Evo Z4MC Buying guide 2009

A

Atgani

New member
Hi all, read this buying guide last night. Several points concern me :

• Engine

Curiously, the throttle system can go out of tune. Resetting it can improve throttle response and its really simple to do: turn the ignition on and wait for 10 seconds, then turn it off for 10 seconds, then turn it on again for 10, then start the engine.

Is this a known issue ? And does the fix work ? As in my experience "homebaked" system adaptions such as this rarely do.

The crankcase ventilation oil separator assembly can clog with sludge; in extreme cases this can lead to combustible vapour building up in the intake and going bang in a big way when you next start the car. The valve is fitted to many BMWs and is one of the most ‘popular’ replacement parts!

Again, is this really a known issue/ regular occurance ?

• Transmission
If there is a rattle when you switch the engine off, which doesn’t happen if you have the clutch down, then this is probably the clutch springs. If this is the case, then it’s fairly normal and nothing to worry about.

Loose clutch springs not something to worry about ? I presume they mean the damper springs in the drive plate ? In my experience when (if) they do finally break loose, they can create havoc.

• Body and chassis

Be aware that the strut braces can crack near the strut tops – it’s actually the weld on the body that breaks so replacement is expensive – so check this area carefully.

So it's not the strut brace weld that breaks ? It's the turret itself ? Anyone experienced this ?

• Brakes and suspension
The standard run-flat tyres can give a harsh ride, so changing to normal sports tyres is a popular move, but remember to pack a tube of tyre foam because there is no room for a spare.

I thought the Z4MC did NOT run runflats ?

The road springs have been known to snap at 35-45k, so check the car sits level and there are no rattles from the corners when driving. Some owners fit uprated Eibach springs.

Agreed

There. can be a problem with the electric steering system, leading to inconsistent response or a sticky feeling. There is a fix for this using the later steering ECU, but unfortunately it is an integral part of the steering rack and so the whole unit has to be replaced.

I thought the Z4MC ran hydraulic PAS. Does the sticky column issue still affect the Z4MC ?


Your thoughts on all the above please ?
 
It was a half ar**d, poorly researched and written article with too many inaccuracies to make it worth paying any attention to.
 
dgm said:
It was a half ar**d, poorly researched and written article with too many inaccuracies to make it paying any attention to.
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This.

Can't be about the ///M is they mention run flats and electronic power steering.

Also only aware of the crankcase issue on the M54 engine which wasn't available in the coupe anyway.
 
I've had the strut brace issue. It's the bracket that's welded to the strut tower that cracks and allows the strut brace to move. I got a local garage to weld it a couple of years ago and it's been rock solid since :)

I think bmw may have upgraded the brackets since to resolve the issue. Mines is a 2006 M
 
Lots of that is just crap, as said.

The 'home baked' solution to the adaptive throttle - which is what it is, not anything to do with 'tuning' - is actually one of those things coded into the car, just like resetting the auto/one-touch window functions after a battery disconnect. The throttle adapts to your driving style - if you do lots of commuting / slow / gentle driving then the throttle will adapt to be less sharp / responsive ; if you drive it like a loon all the time then it'll adapt to that style. Though arguably that's 'normal mode' for an M. The reset effectively clears it's memory. And yes, it does work.

Interestingly it doesn't pick up on vanos problems, DSC pump/system failure, engine mounts and O2 sensors, all of which are known issues and much more serious (and expensive) than those referred to above. Though I think from being on here that only the O2 sensor failures could be described as 'common' issues.
 
Bing said:
Interestingly it doesn't pick up on vanos problems, DSC pump/system failure, engine mounts and O2 sensors, all of which are known issues and much more serious (and expensive) than those referred to above. Though I think from being on here that only the O2 sensor failures could be described as 'common' issues.
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...And don't forget rod bearings.

Goes to show you that you can't rely on anything you read to get correct information these days :(
 
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