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

[rollingstone]

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.

+1. I just watched the "Ultimate Factories" featuring the Z4 and must say that compared to the Corvette factory, BMW's assembly plant was spotless (although the Corvette paint room was pretty cool). And regardless of where it's "made" — it's a world economy, you know, and many "imports" such as Toyota and Honda that are trumpeted for their tight-tolerances and rattle-free quality are built in strange, exotic lands like Indiana, Ohio and Georgia — it still has to measure up to BMW standards... And that rests squarely on the shoulders of BMW to uphold.

I drive Richmond's pothole strewn, cobblestone and brick streets every day, and only on the coldest of cold mornings do I hear a rattle.

End of flag-waving, American pride rant... from a bloke who proudly drives a German import assembled in America.

Cheers.

 

[GP20]

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.

You're comparing one single Z4 to one single 325. Not sure why you'd be offended by the fact that in general the German automobile buildmanship overall is better than the American's. Do you get offended as well when someone says the American's buildmanship isn't as good as Japanese?

 

[Smokin]

Yep, because the highest rated cars in initial quality might have Japanese or German nameplates, but they are assembled in AMERICAN factories.


Now if you want to discuss the difference between unionized American nameplate factories and non-union "foreign" factories............

 

[a11y]

You won't get a fair reponse from an owner's forum about car reliability: we're all very anal when it comes to ANY problem with our cars, whereas the average person probably wouldn't be bothered with it

Also, no matter what car or manufacturer, you'll always get the odd lemon. I owned a 2004 Clio Renaultsport 172 which was incredibly unreliable, but mine seemed to be an exception to the rule among 172 owners. On the other hand, I owned a Fiat Punto - a car renowned for being typical Italian build - for 4 years without a single problem.

 

[mmm-five]

Is there no JD Power info on the Z4 for questions like this?

There is:

2007 Coupe version - http://www.jdpower.com/autos/BMW/Z4/2007/Coupe/ratings
2003 Roadster version - http://www.jdpower.com/autos/BMW/Z4/2003/Convertible/ratings

Edited to add my own answer...

 

[bmwmike]

most reliable car I've owned (knock on wood). I've only had it for a year and put roughly 12k on, but I'm even driving it in the -20's here and the only thing its ever done is flash the battery warning light in extreme cold (I've tested the battery and alternator and they're good). It has just over 60k and hasn't missed a beat in my hands..

 

[Smokin]

You won't get a fair reponse from an owner's forum about car reliability: we're all very anal when it comes to ANY problem with our cars, whereas the average person probably wouldn't be bothered with it

Also, no matter what car or manufacturer, you'll always get the odd lemon. I owned a 2004 Clio Renaultsport 172 which was incredibly unreliable, but mine seemed to be an exception to the rule among 172 owners. On the other hand, I owned a Fiat Punto - a car renowned for being typical Italian build - for 4 years without a single problem.

Absolutely! :drinkwine:

 

[GAZA62]

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.

Have to agree have none of the rattles or noises inside the car that seem to get mentioned a lot on here maybe its because my car has so few miles on her for an 04 had the car a year Sunday just gone and been superb a little scary at times on icy and wet roads but a superb car.

 

[GP20]

Yep, because the highest rated cars in initial quality might have Japanese or German nameplates, but they are assembled in AMERICAN factories.


Now if you want to discuss the difference between unionized American nameplate factories and non-union "foreign" factories............

So you'd rather buy an American built Sony TV or latop than a Japanese built Sony TV or laptop? :roll:

Seriously I think sometimes the american pride can make people slightly ignorant. This isn't USA v.s. Germany or v.s. Japan. It's more of a cultural difference of work ethics and dedications expected from and by blue-collar workers themselves among these countries. Not exactly saying Americans are lazier comparatively, but in general there's certainly a difference in the levels of dedication and stringency. If you refuse to believe that's the case........... :wink:

 

[Smokin]

Frankly, I don't care where it's built as long as it's up to corporate standards and the cars built Spartanburg, SC *are*.

I really and truly don't get the anti-American bias and as the daughter of retired blue-collar workers I'm offended. :x

 

[GP20]

Might want to take up travelling abroad and seeing things from different perspectives sometimes then. The USA=best-in-everything mentality gets tiresome after a while as well.

And you sure get offended pretty easily. I couldn't give less s**t about what strangers say on online forums. You really shouldn't either.

 

[Smokin]

OK, last post on this---I never said the USA is best at everything, I'm simply saying that we're the equal. And yes, I get offended easily when I know my parents worked all their lives as blue-collar workers and for someone who doesn't know me from Adam's house cat, but still tells me my parents weren't up to snuff......well, you do the math.

 

[RustyZ4]

i have my 14 about 18 months, put 14000 miles on it, total 41000 miles, apart from the standard broken rear spring (under warranty) had no problems at all.

 

[Topshelf]

I really and truly don't get the anti-American bias...

Have you owned any Chevy, Ford, Dodge vehicles over the last 15 or so years? I've gone through plenty, and after working my way though a few Toyota's, Lexus's, MB's and BMW's, there is a very good reason for the anti-American bias. Not saying I'm happy about it, but there is good reason.

Back on topic though, picked my '06 Z4 up with 3k miles on it, now have about 11k. Have had both control arms and bushings replaced, both air vents were rattling but have been fixed and an odd suspension issue where the car sat crooked until the morning I dropped it off at the dealer. I now have another rattle on the passenger side somewhere I haven't been able to locate yet and a whistle during light acceleration that they are telling me is normal...even though it wasn't there for the first 7k miles. :roll: But, I drive 70 miles round trip 5 days a week and the car has been very reliable and I still love it. Hoping there's just a few small kinks that needed to be worked out.

 

[DHK]

I have 20k on the clock and have no problems. Way to go BMW!

 

[konas]

Emissions control pump starts just when the engine starts (not when key is only turned) and last for about 60-90 seconds.

But boli021 said that he has the noise with the key turn...

Also emissions pump shuts off when engine is switched off even before the 60-90 secs period.

 

[Sticks]

Mines been extremely reliable over 4 1/2 yrs. 2 headlight washer covers and an indicator bulb so far.

As for the fuel pump noise. I had that and posted on PH about it, no response. Took it to local well respected mechanic, 'don't worry'. Noise went away. Chap from here emailed me and said 'same prob, any ideas?' Couldn't offer him anything but in passing he said wouldn't be buying Tesco 99 again. Thinking back, realised I'd bought it for the first time just before myself.

So, maybe try getting your fuel somewhere different and see wat happens. Mine's not happened again.

 

[mystik]

i took the liberty of reading the first post... but i just happened to skim thru the responses.

in answer to the topic's question....

it is VERy reliable. i have thrashed that car and put it thru hell and back and it still makes that sweet engine noise.

so.. no complaints from me!

how many times has it been in the shop? just once. i needed to replace the front control arm bushings. otherwise, i've only sent the car to the shop for its routine inspection 1 & 2 and oil changes. i've put 20 thousand miles on my car in the past year.

 

[Z4good]

My Z4 has been very reliable to date. A couple of minor issues but very happy with it all in all. As far as comparing the quality of cars built in different countries is really a waste of time. Many foreign cars are built here in America that have outstanding build quality. The honda accord comes to mind. But to have pride in ones country, (no matter were you call home) is fine and is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[GP20]

OK, last post on this---I never said the USA is best at everything, I'm simply saying that we're the equal. And yes, I get offended easily when I know my parents worked all their lives as blue-collar workers and for someone who doesn't know me from Adam's house cat, but still tells me my parents weren't up to snuff......well, you do the math.

I never picked out your parents individually. The fact that you would even get offended by the notion that average Japanese workers' work ethics and dedications exceed those of average American workers really goes to show how little you know about it. How many Americans do you know of that would work +20 non-paying overtime hours each week, weeks after weeks, months after months, years after years, without complaning and actually take pride in their devotions to their companies? That's a standard norm in Japan (as well as a few other Asian countries). That's how the workers are expected to be and how they expect of themselves. And that's just one example It really isn't a stretch to say they're expected to literally devote their lives and souls to work before familes and whatnot. I'm not saying Japanese are better than Americans. I'm saying there's simply a cultural difference. Companies employ more stringent policies and have less tolerance for errors and mistakes and don't hesitate to hand out penaliztions when mistakes are made. It doesn't happen in USA because you would have unions filing grievances and law-suits all day long and say hey the workers are leaving at 5PM and not staying for an extra hour without being compensated - and there's nothing wrong with that. Like I said, it's simply a cultural difference.