How reliable is your Z4? Really.........

[boli1021]

I purchased it about 3 months ago. It's a 2005, Auto with 34,000 miles on it. During the 3 month period I had it, I put on less than 500 miles on it, and I had to sent it back to dealer for repair 3 times. 1. Steering wheel column replacement (making clicking noise when turn); 2. Ignition switch Replacement; 3. and the big one, transmission replacement. It's not over yet, I sent it back to dealer again today for repair. It makes this humming noise when I turn the key( engine is not started), and this happens only in the morning when engine is cold. So far, there are two occurrences. Sent it to dealer, they were not able to duplicate it. They probably think I am crazy and explained to me it was normal sound made by some kind of pump when you start the car. I know the normal sound from pump when car starts. And I guarantee the is something different. It's louder, goes away after the car runs a minute or two. And it wasn't there before. I will keep watching this. If it happens again, I will send it back again.
Well, my question is how reliable your Z4 really is? Am I just being unlucky or I should expect all these? I don't own the car long enough to make the call. But, so far, it's been pretty unreliable. I will be happy to hear from other owners who have had their cars for long time to comment.

 

[ovrkll]

Mine is very reliable. The sound that you are hearing is the electric fuel pump, pressurizing the fuel rails.

 

[mmm-five]

Done 4,000 miles in the last 2 months and had nothing wrong that was the fault of the car. Just a puncture.

 

[boli1021]

I know the noise from fuel pump. And I had it before. This is different. And it wasn't there before. It's louder. And I wouldn't hear it once engine started. This stays on for a minute or two, then go away.

 

[emdinva]

I had a 2004 2.5 litter and now have a 2006 M roadster. They have been back to the shop for service only. The two together about 50,000 miles. Very reliable!!

 

[Smokin]

The steering is a known issue but I don't think the facelift ones have it. Mine's a 2007 coupe and have never had a problem with it (furiously knocking wood...... :lol: ) My 325 was bulletproof as well (there was a recall on the coils on that one though)

 

[MerLOW]

I bought mine in October with 32,500 on the clock. I had it to the dealer 4 mondays in a row but all visits were for simple fixes under warranty which the prior owner hadn't bothered to do. It might be that I'm just overly picky and it's just as likely that the former owner was not.

 

[WLH]

I have had 2 Z4's. A 2003 and a 2006 and close to 100,000 miles between both of them. Service only with the exception of a power top failure on the 2006 which was replace by the dealer last year under warranty.

 

[JetBlackZ]

A significant factor of any cars longevity has to do with how well the car has been maintained. I have just over 70K and have always kept up on maintenance.The car runs perfectly and had only minor repairs like a broken cup holder or replacing a hose. Sounds like the previous owner might have been a bit rough on the car.

 

[Shipkiller]

I know the noise from fuel pump. And I had it before. This is different. And it wasn't there before. It's louder. And I wouldn't hear it once engine started. This stays on for a minute or two, then go away.

Are you sure it's not the emissions air pump? It stays on for 90 seconds then terminates. It could be going bad.. It is a known problem.

 

[boli1021]

I am not sure if it's "emission air pump". The car was perfectly normal when I left at the dealer. I will make sure mention this to the technician if I take it in for the same reason. Thanks.

 

[pmeloche]

I've had my Z4MC for 10 months now and put 13K kms on it without a single problem. I have an X5 also and it's working flawlessly. It seems to be all or nothing with BMW on the reliability. There are countless horror stories with the X5 but mine have been extremely reliable.

 

[sammyz]

Had my Z4M for 20 months, brake control module thingy went AWOl, fixed under warranty, and my sat nav screen refuses to open occasionally so it's going back in for that. Otherwise, no problems. 8)

 

[gannet]

Had mine for just over two years, it has never let me down... though it has needed a new clutch and a new radio - luckily just inside the warranty

 

[konas]

Are you sure it's not the emissions air pump? It stays on for 90 seconds then terminates. It could be going bad.. It is a known problem.

When started reading I thought of the same (emissions pump) as i had faced this, but then noticed that he sais that noise is before starting the engine, so it is not this pump.
I cant think of something else than the fuel pump.
Do you refill the tank after going almost empty? it might be a reason for the fuel pump...

 

[GP20]

It's really hit or miss. My Oct. '02 built 2003 2.5i turned out to be the most reliable of my 3 Z4's. My '04 was a lemon and had about 20 problems and evetually a cold-start issue pushed it over the cliff and BMWUSA bought it back. Many '03 & '04 Z4's had a major problem where the engine completely lost power and went into a limp mode while the cars were being driven (many times on the freeway too).

My '06 M has had the fuel pump and soft-top motor replaced, a broken trunk strut, prematurely worn driver seat cover, and a few other minor issues that I can't remember. Fairly reliable I guess since it hasn't left me stranded on the road. It's the poor build quality and the interior rattles/squeaks/buzzing noises that have bothered me more. It's Made In USA so that probably explains it.

 

[Mr Whippy]

I know the noise from fuel pump. And I had it before. This is different. And it wasn't there before. It's louder. And I wouldn't hear it once engine started. This stays on for a minute or two, then go away.

Are you sure it's not the emissions air pump? It stays on for 90 seconds then terminates. It could be going bad.. It is a known problem.

That sounds a bit like the kind of thing it would be. A solenoid to activate it pre-ignition, then on up to 90 seconds once started, and more likely to be active longer when it's cold.

I'd look to that to be what is doing something not normal. Try starting the car with the bonnet up and having someone listen to it, to see if it is that.

Dave

 

[Smokin]

I know the noise from fuel pump. And I had it before. This is different. And it wasn't there before. It's louder. And I wouldn't hear it once engine started. This stays on for a minute or two, then go away.

Are you sure it's not the emissions air pump? It stays on for 90 seconds then terminates. It could be going bad.. It is a known problem.

So THAT's the noise I hear after I shut off the car! Thanks, thought I was going daft or something. It persists long enough for me to walk around the car and get stuff out of the passenger side. Usually shuts off shortly thereafter. So......if it's that noisy, is it still ok?

 

[Smokin]

It's the poor build quality and the interior rattles/squeaks/buzzing noises that have bothered me more. It's Made In USA so that probably explains it.

Excuse me? :x

My Z is no less up to build standard than my German built 325.

 

[easty027]

Mine is a daily driver and i have covered approx 8k miles in the last year of ownership - never missed a beat, its been great.

hope you get your sorted out !