///M Warranty Issues

[Andy]

There's only been two engine replacements hasn't there ? I didn't know about jontysafe's till now but knew the other.

I think realistically the only repetitive faults are the Lambda sensor, wheels occasionally flaking, washer bottles being a bit frail, my seat is still squeaky after 3 goes at fixing, and the light washers are also a bit pants.

There's a few here with proper mileage too, not all are pampered 4th cars. I reckon if we totalled all the forum cars' mileage we'd be well over 400k.

 

[mikedav]

Paint and lacqure flaking off the spokes on mine, Its a known fault so tomorrow I'll find out if they are going to replace 3 of my rims under the warranty? My front OS is the worst one, a strip about the size of my finger has fallen off.

None on mine...bugger, would have liked some new ones

As above engine failures are NOT common. This is a forum and logic dictates if someone has issues with their car, they seek one out. So everyone with a problem is likely on here - those without may or may not be. Take a look at the first page of threads for pretty much any make or model car forum and it would put you off buying one LOL. I had an E46 M3, used mtorque.co.uk a lot and can think of one other engine failure off the top of my head...and there are 100 times as many M3s as there are Z4Ms on the road (that's essentially the same car underneath). There was on 02 car being sold in the US about 06 with 230,000 miles on it...

For a highly tuned engine - individual throttle bodies, semi dry sump, high compressions, >100BHP per litre, etc - it's pretty rock solid reliable.

 

[Gids]

Interesting range of issues, has anyone had a price from BMW for renewal? I reckon my issues added together total around 1K.

Sixspeed, haven't you replaced your brakes with APs? I was well chuffed when they said they would replace mine under warranty, I'd already mentally spent that £6-700

I had 30K miles trouble free, only in the last few months have I had any issues.

 

[Gids]

For a highly tuned engine - individual throttle bodies, semi dry sump, high compressions, >100BHP per litre, etc - it's pretty rock solid reliable.

Oh I agree Mike, no major problems from me. I would have expected to have to change the discs around 40K anyhow.

Also would have liked some new wheels, now wheres that paint stripper ;-)

 

[BigT]

I believe warranty renewal is about £850pa, although mine's not up until June so can't confirm that.

I agree with mikedav about every owner who's had a new engine is likely to have posted here. How many Z4Ms are there in the UK? Something like 1000 between coupes and roadsters? 2 engine failures is 0.2% and I believe both were required at low mileages that probably 75% of cars have already passed without issue.

 

[monzon]

The car i am looking to buy has covered 36K, if in the next 4K miles the discs go, will this be covered under warranty?

 

[mikedav]

Mine is on extended warranty, £63/mo , full cover (not named part or drivetrain only) . Can't remember the excess but think it's £250. I took it out for resale more than anything, though right now

A) I have never really had any issues so maybe I got a good one
B) Not sure I will ever sell it

...so maybe a bit daft really!!

The car i am looking to buy has covered 36K, if in the next 4K miles the discs go, will this be covered under warranty?

I doubt it, they are a consumable. Having said that mine was serviced yesterday and at 33k discs are fine....pads are at 6mm.

If a BMW dealer tells you your discs are ok, it must mean they are factory fresh New front discs and pads would be £700-£1000

 

[Beedub]

im also really concerned about this, my warrnty is up in 1 months time and i have had not one single issue with my car in the 2.5 years ive owned it, now some may say great youve got a good car i say great...... its all going to go wrong out of warranty, but the cost of extending the warranty is HUGE, i really dont know what to do here to be honest, i suppose the only saving grace is the fact i can pay monthly if i wish. my car has been very good but i suppose its occasion use maybe isnt showing up the issues as quickly as the cars used everyday, ill make a decision within the first few months of warranty running out and the car back on the road/track. Either that or just slowly uprate all the known trouble issues as and when i can afford to, i.e coilovers, uprated bushings and mounts, ect. but so far fingers crossed, mines been amazing and one of the most trouble free cars ive owned. (touches wood)

 

[BigT]

I believe discs are considered consumables and so not covered under warranty, unless there is some sort of fault with the braking system that means they need replacing. Same with pads, tyres, fluids and servicing consumables. Some 3rd party warranties can include consumables but you'd need to check the small print.

