I have the same problem and my wife nearly wrapped the car. It happened suddenly. I contacted BMW and got the following reply:
Dear Mr
Thank you for your email dated May 28, 2013. I am sorry to learn that the power steering has failed on your wife’s BMW Z4. I appreciate that the circumstances must have been upsetting for her.
Under European law, all vehicles with power assisted steering must be able to function in the event of a steering pump failure. While I appreciate that when the power assisted steering ceases to work, the vehicle's steering becomes heavier than normal, in an emergency situation, the brakes will still operate.
I acknowledge that the unexpected repair costs are causing you concern. I also understand that through your own independent research you have come across similar faults online. Whilst I appreciate that the Internet is a useful tool, it is an unregulated medium and it can prove to be an unreliable source of information, particularly for faults and complaints.
BMW Customer Support are not in a position to offer a contribution towards the cost of repair, this is investigated by your preferred Approved BMW Dealership, who can contact us, if this is appropriate. However, I can confirm that various factors will be taken into consideration such as the vehicle's age, mileage and service history and the cost of an Insured Warranty. When there is no warranty policy in force, BMW UK is under no obligation to assist with any repair costs.
To enable them to assess your case, your local BMW Approved Dealership will need to carry out an inspection of your vehicle. Following this inspection, the dealership will be able to determine whether the failure is the result of a manufacturing related issue.
Customers' safety is paramount to BMW UK and, if there was a safety related problem with any component on your vehicle, we would issue a product recall. I can advise that having checked our records against the vehicle chassis number, there are no recalls against your wife’s BMW Z4.
In closing, I am sorry that you have had cause to contact us under such circumstances and appreciate that this may not be the response you were hoping for.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Marianne Dixon
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)870 5050160
Fax: +44 (0)870 5050205
Mailto: [email protected]
URL: www.bmw.co.uk
Dear Mr
Thank you for your email dated May 28, 2013. I am sorry to learn that the power steering has failed on your wife’s BMW Z4. I appreciate that the circumstances must have been upsetting for her.
Under European law, all vehicles with power assisted steering must be able to function in the event of a steering pump failure. While I appreciate that when the power assisted steering ceases to work, the vehicle's steering becomes heavier than normal, in an emergency situation, the brakes will still operate.
I acknowledge that the unexpected repair costs are causing you concern. I also understand that through your own independent research you have come across similar faults online. Whilst I appreciate that the Internet is a useful tool, it is an unregulated medium and it can prove to be an unreliable source of information, particularly for faults and complaints.
BMW Customer Support are not in a position to offer a contribution towards the cost of repair, this is investigated by your preferred Approved BMW Dealership, who can contact us, if this is appropriate. However, I can confirm that various factors will be taken into consideration such as the vehicle's age, mileage and service history and the cost of an Insured Warranty. When there is no warranty policy in force, BMW UK is under no obligation to assist with any repair costs.
To enable them to assess your case, your local BMW Approved Dealership will need to carry out an inspection of your vehicle. Following this inspection, the dealership will be able to determine whether the failure is the result of a manufacturing related issue.
Customers' safety is paramount to BMW UK and, if there was a safety related problem with any component on your vehicle, we would issue a product recall. I can advise that having checked our records against the vehicle chassis number, there are no recalls against your wife’s BMW Z4.
In closing, I am sorry that you have had cause to contact us under such circumstances and appreciate that this may not be the response you were hoping for.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Marianne Dixon
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)870 5050160
Fax: +44 (0)870 5050205
Mailto: [email protected]
URL: www.bmw.co.uk
