Great fun, great design, poorly engineered

[Geezah]

After nearly a year of Zed ownership and my first BMW, this is how I would describe my experience if I were asked.

I have to say that I was expecting more in terms of BMW engineering, what with all the hype that surrounds the badge - "The Ultimate Driving Machine". In over 30 years of driving, mainly French sheds, I've never had coils go at such low mileage nor had an ABS pump fault - ever, let alone at low mileage, it does take the edge off things, especially as the dealers want big bucks for the ABS fault.

The car just seems so........fragile. I guess if I wanted to up the engineering quality I should have bought an MX-5.......naaah! maybe not!

 

[ben g]

I agree. They're definitely not engineered to last.

Still love mine though. Shows up brand new cars which is always good.

 

[mr wilks]

The coilpacks are a minor fault imo , i once had one go on my 03 Passat just after 150k
I know modern german cars are perceived to be hewn from granite but in reality a lot of technology is in them & sheer volume of sales
dictates certain ones will have faults ,
Is the ABS one a sensor or the unit itself ? Dealer prices on repairs ? Find a decent indy a save yourself at least 50% :?
As for the comparison to french engineering ? Its a free world & you could easily go back there :wink: although i doubt you will .

 

[Geezah]

Thanks for the tips Mr Wilks, I'm checking out the easy things first. Dare I say, I love my Picasso too? But no guesses as to which keys I go for in the morning!

Its not just major faults but niggly little things too, like condensated fog lights, another first for me, cup holders, hood wearing where it rubs on the rear scuttle.

I think BMW must have screwed up when working out their replacement design life for their cars, not impressed for a perceived/marketed premium brand I'm afraid. :|

 

[DPG]

My TT was like that. I must have had every sensor and switch replaced in 4 years of ownership.

Still loved it though.

 

[Machine monkey]

Thanks for the tips Mr Wilks, I'm checking out the easy things first. Dare I say, I love my Picasso too? But no guesses as to which keys I go for in the morning!

Its not just major faults but niggly little things too, like condensated fog lights, another first for me, cup holders, hood wearing where it rubs on the rear scuttle.

I think BMW must have screwed up when working out their replacement design life for their cars, not impressed for a perceived/marketed premium brand I'm afraid. :|

100% agree the cars are well engendered they come apart and go back together well. Witch is handy as it seems it will break!!

 

[mr wilks]

Thanks for the tips Mr Wilks, I'm checking out the easy things first. Dare I say, I love my Picasso too? But no guesses as to which keys I go for in the morning!

Its not just major faults but niggly little things too, like condensated fog lights, another first for me, cup holders, hood wearing where it rubs on the rear scuttle.

I think BMW must have screwed up when working out their replacement design life for their cars, not impressed for a perceived/marketed premium brand I'm afraid. :|

I do get your gripes & have had certain issues with previous BMW's but they are a bit like women :? you love them but they do certain things you wish they wouldn't & whilst those things annoy like mad until they become intolerable you turn a blind eye
Anyhow , wait till you try a Alfa before you start describing BMW's as "fragile"

 

[paulgs1000]

After nearly a year of Zed ownership and my first BMW, this is how I would describe my experience if I were asked.

I have to say that I was expecting more in terms of BMW engineering, what with all the hype that surrounds the badge - "The Ultimate Driving Machine". In over 30 years of driving, mainly French sheds, I've never had coils go at such low mileage nor had an ABS pump fault - ever, let alone at low mileage, it does take the edge off things, especially as the dealers want big bucks for the ABS fault.

The car just seems so........fragile. I guess if I wanted to up the engineering quality I should have bought an MX-5.......naaah! maybe not!

Hiya Geezah - good to hear from you - sorry we've not met up again on a run.

My thoughts - well I've seen how you drive and as an ex biker you get the best out of your Zed (and keep up the maxim I have that the 2 litre is a very effective Zed!)
For me I can't believe that the Zed offers such performance and keeps coming back for more - I'm not surprised that certain things crop up during such use. I know what you mean about the coils (had one go on mine) the broken springs, roof motor issue etc but to be honest what impresses me is that when I start the Zed, each time it's shrugged off the last run and is up for more - Just returned from a hard few days on the road to Skye and back. Next day, Steph went out and took the Zed to work as if nothing had happened. Don't know of many cars that can keep that up month after month without some failures. How can it keep performing at such a level time after time - I see that as great engineering - such performance being the norm and just accepted and expected - brilliant for me. (And I had an MX5 which never went wrong but I never felt it was such a hard charging car as either of my Zeds). I can't understand how the Zed can take it all!

Just my twopennies worth. . . .

 

[paulgs1000]

P.S. Do get yourself a good indi - it's the only way I can afford to run my Zed. Ask on the forum and a recommendation should be forth-coming. The guy I use in Newcastle is excellent and other forum members are using him now as well - FAR more realistic and affordable prices and he is renowned as knowing his BMWs so I'd go to him before the Dealers every time.

 

[Mr Whippy]

I'd completely disagree. These cars are built great and are a great example of BMW engineering.

If my Z4 had been a French car, it'd have had 4 sets of lower wishbones/bushes, two exhausts, a few snapped cam belts (chains) and a few failed radiators and god knows what else by now.

BMW would want to charge me the same for parts, despite them lasting 6 months instead of 6 years.


It sounds like you got a bad car and that sucks, but whatever you put right on this car should now last for the rest of the life of it... if that is any consolation.

I've had my Z4 6 years in January, the longest I've owned a car... and I struggle to think what I could possibly replace it with!

Dave

 

[domsz4]

all cars get their niggles, i dont think ive ever had one that didn't. the mondeo kept eating lamda's and its cat.

the spring thing is crap i would agree. but from what ive read and has been said on other forums this is happening more and more as cheaper manufacturing/materials are used and the condition of our roads carries on its downward trend. its rubbish but again i dont know anyone who hasnt had at least 1 spring go on any make of car where i live. i would say the same for any bush or suspension part.

tbf the only car i had that was fairly indestructible was a yugo 55 but then that was just a tank with the gun taken off from yugoslavia.

 

[paulgs1000]

tbf the only car i had that was fairly indestructible was a yugo 55 but then that was just a tank with the gun taken off from yugoslavia.