 

[Andy]

I paid £850 without hesitation back in June, just for the lack of worry factor. BMW Assist, no excess, no worries. Almost a year later though, and haven't used it. Insp 2 is imminent and I've got a few very minor things to throw at them. Plus the Sales side of the dealership has been pants, so I'm going to argue and try to get an M3 V8 or SDrive 35i for the 2/3 days they'll need it.

I'm annoyed though, I had new discs at 15k and despite argument the dealer wouldn't shift on making me pay for them. I'm tempted to write a retrospective letter.

Mikedav - you're absolutely right tho - I think I got a good one too, & I can't see me ever selling at this rate, I'd miss her too much.

 

[BigT]

ill make a decision within the first few months of warranty running out and the car back on the road/track.

Is it not the case that to stick with a BMW warranty you have te renew the moment your manufacturer warranty expires? I thought you got one shot only to renew and couldn't come back at a later date and buy one?

 

[Andy]

^^ Yep you do.. and be careful, if you don't remember to do it, they might not contact you.

 

[sixspeed]

Interesting range of issues, has anyone had a price from BMW for renewal? I reckon my issues added together total around 1K.

Sixspeed, haven't you replaced your brakes with APs? I was well chuffed when they said they would replace mine under warranty, I'd already mentally spent that £6-700

I had 30K miles trouble free, only in the last few months have I had any issues.

Not yet (but literally going to change in the next week or so). I've been running standard brakes, with uprated fluid, RS29 Pagid pads and AP Racing Dot 4 fluid though since my first track outing... lol

In terms of mileage, I just clicked past 58,000 at the weekend...

 

[sammyz]

Are the engines only blowing up in coupes? Why would that be????

 

[mmm-five]

Are the engines only blowing up in coupes? Why would that be????

Because we drive them like we stole them

Although to be honest, I rarely take it above 7000rpm, never mind the 7900rpm redline - as my e34 M5 topped out at 7200rpm and I always get nervous as I approach 7000rpm in any car (especially diesels)

 

[jontysafe]

Be interested to know mmm-five how you ran in your new engine?

 

[flimper]

Despite the work I've had done I regard the Z4M as a reliable car. In my case the squeaky seat and wheels were minor problems, but if you have a warranty then why not have a go at getting them sorted FOC?

 

[mmm-five]

Be interested to know mmm-five how you ran in your new engine?

I wasn't given any specific information by the dealer, so simply followed the running in schedule from my e34 M5 which was stuck on the upper-right of the windscreen.

1) First 1000-1200 miles were kept below 3000rpm and quarter throttle.
2) Had running in service done at 1100 miles (only engine oil as diff & gearbox weren't changed)
3) Increase rev limit by 1000rpm every 1000 miles (so at 5000 miles you should be able to use the redline if you wanted)
4) Increase throttle input gradually every 1000 miles (so at 5000 miles you should be able to do full-bore launches)
5) Interim oil service at 8000 miles (doing this weekend)

Mine's had 7,000 miles since the engine was replaced, and those first 1000 miles were BORING, but luckily got them over and done with in a week

 

[sammyz]

Are the engines only blowing up in coupes? Why would that be????

Because we drive them like we stole them

Although to be honest, I rarely take it above 7000rpm, never mind the 7900rpm redline - as my e34 M5 topped out at 7200rpm and I always get nervous as I approach 7000rpm in any car (especially diesels)

Not all that hair product clogging up the air intake then?

 

[jontysafe]

Thanks mmm-five, that`s what I was going to do. Does anyone give credence to this? http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm