is where he has suggested will need greasing, which he has suggested I have a go at myself (just spraying some lubricant in there). I am going to give this a go, and see where it gets me.
Worth reading this with thanks to our friends at Bimmerforums, I lubed all the UJs and other points mentioned bar the top slip ring and cured mine.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245961
Good news I'm seriously of the view that tight and dry steering components are the cause of a lot (but not all) of the sticky/notchy/squeeky steering woes, and that some owners are spending a fortune needlessly replacing parts - things always go so much better with well greased parts.
Well, that is only one person's opinion, without fully investigating, of course... But it is reassuring that he feels there's nothing serious wrong.
He also listened to my engine whilst I was there, and he said it was purring nicely, and that the Z4M is basically bombproof. Nice to hear from a tech. He said they very rarely see Z4s in the workshop.
Sounds as though it's all par for the course and nothing to worry about IK. I have various whirs, creaks and squeaks but it's all part of M ownership in my book. Get it greased and if your man says its cool and it's a well looked after motor ( which it is) then you'll be fine
Mine drove me crazy. I took out the H & R springs and put in GC Coilovers - steering creak gone? I checked the strut bearing hats too and all was well? I suspect it had something to do with the geometry of the lowering springs...